1. In Dense Kashmir Forest, Anti-Terror Op drags On for Over 100 Hours
2. PM Modi inaugurates YashoBhoomi convention centre on his birthday
3. Parliament special session begins today
4. Manipur: Indian Army soldier abducted while on leave, killed
5. India to acquire more howitzers, rockets and missiles

What Else

6. Defence Ministry clears proposal to buy ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles for Indian Army
7. Congress unveils 6 poll guarantees for Telangana after CWC meet, accuses BRS of ‘Nizam-like’ rule
8. India’s export surge: A resilient economic odyssey to $776 billion and beyond
9. Pakistan: Qazi Faez Isa takes oath as Pak’s 29th CJ, with wife by his side in defiance against Imran Khan
10. Pakistan: Sheikh Rashid arrested in Rawalpindi: lawyer
11. Activist from Gilgit Baltistan raises human rights issues at UNHRC
12. WHO chief presses China for ‘full access’ to determine Covid’s origins, says FT report
13. China seeks to expand police power to collect biological information of suspects in minor offences
14. White House adviser Jake Sullivan holds ‘candid’ talks with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi
15. First Russia, Now China: Turkey Set to Sign Deal with Beijing for Nuclear Power Plant – Reports

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In Dense Kashmir Forest, Anti-Terror Op drags On for Over 100 Hours

• The encounter with terrorists in Anantnag, J&K has stretched to the 6^th day, with thousands of troops in an endless [?] gunfight deep inside the dense forests of Gadol.
• Trained in jungle warfare, the terrorists are making use of the treacherous terrain and forest cover to keep the forces at bay and prolong the encounter.
• 3 officers, 1 soldier including 2 from the Army and a policeman, were killed in action.
• The heavily armed terrorists, believed to be 2-3 [5] in number, are hiding in a tactically favorable location in a 20-25’ deep cave in a dense and steep forest.
• This indicates a new pattern being used by the terrorists.
• Army’s Northern Cdr Lt Gen visited the encounter site on Sat where he was briefed.
• The operation: The joint operation by the Army and police began Tue night based on input, followed by an attempt to approach the terrorist hideout the next day.
• The terrorists who appear to have anticipated the action opened fire on the forces, caught between the dense forests and hill on one side and a deep ditch on the other.
• The new security challenge: The terrorists appear to be trained in jungle and high-altitude warfare, and prepared for a long haul.
• It may have taken a long time to set up the logistics in such a treacherous terrain. (here)

• Anantnag: 3 terrorists killed. Baramulla: 3 Terrorists Killed. Rajouri: 2 terrorists killed. The hunt for 3 others continues.
• As per the Intell input around 28 Terrorists present in the Anantnag and Kulgam Areas, of which 12 terrorists were Pakistani and 16 were local.

• Hideout of militants busted in Kupwara, arms recovered: Security forces busted a militant hideout and recovered arms and ammunition in Kupwara, police said on Sat.
• During a search operation at Wadder Bala in the Handwara area of the north Kashmir district, security forces busted a militant hideout, a police official said.
• The recovered cache includes 2 AK 47 and an AK 56 rifles, 16 AK magazines, 328 AK rounds, a pistol, 2 pistol magazines, 3 pistol rounds, 1 UBGL, and 4 UBGL rounds (here)
• 3 infiltrators killed at LoC, Army says Pak troops gave cover fire: 3 infiltrators were killed in a gunbattle Sat at the LoC in the Uri sector of J&K.
• The Army said the infiltrating militants in the Uri sector received fire support from the Pakistan Army which wants to disturb peace and normalcy in the Valley. (here)

PM Modi inaugurates YashoBhoomi convention centre on his birthday

• PM Modi launched the first phase of the International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), YashoBhoomi, in Delhi’s Dwarka today on his birthday (Sept 17).
• PM Modi took a metro ride on his way to the Convention Centre and was seen interacting with the commuters in the metro.
• The PM also inaugurated the extension of the Delhi Airport Metro Express line from Dwarka Sector 21 to a new metro station ‘YashoBhoomi Dwarka Sector 25’.
• After induction, PM launched his govt’s ambitious scheme, “PM Vishwakarma“, which is aimed at helping artisans craftsmen, and others engaged in traditional skills
• As practitioners of these occupations come largely from Other Backward Classes, the scheme with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore is also being seen as the ruling BJP’s outreach to the politically important segment.
• Speaking at the event, PM Modi said that the government will provide up to Rs 3 lakh loan without any (bank) guarantee under the PM Vishwakarma scheme.
• YashoBhoomi is going to be one of the world’s largest MICE facilities with a project area of over 8.9 lakh m² and a total built-up area of more than 1.8 lakh m². (here)

Parliament special session begins today

• A 5-day special session is all set to commence today (Mon) amid intense buzz on whether the govt has any surprises in store.
• The announcement made on Aug 31 has piqued everyone’s interest [already reported]
• There has been a lot of speculation regarding what could be taken up during the five-day special session of Parliament.
• Amid the confusion, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wrote to PM Modi, pointing out that no agenda was listed for the special Parliament session.
• The govt on Wed released a “tentative list” for the session which would also see four bills being taken up and a discussion on the Parliament’s journey of 75 years.
• But the Opposition wasn’t placated. (here)
• [Though the media are very much speculative, PM Modi is famous for breaking speculations]
• Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar hoisted the national flag at the new Parliament building on Sun, the eve of the special session.

Manipur: Indian Army soldier abducted while on leave, killed

• In a tragic incident in Manipur, a 41-year-old Indian Army soldier was killed after being abducted from his residence while he was on leave.
• The soldier was kidnapped from the Imphal West district of Manipur and while lifeless body was discovered the following morning.
• Sepoy Kom was forcibly taken from his home by 3 unidentified armed individuals at approximately 10 am on Sat, witnessed by his 10-year-old son. (here)

India to acquire more howitzers, rockets and missiles

• India to induct more howitzers, missiles, and rockets as well as loitering munitions, swarm drones, and capabilities for precision strikes.
• The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war reinforcing that long-range, high-volume destructive firepower is a decisive battle-winning factor, made this consideration.
• Under the plan, the procurement of around 300 indigenous ATAGS and 300 MGS has already kicked off with the RFPs now being issued for these 155mm/52-calibre guns.
• The Army is also moving towards getting another 100 K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked guns, which have a strike range of 28-38 km, through the JV between L&T and Hanwha
• The continuing confrontation with China in E Ladakh has already led to K-9 Vajra with “winterization kits” being deployed there from the 100 such guns. (here)

Defence Ministry clears proposal to buy ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles for Indian Army

• The Defence Ministry has approved the procurement of a regiment of ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles for the Army for deployment along the LAC and LoC
• The Army would be deploying these missiles with conventional warheads and using them in tactical roles.
• The acquisition of these missiles is being seen as a big development for the country which now has a policy that allows the use of ballistic missiles in tactical roles. (here)

Congress unveils 6 poll guarantees for Telangana after CWC meet, accuses BRS of ‘Nizam-like’ rule

• Following the 2-day session of the Congress Working Committee— the highest decision-making body— in Hyderabad, the party Sun announced 6 guarantees for the upcoming Telangana elections at a public meeting.
• Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi announced the Mahalakshmi scheme under which women will receive Rs 2,500 every month, get LPG cylinders at Rs 500, and free travel on RTC buses across the state.
• Subsequently, president Mallikarjun Kharge announced 5 more guarantees. (here)

India’s export surge: A resilient economic odyssey to $776 billion and beyond

• While major economies around the world still seem to be reeling from the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian economy has a different story altogether.
• India’s exports have surged to an unprecedented $776 billion, marking a 36% increase from just $500 billion 2 years ago.
• The country’s goods exports are up nearly 53% in the last 2 years from a 4-year low of $292 billion during FY 2020-21.
• Services exports grew by 56.4% from $206 billion in FY 2020-21which is expected to continue further at 25% (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pakistan: Qazi Faez Isa takes oath as Pak’s 29^th CJ, with wife by his side in defiance against Imran Khan

• Justice Qazi Faez Isa was sworn in as the 29^th Chief Justice during a ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Sun, administered by President Arif Alvi.
• Prominent figures like Caretaker PM Kakar and COAAS Asim Munir and Former CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry and Tassaduq Jillani were in their presence.
• One of Justice Isa’s initial actions as Chief Justice was to establish a full court to address legal challenges related to a law that diminishes the authority of the Chief Justice (here)
• CJP Isa has constituted the full court comprising all 15 judges of the SC to take up on Mon a set of 9 challenges to the Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 — a bill that required the formation of benches on constitutional matters of public importance by a committee of three senior judges of the court. (here)

Pakistan: Sheikh Rashid arrested in Rawalpindi: lawyer

• Former interior minister and Awami Muslim League Chairman Sheikh Rashid has been arrested on Sun from Rawalpindi, Express News reported.
• The Islamabad Police arrested Rashid, who is a close ally of PTI, along with 2 people including his nephew.
• He also disclosed that Rashid and his two nephews have been relocated to an undisclosed location. (here)

Activist from Gilgit Baltistan raises human rights issues at UNHRC

• A human rights activist, Danish Ali from GB has highlighted coercive measures employed by Pakistan to commit human rights violations in the occupied region.
• Danish, who belongs to the Balti community had an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive measures on Fri during the 54^th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
• He highlighted how coercive measures were adopted by the state-owned telecom company, SCO and has curtailed and curbed rights to freedom of expression.
• The activist from Gilgit Baltistan also narrated the sufferings of locals who are forced to pay huge electricity bills.
• He also showed his concern over the deteriorating situation of minorities in Pakistan and how they are being targeted by misusing the draconian blasphemy law. (here)

WHO chief presses China for ‘full access’ to determine Covid’s origins, says FT report

• The chief of the WHO urged Beijing to offer more information on the origins of COVID-19 and is ready to send a 2^nd team to probe the matter, the FT reported on Sun.
• The comments come as health authorities and pharmaceutical companies across the world have been racing to update vaccines to combat newer emerging Covid variants
• Ghebreyesus has long been pressing China to share its information about the origins of COVID-19, saying that until that happened all hypotheses remained on the table (here)

China seeks to expand police power to collect biological information of suspects in minor offences

• China is seeking to create a legal basis for police to collect biological info in cases of minor offenses, which would vastly expand a controversial practice currently used only in investigations related to terrorism, drugs, and other serious crimes.
• The proposed amendment to the Public Security Administration Punishments Law has raised concerns about the potential abuse of power by police.
• China’s Public Security Administration Punishments Law governs the handling of minor offenses that do not constitute crimes.
• It covers offenses such as spreading rumors, disturbing the public order at train stations and airports, and writing letters that threaten the personal safety of another person.
• Under the law, police can hand out penalties, including administrative detention, and the offenses are not handled through the court system.
• The draft amendment has been submitted to China’s top legislature and is open for public comment until the end of this month. (here)

White House adviser Jake Sullivan holds ‘candid’ talks with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi

• US NSA Jake Sullivan held “candid” talks on Taiwan and the Russian war in Ukraine with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for 2 days, according to announcements from Washington and Beijing on Sun, the 2^nd such meeting in 4 months.
• In separate readouts, both sides called the 2 days of talks in Malta “candid, substantive and constructive”.
• Sullivan brought up “our concerns with the PRC’s provision of different types of assistance to Russia”, a senior official with the US President told reporters.
• She said, however, that US officials “have not seen to date any lethal assistance”.
• “The two sides also discussed additional high-level engagements …. including upcoming meetings between senior officials,” the official said, without confirming whether these would include a meeting between Biden and Xi Jinping at the Apec
• Beijing’s announcement, which called for “strategic communication focusing on stabilizing and improving Sino-US relations” stressed differences over Taiwan. (here)

First Russia, Now China: Turkey Set to Sign Deal with Beijing for Nuclear Power Plant – Reports

• NATO member Turkey is seeking a partnership with China to build a nuclear plant even as its first nuclear plant is under construction with Russian help.
• Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar recently hinted that the talks with China for building a nuclear power plant were in the final stages.
• The Middle East Eye reported that a deal could be signed in the next few months.
• Senior Chinese govt officials reportedly visited eastern Thrace and the construction projects, according to Bayraktar. (here)