Newsletter 18 September

Sino-Indian Standoff:

Is Pangong Tso just a smokescreen and Depsang China’s main target?

The strategically-located Depsang Plains in Ladakh did not find any mention in Def Min Rajnath Singh’s as TDJ reported yesterday.
As TOI reported on Fri, “Depsang was an “old lingering issue” that should not be “equated or conflated” with the “new flashpoints” in Pangong Tso-Chushul, Gogra-Hot-springs and Galwan Valley area this year.
“There is no immediate military stand-off at Depsang, where there are huge overlapping claims about the Line of Actual Control (LAC). There is no fresh attempt to change the status quo there,” he added. However, this is very much troublesome for New Delhi, if some war kind of situation occur, it will truly 2 fronts war. [1]
But there is growing concern in security circles that China could be diverting India’s attention from the far more important Depsang region through its aggressive maneuvers in the Pangong Tso-Chushul and other areas lower down along the frontier in Ladakh.
The PLA has deployed over 12,K troops, with tanks and artillery guns, from its 4th Motorized Infantry Division and 6^th Mechanized Infantry Division, in its depth areas across the LAC there.
Since May, India has also counter-deployed with two additional brigades (each has around 3,K troops) as well as tank and mechanized infantry regiments in the Depsang tabletop plateau, which located at an altitude of 16,K feet provides access to the DBO advance landing ground and the critical Karakoram Pass in the north.
“India could be playing into the hands of China by trying to delink Depsang from the friction points to the south and allowing the PLA to get away with what it wants,” another officer said.

China Strengthens Inland Navy On Indian Border

The Chinese garrison on Pangong Lake, which straddles the India-China border, has been reinforced with new assault boats. At least six are now present on the lake, allowing for a mobile assault force of at least 60 troops.

They are stationed near to the contested line of actual control. The border region has been the scene of heightened tensions between the two countries including several clashes.

The Type-928D assault boats are generally similar to the Swedish CB-90. They represent a significant increase in capability for Chinese forces on the mountain lakes along the contested border.

The type was first deployed to the lake in Oct 2019. Based on satellite imagery analysis they began appearing at the western end, nearer the de-facto border around June this year.Both countries need to focus on easing tensions, India tells China

India on Thu asked China to sincerely work with the Indian side for complete disengagement “at the earliest” from all friction areas, including Pangong Lake, as well as de-escalation in border areas, in accordance with the bilateral agreements and protocols on maintenance of peace and tranquility in border areas.

Following repeated assertions by China in the past few days that it was India’s responsibility to defuse the border situation, the Govt also reminded Beijing that both countries needed to focus on that.

Forces bust explosives dumps, foil Pulwama- type attack plot

Another plot to re-enact a Pulwama-type bombing was busted in south Kashmir’s Awantipora on Thursday when security forces sniffed out two underground explosives dumps containing a large quantity of gelatin sticks and detonators.
Concealed in two 250-litre plastic water tanks, the cache of explosives was found by a team in pursuit of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists.
One of the tanks contained 416 high-intensity gelatin sticks while the other one hid 50 detonators.
A bomb disposal squad defused the explosives at the site after officials decided it would be too risky to transport them elsewhere.
Sources said the joint police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles team had requisitioned the bomb squad after spotting an area that seemed to have been freshly dug up and then filled.
“Going by the size of the explosives haul, we suspect the terrorists were planning to use these for a rerun of the 2019 Pulwama-style attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed,” an official said.

Allow Queen's Counsel to represent Jadhav: India

India confirmed Thu that it had asked for appointment of a Queen’s Counsel (QC), a title awarded to senior barristers for excellence in some Commonwealth countries, as Kulbhushan Jadhav’s defense lawyer in the ongoing ICJ-mandated review of his death sentence in Islamabad High Court.

Nepal depicts Indian areas as its own in book

Three months after passing an amendment to sanction a new political map that identifies Kalapani in Uttarakhand as its own, Nepal has inscribed the changes in its academic curriculum and currency.
A book for higher secondary students includes the disputed Kalapani as Nepal’s territory and the Central Bank has been allowed to mint one and two-rupee coins with the new map.
Besides, sources also said that Nepal’s made substantial reforms in text book to seed poison against India. This is old but most effective game plan of communism to distort history and feed as per their requirements. If this occurs, it will tough to New Delhi to manage relation Kathmandu.

Cyber-attack on NIC, data hacked via email from American firm

Cyber-attack on the National Informatics Center (NIC), the largest data agency of India.
Special Cell of Delhi Police has registered a case and started investigation in connection with this attack.
NIC employees were cheated via email from an American firm.
E-Mail Traced To Bengaluru. The computers broken into also stored data relating to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Indian citizens and senior Govt functionaries.
However, according to news agency ANI the email was sent from the United States via a proxy server to the Bengaluru-based firm.
Yesterday, US has reported that 4 Chinese Nationals escaped from US persecution, on accusation of data theft.
As per sources, the Govt has constituted an expert committee (under the National Cyber Security Coordinator) to study these allegations. The committee is to submit a report inside 30 days.
Whatsoever case may be, but as per the information in media, clicking an uncertain mail or clicking its attachment is childish act.

PM dedicated Kosi rail mega bridge to nation, inaugurates several rail projects in Bihar

“These projects will improve Bihar’s railway network and also strengthen connectivity in areas of West Bengal and West India,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the historical Kosi Rail Mega Bridge to the nation and inaugurated new rail lines and electrification projects in Bihar via video-conferencing. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was present at the event.
“The bridge has strategic importance along the India-Nepal border. The historical project to build the bridge, which is 1.9 Km long and has been constructed at a cost of Rs 516 crore, was sanctioned by the Centre in 2003-04,” a Govt release said.
A bridge in Goabari village washed away ahead of its inauguration following a rise in the water level of Kankai River.

Harsimrat Quitted as Minister in protest against Agri bills

BJP’s oldest ally Shiromani Akali Dal on Thu withdrew from the Modi Govt in protest against the legislations designed to liberalize trade in agricultural commodities.
- SAD’s representative in the Govt-Min, Harsimrat Kaur Badal-submitted her resignation, saying that it could never be party to a decision that went against the interests of farmers, accepted by the President.
- The Bill proposes to deregulate the production, storage, movement and sale of several foodstuffs, including cereals, pulses, edible oils and onions, except in the case of extraordinary circumstances.
- With thousands of farmers rising up in protest against the Bill in Punjab, one of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) allies, the Shiromani Akali Dal MP and president Sukhbir Singh Badal, expressed concerns and misgivings about the proposed legislation during the debate in the House.
- He questioned the manner in which the Bill was brought without consultation with farmers’ organizations. Punjab farmers were the worst affected, he said, adding that they feared multinational players would initially offer lucrative deals and then dominate the market to the detriment of farmers.
- The Bill is meant to replace an ordinance promulgated in June, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown. It says stock limits can only be imposed if retail prices surge 50% above the average in the case of non-perishables and 100% in the case of perishables.
- Responding to the debate, the MoS for Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Danve said the amendment would encourage competition, help farmers get fair prices and bring in much-needed resources for post-harvest Mngt.
Punjab: Farmers’ body announces ‘rail roko’ agitation
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee decided to intensify their stir against the Centre’s three farm-related Bills, announcing to stop trains in Punjab from Sept 24 to 26.
Different farmer organizations in Punjab have already given a call for a “bandh” on Sept 25. Farmers have expressed apprehensions that the legislations will pave a way for dismantling of the MSP system.
Why farmers or Minister protesting?
Govt didn’t take stakeholders in confidence to explain the facts. PM Modi while addressing a virtual conference, made it clear that “bill doesn’t mean destabilize MSP (Minimum Support Prices- a rate decided by state Govts to purchase the former’s crops, if it won’t be sold elsewhere).

Railway to charge ‘user fee’ at busy stations, tickets may cost more

The Indian Railways will soon start levying a “token user fee” from passengers taking trains from busy stations, which will result in marginal increase in the total fare.

Religious conversions: UP may bring ordinance

Citing the rising number of religious conversions in the name of ‘love jihad’ in the state, the UP government is likely to promulgate an ordinance against religious conversions soon.
“It’s in the process and Acts and laws of other states are being studied and discussed before UP has its own law against religious conversion,” confirmed a senior officer, state law department.

UP CM takes stock of vacant posts, directs officials to start recruitment in 3 months

Sept 18: UP CM, Yogi Adityanath on Thu asked the officials to immediately apprise him about the vacant posts in all departments and directed them to start the recruitment process in the next 3 months.

Naxal arrested following encounter with police in MP's Balaghat

Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) Sept 18, One Naxal was arrested in the Baihar area of Balaghat district on Thursday following an exchange of fire with security forces here, informed Abhishek Tiwari, Superintendent of Police, (SP) Balaghat.

Naxals kill CAF jawan in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) Sept 18, A Chhattisgarh Armed Force jawan, who was missing for seven days, was killed by Naxals at Paddeda village of Bijapur district. The body was left by Naxals at Gangalur-Bijapur road, said the SP, Bijapur.

Amending FDI in Defense sector to enhance Ease of doing Business: Govt

Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Fri said that he “welcomed PM Narendra Modi’s decision to amend the Foreign Direct Investment Policy in the Defense Sector.

Bills to Reduce Salary, Allowances of MPs, Ministers by 30% Passed from Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, Sept, 18: Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Pralhad Joshi moved the Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the Rajya Sabha on Fri.

India strongly raises issue of 56 Indian fishermen taken into custody by Pakistan

India on Fri strongly raised the matter of Pakistan taking into custody Indian fishermen and has sought immediate consular access to them.
Pakistan maritime security agency (PMSA) has taken into custody 56 Indian fishermen along with ten Indian boats, alleging they crossed into Pakistani waters.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The ties between the two countries suffered a blow after Pakistan downgraded relations with India in the aftermath of New Delhi removing special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier this year in January, twenty Indian fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were released by the Pakistan Govt.
A number of steps have been taken by the Indian Coast Guard to guide Indian fishermen not to cross-over the perceived International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) through various community interaction programs.

Evidence collected during inquiry has prima-facie indicated that the 3 unidentified terrorists killed in Operation Amshipora, Shopian were Imtiyaz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed & Mohd Ibrar, who hailed from Rajouri. Their DNA report is awaited:

Inquiry ordered by Army authorities into Op Amshipora, Shopian has concluded. Inquiry brought out prima facie evidence indicating that during operation, powers vested under AFSPA 1990 were exceeded & Do’s and Don’ts of COAS as approved by Supreme Court contravened:

Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable: PRO Defense, Srinagar on Operation Amshipora in Shopian, in which 3 militants were killed by security forces.

NEIGHBORHOOD/WORLD

Pakistan: PM to address UN General Assembly session on Friday next

Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the 75^th Session UN General Assembly session on Fri, next.
Addressing weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Fri, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said due to restrictions imposed by the local administration in New York, there will be no in-person high-level participation from outside.
The Chaudhri said Pakistan welcomes the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelete`s reiteration of serious concerns on unabated violence in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including indiscriminate use of pellet guns on civilians.
He said Pakistan strongly condemns continued Indian attempts to illegally change the demographic structure of IOJK.
He said, as reported, Indian authorities have distributed over 1.68 Mn domiciles to non-Kashmiris.