SOURCE: PTI

Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande has held high-level professional discussions with his American counterpart Gen Randy George and other senior military officials on matters of bilateral importance and ways to enhance mutual commitment towards global peace and security.

Pande, who is on a four-day official visit to the US beginning February 13, is the first Indian Army chief to visit the country in several years. “The discussions were aimed at aspects of bilateral importance and further enhancing mutual commitment towards global peace and security,” according to an official post on X by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army.

SOURCE: AFI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is taking a proactive step to protect the Srinagar-Leh highway, a vital artery in Kashmir, with a remotely operated avalanche warning and monitoring system at Zoji La, a high mountain pass known for its treacherous conditions.

This innovative system will rely on a network of infrasonic sensors, capable of detecting sound waves and stress vibrations beyond human hearing range. These sensors, strategically placed along the Sonamarg-Zojila-Tangdhar axis, will act as vigilant sentinels, constantly monitoring for signs of avalanche activity.

SOURCE: IANS

As China continues to bless the Pakistani deep state’s designs on Kashmir, a former top diplomat has made a pitch for India becoming more active across the Karakoram region and reclaiming the ancient economic and cultural ties that bound it with Kashmir.

There was a time when Kashmir, a bustling centre of scholarship and trade, thrived as a gateway to Central Asia, particularly to the now cordoned-off Xinjiang province, China’s infamous ethnic cleansing laboratory.

SOURCE: ISRO

The Indian X-ray Polarimeter (POLIX), onboard India’s X-ray polarimetry mission XPoSat, has commenced its scientific observations. A pulse profile of the Crab pulsar is generated from the observations carried out by POLIX during January 15-18, 2024. The Crab pulsar, a pulsating star, resides near the center of the Crab Nebula and spins about its axis approximately 30 times per second.

The plot illustrates the time window of X-rays scattered by the Beryllium scatterer inside POLIX, originally emitted from the Crab pulsar. This plot represents the first of its kind in this energy range. The data in lower and greater than this energy range are available from different missions. The X-axis indicates the time for two pulses, about 67 ms in total.

SOURCE: IANS

Nearly 34 investment projects worth Rs 3,585.85 crore are ready to be included in the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony (GBC) in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) is attracting major investments and demonstrating commitment to make India ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in the defence and aerospace sector.

So far, the sector has attracted 114 investment intents with a proposed investment of Rs 24,510.60 crore and potential employment generation of 41,667. These projects are spread across Aligarh, Jhansi, Kanpur and Lucknow nodes of the defence industrial corridor and would generate over 8,530 employment opportunities.

SOURCE: Narendra Modi Website

Since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Shri Narendra Modi has worked towards permanently resolving the chronic problems plaguing the nation. Left-Wing extremism was one such big liability. Referred as India’s biggest internal security challenge, the Maoist insurgency, which started in the 1960s and destroyed several generations, has now lost its appeal altogether.

It happened due to a multi-pronged strategy of the Modi government involving security- measures, development interventions, and ensuring the rights and entitlements of local communities. Maoists, often called Naxalites, had managed to draw support from disgruntled citizens, especially tribals, who believed they had been exploited and not benefited from the fruits of economic growth. Incidents of Maoist violence and deaths have dropped drastically in the last decade, pointing to waning rebel influence.

SOURCE: PTI

US aerospace major Boeing on Thursday announced the appointment of Nikhil Joshi as managing director of Boeing Defence India (BDI), saying it is aimed at strengthening the company’s operations and accelerated growth strategy in the country.

Based in New Delhi, Joshi will lead current and future programmes for BDI to enhance the mission readiness and modernisation of India’s defence forces, the company said.

SOURCE: IANS

Indian websites and applications witnessed over 5.14 billion cyber attacks last year, especially targeting the healthcare sector, a new report revealed on Thursday. With a 10 times increase in attacks, software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies in India emerged as key targets for cybercriminals due to the high-value customer data they store, according to the report by Indusface, a TCGF II (Tata Capital) funded application security company.

The retail and e-commerce industries were mostly targets of carding attacks.

SOURCE: PTI

The Maldives has deported 186 foreigners, including 43 Indians, after accusing them of committing crimes like visa violations and drug offences, according to a media report. The highest number of people deported was from Bangladesh. At least 83 Bangladeshis were deported followed by 43 Indians, 25 Sri Lankans and 8 Nepalis. The date of their deportation is not yet known, Male-based news outlet Adhadhu reported.

The deportations come as efforts are under way in the Maldives to shut down businesses operated illegally.

SOURCE: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday received a ceremonial welcome and met with the Amir of Qatar in Doha on the second day of his official visit to Qatar. Additionally, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The meeting was also attended by the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy has thrown a lifeline to the Tapas MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAV program by taking control of two prototypes for performance evaluation. This comes after the Indian Army and Air Force walked away due to technical shortcomings, primarily the UAV’s inability to reach a 30,000-foot altitude and operate for 24 hours continuously.

Undeterred, the Navy plans to put the Tapas through its paces in maritime operations, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. If the performance meets expectations, the Navy could become the program’s first customer, potentially ordering a squadron of 12 units. This would be a significant boost for the Tapas program, which has faced challenges in meeting initial requirements.

SOURCE: AFI

Mark your calendars, weather enthusiasts! On February 17th, India’s space agency, ISRO, will launch the highly anticipated INSAT-3DS satellite, marking a significant advancement in the country’s weather forecasting capabilities.

This 2,274-kg powerhouse, funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is a continuation of the Third Generation Meteorological Satellite series, positioned in the geostationary orbit for optimal observation. It joins its operational predecessors, INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR, launched in 2016.

SOURCE: AFI

In a complex international scenario, six individuals accused of violating Indian terror laws find themselves entangled in a web of legal and diplomatic challenges while residing in the United Kingdom. The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA), responsible for counter-terrorism efforts in India, has listed these individuals, prompting them to seek additional security from local authorities out of un-found fear of potential reprisals from Indian agents.

Among the accused is Kulwant Singh Mothada, a figure associated with the Pro-Khalistani movement operating from the UK. Mothada’s has a made a plea for safety amid the escalating tensions surrounding allegations of terrorism and separatism. He asserts his status as a law-abiding citizen and emphasizes the principles of self-determination advocated by the United Nations.

SOURCE: AFI

In a major display of international cooperation, warships from the United States, Russia, and Iran will join India in the upcoming ‘Milan 2024’ naval exercise, marking a significant development for the event. Held from February 19 to 27 in Visakhapatnam, the exercise will witness a diverse range of 51 participating nations, 35 warships and submarines, and 50 aircraft.

The two-phase exercise, encompassing both harbor and sea phases, aims to promote maritime cooperation and security. Fifteen countries, including Japan, Australia, and France, will contribute ships or planes, while India will deploy its full naval might, including both aircraft carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move symbolizing national pride and cultural embrace, the Indian Navy has officially permitted officers and sailors to wear kurta-pyjamas in informal settings within mess halls and institutes. This decision aligns with the government’s broader “Indianisation” initiative, aiming to infuse traditional elements into military customs and practices.

The new dress code outlines specific guidelines for the kurta-pyjama attire. Kurtas must be plain colored, knee-length, and feature cuffed sleeves with buttons or cufflinks. Pyjamas should be slim-fitting and match or contrast with the kurta. Additionally, waistcoats or jackets are offered as optional accessories.