SOURCE: ANI

Actor Yami Gautam’s action political thriller film Article 370 has been banned in the Gulf countries. While Article 370 has been riding high on success at the domestic and overseas box office, garnering praise from both audiences and critics alike, the ban in the Gulf is another dampener on the Hindi film industry, as it deprives audiences in the region of the opportunity to experience an Indian cinematic offering, which has been widely lauded.

The film primarily explores universal human experiences within the framework of a complex socio-political landscape. Themes of identity, struggle, and resilience resonate deeply throughout the narrative as it delves into the aspirations and challenges faced by individuals amidst turbulent times, fostering understanding and dialogue in the process.

SOURCE: PTI

A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror module was busted on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district with the arrest of four militant associates, police said. Security forces arrested four terrorist associates and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession in the south Kashmir district, a police spokesman said.

The arrests were made in connection with case FIR no. 14/2024 registered under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

SOURCE: IANS

The Maharashtra Police have arrested a woman Maoist leader carrying a reward of Rs 6 lakh on her head from the terror-hit Gadchiroli district, officials said here on Monday. The arrested person has been identified as Kamla Padaga Gota, alias Rajeshwari, who became an outlaw in 2006 when she was barely 13 years old, said Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police, Neelotpal.

The arrest came in the midst of CPI-Maoist’s four-month long ‘tactical counter offensive campaign’ (February-May) when they take up various subversive activities, arson, attacks on security forces, destruction of public properties and other violence.

SOURCE: AFI

Armenia is actively pursuing closer ties with India, aiming to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, according to an exclusive interview with Armenia’s Labor Minister Narek Mkrtchyan in Mint. “I think our relations are mature enough to be defined as a strategic partnership,” Mkrtchyan stated, expressing his hope for discussions on this matter between the foreign ministers of both countries.

Furthermore, Armenia seeks to strengthen its defense cooperation with India. Mkrtchyan acknowledged existing collaboration in this domain and emphasized the desire to “make our cooperation much deeper.” This statement hints at potential future defense deals between the two nations.

SOURCE: PIB

To enhance cooperation and synergy with the industry, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) organised a DRDO-Industry Meet on February25, 2024 during the Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024 at Pune.The meet was intended to apprise and update industries, especially the MSMEs & start-ups about various industry-friendly initiatives and policies of DRDO as well asaddress the concerns of the industry.

During the meet, DRDO handed over 23 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LATOT) to 22 industries in presence of Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamatand other dignitaries. The technologies transferred cover the domains of electronics, laser technology, armaments, life sciences, materials science, combat vehicles, naval systems and aeronautics.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s Air Force has court-martialed 13 senior officers, including several retired personnel, on charges of exposing alleged corruption by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu. The move has sparked controversy, with some experts claiming the officers are being targeted for whistleblowing.

Among the court-martialed are prominent figures like Air Marshals Ahsan Rafiq, Tariq Zia, and retired Javed Saeed, who led Operation Swift Retort following the Balakot airstrike by India. All 13 officers have been arrested.

SOURCE: PTI

India will add 18 more nuclear power reactors with a cumulative capacity to generate 13,800 MWe of electricity, taking the total share of atomic power in the energy mix to 22,480 MWe by 2031-32.

This was announced by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated two home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactors at Kakrapar in Gujarat last week.

SOURCE: ANI

Former Maldivian minister of foreign affairs Abdulla Shahid said on Saturday that the claims made by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu about “thousands of Indian military personnel” were just another in a string of lies, adding that there are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in their country.

Posting on his social media account X, the newly elected president of the Maldivian Democratic Party said, “100 days in, it’s clear: President Muizzu’s claims of ‘thousands of Indian military personnel’ were just another in a string of lies. The current administration’s inability to provide specific numbers speaks volumes. There are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in the country.”

SOURCE: ANI

The Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the Singapore Airshow. IAF’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), manufactured the Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), operated by the Sarang helicopter display team, enthralled the audience at the Singapore Airshow on February 24.

In a post on X, IAF’s Sarang Helicopter Display Team said, “Reflecting on our journey, every milestone reached, and every triumph celebrated, the Sarang team has completed 20 glorious years as the ambassadors of the Indian Air Force. Happy raising day to our incredible display team!”

SOURCE: AFI

A high-level delegation from the United States, led by Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo, is scheduled to visit India next week for the annual Homeland Security Dialogue (HSD). This crucial meeting will bring together officials from both nations to discuss pressing security concerns and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India has prepared a comprehensive agenda for the dialogue, encompassing several key issues:

SOURCE: PIB

The 5^th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force commenced today at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 25^th February to 9^th March 2024.

Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan. The contingent of both sides comprises of 40 personnel each. The Japanese contingent is being represented by troops from the 34^th Infantry Regiment and Indian Army contingent is being represented by a Battalion from the Rajputana Rifles.

SOURCE: AFI

A 23-year-old Indian man, Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya from Gujarat, was reportedly killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Donetsk region, near the border with Russia.

Mangukiya was reportedly employed by the Russian army as a “security helper” since December 2023. According to media reports, his family contacted the Indian consulate in Moscow seeking his repatriation that same month.

SOURCE: AFI

Talks between Canada and India on a potential free trade agreement remain stalled, with no clear timeframe for their resumption. This comes amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions following accusations by Canada against India regarding the Vancouver killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

However, signs suggest a potential thaw in relations. Canadian and Indian officials acknowledge a slight improvement in the bilateral relationship, which had been strained since September 2023. This followed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public accusation of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s death, which India vehemently denies.

SOURCE: PTI

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday asserted that Kashmir is, was and will continue to remain a part of India, while speaking at an event in Bengaluru.

Delivering the valedictory speech at the ‘Constitution and National Unity Convention-2024’, the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar raised concerns about the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ahead of Lok Sabha polls and expressed hope that the Election Commission will ensure that people are given a “true election”.

SOURCE: PTI

BSF personnel on Saturday unearthed several Maoist dumps in a forest in Odisha’s Malkangiri district, police said. Based on reliable information about dumps of explosive materials by ultras, the BSF personnel carried out a search operation in the Silakota Reserve Forest of the district.

“During an intensive search in the area, the BSF troops located multiple Maoist dumps, buried under trees located closely at a distance of 4 metres from each other. The area was located at a distance of around 300 metres inside the jungle from the connecting road between Bapanpalli and Silakota village along the Reserve Forest,” a BSF release said.