The parliamentary standing committee on defence has urged
India to incrementally enhance its own defence production capabilities to
reduce dependence on foreign suppliers to strategically acceptable levels. This
recommendation comes in light of delays from U.S. firm GE in supplying engines,
which have hindered the state-owned HAL from delivering Tejas Mark 1A fighter
jets to the Indian Air Force. The committee noted that obstacles such as time
overruns by defence PSUs and reliance on imported components are primary
reasons for these delays, highlighting the need for improved domestic
production in their report submitted to Parliament.
India and Italy reviewed their bilateral defence ties during
the 13th India-Italy Military Cooperation Group meeting held in Rome on March
20-21. The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated
Defence Staff IDC (A) from HQ IDS India and the Deputy Head of the Strategic
Direction and Military Cooperation Division of the Italian Defence General
Staff. Key agenda items included enhancing exchange programs, developing
military capabilities, and strengthening collaboration between the armed forces
of both nations. The discussions also involved reviewing ongoing defence
engagements and identifying ways to optimise future interactions_Pnr.
The Indian Army on Friday handed over the bodies of two local
youths, who went missing from Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, on March 5, to their
respective families. Yasir Hussain Shah and Asiya Bano had drowned in the
Jhelum, according to an Army statement. "The bodies had drifted across the
Line of Control towards Chakothi in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir”. The
Pakistan Army handed over the bodies to the Indian Army after the Indian Army
located the bodies and informed the Pakistan Army.
A gunfight broke out on Sunday in the Kathua district of
J&K between security forces and a group of terrorists discovered in a
nursery in Saniyal, about 5 km from the international border. Following
intelligence reports, personnel from the Indian Army Rising Star Corps, BSF,
and the SOG J&K Police mobilised for a joint operation. The encounter began
when a couple collecting wood in the forest alerted authorities after spotting
the terrorists. A multi-tier cordon around the area where militants opened fire
on the security forces has been established. There were reports of attempts to
take civilians as hostages.
Manipur Police has filed six FIRs against WhatsApp groups for
allegedly spreading fake and inflammatory news in the Churachandpur district,
creating public fear and alarm. Recent shutdowns and violence have prompted
extensive operations by Indian Army, Assam Rifle and Manipur Police, recovering
weapons, ammunition, explosives, and other items across eight districts,
including Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur. A joint operation by Border
Security Force and Mizoram Police also seized a large cache of ammunition in
Lunglei district, near unfenced borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. Efforts to
restore peace are ongoing, with arrests made in connection to smuggling
activities. The Union government remains committed to ensuring stability in the
region
The joint military
exercise 'Khanjar-12' between India and Kyrgyzstan, held from March 10 to March
23 in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, successfully concluded. This annual exercise,
initiated in 2011, aims to enhance military collaboration, hone high-altitude
combat skills, and improve anti-terrorism strategies. Participants included
India’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Kyrgyzstan’s Scorpion Brigade,
focusing on sniping, urban infiltration, mountain warfare, and
counter-terrorism operations. The exercise also celebrated cultural ties,
marking the Nowruz festival, and saw awards given to soldiers for exemplary
performance. Senior officials from both nations highlighted the importance of
such exercises in strengthening regional stability and defence cooperation_RS,
HB, AU.
Researchers at the IIT Guwahati, through their startup
"The Spatio Robotics Laboratory Private Limited" (DSRL), have
developed advanced AI-powered robots for monitoring international borders,
especially in challenging terrains. These robots provide seamless real-time
surveillance and have received recognition from the DRDO for their potential
integration into India's defence infrastructure. Unlike traditional security
measures like drones or patrols, these autonomous robotic systems overcome terrain
and weather challenges, ensuring uninterrupted 24/7 monitoring. The Indian Army
is already conducting field tests, and these robots are expected to play a
crucial role in border security, infrastructure monitoring, and strategic
defence applications.
A month after the collapse of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal
tunnel in Telangana, search operations continue for eight workers trapped
inside, including Sunny Singh, the nephew of Gulab Singh, who has been at the
site since the incident. The collapse occurred on February 22, and while the
body of one worker, Gurpreet Singh, was recovered on March 9, hopes are fading
as seven workers remain missing amidst difficult rescue conditions. The rescue
teams, including personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and the Indian Army, are facing
challenges such as intermittent flooding, debris, and a broken Tunnel Boring
Machine.
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