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.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent report in the Financial Times reveals that Brussels is proposing sanctions against three Chinese companies and one Indian business as part of its latest efforts to disrupt Russia’s military operations.

If approved by member states, this would mark the first instance of mainland Chinese and Indian businesses being targeted by EU sanctions. The potential imposition of sanctions on an Indian company carries significant sensitivity, given India’s status as a key ally of the United States and its ongoing negotiations for a trade deal with the EU. In response to criticism surrounding its procurement of discounted Russian oil, which is under sanctions, and subsequent export of refined products to the EU, New Delhi has defended its actions as legally compliant.

SOURCE: PTI

Ragesh Gopakumar, one of the eight Indian Navy veterans released by the Qatar government, expressed joy and gratitude over returning home and being reunited with his family after spending months in captivity in the tiny gulf nation.

“We are just happy to be alive… happy to be home,” a relieved Gopakumar said, adding that he and his colleagues survived only because of their Defence training. He was freed along with seven other former Navy personnel by Qatar two days ago after their death sentences were commuted to jail terms of varying duration.

SOURCE: PTI

The Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) has urged the Centre to reconsider its decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with the neighbouring country. In a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, NGOCC, a conglomerate of major civil society organisations and student bodies, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), expressed concerns over the Centre’s decisions in this regard.

“Being one of the signatories of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2007, we believe that our country would have taken measures to assert the rights of indigenous peoples who are divided by international border,” as stated in Article 36 of UNDRIP.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to the CRPF personnel killed in a terror attack in Pulwama on this day in 2019. He said on X, “I pay homage to the brave heroes who were martyred in Pulwama. Their service and sacrifice for our nation will always be remembered.” Pakistan-linked terrorists had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy on February 14, 2019, killing 40 personnel.

In a retributive strike, the Indian Air Force had bombed suspected terrorist camps in Pakistan’s Balakot. 

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The delivery of 118 Arjun Mk1A tanks to the Indian Army has been delayed due to a snag in engine production by German company MTU. The MTU 838 Ka-501 engines originally intended for the tanks are no longer in production, and restarting production would take longer than the desired delivery timeframe due to supply chain shifts towards newer engine variants.

In September 2021, the Indian Army placed an order for 118 Arjun Mk1A tanks. While the DRDO has some extra MTU 838 engines from previous procurements, these will only suffice for the initial batch of tanks scheduled for delivery from September 2024 onwards. This timeline is now likely to be impacted.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing its capital acquisition process with the launch of a new application called “Procurement Monitoring Application” (ProMo). This application promises to offer near real-time visibility of all stages involved in acquiring critical equipment and resources, fostering greater transparency and efficiency throughout the system.

ProMo, launched by Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar VCOAS in New Delhi, aims to achieve the following:

SOURCE: PIB

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad on 13 February 2024 in New Delhi, for procurement of 11 Shakti Electronic Warfare Systems along with associated equipment / accessories for Indian Navy under Buy (Indian- IDDM) category at a total cost of Rs.2269.54 Cr.

The Shakti EW System is indigenously designed, developed and manufactured. The Shakti EW System is capable of accurately intercepting electronic emissions and implement counter measures in dense electromagnetic environment.

SOURCE: ANI

 India and the US have a great military-to-military relationship and good communication with each other, the Pentagon’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a press briefing on Tuesday (local time).

“We have a great military-to-military relationship with India, good communications. We’re going to continue to monitor what’s happening in the region, but I don’t have more to share on any updates,” she said. Speaking about expecting a high level visit from India, Sabrina Singh said, “I don’t have any visits to read out from officials from the Indian Government. At least here at the department. I can’t speak for other officials across the interagency.”

SOURCE: ANI

In late 2021, Chairman Xi Jinping famously told President Joe Biden, “Aggression or hegemony is not in the blood of the Chinese nation. Since the founding of the people’s republic, China has never started a single war or conflict, and has never taken one inch of land from other countries.” However, such a claim is demonstrably false, as China recklessly pushes forward its boundaries on land and at sea. Including Bhutan and India, along their shared rugged, mountainous frontier, China is pushing forward wherever it can to forge a fait accompli on the ground. It is doing the same with illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea and attempting the same in Japan’s Senkaku Islands.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the USA provided an assessment of new People’s Liberation Army (PLA) infrastructure near the Indian border. It noted, “China is currently undertaking a major expansion of its infrastructure that is enhancing its ability to project military power along its western frontier” in both Tibet and Xinjiang.

SOURCE: ANI

Amid superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s recent visit to Qatar, several reports claimed that the actor was involved in the release of Indian Navy veterans who were detained by the Middle East nation on espionage charges. However, on Tuesday, SRK’s team issued a statement denying the actor’s participation in the matter. “Regarding the reports concerning Shah Rukh Khan’s purported role in the release of India’s naval officers from Qatar, the office of Mr Shah Rukh Khan says that any such assertions of his involvement are unfounded, emphasizing the execution of this successful resolution solely rests with the Indian government officials and unequivocally denies Mr Khan’s participation in this matter.

Additionally, all matters involving diplomacy and statecraft are best executed by our very able leaders. Mr Khan, like many other Indians, is happy that the naval officers are back home safe and wishes them all the best,” the statement from the office of SRK read. SRK’s manager Pooja Dadlani also shared the same statement on her Instagram handle, refuting the rumours.

SOURCE: AFI

In a controversial move, the Haryana Police deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to disperse farmers protesting at the Shambhu Barrier on the Punjab-Haryana border. Farmers were seen throwing rocks at the drone dropping tear gas canisters, escalating tensions during the ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ agitation.

These UAVs, equipped with “Drone Tear Smoke Launchers,” offer a new tool for law enforcement. They can fire multiple tear gas canisters remotely, covering a range of 400-500 meters, and were introduced as a “force multiplier” during a Border Security Force meeting in 2022. Their ability to disperse large crowds quickly raises concerns about potential misuse and excessive force.

SOURCE: AFI

For generations, Indians from the northwestern province of Punjab have sought a better life abroad, with Canada being a popular destination. From Sikh soldiers joining the British army to rural families establishing themselves in England, migration offered a path to prosperity. However, a new trend is emerging – some Indians, particularly those who migrated to Canada, are choosing to return home.

This reverse migration stems from various factors. YouTube videos by disillusioned returnees paint a stark contrast between the “rosy picture” painted by immigration agents and the harsh realities of finding jobs and securing affordable housing in Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver. These viral videos have instilled a sense of nervousness among aspiring students, leading to a 40% decline in applications for Canadian study permits from India in the latter half of 2023.