1. 10 security personnel, driver killed in Maoist IED blast in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada
2. PM Modi says QUAD summit will bolster efforts to ensure free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific
3. UK report highlights pro-Khalistan extremism in Britain, calls for govt action
4. Interpol top post poll: Hectic lobbying begins; India expected to play key role
5. India building on software, innovation sectors to become global powerhouse in science, tech: UK minister

What Else

6. India participates in BRICS Middle East North Africa meeting
7. Chhattisgarh moves SC challenging PMLA, suit to be heard on May 4
8. India: Same-sex marriage hearing in SC round-up, on day 5
9. 6 Balochistan policemen martyred in Jacobabad during hostage rescue operation
10. Can’t release poll funds without constitutional procedure: Dar
11. ‘Taliban consulted Gen Bajwa before reaching out to India’
12. Pakistan Army gets award from Turkey for services during earthquake crisis

10 security personnel, driver killed in Maoist IED blast in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada

• The 10 security personnel and one driver belonging to the District Reserve Guard were killed in an IED blast set off by Naxals in Dantewada’s Arnapur, 450 km from Raipur.
• The jawans had gone there after getting inputs of the presence of Naxalites in the region
• Explosives had been planted on the road the vehicle had taken for its return.
• Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chhatisgarh CM and assured the CM of all possible help to deal with the situation.
• Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh IG Sundraj held a meeting of top officials over the attack and several teams have reached the blast spot and the area has been cordoned off. (here)
• The attack was one of the worst in the state since Apr 2021 – when 22 security personnel were killed and at least 24 were injured during a gunfight with Maoists.
• Before this in 2017, 25 jawans were killed in an attack. (here)
• Developmental works coupled with rehabilitation-cum-surrender policy of the state are emerging as a wind of positive change in the worst insurgency-hit Bastar.
• More than 400 Maoist cadres are surrendering every year following the govt’s policy, said Sundraj. (here)
• The attack was a sign of desperation among the Maoists, who have been pushed to the back foot after security forces opened 53 “forward bases” in their strongholds. (here)

[this might be a sign of ‘desperation’, but is it a coincidence that heating Khalistan issue, attacks in Poonch, and then this, at the time when India is displaying its tourist options, across the states, during G20?]

• German ambassador condemns attack on security personnel in Dantewada, says ‘deeply saddened’

PM Modi says QUAD summit will bolster efforts to ensure free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific

• PM Modi on Wed thanked his Australian counterpart, Antony Albanese for hosting the next Quad Summit in Sydney
• He said that it will further bolster the efforts of the grouping to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• Australian PM Anthony Albanese on Wed announced that it will host the Summit on May 24, reiterating that it will be a chance to work in cooperation with members
• He said that hosting Quad partners in Sydney next month will be an opportunity for Australia to help shape the region “we all want to live in.” (here)

UK report highlights pro-Khalistan extremism in Britain, calls for govt action

• The Bloom Review has highlighted the existence of a “small, extremely vocal and aggressive minority of British Sikhs who can be described as pro-Khalistan extremists”.
• The Review is an independent report commissioned by former UK PM Boris Johnson,
• It examines how the govt should engage with them in England and finds the need for a more nuanced thought of “subversive and sectarian activity” within the Sikhs.
• The report warns that some pro-Khalistan groups aim to artificially inflate their influence by lobbying political bodies under the guise of rights activism
• It also notes that some groups use various aliases to “subvert the British political order”, a strategy used historically by white supremacist and Islamist terrorist groups.
• It notes that the subversive, sectarian, and discriminatory activities of these groups do not reflect the true nature of the majority of British Sikh communities. (here)

Interpol top post poll: Hectic lobbying begins; India expected to play key role

• “Hectic lobbying” has begun for next year’s election for the post of Interpol Secy Gen with India expected to play a key role as it has a crucial vote in the 13-member committee
• Stephen Kavanagh (the UK), the executive director of police services at Interpol, and Valdecy Urquiza (Brazil), the organization’s VP, have hinted at their candidacy.
• The UK and Brazil are seeking the backing of the executive committee, which will decide the next chief of the global policy body.
• Jurgen Stock’s term as Interpol secretary general ends in 2024.
• India will be an important player in the exercise as CBI special director was elected to the executive committee in Nov 2021 for 3 years.
• The extended tenure of the special director, who retired on Apr 30 last year, at CBI is due to end this month and is uncertain that Govt will extend it. (here)

India building on software, innovation sectors to become global powerhouse in science, tech: UK minister

• India is rapidly building on its phenomenal software and innovation sectors to become a global powerhouse in science and technology, UK Sci Min said after meeting his Indian counterpart Jitendra Singh on Wed.
• This came after signing the agreement to collaborate on science and innovation, which aims to remove red tape standing in the way of major collaborations.
• Programs include the launch of a new UK-India Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre on industrial decarbonization and launching the 1^st-ever UK-India deep sea voyage.
• The MoU on research between the two countries was signed in Parliament on Wed, enabling quicker, deeper collaboration on science.
• This renewed partnership will kick off with 2 new joint UK-India research programs: Euro 5 million UK funding, matched by India, for Farmed Animal Diseases and Health
• Euro 3.3 million UK funding, matched by India, towards a partnership program that will enable researchers to develop skills and technologies. (here)

India participates in BRICS Middle East North Africa meeting

• India participated in the 9^th BRICS Middle East North Africa Meeting, on Wed, in Cape Town, under the chairmanship of South Africa.
• On Twitter, MEA said, “BRICS Deputy FMs and Special Envoys on the Middle East and North Africa met today in a hybrid format in Cape Town”.
• During the meeting, they noted that rising global instability and uncertainties have negatively impacted global peace, security, and development including in the region.
• The member countries also reaffirmed their commitment to the basic principle that peace and security in the MENA region should be achieved and sustained by, and full respect for, international law and the UN Charter. (here)

Chhattisgarh moves SC challenging PMLA, suit to be heard on May 4

• Chhattisgarh on Wed became the 1^st state to move the SC challenging the constitutional validity of the PMLA alleging that central agencies are being misused to “intimidate”, “harass” and “disturb” the normal functioning of non-BJP state govt.
• The original suit challenging the law under Article 131 of the Constitution which empowers a state to move the SC directly in matters of dispute with the Centre.
• It said because of this “blatant and excessive misuse” of powers, Chhattisgarh is being forced to approach the court.
• A bench of CJI was told by the petitioner’s advocates that the issue is of constitutional importance and requires an urgent hearing, which will be taken up on May 4. (here)
• PMLA– Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, to prevent money laundering and to provide for confiscation of property derived from money laundering.
• On 27 July 2022, The Supreme Court of India upheld the provisions of the act and retained the powers of the Enforcement Directorate under the PMLA.

India: Same-sex marriage hearing in SC​​​​​​ round-up, on day 5

• The Supreme Court heard arguments of several petitions on Wed that called for marriage equality, or the right to marriage of non-heterosexuals.
• The petitioners have so far offered evidence to the court in support of marriage equality, arguing for the right to equality as well as several other problems.
• Last week, the govt attempted to dismiss the petitioners’ demands as an “urban, elitist” notion. (here)
• Union law minister Kiren Rijiju on Wed reiterated his stand on the SC hearing the issue of same-sex marriage and said that courts are not the forum to settle such issues.

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

6 Balochistan policemen martyred in Jacobabad during hostage rescue operation

• Six policemen were martyred on Wed while two were injured in an attack by dacoits near the Jageer in Sindh’s Jacobabad while on their way to rescue a hostage
• Jacobabad Police Chief confirmed the development, adding that the slain police officials were from the Usta Muhammad police station in Balochistan’s Jaffarabad.
• Naseerabad Division DIG said that the joint operation will continue till the hostage, Furqan Soomro, – son of a rice mill owner has been recovered.
• Earlier, a station house officer was martyred while 5 others, including a police officer, were injured after dacoits attacked a large police contingent in Sindh. (here)
• 2 soldiers martyred in exchange of fire with terrorists in KP’s Khyber: ISPR-2 Army soldiers were martyred in the Tirah area of Khyber, of KP during a gunfight with terrorists, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wed. (here)
• During the first 114 days total of 436 incidents of terrorist activities have happened killing 293 people and injuring 521- some of them very seriously- mostly in KP. (Aeen Daily)

Can’t release poll funds without constitutional procedure: Dar

• Federal Fin Min Ishaq Dar has said that the govt cannot release funds for elections in Punjab and KP without following the procedure, adding that the SBP cannot give money on its own.
• In the National Assembly on Wed, Dar said that the Election Commission has asked for a budget of Rs54 billion for elections, which is much higher than the allocated Rs5 bn.
• He also underlined that there would be an additional expense of Rs14 billion for the early elections, questioning whether the polls can be held within 90 days even if the required funds are disbursed.
• Speaker to convey ‘sentiments’ to CJP: Meanwhile, NA Speaker Raja Pervez has pledged to write a letter to CJP and other judges of the SC to convey the sentiments of House. (here)

‘Taliban consulted Gen Bajwa before reaching out to India’

• Taliban FM Amir Khan Muttaqi had a meeting with Pak’s former army chief Gen Bajwa before asking India to send back its diplomats and technical staff to Kabul.
• The Return of the Taliban reveals “the pivotal decisions leading to the Taliban’s seizure of power” and describes “how as rulers they struggle to reconcile pressures for transition with their rigid ideology”, said the senior scholar of South Asian affairs.
• India’s return to Kabul “could not have happened without Pakistan — and Pakistan acted this way because it just might open up prospects of some aid,” Abbas claims,
• He argues that Pakistan is as desperate about getting financial support to run Afghanistan as the Taliban themselves.
• The upcoming book claims Kabul wants to mend fences with New Delhi for the sake of ‘international legitimacy and recognition’
• India has strategic interests in Afghanistan, although it notes that, unlike Russia and China, India had cut off diplomatic ties with Kabul after the Taliban takeover. (here)

Pakistan Army gets award from Turkey for services during earthquake crisis

• The Urban Search and Rescue Team of the Pakistan Army has been awarded special recognition by the Turkish govt for their outstanding professional services.
• The team leader of the Pakistan Army received the award from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a special ceremony held in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
• The Pakistan Army relief team was dispatched to Turkey on Feb 7, comprising 33 members, who remained in the earthquake-affected areas till Feb 22.
• During their stay in Turkey, the team conducted search and rescue operations at 91 sites, successfully rescuing 8 individuals alive from the debris. (here)