[ NATIONAL ]

Top Army brass to discuss China, Pak activities along the border in the high-level meeting from Monday

At a time when Pakistan and China have heightened activities along the borders, top Indian Army brass would be discussing the ways to deal with the security situation during the Commanders’ conference on Monday.

Video reveals Pakistan connection to J&K Terror; JeM handler seen training Kashmiri militant

The video was discovered after a Kashmiri militant was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police.

Supreme Court notice to ex Twitter India head on UP police’s plea

Supreme Court has issued a notice to former Twitter India head Manish Maheshwari over the plea of UP Police that wants him to appear for questioning in a case.

“Takes Longer ‘Sometimes’”: Top WHO official as Covaxin decision awaited

As a decision is awaited on the Emergency Use Listing of Covaxin being manufactured in India, a top WHO official has said the process of thoroughly evaluating a vaccine for use and recommending it sometimes takes a longer time.

Ensured “VIP Culture” doesn’t overtake vaccine drive: PM

India’s milestone of one billion vaccinations reflects the “image of new India”, Prime Minister said today, a day after India became only the 2^nd country after China to reach the historic feat. He also said India’s critics had been silenced, in his “address to Nation.”

‘Vocal for local’: PM Modi urges people to buy ‘Made in India’ products on Diwali

In a televised address, PM Modi said that economic growth was getting a boost from rising vaccinations across the country and urged citizens to purchase locally manufactured products over the upcoming festive season.

India among select few countries developing hypersonic missiles: U.S. Congressional report

CRS said that although the U.S., Russia, and China possess the most advanced hypersonic weapons programs, several other countries, including India are developing hypersonic weapons technology.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says Britain and India must deepen defense, economic ties

Britain and India must step up their economic and security ties, foreign minister Liz Truss said ahead of a visit to Delhi where she will announce a green tech investment and pitch her vision of Britain’s new role in the world to senior Indian ministers.

India deploys Pinaka, Smerch rocket system on China border

Indian Army has deployed Pinaka and Smerch Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS) at the forward position near the China border to counter any threat arising across the LAC. Pinaka weapon system is an autonomous rocket artillery system that can engage area targets up to 38km at mean sea level.

UK Navy Chief Admiral meets Indian counterpart in Delhi:

United Kingdom Navy Chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin met Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh in Delhi on Fri. Earlier in the day, the UK Admiral attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial in the capital city.

ABHYAS – the High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight tested today (Thu) by DRDO from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha.

During the trial, the target was flown from a ground-based controller in a pre-designated flight path at subsonic speed. The vehicle can be used as an aerial target for the evaluation of various missile systems. During the test flight, low altitude flight capability with a radio altimeter in the loop was demonstrated. IR flares were ignited from the ground station during the test flight.

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“We have a commitment to that”: Joe Biden on defending Taiwan if attacked

Joe Biden’s statement was at odds with the long-held US policy known as “strategic ambiguity,” where Washington helps build Taiwan’s defenses but does not explicitly promise to come to the island’s help.

TikTok’s sister app hijacks users’ screens with mandatory pauses

Douyin, the Chinese version of the short video-sharing app TikTok, is forcing users to take a break after long viewing sessions amid government scrutiny over algorithm-driven online content.

China tells France it will lose respect if it ‘submits’ to the US after Paris plays a lead role in UN statement on Xinjiang

Beijing’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun made the comments after Paris read out a statement citing ‘credible’ reports up to a million Uygurs had been detained in camps. French relations with the US have been strained by the Aukus pact, but Zhang said the country was acting as one of Washington’s ‘henchmen’

Pak PM Imran Khan to release notification for Lt Gen Anjum’s appointment as ISI Chief by Saturday

Lt General Nadeem Anjum is all set to become the new Director-General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as the notification in this regard is likely to be released Saturday by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Roads blocked, metro bus service suspended in Pindi ahead of TLP long march to the capital

Police in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have blocked certain roads with containers while the metro bus service has been suspended in the latter as authorities gear up for the long march by the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Friday.

Pakistan to remain on FATF ‘grey list’ till April 2022

Pakistan will remain on the ‘grey list’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) till the global financing watchdog meets again in April 2022. The Paris-based FATF decided on Thu after a three-day plenary session. Pakistan was placed on the grey list by the FATF in June 2018 for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing.

Top Army brass to discuss China, Pak activities along the border in the high-level meeting from Monday

ANI-At a time when Pakistan and China have heightened activities along the borders, top Indian Army brass would be discussing the ways to deal with the security situation during the Commanders’ conference  Army Commanders’ Conference scheduled to be held next week from Oct 26-29.

The meeting would be happening at a time when the Pakistan Army is ‘violating ceasefire’ along the Line of Control (LoC) and attempting to infiltrate terrorists into India, whereas the Chinese have also continued to deploy their troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

(sources)-“The Army commanders’ conference would start deliberations on the present situation along the Northern borders with China and the Pakistan Army actions in support of terror groups on the western front.”

• The Army commanders are also expected to take up the issue of Pakistan Army and ISI activities in Punjab and adjoining areas along with the other security challenges faced by the country.
• On LAC -The Indian Army has adopted a very strict posture against the Chinese aggression along the LAC and deployed a heavy number of troops to respond to any possible misadventure by the adversary there.
• On LoC, activities have gone up significantly from the last month of Sept with an increase in ceasefire violation along the LoC and a rise in terrorist activities inside the Kashmir valley.
• The security forces have also taken strong steps against the terrorist activities and a large number of overground workers along with terrorist commanders are being neutralized in encounters.

Video reveals Pakistan connection to J&K Terror; JeM handler seen training Kashmiri militant

CNN-News18– the video which is part of a Pakistan handler training a Kashmiri militant, shows “undeniable proof” of Pakistan’s involvement in the recent incidents of terror in Jammu and Kashmir.

The video was in the possession of the accused, identified as Arif who has been arrested by J&K police from his possession.

What is in the video: Arif was also appearing as getting trained by the handler on “how to load and unload new, sophisticated weapons” in the video. The trainer is allegedly from the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

• This comes even as Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit the state between Oct 23 and 25 amid several incidents of terror in the state.

The J&K police have also been carrying out massive search operations because of which the Indian Army troops recovered IEDs fitted in the branch of a tree in the forest area of Sawalkot in Ratangir ridge in the Poonch district.

• 2 IEDs have been destroyed by Army during the encounter in Bhatadurian, Poonch.
• The terrorist seems to placed IEDs in way of Army teams launching a hunt for them.
• The search operations entered day 12 on Fri even as 9 army personnel were killed in 9 separate attacks last week.
• Drones and helicopters were pressed to assist the marching troops, which included para-commandos, in the jungle spread over a nearly 8×2 km area at a distance of 4 km from the LoC.
• The entire forest belt is still under tight security cordon to neutralize the terrorists, the officials said, adding the area is mountainous and the forest is dense, making the operation difficult and dangerous.
• Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region have witnessed a rise in infiltration attempts since June this year, resulting in the killing of 9 terrorists in separate encounters.

Citing officials, News18 has reported – there was no contact with the terrorists, as the security forces moved cautiously in the dense forests of Mendhar and Surankote in Poonch and Thanamandi in Rajouri, clearing a vast area during the day.

• The Central gov, meanwhile, has decided to send more forces to J&K amid targetted killings and encounters between security forces and terrorists. As per officials (Thu), 25 companies of troops will soon be sent to J&K.
• J&K Govt directs to remove/shift 26 detainees who have been detained under the provisions of Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978 from their present place of lodgement to Central Jail, Agra, Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect.
• A security review conference was chaired by General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps today.
• It was attended by GOC, CIF(D), Additional Director General of Police & IGP, J&K Police, Central Reserve Police Force & DIG, Border Security Force, and others

India among select few countries developing hypersonic missiles: U.S. Congressional report

TheHindu: India is among the select few countries which are developing hypersonic weapons, an independent Congressional report has said, amidst a media report which claimed that China recently tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile, which circled the globe before missing its target, demonstrating an advanced space capability that caught U.S. intelligence by surprise.

The independent Congressional Research Service (CRS), in the latest report this week, said that although the U.S., Russia, and China possess the most advanced hypersonic weapons programs, several other countries, including Australia, India, France, Germany, and Japan, are also developing hypersonic weapons technology. CRS report:

• While Australia has collaborated with the U.S., India has collaborated with Russia on this, the CRS said in its report.
• India has collaborated with Russia on the development of BrahMos II, a Mach 7 hypersonic cruise missile, the said.
• India operates nearly 12 hypersonic wind tunnels and is capable of testing speeds of up to Mach 13, which is prepared by independent subject area experts.
• Since 2007, the U.S. has collaborated with Australia on the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program to develop hypersonic technologies.
• The most recent HIFiRE test, successfully conducted in July 2017, explored the flight dynamics of a Mach 8 hypersonic glide vehicle.
• HIFiRE’s successor, the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) program, is to further develop hypersonic air-breathing technologies.
• In addition to the Woomera Test Range facilities, one of the largest weapons test facilities in the world, Australia reportedly operates 7 hypersonic wind tunnels with a capability of up to Mach 30.
• France has also collaborated and contracted with Russia on the development of hypersonic technology.
• Japan is developing the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) and the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP), it said.

“Although BrahMos II was initially intended to be fielded in 2017, news reports indicate that the program faces significant delays and is now scheduled to achieve initial operational capability between 2025 and 2028.”

“Reportedly, India is also developing an indigenous, dual-capable hypersonic cruise missile as part of its Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle program and successfully tested a Mach 6 scramjet in June 2019 and September 2020,” the CRS said.

As reported earlier, The Financial Times this week reported that China has tested hypersonic missiles. However, China denied it, saying it tested a hypersonic “vehicle” and not a nuclear-capable hypersonic “missile” as reported by the leading British newspaper which also said that the missile missed its target by about two-dozen miles.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says Britain and India must deepen defense, economic ties

Britain and India must step up their economic and security ties, foreign minister Liz Truss said ahead of a visit to Delhi where she will announce a green tech investment and pitch her vision of Britain’s new role in the world to senior Indian ministers.

Truss, who was appointed as foreign secretary last month, has also held meetings in Saudi Arabia and Qatar as part of her post-Brexit push to build new diplomatic and defense alliances around the world.

She will meet Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar and Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav in Delhi, and announce a $70 million investment to fund green tech infrastructure projects across India.

• “I want the UK and India and to step up their partnership in critical areas like technology, investment, security, and defense,” Truss said in a statement ahead of the visit.
• “India is the world’s largest democracy, a tech and economic powerhouse, and a vital strategic partner for the UK.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to Britain next month for the COP26 UN climate summit, Yadav told Reuters on Thu.

Britain has identified greater influence in the Indo-Pacific region as its primary foreign policy aim, eyeing both the economic benefits of the rapidly expanding middle classes there and a means to challenge China’s ambitions in the region.

To underline Britain’s military commitment to security in the region, Truss will also visit a British aircraft carrier group, currently in Mumbai, having earlier this year passed through seas in which China is vying for influence.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to cancel a planned visit to India this year due to surging COVID-19 cases there, but the two leaders met virtually to agree on a roadmap for deeper cooperation. They are also in early-stage trade talks.

Dr. S Jaishankar met Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal “Good discussion on expanding India-EU partnership, including on trade & investment, connectivity & Indo-Pacific. Exchange of views covered climate action challenges & Afghanistan” EAM tweets

Punjab govt to probe Captain’s friend Aroosa Alam’s link with ISI: Minister

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Randhawa on Fri said the govt will probe into former chief minister Amarinder Singh’s links with the ISI through Aroosa Alam, who is a defense journalist of Pakistan.

“Captain Amarinder Singh is now saying that there is a threat from ISI. We will look into the woman’s connection with it. Captain kept raising drones issue coming from Pakistan for last 4-5 years,” the deputy chief minister said, as quoted by ANI.

“So Captain first raised this issue and later got BSF deployed in Punjab. We will ask DGP to look into this matter,” the minister said referring to Aroosa Alam’s link with ISI.

• Amarinder Singh has been raising the security issue and said Navjot Sidhu is a threat to the country’s security because of his close relationship with the ISI and Pakistan.
• When the Captain was in New Delhi to visit Union home minister Amit Shah, Captain also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
• Following his acrimonious exit from the post of the CM, Amarinder Singh has announced his decision to float a new party ahead of the election.
• The party will be launched soon, the former Punjab chief minister said, adding that his new party will be open to ally with the BJP if the farmers’ issues are addressed.

This is not the first time that her name has been dragged into Punjab politics. In fact, in Aug this year, Sidhu’s then advisor Malvinder Singh Mali reportedly posted Amarinder Singh’s photo with Aroosa Alam and questioned Amarinder Singh.

“I used to think that this is your matter but now that you have linked Navjot Sidhu’s advisors with Congress politics and national security, I am compelled to post this,” Mali reportedly posted.

In 2007, at an event in Chandigarh Press Club, Aroosa Alam had termed their relationship as platonic. “I am his friend and not in love with him,” she had said.

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“We Have A Commitment To That”: Joe Biden On Defending Taiwan If Attacked

Joe Biden’s statement was at odds with the long-held US policy known as “strategic ambiguity,” where Washington helps build Taiwan’s defenses but does not explicitly promise to come to the island’s help.

• President Joe Biden on Thu said the United States would come to the defense of Taiwan if the island were attacked by China, which considers it part of its territory.
• “Yes,” he responded when asked in a CNN town hall about defending Taiwan. “We have a commitment to that.”
• Biden’s statement was at odds with the long-held US policy known as “strategic ambiguity,” where Washington helps build Taiwan’s defenses but does not explicitly promise to come to the island’s help.
• He made a similar pledge in August during an interview with ABC, insisting that the United States would always defend key allies, including Taiwan, despite the withdrawal from Afghanistan in the face of the victorious Taliban.
• Biden said the US made a “sacred commitment” to defend NATO allies in Canada and Europe and it’s the “same with Japan, same with South Korea, same with Taiwan.”
• The White House subsequently told reporters that US policy on Taiwan “has not changed.”
• If adds the two statements, it can be concluded that the US will not defend Taiwan, if China attacks, it will protect (?).

We urge the US to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and 3 China-US joint communiqués, be cautious in words and deeds on the Taiwan question and refrain from sending any wrong signal to secessionists, so as to not seriously damage China-US relations. No one should underestimate the strong resolve, determination, and capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has no room for compromise: FM spokesperson responds after Biden’s comment.

China tells France it will lose respect if it ‘submits’ to the US after Paris plays a lead role in UN statement on Xinjiang

• Beijing’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun made the comments after Paris read out a statement citing ‘credible’ reports up to a million Uygurs had been detained in camps
• French relations with the US have been strained by the Aukus pact, but Zhang said the country was acting as one of Washington’s ‘henchmen’

A senior Chinese diplomat has warned France not to “submit to the United States”, or it will risk losing dignity and respect.

Zhang Jun, the ambassador to the United Nations, made the comments in response to a joint statement, signed by 43 mainly Western countries and read out by France at a UN meeting, that criticized China’s policies in Xinjiang, where it is accused of widespread human rights abuses.

“To France and other followers of the US: What you are doing is submitting your independence and autonomy, and serving as the henchmen of the US, as if you can gain superiority by acting at the beck and call of the superpower. But the truth is, you are giving up your own dignity, and will win no respect from others,” Zhang said.

Pak PM Imran Khan to Release Notification for Lt Gen Anjum’s Appointment as ISI Chief by Saturday

News-18: Nadeem Anjum met Imran Khan on Thu evening when the Pakistani PM informed him that the notification will be released soon.

Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum is all set to become the new Director-General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as the notification in this regard is likely to be released Sat by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

• (Sources)- The Pak PM will release the notification today or on Sat before leaving for his trip to Saudi Arabia tomorrow.
• Also “PM had requested for a meeting with all the candidates for the ISI chief’s position. However, the DG of the ISI panel rejected the request,” sources said.
• (Sources)- only Nadeem Anjum, who will take over the charge as new ISI chief, was sent to meet Imran Khan on Thu evening and the meet was cordial.
• Pakistani PM Imran Khan told Anjum that the notification will be released soon.
• Pak’s army chief Gen QJ Bajwa had instructed Lt Gen Anjum to take charge.
• He has also instated a tradition of at least a year of experience as Core Commander mandatory to become army chief.

Roads blocked, metro bus service suspended in Pindi ahead of TLP long march to the capital

Dawn-Announcing the long march on Islamabad a day earlier, TLP leader Pir Ajmal Qadri said the “peaceful” procession would begin after Fri prayers. “If any hurdles are created, the party also has a Plan B to thwart any official attempts,” he told a charged crowd at a protest site in Lahore.

In what appears to be a change of heart, the group delinked the march from the release of its incarcerated leader, Saad Hussain Rizvi, and said the purpose of the move was “respect for the Holy Prophet (PBUH)”.

He advised the workers to continue the mission of the group’s founder, the late Khadim Hussain Rizvi, even if “we are martyred in the march”, and asked the govt to implement the agreement — a reference to the accord reached with the TLP last Nov to sever diplomatic and economic ties with France.

Arrangements in Islamabad: In a statement, a spokesperson for the Islamabad Traffic Police said traffic was diverted from Rawalpindi’s System Road and 9^th Avenue and advised residents who wanted to go to Pindi via the Faizabad Interchange — which has been blocked during TLP protests in the past as well — or 9^th Avenue to use the IJP Road instead.

• Diversion has been placed for traffic from Islamabad Highway to IJP Rd at Sohan Stop.
• The traffic is diverted instead to Faisal Avenue.
• The metro bus service was suspended in Rawalpindi but was running from the stop on IJP Road to the Pakistan Secretariat.
• 24 TLP workers were arrested ahead of the march while officers who were on leave were called back to duty.
• The containers were being brought to the Faizabad Interchange and put on the roads at midnight.
• Besides, well-equipped police personnel was deployed in and around the interchange.
• Police were deputed at the entry point of the capital at Tarnol, Rawat, and Bhara Kahu.
• Containers were arranged to block the roads at these 3 points but a final direction was awaited from the higher authorities.
• Over 2,000 police officials are being deployed at the main points.
• The police lines HQ released 1,500 anti-riot gear kits for the contingents to be deployed.

Arrangements in Rawalpindi: Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Traffic Police completed arrangements to deal with the long march.

Protests in Lahore: The TLP had resumed protests in Lahore earlier this week by staging a massive sit-in on Multan Road near its headquarters at Masjid Rehmatul-Lil-Aalemeen.

• Hundreds of activists and workers of the proscribed TLP participated in the sit-in to put pressure on the Punjab government for the release of its chief.
• Rizvi is detained by the Punjab govt since April 12 for “maintenance of public order (MPO)” initially for 3 months and then again under the Anti-Terrorist Act on July 10.
• A federal review board is scheduled to take up the govt’s reference against him on Oct 23.