SOURCE: PIB

After arriving at Singapore on 12 February 2024, the Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted its first practice display on 18 February 2024. The team is operating from the Changi airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The Singapore Airshow is scheduled to commence on 20 February 2024. The airshow features a variety of display teams from all across the globe. The show also features leading aircraft and system manufacturers and operators showcasing their products.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), which the Sarang team operates, is featuring in the show for the very first time. However, the first international display for the Sarang team also happened to be at Singapore for the Asian Aerospace Airshow at Changi Exhibition Center in 2004.

SOURCE: PTI

The number of telecom towers along the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) has been increased in recent times with an aim to aid terrorists and their associates in infiltration activities, officials said here. Terror groups have been using highly encrypted YSMS services, a technology that merges smart-phones and radio sets for covert communication purposes, the officials said after a study of the pattern of infiltration bids and recent terror attacks, particularly in the south of the Pir Panjal range in the Jammu region. 

With this technology, a handler of a terror outfit in PoK is connected with the infiltrating group and its reception party in the Jammu region on a telecom network used across the LoC. This is done to avoid detection by the army or the BSF, which guard the borders with Pakistan. 

SOURCE: PTI

Describing Chinese-owned app TikTok as dangerous, Republican presidential aspirant Nikki Haley has said that when countries like India and Nepal have banned this social media platform, the US cannot be the last nation to do the same.

What everybody needs to know is China is controlling all of that, Haley, the Indian-American former US Ambassador to the UN, said during a Fox News town hall. “If you want to know how it affects you, just imagine by having that app on your phone, China can now see your finances, they can now see who your contacts are. They can see what you click on, why you click on it and how it affects you. They can impact what you see. And they can impact what you hear. That is the dangerous part of TikTok,” Haley, 52, said on Sunday.

SOURCE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Armenia Government

On February 18, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Minister of External Affairs of India.

The interlocutors discussed issues on the agenda of bilateral partnership. The high-level political dialogue was commended, as well as the willingness to deepen cooperation in various fields through joint efforts.

SOURCE: PTI

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Army Staff, replacing Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar. Lt Gen Dwivedi was serving as the Northern Army Commander in his previous assignment. Lt Gen Kumar has been appointed as General-Officer-Commanding of Udhampur-based Northern Command.

Lt Gen Dwivedi is the front-runner to become the Army Chief when incumbent General Manoj Pande retires on May 31.

SOURCE: PTI

Several electronic gadgets were recovered from the cells of National Security Act (NSA) detenues at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam on Saturday. Among the detenues are 10 members of the radical group ‘Waris Punjab De’ (WPD), a pro-Khalistani outfit, including its chief Amritpal and one of his uncles.

They have been jailed since March 19 last year, following their arrests under the NSA from various parts of Punjab during a crackdown on the outfit. Director General of Police GP Singh revealed that a search of the premises was conducted by jail staff based on intelligence indicating unauthorised activities.

SOURCE: IANS

Security forces were on maximum alert on Monday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 20 visit to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Security forces have set up checkpoints at all entry and exit points in Srinagar and Jammu. Random checking of vehicles, frisking of occupants and scanning of luggage etc has been increased ahead of the VVIP visit.

The special focus of the security forces is on the Valley and border areas in order to prevent any disruptive terrorist activities during the Prime Minister’s visit.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG

According to Gabriel Honrada, a Moscow-based Russian government scholar, India’s recent plans to test a new submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) are driven by concerns about growing military advancements in China and Pakistan.

This new missile system, if successful, would add a critical “underwater leg” to India’s existing land-based nuclear arsenal. It is designed to be integrated with both indigenously-built conventional submarines under Project 75 India and the French-designed Kalvari-class submarines.

SOURCE: AFI

Indonesia’s Defense Minister, Prabowo Subianto, is widely considered a frontrunner in the upcoming presidential election. With his sights set on the highest office, Subianto has expressed keen interest in forging closer ties with India, including potential arms deals.

Subianto has consistently emphasized the importance of strengthening Indonesia’s foreign policy, placing particular emphasis on India as a strategic partner. This aligns with his vision of “Ekonomi Pancasila,” an economic ideology that blends elements of capitalism and socialism while seeking greater independence for Indonesia. He believes India’s economic and military might can play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

SOURCE: ANI

The Indian Navy is going to carry out major operations involving the fleets of both of its aircraft carriers off the west coast in the next ten days, Admiral R Hari Kumar said on Sunday. In an exclusive interaction with ANI, he said both aircraft carriers, including the INS Vikramaditya and made-in-India INS Vikrant, would be present in Vishakhpatnam during the ‘Exercise Milan’ but the twin carrier operations would be seen only after 10 days.

“Both the carriers are going to be there for Exercise Milan. However, the operationalisation of the carriers, the integration to the fleet and participation of the fleet is going to happen in ten days,” the Navy chief said.

SOURCE: AFI

Former Indian Navy Commander Amit Nagpal expressed his relief and joy at returning home after being detained in Qatar for over three months. In an interview on Saturday, he affirmed his innocence and described his ordeal as a dream come true.

Nagpal was among eight ex-Navy officers released from Qatar on February 12th, escaping a harsh sentence of death initially handed down on charges of espionage. While the specific accusations remain undisclosed by both Qatari and Indian authorities, Nagpal maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army has significantly bolstered its combat capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, deploying its entire arsenal from cutting-edge firearms to the mighty M777 ultra-light howitzers. This move comes after earlier efforts to strengthen defenses and firepower in the Tawang sector.

The CH-47F(I) Chinook heavy-lift helicopters have emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing the army’s ability to transport heavy equipment like the M777s and reach remote outposts dependent on air supplies. Witnessing this firsthand, journalists visiting the eastern LAC region were treated to a live demonstration of M777 and 105mm Indian field guns in action.

SOURCE: PTI

A selfie point near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir has become a major attraction for tourists as it allows them to capture the mesmerising beauty of Uri’s remote border region and offers a panoramic view of the Jhelum river, officials said here.

The INDIA selfie point provides visitors with an engaging environment symbolising a sense of nationalism in the region, they said. The army had last year opened ‘Kaman Setu’,  zero-point at the LoC here, for tourists. The selfie point was opened to the public around Republic Day this year. The selfie point is the brainchild of artist and RNAF founder Rouble Nagi.

SOURCE: PTI

The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested a woman who had allegedly asked a man to prepare time bombs using bottles. The arrest was made days after the STF arrested a man named Javed for allegedly making time bombs using glass bottles packed with iron pellets. Javed was on his way to hand over the bombs to the woman, STF officials said.

According to a press statement, a team of the Meerut STF unit arrested Imrana, a resident of the Muzaffarnagar district on Saturday evening following intelligence inputs.

SOURCE: AFI

In response to heightened security concerns due to rising Pakistan-backed terrorist activities in the Pir-Panchal ranges of Jammu, the Indian Army organized a weapon training camp for members of the civilian Village Defence Committee (VDC) in Reasi.

The interactive workshop equipped 30 VDC members with crucial skills in weapon handling, cleaning, and minor repairs. This initiative aims to empower local communities to participate in their own self-defense, fostering a sense of security and vigilance.