SOURCE: PTI

Pakistan Rangers on Wednesday violated ceasefire agreement by resorting to unprovoked firing at a Border Security Force (BSF) post along the International Border here, officials said. BSF personnel manning the border outpost in Makwal retaliated befittingly to the firing from across the border, with the exchange lasting for over 20 minutes, beginning at 5.50 pm, officials said.They said there was no casualty or damage on the Indian side.

Last year, on the intervening night of November 8-9, a BSF jawan was killed in Pakistan Rangers firing in Ramgarh sector of Samba district — the first death on this side since February 25, 2021, when a renewed ceasefire was agreed upon by the two countries.

SOURCE: PIB

Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha made a significant port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique on 14 February, 2024 as a part of ongoing strategic overseas deployment to East Africa, marking a pivotal milestone in the ongoing diplomatic maritime engagements.

During its three-day visit, the crew of ICGS Varaha will participate in a series of professional interactions in the field of Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) and Maritime Law Enforcement including cross-deck training, call on to various Mozambique Naval and maritime agencies officials, sports fixtures, joint yoga sessions, tabletop exercises and Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Mozambique Naval Forces. The visit of ICGS Varaha, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel to East African countries also aims to showcase Indian shipbuilding industry prowess and capabilities furthering the concept of “Aatmnirbhar Bharat”.

SOURCE: ANI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested three persons belonging to Jammu and Kashmir in a money laundering case linked to terror financing involving Pakistani handlers, the agency said on Wednesday.

The three persons namely Mohammad Akabar Bhat and Fatima Shah, both residents of Srinagar, and Sabzzar Ahmad Shaikh, a resident of Anantnag, were arrested on Tuesday under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in connection with the money laundering case wherein accused persons involved in terror financing were hand in gloves with Pakistani handlers namely Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Altaf Ahmad Bhat, who arranged admissions in MBBS and other courses in the colleges of Pakistan for students from Jammu and Kashmir.

SOURCE: PTI

Maoists killed a 30-year-old man engaged in work under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Wednesday evening, police said. The incident took place at a weekly market at Orchha village, said an official. As per the preliminary information, a group of armed Maoists killed Mohammad Iqbal, a native of Jamul village in Durg district, in the market before fleeing from the spot.

His throat was found to have been slit, the official said.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.

The Indian Army recently conducted trials of the improved version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) at the Pokhran field firing range, as reported by the Times of India. This development comes alongside the successful demonstration of the NAMIS tank destroyer, solidifying India’s advancements in indigenous anti-tank weaponry.

While details of the specific range improvement remain undisclosed, the upgraded Nag ATGM belongs to the third generation, potentially offering advantages in accuracy, lethality, and countermeasure resistance compared to its predecessor. Its existing “fire-and-forget” capability and tandem warhead design for top-attack engagements ensure effectiveness against armored targets.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG TEAM.

India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to fulfill its commitment to deliver four upgraded LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, a development highlighted in recent media reports. This delivery marks a significant milestone as it will pave the way for the establishment of the first squadron equipped with these advanced aircraft.

According to the latest updates, HAL is set to initiate Slow and Fast Taxi trials for the first aircraft later this month, with plans to conclude the maiden flight by next month. Looking ahead, HAL aims to continue its momentum by delivering three additional fighter jets by August of this year.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG TEAM.

An Indian conglomerate, Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd (AEASI), finds itself at the center of a controversy concerning its alleged role in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Reports suggest that AEASI-produced Hermes 900 drones, capable of carrying and firing missiles, may have been deployed in the Palestinian territories during the recent clashes.

It’s important to note that neither the Israeli nor the Indian governments have confirmed the deployment of AEASI-manufactured drones in the conflict. The information stems from media reports based on unnamed sources, adding an element of uncertainty to the claims.

SOURCE: AFI

Havildar Varinder Singh, serving in the esteemed Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army, has pioneered a groundbreaking innovation: the ‘Multipurpose Octocopter.’ This remarkable device, designed and developed by Havildar Varinder Singh, boasts multifaceted capabilities that promise to revolutionize military operations.

The ‘Multipurpose Octocopter’ transcends conventional surveillance drones by offering a versatile array of functions. Its primary role encompasses surveillance operations, providing real-time camera feed to operators for enhanced situational awareness. However, its utility extends far beyond mere surveillance tasks.

SOURCE: PIB

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract on February 14, 2024 with Advanced Weapon Equipment India Ltd. (AWEIL), Kanpur for manufacturing & supply of a total of 463 indigenously manufactured 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Control Guns (SRCG) for the Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of Rs. 1752.13 crores, with Indigenous Content (IC) of more than 85%.

The SRCG will enhance the capability of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to accurately engage small targets that post a threat to ships in an asymmetric environment, both by day and night.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command, also known as the Sunrise Command, has warmly welcomed two French military aircraft to its base at INS Dega in Visakhapatnam. The arrival of the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft and the Airbus A400M military transport aircraft marks a new chapter in India-France defense cooperation, focusing on bolstering interoperability through joint exercises.

The Atlantique 2, known for its advanced sensors and surveillance capabilities, will undoubtedly enhance the Indian Navy’s patrol and reconnaissance abilities in the Bay of Bengal and beyond. Its deployment signifies France’s commitment to supporting India’s maritime security interests and regional stability.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent report released by Surfshark, a leading provider of VPN services, notable insights into internet restrictions and shutdowns across various regions have come to light. The report highlights a significant decline in internet disruptions in Jammu & Kashmir during the year 2023, marking a notable departure from the previous year’s figures.

According to the findings, Jammu & Kashmir experienced only four short-term internet shutdowns or restrictions to mobile network services throughout 2023. This represents a stark decrease from the 42 instances recorded in 2022, signaling a positive trend toward greater internet accessibility and connectivity in the region.

SOURCE: AFI

The deployment of Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) by the Delhi Police has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the use of crowd-control measures during protests and demonstrations in the capital city. LRADs, also known as crowd-control sound cannons, are uni-directional, non-lethal sonic weapons capable of emitting bursts of extremely loud sounds that can potentially damage protesters’ hearing.

The acquisition of LRADs by the Delhi Police dates back to 2013, when reports indicated that the department procured five such devices at a substantial cost of over ?30 lakh each. These LRADs were intended to bolster the police force’s capabilities in managing protests, demonstrations, and other public gatherings across the city.

SOURCE: ANI

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has crossed the milestone of Rs 1 lakh crore in total order value transacted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal since its inception. According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this milestone, also known as Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), underscores MoD’s commitment to streamlining public spending in the Defence sector, setting a precedent as the first central government entity to achieve this feat.

The GeM portal has played a pivotal role in facilitating diverse procurement needs of MoD, ranging from general store items like eggs to critical defence acquisitions such as missile systems.