1. Anantnag Encounter: Toll climbs to 4 as soldier succumbs to injuries 2 LeT terrorists ‘encircled’ by J-K Police in Anantnag
2. Around 50 CAPF Companies Reaching Manipur, Likely to Relieve Army Troops
3. PM Modi laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 50,700 crores in Bina MP
4. Chinese bags saga: There were 20 large bags with ‘suspicious equipment’, probe on
5. ‘Emergency Mindset, Attack on democracy’: BJP, Media Bodies slam INDIA Bloc’s Boycott of 14 TV Anchors

What Else

6. JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah, 10 others injured in explosion at Mastung, Balochistan
7. India Eager to Develop Northern Sea Route with Russia
8. Aditya-L1 Mission: The fourth Earth-bound maneuvre (EBN4) is performed successfully.
9. NIA arrests Karnataka IS terror accused at Delhi airport on arrival from Nairobi
10. Cybercrime crackdown reveals warming ties between China and Myanmar
11. Pakistan: Raphel said that the GoP is unable to provide relief to the people
12. ‘Integrated living, resident permit’ — what China’s 21-point ‘reunification’ plan means for Taiwanese
13. US will redirect millions of funds for Egypt to Taiwan and Lebanon

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Anantnag Encounter: Toll climbs to 4 as soldier succumbs to injuries 2 LeT terrorists ‘encircled’ by J-K Police in Anantnag

• The operation to neutralize the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists involved in the encounter that led to the killing of 4 security forces personnel continued for the 2^nd day on Thu in the higher reaches of Anantnag in south Kashmir.
• Gunshots were heard in the Gadole forests of Kokernag in Anantnag in the early hours of Thu as reinforcements were rushed to the area to take down the terrorists who were believed to be hiding in a natural cave in the mountains, the officials said.
• Helicopters were seen hovering over the Gadole forests as army and police personnel maintained a tight cordon around the area. (here)
• The ongoing encounter may have come as a setback in the run-up to the panchayat and urban local body elections likely to be scheduled in Oct-Nov, vitiating the atmosphere for polls to the grassroots tier of govt in J&K. (here)
• another jawan who was injured in an Anantnag encounter has succumbed to injuries.
• Total 4 Soldiers including 3 officers lost in this encounter till now.
• Another tragedy averted as an IED, found in a suspicious bag lying on the Handwara-Baramulla Highway near Kupwara, was destroyed by forces.

Around 50 CAPF Companies Reaching Manipur, Likely to Relieve Army Troops

• Manipur has close to 50 more additional companies of Central Police Forces (CAPFs) that were relieved from Amarnath Yatra duties and moved to the trouble-torn state.
• While close to 20 have reached Manipur, others are scheduled to get there soon.
• These additional paramilitary forces were likely to relieve Army troops from various areas as they were deployed and shifted in a short time from sensitive parts.
• Assam Rifles troops may also also be relieved from a few places but no decision has been taken on this, said officials.
• When asked about the areas from where the Army will move out is yet to be finalized as the movement will have to be discussed with all the stakeholders.
• Last week, out of 325 companies deployed in J&K for the Amarnath Yatra duties, 225 were de-inducted by the union home ministry for further deployment. (here)
• A police sub-inspector was killed and 2 Village Defence Volunteers injured by armed attackers at Chingphei in Manipur’s Churachandpur on Wed, police said.

PM Modi laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 50,700 crores in Bina MP

• PM Modi, who laid the foundation stone for a bouquet of projects worth more than Rs 50,700 crores, remarked at a massive public gathering at Bina, Madhya Pradesh.
• PM Modi on Thu attributed the success of the G20 summit to the people of the country and their “Samuhik Shakti” (colllective spirit).
• PM Modi, meanwhile, came down heavily on the Opposition bloc — Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance— calling it “INDI-alliance”.
• He also accused the INDIA bloc of having an agenda to end ‘Santan’ culture.
• “At a time when our country is emerging as a world leader at global forums, some parties are working to divide the country and its people. .. They are a hidden agenda — to attack and destroy our time-honored Sanatan culture,” PM Modi said. (here)

Chinese bags saga: There were 20 large bags with ‘suspicious equipment’, probe on

• Did China try to snoop on India’s G20 summit as Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to skip the mega event? Fresh reports circulating in Indian media indicate the same.
• A Times of India report has now revealed that the Chinese G20 delegation was carrying as many as 20 large bags with suspicious equipment.
• The team of six Chinese officials, who stayed at Delhi’s Taj Palace Hotel, was led by a woman.
• When they were urged by security officials to get those mysterious bags scanned, the woman ferociously protested and outright refused to produce them for checking.
• This resulted in a 12-hour-long standoff at the hotel, with Indian officials remaining positioned on the 6^th floor of the hotel.
• Eventually, the Chinese delegation agreed to move the bags to the Chinese embassy in New Delhi.
• The unusual size of the bags: As per The ToI, the bags were unusually large as they were around “1×1 m in length and width and 10 inches thick.”
• As per an official cited by the Times, the bags were not checked at the airport as per the protocol laid down under the Vienna Convention.
• Chinese delegates swiftly moved them to the Chinese embassy without letting Indian officials conduct any investigation.
• The Chinese side has maintained a silence over the issue. (here)

‘Emergency Mindset, Attack on democracy’: BJP, Media Bodies slam INDIA Bloc’s Boycott of 14 TV Anchors

• INDIA blocs decided to boycott the shows of 14 TV anchors from different channels.
• Certain media bodies like the NBDA, also slammed the move and called it an “attack on democracy”.
• Calling it a “bullying” tactic and an “emergency”, the BJP on Thu hit back at the INDI alliance.
• Earlier in the day, the newly formed opposition front listed the names of 14 journalists saying they will not be sending their representatives to their shows. (here)
• Opposition usually termed these journalists as “Godi media” with whom they don’t feel comfortable.

JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah, 10 others injured in explosion at Mastung, Balochistan

• An explosion in Balochistan’s Mastung on Thu, wounded at least 11 people, including Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Hafiz Hamdullah, as per local media reports.
• Mastung Assistant Commissioner Attaul Muneem said that so far, 11 people were injured in the blast.
• JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, while talking to Geo News, said that Hamdullah had sustained injuries in the incident but was in a stable condition.
• He said that Hamdullah was traveling to Kalat from Quetta along with others and that the incident took place after they had crossed Mastung.
• Balochistan Interim Home Minister Zubair Jamali condemns the blast
• Former Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari also prayed for the victims and voiced strong condemnation against the incident. (here)

India Eager to Develop Northern Sea Route with Russia

• The current sea trade route between India’s Mumbai and Russia’s St. Petersburg is around 35 to 40 days.
• The Eastern Maritime Corridor is expected to reduce the time required to transport cargo by up to 16 days.
• India is committed to partnering in the development of the Northern Sea Route, as well as the Eastern Maritime Corridor between Russia’s Vladivostok and India’s Chennai.
• The current trade route between the two countries measures 8,675 nautical miles.
• The Chennai-Vladivostok sea route will cover a distance of about 5,600 nautical miles.
• Apart from this, India and Russia also agreed to train Indian seafarers in Polar and Arctic waters at the Russian Maritime Training Institute. (here)

Aditya-L1 Mission: The fourth Earth-bound maneuvre (EBN4) is performed successfully.

• ISRO’s ground stations at Mauritius, Bengaluru, SDSC-SHAR, and Port Blair tracked the satellite during this operation, while a transportable terminal currently stationed in the Fiji islands for Aditya-L1 will support post-burn operations.
• The new orbit attained is 256 km x 121973 km.
• The next maneuver Trans-Lagragean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) — a send-off from the Earth — is scheduled for Sept 19, 2023, around 02:00 Hrs. IST

NIA arrests Karnataka IS terror accused at Delhi airport on arrival from Nairobi

• The National Investigation Agency on Thu nabbed a key absconding Islamic State terror conspirator on arrival at New Delhi Airport from Nairobi, Kenya.
• Arafath Ali was taken into custody the moment he landed at the airport, marking a breakthrough for the NIA in its efforts to uncover and foil the conspiracy of IS to carry out acts of terror and violence in India.
• Ali had been absconding since 2020 when he was accused of indulging in anti-India terror agenda of ISIS propaganda activities and planning for terrorist acts.
• NIA investigations have revealed that Ali, a resident of the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, was actively involved in the identification, radicalization, and recruitment of gullible Muslim youth into the ISIS fold while working from abroad. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Cybercrime crackdown reveals warming ties between China and Myanmar

• The wave of cybercrime arrests in Myanmar is a sign of its improved relations with China, which has been working with the junta and armed ethnic groups in the country’s north to crack down on the problem, according to observers.
• Isolated Myanmar has been trying to rebuild its ties with the world, while the operation’s success also places Beijing in a positive light by showcasing China’s ability to contribute to security measures in the region, they suggested.
• More than 1,200 fraud suspects were handed over to the Chinese govt from northern Myanmar on Fri, with state news agency Xinhua calling it a “major result” for China.
• The handover followed the arrest of 269 other suspects involved in Myanmar-based cyber scams earlier last week, in an operation that brought down 11 bases operating in the northern region which is largely controlled by armed ethnic groups. (here)

Pakistan: Raphel said that the GoP is unable to provide relief to the people

• The former US Deputy Secy of State for S Asia, Robin Raphel, has said that the GOP is unable to provide relief to the people due to the IMF, but the system is so stupid that on the one hand, ordinary citizens cannot even pay the electricity bills, but on the other hand, the rich have assets worth billions of dollars, on which they do not pay any tax.
• She said that to get Pakistan out of its problems, along with making the bureaucracy innovative, it needs to be depoliticized, end incentives for non-competitive institutions and privatize important government institutions.
• She said while addressing an event held in New York on the theme “Pillars of Democracy: Talks on America and Pakistan” on the occasion of the 78^th session, UNGA.
• This event was organized by the Muslim American Leadership Alliance, an NGO, and a member of the UN Economic and Social Council. (Urdu VoA)
• Giving her opinion on the silence of the US on the current political and economic situation in Pakistan, she said that she felt that perhaps the US is trying to learn from the failure of its intervention efforts to change the internal affairs of Afghanistan and Iraq, so it now appears to be avoiding discussions on the affairs of Pakistan.

‘Integrated living, resident permit’ — what China’s 21-point ‘reunification’ plan means for Taiwanese

• China’s top political body has proposed a 21-point development plan to integrate Taiwan with the mainland by encouraging Taiwanese to study and work in Fujian.
• The release of the plan coincided with Beijing sending 152 jets and 43 warships into areas around the island ahead of Taiwan’s presidential election slated for Jan.
• The plan reflects a change in Beijing’s attitude towards the Taiwan issue by proposing inflexible integration with the mainland.
• A document titled “Supporting Fujian in exploring new paths for cross-Strait integrated development and building a cross-Strait integrated development model zone” was put forward Wed by the CCP Central Committee and the State Council.
• The document states that the ultimate goal of the proposed policy is the ‘complete reunification’ of Taiwan with the motherland.
• It intends to create an integrated living model for China’s port city of Xiamen and Taiwan’s Kinmen – which are only 5 km apart.
• Similarly, Fujian’s capital, Fuzhou, will be integrated with Taiwan-controlled Matsu, about 20 km apart. (here)

US will redirect millions of funds for Egypt to Taiwan and Lebanon

• The Biden administration has notified Congress that it will withhold $85 million in aid to Egypt that had been conditioned on Cairo’s progress in its treatment of political prisoners, instead diverting that money to Taiwan and Lebanon.
• The administration said it would redirect $55 million worth of that funding to Taiwan and $30 million to Lebanon, the sources said.
• However, the administration will allow Cairo to access $235 million of the total of $320 million in foreign military financing that is conditioned on human rights issues.
• The US provides more than $1 billion in foreign military financing to Egypt and the vast majority of it is not conditional.
• The WSJ first reported on the redirection of the funds.
• Last month, a group of 11 House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats called on Secy of State Antony Blinken to withhold all $320 million.
• Meanwhile, the administration has been working to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities in preparation for a potential conflict with China, and in July announced a new weapons package for the self-governing island valued at up to $345 million. (here)