Newsletter 4 july

This Week (July 4^th)

For this week, News is more or less similar to last week. New Delhi ‘seems’ taking action against China at economic front, besides rigorously working on defense front. India’s All weather enemy and China’s All weather-Friend is of course supporting the friends. However, under present pandemic crisis, world seem to be polarizing which may go anywhere.

Headlines of the Week

Escalation over Sino-Indian Tension now Manifesting
Pakistan moved 20,000 soldiers to Gilgit-Baltistan LoC
‘Order forces to attack India’: PoK PM urges Pakistan PM Imran Khan to ‘take strong Steps’
Karachi PSX Attack: BLA-linked Majeed Brigade claims responsibility
Amid Rift Over New Map, Nepal PM Oli Accuses India of Seeking To Topple His Government

Escalation over Sino-Indian Tension now started Manifesting

Major Developments

Escalation become visual at one or more fronts which lead deployment of forces, on either side of LAC, banning various software’s and projects, which origin China. This also culminated into polarization of few countries either with China or India. This become more important when such situation came after a devastating pandemic which entire world is facing, COVID-19.

PM Surprised the Country by his visit to Leh, the news flashed in Media only after his arrival
Chinese troops now stepping up activity near Arunachal Pradesh
China used Martial Art trainer after Galwan Valley Clash-(BBC) while India replaced Ghatak after the clash. [See last week letter]
PLA has deployed over 20,000 troops along LAC, India wary of third division in Xinjiang
India to ban Chinese cos from highway projects, Gadkari said on Wed.
India banned 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok etc
India-China military talks went on for 12 hours on Tue, went cosmetic
Japan has now agreed to a secret deal with the Indian Army against China.
The US is sending two aircraft carriers and other warships to the South-China Sea, for drills.
LAC face-off: Ladakh triggers Andaman’s build-up plans

PM Surprised the Country by his visit to Leh, the news flashed in Media only after his arrival

This become important especially when, two countries standing before one other. He was accompanied with CDS and Army Chief.

In Ladakh he was briefed by senior officials of Indian Army at a forward position in Nimu, in Ladakh,

Later, he met the injured security personals who was in June 15^th clash. His address to solders was not normal.

Previously, (On Thurs) Defense Min Rajnath Singh’s visit flashed in media which later came as ‘visit has postponed’.

Reacting to PM Modi’s Ladakh visit, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that no party should engage in any action that may escalate the situation at this point, ANI reported. ” India and China are in communication and negotiations on lowering the temperatures through military and diplomatic channels,” Lijian added.

He added “China will take necessary measures to protect the legal interests of Chinese firms operating in India, China’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday in response to a series of measures taken by India against China.

His rousing 26 min Speech has interpreted as a clear signal to Beijing by media personals. “India will neither buckle under Chinese pressure nor meet China half way on transgressions. China has either to go back to pre-May location or face up to Indian army responding in kind. And in mountains that’s not good news for China. Both sides in for the long haul’

I once again pay my tributes to the brave soiders martyred in Galwan Valley. Atmanirbhar Bharat ka sankalp aapke ke tyaag, balidaan , pursharth ke karan aur bhi mazboot hota hai.
We are the same people who pray to the flute playing Lord Krishna but we are also the same people who idolize and follow the same Lord Krishna who carries the ‘Sudarshana Chakra’.
Those who are weak can never initiate peace, bravery is a pre-requisite for peace. Whether World Wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our braves and their efforts towards peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity
PM Modi had said while the country honors the spirit of friendship, it is also capable of giving an appropriate response to any adversary. Paying tributes to the 20 Army men killed in the violent stand-off, Modi had also said India’s brave soldiers have shown that they will not allow the nation’s pride to be hurt.

As I watch the Pandemic spread its ugly face all across the world, including the tremendous damage it has done to the USA, I become more and more angry at China. People can see it, and I can feel it! –President Donald J. Trump on Thurs

Meanwhile, White House press secy Kayleigh McEnany on US President’s take on India banning 59 Chinese apps, said on Wed, “With regard to India & China, we’re closely monitoring the situation. Both India and China have expressed desire to de-escalate. We support a peaceful resolution of current situation”. He said that China’s aggressive stance along India-China border fits with larger pattern of Chinese aggression in other parts of world. These actions only confirm true nature of Chinese Communist Party: White House press secy on US Pres’ take on India banning 59 Chinese apps

Anti-Beijing sentiment’ grows. Times Now Report: Several countries including Germany, Netherlands, Canada, and Argentina have stopped certain exports to China.

The US is sending two aircraft carriers and other warships to the South-China Sea, for drills.

The US is sending two aircraft carriers and other warships to the South China Sea for exercises on Sat at a time when the Chinese military is also conducting drills in the South China Sea’s Xisha Islands.
After criticizing China just two days ago for holding exercises, the US again showed its hypocrisy and demonstrated that it is the real source of potential regional instability, Global Times said.
The USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz aircraft carriers are holding large-scale exercises in the South China Sea together with four other warships starting Sat, CNN.
This means the US exercises are coinciding with China’s drills in the South China Sea near the Xisha Islands, which run from Wed to Sun, according to a notice released by China’s Maritime Safety Administration.
In a statement on Thurs, the Pentagon claimed the Chinese drills were “counter-productive to efforts at easing tensions and maintaining stability,” Reuters reported.
China’s Foreign Ministry previously called similar US moves “flexing of muscles by some non-regional country that lies tens of thousands of miles away.”
3 US aircraft carriers have been conducting exercises in the Philippine Sea just outside of the South China Sea since June.
The South China Sea is fully within the grasp of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and any US aircraft carrier movement in the region is solely at the pleasure of the PLA, which has a wide selection of anti-aircraft carrier weapons like the DF-21D and DF-26 “aircraft carrier killer” missiles, analysts noted.
In response to the Pentagon’s statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on Fri that Xisha Islands are indisputably China’s inherent territory.

Chinese troops now stepping up activity near Arunachal Pradesh

The two sectors that are seeing the most PLA activity are Tawang and Walong – both of which bore the brunt of the Chinese offensive in 1962.
With Chinese and Indian troops eyeball-to-eyeball at seven places inside India’s claimed territory in Ladakh and Sikkim, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has begun stepping up activity opposite Arunachal Pradesh as well.
Indian government sources say PLA troops here are reinforcing their posts in large numbers, increasing their patrolling, and stepping up violations of the Indian border, which in Arunachal Pradesh runs along the McMahon Line. The two sectors that are seeing the most PLA activity are Tawang and Walong.
In the Tawang area, PLA patrols have come up to India’s Old Khinzemane post on two occasions, and accosted the Indian troops there.
Khinzemane is right on the McMahon Line and was the point at which the Dalai Lama entered India after escaping from Lhasa in March 1959.
Khinzemane is located close to the Namka Chu river, where the Chinese launched the 1962 war with their first massed attacks on thinly held Indian defenses.
Also in the Tawang sector, the PLA has reinforced its base camp at Tsona Dzong, the main Tibetan border town located across the McMahon Line from Tawang.

Japan has now agreed to a secret deal with the Indian Army against China.

As per a media report, Japan has changed his law to share defense intelligence with India, Australia and Britain besides the US.
This expansion was done last month under the scope of Japan’s secret law.
Earlier Japan used to share defense intelligence only with its closest ally America.
According to this law, which came into force in 2014 in the midst of disputes, there is also a provision for a 10-year sentence along with a fine for leaking information that threatens Japan’s national security.
Defense, diplomacy and counter-terrorism come under this law.
China’s Coast Guard ships keep circling around the Japanese-ruled Sekaku Island.
China claims its island as Diu and claims it. Chinese ships arrived here on Thurs for the 80^th consecutive day.
Under a change in the secret law, Japan has signed agreements with India, Britain, Australia and France that oblige both parties to keep classified defense information secret.
All countries will share defense information with each other, reducing the risk of data leaks.

India-China military talks went on for 12 hours, went cosmetic

Talks between the Indian and Chinese military delegates to resolve the border issue in Eastern Ladakh went on for around 12 hours, sources said.

The 3^rd meeting between the two sides, which started at 10.30 a.m. ended at 11 p.m. on Tue night, which took place at Chushul, wherein India has put a strong message that to China’s People’s Liberation Army troops have not aided by the disengagement consensus.
The last two meetings at Corp Commander Level were held on June 6 and June 22. While Tue’s meeting was held in Chushul on the Indian side, the previous two took place in Moldo on the Chinese side.
“All contentious areas during the current standoff were discussed to stabilize the situation,” the sources added.
India on Tue asked China to adhere to the broad de-escalation and disengagement plan of June 22, with gradual, verifiable and mutual troop pull-back from the confrontation sites in eastern Ladakh, followed by reduction in the continuing rival military build-ups along the LAC.
There was no official word on the outcome of the third round of talks on Tuesday between 14 Corps commander Lt-General Harinder Singh and South Xinjiang Military District chief Major General Liu Lin, who had held similar marathon dialogues on June 6 and June 22.

India banned 59 Chinese apps, (including TikTok etc) and Many other projects in Energy and Infra Sectors

Modi’s amended Enemy Properties Law (2018) given Jitters to China
China fears India can confiscate assets of Chines companies, such as Xiaomi and Lenovo, as countries enter a military conflict.
Law provide Modi to take over any Chinese investment like Lenevo, Xiomi, MI etc under same law if China goes for war.
Meanwhile, China Commerce Ministry said to Reuters “We hope India to correct its discriminatory actions against Chinese companies immediately”.
Modi start thinking from where his critics and opponents stop thinking.
The download of these apps, like CamScanner, etc, are likely to be blocked on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
What is the legal basis for India’s action?

The ban has been enforced under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource”): “Where the Central Government or any of its officers specially authorized by it… is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above, it may… by order, direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block for access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.”

India’s ban on 59 Chinese apps, including the popular TikTok, has been widely noted in the US, including by some prominent lawmakers, who have urged the American government to follow suit as it is believed that the short video-sharing app is a major security risk to the country.
India on Monday banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including TikTok and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
The ban, which comes in the backdrop of India’s current stand-off along the Line of Actual control in Ladakh with Chinese troops, is also applicable for WeChat and Bigo Live.
US welcomed India’s decision to ban 59 Chinese Apps. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while lauding India’s action against China, said, ‘India’s clean app approach will boost India’s sovereignty and boost integrity and national security’.
However, some experts claimed that China’s Hikvision controls India’s surveillance market. Modi needs to do more than ban apps: Hikvision is central to China’s ambitions to become the world’s leading supplier of surveillance systems. And it has cleverly projected itself as part of Make in India initiative.
Just last week, the US Department of Defense named Hikvision, along with 19 other firms, as being “either owned or controlled by the Chinese military”.
In fact, the US had already invoked the National Defense Authorization Act and prohibited government agencies from purchasing video surveillance products from Hikvision. The Australian government has expressed similar concerns, and there was even an uproar in the UK.

What India can do? From The Print

For starters, the Modi government needs to make a clear list or database of all its current installations.
Second, it needs to review all installations that would be considered critical or with a national security implication, and then seriously consider replacing them with a local alternative.
If that is not feasible, the government needs to wrap such installations with third party (non-Chinese) encryption tools, which would disable any back doors that may exist.

India to ban Chinese cos from highway projects, Gadkari said on Wed.

India will not allow Chinese companies to participate in highway projects, including those through joint ventures, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday amid border standoff with China.
Gadakri also said the government will ensure that Chinese investors are not entertained in various sectors like Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“We will not give permission to joint ventures that have Chinese partners for road construction.
We have taken a firm stand that if they (Chinese companies) come via joint venture in our country, we will not allow it,” Gadkari told PTI in an interview.

During a virtual press conference with State counterparts, Power Minister R. K. Singh on Fri, asserted that the equipment import from China and Pakistan would not be permitted especially on the basis of inspection

He asked State discoms not to give orders for supply of equipment to Chinese firms.
He said that India will not import power equipment from China, amid border standoff with China.

PLA has deployed over 20,K troops along LAC, India wary of third division in Xinjiang

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed more than 20K of its troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) near the Eastern Ladakh sector as ANI reported on Wed.
India is closely watching the activities of another 10-12K Chinese troops deployed in Xinjiang with high mobility vehicles and weaponry in the rear positions with the capability to reach the Indian front in 48 hours’ time.
“The Chinese Army has deployed around two division’s worth of troops (around 20K) along the LAC in the Eastern Ladakh sector.
There is another division (10K troops) which has been stationed by it in the Northern Xinjiang province almost a 1,000 km from the front but they can be mobilized to reach our frontiers in maximum 48 hours’ time due to the flat terrain on the Chinese side,” -ANI.
ANI from sources:

“We are keeping a close eye on the movement of these troops along with the ones which have been deployed close to the Indian Territory,”
Despite, India and China have been talking at the diplomatic and the military level for over 6 weeks now, there has been no thinning down in troop numbers or equipment by the Chinese side on this front, they said.
the Chinese normally also have two divisions deployed in the Tibet region but this time, they have brought in close to two divisions extra from locations as far as 2,000 km from mainland China for deployment against the Indian positions.
The Indian side has also beefed up positions and added at least two divisions from nearby locations for the Eastern Ladakh sector.
This includes a reserve mountain division which every year conducts its war-games in the Eastern Ladakh area.
Tanks and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles have been also flown in by the Air Force in addition to the existing elements of the armored brigade deployed close to the DBO sector.
Eastern Ladakh sector, is at present, guarded by the Karu-based Trishul Infantry Division along with its three brigades located all along the LAC.
Looking at the Chinese aggression and deployment along the DBO sector from Galwan Valley onwards to the Karakoram Pass area, the Indian Army is now also considering the deployment of another division in that sector, the sources said.
In the Pangong Tso Lake and the Finger area, the Chinese have now stationed themselves very strongly on the Finger 8 area where they have established their administrative base along with deployment of heavy vehicles and bigger boats.
“The road built by the Chinese from the Finger 8 to Finger 5 alongside the lake also helps them in the quick transfer of troops from there to the Finger 4 base.
The reaction time of the Chinese to move their troops is much shorter than the Indian side,” the sources said.
The Chinese are also creating proper military infrastructure in the area under them near the lake”.
The Chinese side had marched in its troops in heavy numbers in the Finger area and Pangong Tso Lake on May 18-19 when they marched in with almost 2,500 soldiers against around 200 Indian soldiers deployed there on the bank of the lake.
Depicting the Chinese movement near the lake and in it as a “locust attack”, the Chinese have not been allowing Indian patrols to go on patrolling beyond the Finger 3 where the Indian side also has an administrative base.
Despite talks being done with the Chinese at the military and diplomatic levels, it seems that the time taken for the resolution of the crisis would be very long and the Indian side is also preparing itself for a long haul.
“The deployment is expected to continue till September-October time frame when snowfall starts in a big way in the high altitude terrain”.

The Chinese deployment would be more difficult in the summer months and the condition would become relatively easier during the winter months when the water would freeze.

The massive deployment on both sides started when the Chinese side first marched close to the Patrolling Point 14 in Galwan river valley on May 4-5 to claim the territory there and asking the Indian side to go west of the Shyok river near the Indian position KM-120 there.

India deploys T-90 tanks in Galwan Valley after China’s aggressive posturing at LAC

Infantry combat vehicles along with 155mm howitzers have been deployed all along 1597 km long LAC in East Ladakh.
Signaling that it is all for peaceful restoration of status quo ante in East Ladakh but is also prepared for the worst case scenario, the Indian Army has deployed six T-90 missile firing tanks and top-of-the-line shoulder fired anti-tank missile systems in the Galwan Valley sector.
The army’s decision to deploy the T-90 Bishma tanks was taken after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had beefed up its positions on the river bed with armored personnel carriers and troop tents.
The Indian Army is occupying the dominant heights in the sector within its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Infantry combat vehicles along with 155mm howitzers have been deployed all along 1597 km long LAC in East Ladakh with two tank regiments deployed in Chushul sector to repel any aggressive plans of the adversary through the Spanggur Gap.
While Chinese PLA wants to make a deal on the LAC in this sector as part of withdrawal, the Indian Army is no mood to give an inch as the military aggression came from the Western Theatre Command of China with the intention of redefining the LAC.
According to military commanders, India is prepared for a long haul in this limited spectrum with capability of a full spectrum retaliation in case the red flag goes up.
With the water temperature in the river already touching 10 below 0 degree and the river bed temperatures more frosty than the dominant heights due to temperature inversion, it is only a matter of time when “General Winter” takes over the area and makes Chinese positions in Galwan Valley untenable.
The general morale of the Indian military commanders and troops is very high with both Indian Air Force and Indian Navy deployed in highest state of alertness.
Majority of Chinese PLA Air Force fighters are taking off from Hotan air base in Taklamakan desert, some 240 km from the LAC with surface to air missiles deployed to counter the Indian fighters.

LAC face-off: Ladakh triggers Andamans build-up plans

India is now looking to fast-track plans for basing additional military forces in the strategically-located Andaman & Nicobar archipelago, along with the requisite development of infrastructure, as an effective counter to China’s expanding strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Defense sources on Fri said the long-pending plans for “force accretion” and “military infrastructure development” at the A&N Islands have “gained a sense of urgency” with China’s aggressive and expansionist moves both along the 3,488-km LAC as well as the IOR.
The ongoing troop confrontation in eastern Ladakh with China is making the defense establishment re-examine ANC’s role as India’s crucial military outpost that overlooks China’s critical sea lanes transporting the bulk of its crude oil imports and other trade through the Malacca Strait.
These “choke points” of China can be swiftly threatened, if required, by Indian warships and aircraft operating from the ANC.
“Some initiatives to augment the ANC have already been set in motion, while others are being finalized,” said a source.
Land allotments and clearances for the extension of the runway at naval air station INS Kohassa at Shibpur in North Andaman, for instance, have just been completed, he added.
The plan is to extend the runways at both INS Kohassa and INS Baaz at Campbell Bay in the south of the archipelago to 10,000-ft to support operations by larger aircraft.

Pakistan moved 20,000 soldiers to Gilgit-Baltistan LoC

Pakistan has moved almost 20,000 additional soldiers to LoC in in occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan northern Ladakh in the East to match Chinese deployments on the LAC in the east. The level of troops Pakistan has deployed is more than what it did after the Balakot air strikes. Pakistani radars are believed to be fully activated all along the region too.

DGISPR, however refused any such claim

India lodges strong protest with Pakistan over unprovoked ceasefire violations along LoC, IB

The unprovoked ceasefire violations are in contravention of the 2003 ceasefire understanding between the two countries, with an aim to push terrorists into JnK, official sources said on Fri.

They said 14 Indians have been killed and 88 sustained injuries in more than 2,432 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations carried out by Pakistani forces till June this year.

Despite these concerns having been shared, including through the channel of Director Generals Military Operations, the Pakistani forces have not stopped such activities, the sources said.

Chinese officials are holding talks with cadres of terrorist outfit Al Badr to incite violence in JnK, as per intelligence inputs, indicating clearer signs of a China-Pak collaboration on the border.
The level of troops Pakistan has deployed is more than what it did after the Balakot air strikes.
The simultaneous build up on the Pakistan and China borders and efforts to incite terrorism in Kashmir has brought the possibility of a two-front war and fighting terrorists in Kashmir, the worst case scenario strategic experts fear, closer to reality.
As per sources, there have been a series of meetings between Chinese and Pakistani officials in recent weeks, followed by amassing of troops in Gilgit-Baltistan, the area that adjoins Ladakh on the north.
The buildup comes at a time when thousands of Chinese soldiers have been aggressively deployed along LAC in eastern Ladakh, apart from intrusions at several points that has led to a tense standoff.
A build up in Gilgit-Baltistan would require additional responsibility for the Indian Army that has deployed a credible force in eastern Ladakh to counter China.
After the bifurcation of J&K, Gilgit-Baltistan is part of the Union Territory of Ladakh, but occupied by Pakistan.
The area adjoins Kargil-Drass where India fought a war to evacuate Pakistani intruders in 1999.
As per Intel inputs, Chinese officials have undertaken meetings with cadres of the Al Badr, a Pakistan-based terror group that has a history of wreaking violence in Kashmir. The assessment is that China may provide support to revive the organization.

This is among the signs we have received that indicate Pakistan and China are collaborating on the ground,” sources said.
Earlier this month, J&K Police DG Dilbag Singh had said “there were signs that the Al Badr, decimated long ago, was being revived for operations. These signs of collaboration are worrying as tensions continue on LAC, with talks failing to make any headway and PLA increasing concentration across eastern Ladakh, apart from Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim”.
As first reported by ET, India has been keeping an eye on airbases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after a Chinese refueller aircraft landed in Skardu earlier this week.
Chinese air activity has increased opposite eastern Ladakh, raising the possibility of PLA Air Force (PLAAF) using airbases in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Limited activity is being observed at the Skardu airbase where an IL 78 tanker of the Chinese air force landed earlier in the month.

'Order forces to attack India': PoK PM urges Pakistan PM Imran Khan to 'take strong Steps'

“verbal statements won’t work”- PoK PM

PoK PM told Imran Khan that it is his duty to protect his brothers and sisters

He said it is time to react and take some strong steps against India

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Tue urged Pakistan PM Imran Khan to attack India with forces. He also said that since India is giving weather reports on PoK, it’s time Pakistan start updating on Delhi as well.
While speaking to media after visiting villages along with the Line of Control (LoC) amid the coronavirus pandemic, the PoK PM said, “PM Imran Khan must react now and take some strong steps. Only verbal statements will not work. You must move forward and order your forces to attack India.”
Haider’s “weather update” comment came in the wake of the Indian Meteorological Department’s decision to include areas in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in its weather forecasts.
It has been an important development for India that has time and again maintained the position that all of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan, is an inseparable and integral part of India.
Raja Farooq Haider is notorious for making controversial statements against JnK, and India. A couple of months ago, he had said that arms struggle (infiltration and terror activities) must continue in J&K.
Speaking at an event, Haider had slammed Imran Khan-led government’s strategy and approach towards India. He had said that with the current approach, Kashmir won’t get independence and integrate with Pakistan even in the next 700 years.

You may correlate with movement of Chine’s officials in PoK area, besides Islamabad bounded to act according to Beijing

Karachi PSX Attack Highlights: BLA-linked Majeed Brigade claims responsibility

Karachi PSX attack Highlights: Pakistan Stock Exchange building is attacked by four armed men according to local media reports.

The attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi on June 29 by four gunmen carrying assault rifles and grenades fizzled out before any major damage could be caused. All the attackers were neutralized before they could storm into the building of the stock exchange. A Pakistani official has claimed that the entire attack was over in just around 8-10 minutes.

As is their wont, the Pakistanis were quick to point fingers at India, so quick that within minutes of the attack, and even before the identity of the attackers or their affiliation was known, the Pakistanis – spooks, soldiers, scribes and of course politicians – had figured it all out. Clearly in Pakistan, with innuendo being the new investigation, the judgment pronounced in less than an hour after the attack.

Pakistan’s stock exchange building in Karachi came under attack by armed men.
According to local media four men stormed the PSX building and started indiscriminate firing.
They attacked with grenade and guns. A gun battle ensued between Pakistani security forces and the armed men.
It added that the building is in a high security zone and also has head offices of many commercial private banks.
The Pakistan State Bank is located in the premise as well as the headquarters of several national and international financial institutions.
Reuters quoted Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon saying that four attackers have been killed, they had come in a silver Corolla car.
Pakistan security forces gun down 3 terrorists in KPK province

Karachi attack: China condemns terrorist attack on Karachi Stock Exchange

China on Monday condemned the terrorist attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange and said that it supported Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism.
Four heavily armed militants, believed to be from a banned Baloch terror group, on Mon made a brazen attempt to take over the stock exchange building in Karachi, killing four security guards and a police officer before being shot dead by security forces.
Two civilians were also killed in the attack. “China condemns all forms of terrorist attacks,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here when asked about the attack on the Karachi Stock Exchange.
“We extend our condolences over the passing of the innocent victims and sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured,” he said.
“China firmly opposes terrorism in all manifestations and supports Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and safeguarding national security and stability,” he said. (PTI)

[except when it comes to ban Masood Azahar etc who are allegedly responsible for sponsoring terrorism in India]

Pakistan stock exchange attack: 11 killed, hostage situation foiled

Four heavily armed militants, believed to be from a banned Baloch terror group, on Monday made a brazen attempt to take over the Pakistan Stock Exchange building here, killing four security guards and a police officer before being shot dead by security forces. The militants, who arrived in a car, opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades at the main gate of the multi-storey building situated in the city’s high-security commercial hub as they tried to storm it. Armed with automatic machine guns, grenades and explosives, they tried to enter into the compound leading to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) building through a parking lot but security forces foiled their attack within the compound itself, Deputy Superintendent of Police (South) Jamil Ahmed said. (PTI)

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) banned from flying to Europe

Meanwhile, the UN has also cautioned its staff to avoid travelling by PIA.

UAE also asked Pakistan to verify licensing credentials of Pakistani pilots who are holding UAE licenses on Tue. Asks Pakistan to clarify between ‘fake’ and ‘suspect’ cases before UAE takes appropriate action. Embarrassment for Pakistan globally. EU, UN, UK & Vietnam have already banned PIA.
Regulators have barred Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from the European Union (EU) for 6 months after the state-run carrier grounded nearly a third of its pilots for holding fake or dubious licenses, officials said on Tue (June 30).
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) told PIA “it is still not sure” if all the remaining pilots are properly qualified, and “they have lost their confidence” in the airline, PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan said.
In a statement, the EASA said it had suspended PIA and a smaller private Pakistan airline “in view of the recent investigation reported in the Pakistani Parliament which revealed that a large share of pilot licenses issued in Pakistan are invalid”.
PIA has only flown limited international flights for months as a result of the coronavirus.
A resumption of domestic operations last month was followed by a crash blamed on pilot error that killed 98 people.
PIA had recently resumed bookings for five European capitals cities, including Paris, Milan and Barcelona. Flights to Britain, which is no longer in the EU, had not been affected, Khan said.
The EU suspension is the latest fallout for PIA after the aviation minister told parliament last week that a government review had found 262 of Pakistan’s 860 active pilots hold fake licenses or cheated on exams.
More than half of them were from PIA, and the airline said it would immediately ground 141 of its 434 pilots.

The EASA said it suspended PIA “due to concerns about the capability of competent authorities to ensure that Pakistani air operators are in compliance with applicable international standards at all times”.

Amid Rift Over New Map, Nepal PM Oli Accuses India Of Seeking To Topple His Government

On Thurs, bigger developments seen in Kathmandu

After signing of President Vidhya Devi, suspicion over Oli to ‘No Confidence Motion’ cancelled at least for some time. Oli called an emergency Cabinet meeting at his residence to truncate the budget session, which may compel him to resign.
It has also came in media that some Chines spy have entered in Nepal as health workers.
Nepal Govt has decided to prorogue the ongoing budget session of the parliament. Cabinet meeting held at the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s residence in Baluwatar took the decision amidst rising speculation about the political future of Oli.
Nepal Communist Party Standing Committee Meeting has resumed without the presence of KP Sharma Oli in Baluwatar. Top leadership of the party feels humiliated since Oli has acted unilaterally recently without consulting party. Top leadership including Prachanda want Oli to resign.

Story of China’s growing influence on Nepal is real & long, but in the last few years, this has become far more pervasive & overwhelming – from politics, to economy, infrastructure, socio-cultural elements and people. Watershed was 2015 Madhesi agitation & blockade Later news flashed in media that Pak PM also want to talk with Oli.- The Print

Important development was amid the meeting of Communist Party conducted at the residence of PKD Prachand, one of taller leader of same Party.
In an incredulous claim amid the rift over the new map, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli on Sunday accused India of hatching a conspiracy to destabilize his government.
Alleging that meetings were being organized in hotels in India to topple his government, Oli exuded confidence that these plots would fail.
Oli also hit out at the opposition for questioning him on the country’s new map comprising the Indian territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura.
On Tue evening, some social media verified handlers murmuring about ‘honey trap’ about Oli as he is bounded to favor China.
- It was expected to be smooth sailing for the KP Sharma Oli-led government as the main opposition party Nepali Congress also backed the new map.
- The legislation was cleared in the House of Representatives by 258 votes. Later, all 57 members of Nepal’s Upper House- the National Assembly unanimously voted in favor of the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
- On June 18, Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari ratified the Constitutional Amendment Bill passed by the country’s Parliament to alter its map.

PM Narendra Modi’s address to the nation

After day before announcement to his address to Nation, came with following message, though media expecting something bigger.

He underlined the need of taking all precautions advised by health officials. He also said stressed that people are becoming casual during opening of Lockdown.

Under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, we announced a package of Rs. 1.75 lakh crore. In the last 3 months, Rs. 31,000 crore deposited in bank accounts of 20 crore poor families. Also, Rs. 18000 crore deposited in bank accounts of more than 9 crore farmers: PM

Key takeaways from

Expansion of Garib Kalyan Yojana, extended until November 2020 end
One Nation, One Ration Card soon
Poor to get free ration every month
5 kg wheat/ rice per month per family and 1 kg dal

PM Narendra Modi had Telephonic Conversation with Russian President

Vladimir Putin on track to secure grip on power until 2036 following constitutional referendum

The Russian president is set to win a referendum which will allow him to stay in power for two more six-year terms after his current mandate ends in 2024, official results showed. Voters in the world’s largest country overwhelmingly backed the constitutional changes with 78% showing their support, according to Russia’s Central Election Commission. However, the referendum was marred by reports of voting irregularities and protest rallies against the proposed changes.

Background

The polls, which were originally set for April but postponed due to COVID-19, were kept open for a week to bolster turnout
The constitutional changes allow Putin to reset his term limit
The amendments also include a ban on gay marriage and enshrining Russian as the “language of the state-forming ethnic group”
The opposition accused the government of rigging the vote

PM Modi spoke on phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thurs and congratulated him on the success of the 75^th anniversary celebrations of the victory in the Second World War, and also for successful completion of the vote on constitutional amendments in Russia.

Modi and Putin took note of effective measures undertaken by the two countries to address the negative consequences of COVID19 and agreed on the importance of closer India-Russia ties for jointly addressing the challenges of the post-COVID19 world.
Modi and Putin agreed to maintain the momentum of bilateral contacts and consultations, leading to annual bilateral Summit to be held in India later this year. PM Modi conveyed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India for the bilateral Summit.
Putin thanked PM Modi for the phone call and reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries in all spheres.

Defense Ministry approved proposal to acquire 33 new fighter aircraft from Russia including 12 Su-30MKIs and 21 MiG-29s along with upgradation of 59 existing MiG-29s. The total cost of these projects would be Rs 18,148 crores: Defense Ministry said on Thurs

Ministry also cleared the acquisition of 248 Astra Beyond Visual Range air to air missiles for the Indian Air Force and the Navy.
Design and development of a new 1,000 km strike range Land Attack Cruise Missile by DRDO has also been cleared: officials

Defense Acquisition Council clears proposals worth Rs 38,900 Cr of which acquisitions worth Rs 31,130Cr would be from Indian industry. The projects cleared including ammunition for Pinaka rocket launchers, BMP combat vehicle upgrades and software defined radios for Army

Encounter Completed in Tral in Pulwama district of JnK, 3 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists trapped

At least 30 Militants, including top commanders have been neutralized in the recent past
The NHRC has asked the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to intimate it about any custodial or encounter death, in accordance with guidelines, officials said on Thurs.
The present operation began on Tue’s night
Meanwhile, an infiltration bid by terrorists was foiled by the security forces in Keri area of Rajouri at about 5.55 am on Wed.
“Terrorists opened fire after coming 400 meters inside our side of Line of Control (LoC). One terrorist killed, 1 AK47 and magazines recovered.” sources told ANI.
The forces have also been undertaking search and area dominance exercises in the region. This is the third operation this week.
On Tue, the security forces neutralized two terrorists in Waghama Bijbehara.
On Mon, three terrorists were killed in yet another operation.
Early last month, the joint operations carried out by the forces had resulted in neutralizing at least 22 terrorists in the Valley.
The success of the operations, which also resulted in the elimination of a Hizbul Mujahedeen Commander, prompted the security agencies to announce that Doda district, once a hotbed of terrorism in the Valley is now ‘militancy free’.

Row in Kashmir over viral photo of kid sitting on grandfather’s corpse after militant attack

A 65-year-old civil contractor died in Kashmir Wed following a militant attack on CRPF personnel. His family claims he was dragged out of his car and killed.
A massive controversy erupted in Kashmir Wed after a civilian from Srinagar’s HMT area was killed in the aftermath of a militant attack on CRPF personnel in the Sopore region of north Kashmir.
- While Ahmed’s family has released a video message on social media, accusing Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel of dragging him out of his car and shooting him at point blank range, the Jammu & Kashmir Police said he died in the exchange of fire with militants.
- At a press conference Wednesday, Kashmir Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar said the family’s accusations against the CRPF were driven by threats issued to them by militants.
- However, with the allegation gaining traction online, the police in Sopore threatened legal action against those who perpetuate the “false reports and rumors” that Ahmed was killed by security forces.
While Pak Radio read it as “Indian troops martyred two more Kashmiri youth during cordon and search operation in occupied Kashmir on Tue.”
- It went on and said “The forum also condemned the brutal killing of a civilian, Bashir Ahmed Khan, by Indian troops in Sopore.”
- According to Kashmir Media service, the leaders of Organization of Kashmir Coalition, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo and Professor Nazir Ahmed Shawl, in a letter to the UN and European Parliament high officials in Geneva, drew their attention towards the Indian atrocities on Kashmiris.

The Secy Gen of the UN, Antonio Guterres, expressing grief over the killing of a grandfather before his toddler grandson in Sopore, said those responsible for the killing of the civilian need to be brought to justice.

International

China: Lawmakers Review Draft Of Controversial National Security Bill For Hong Kong

Some people in the US with hidden agendas have spared no effort to create and incite the so-called “beautiful sight”, and it’s suggested that they keep the beautiful sight for themselves, Chinese FM said, after US house passed HK Autonomy Act

China will have sweeping powers in Hong Kong’s internal affairs after the enforcement of the controversial national security law, as per Xinhua News Agency.

China must reconsider Hong Kong security law, 27 countries tell the United Nations: AFP news agency-June 30

Chines mouthpiece Global Times, reported, About 370 people have been arrested in HongKong as of 10:00 pm Wed for offences including unlawful assemblies and disorderly conduct in public places, among whom 10 were arrested for offences of breach of the National Security Law. 7 police officers got injured.
India at UNHRC said on Wed: Given the large Indian Community that calls HongKong home, India has been keeping close watch on recent developments. We’ve heard statements expressing concerns. We hope relevant parties will take into account these views and address them seriously and objectively.
Chinese lawmakers on June 28 reviewed the controversial national security bill for Hong Kong during a meeting held by the standing committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC).
According to state media Xinhua, the three-day meeting was the second one in June by the NPC’s standing committee that usually meets every two months.
During the meeting, Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC’s standing committee presented a report on the bill that has sparked protests in Hong Kong.
The committee is expected to pass the bill into law before the meeting ends on June 30.
Hong Kong will establish a local national security council with city executive Carrie Lam as its head and an adviser from the mainland.
New local police and prosecution units will be set-up to make sure the law is implemented.
Beijing-backed Hong Kong’s chief executive Carrie Lam will also have the power to appoint judges to hear cases related to the new security law.

Hong Kong protests

Residents of Hong Kong took to streets to protest against the new controversial national security law that was approved by the National People’s Congress in May.
The bill has garnered widespread condemnation from governments and business people across the world who argue that the law will further suffocate the remaining freedoms and autonomy enjoyed by the former British colony.
Massive protests in Hong Kong began last year after a China-backed extradition bill was put forward by the city’s executive.
The bill was later withdrawn but protests continued demanding an investigation into police brutality among other things.

As Hongkong police arrests 300 people for questioning new Law, PM of UK, Boris Johnson slams China for Serious Breach of Sino-British joint declaration. In a Big announcement on Wed, he offers settlement to 3 million British Nationals (overseas) holding passport of HK.

US Slaps Visa Sanctions On Chinese Officials In Retaliation To Beijing’s Hong Kong Policy

US announced restrictions on visas of former and current Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials in the wake of Beijing’s policies in Hong Kong.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on June 26 announced restrictions on visas of former and current Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials in the wake of Beijing’s policies in Hong Kong. The sanctions will also apply to the family members of these leaders.
As per the US State Department, the sanctions have been imposed in the light of China’s failure in complying with the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, and for undermining human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
“The US calls on China to honor its commitments and obligations in the Sino-British Joint Declaration – namely that Hong Kong will ‘enjoy a high degree of autonomy’ and that human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, will be protected by law and respected by governing authorities in Hong Kong,” the US State Department said in a statement.
The move does not interfere with these publications’ right to publish a particular article but recognizes them as Chinese Govt mouthpieces in order to increase transparency relating to the Communist Party of China and People’s Republic of China’s media activities in the US.
These publications will, however, have to follow certain rules which are applied to foreign embassies and consulates on US soil.
Earlier this year, USA listed Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily Distribution Corporation, and Hai Tian Development USA as ‘foreign missions’, thus identifying nine publications in total as government-owned.

Mike Pompeo Sharpens Attack On China, Says Can’t Accept ‘increasingly Belligerent’ CCP

Mike Pompeo at the virtual Brussels Forum 2020 reportedly dismissed the argument that one must calm tensions and simply accept an increasingly belligerent CCP.

The US Federal Communications Commission, (USFCC) has designated Huawei and ZTE as companies posing a national security threat to the United States. As a result, telecom companies cannot use money from our $8.3B Universal Service Fund on equipment or services produced or provided by these suppliers.

In making this decision, USFCC took into account input from Congress, Executive Branch, intelligence community, allies, and communications service providers. Overwhelming weight of evidence supported designation of Huawei and ZTE as national security risks to U.S. networks.

The U.S. Government, and this in particular, cannot and will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to exploit vulnerabilities in U.S. communications networks and compromise our critical communications infrastructure.

Myanmar calls out China for arming terror groups, asks world to help

Myanmar suspects that China was trying to use terror groups as a bargaining chip for smooth implementation of Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Myanmar, China’s closest ally in South-East Asia, has pointed fingers at Beijing for arming insurgent groups with sophisticated weapons and sought international cooperation to suppress rebel groups.
In a recent interview to Russian state-run TV channel Zvezda, Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said terrorist organizations active in Myanmar are backed by ‘strong forces’ and sought international cooperation to suppress rebel groups.
The reference to ‘strong forces’ was widely seen to be a reference to Myanmar’s neighbor in the north, China.

This is among the signs we have received that indicate Pakistan and China are collaborating on the ground,” sources said.
Earlier this month, J&K Police DG Dilbag Singh had said “there were signs that the Al Badr, decimated long ago, was being revived for operations. These signs of collaboration are worrying as tensions continue on LAC, with talks failing to make any headway and PLA increasing concentration across eastern Ladakh, apart from Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim”.
As first reported by ET, India has been keeping an eye on airbases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after a Chinese refueller aircraft landed in Skardu earlier this week.
Chinese air activity has increased opposite eastern Ladakh, raising the possibility of PLA Air Force (PLAAF) using airbases in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Limited activity is being observed at the Skardu airbase where an IL 78 tanker of the Chinese air force landed earlier in the month.

Nation Amid COVID-19

Update on COVID-19

Ban on international commercial passenger flights to and from India extended till July 31, 2020.
Highest Single-Day Spike With 22,771 New COVID-19 Cases on July 4^th.
The recovery rate has improved to 60.80%.
There are 2,35,433 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country at present.
Even as the World Health Organization (WHO) lauded the Indian government for its efforts in tackling COVID-19, the world nodal health agency said that India should also focus on data management originating from the pandemic, reports ANI.

Amid global concerns that China delayed giving information regarding the novel coronavirus outbreak, a team of WHO (World Health Organisation) will visit the country next week to investigate the origins of the virus and its spread to human beings, reports ANI.

Patanjali Ayurved has been asked to provide, at the earliest, details of the name and composition of the medicines being claimed as successful in COVID-19 treatment; site(s)/ hospital(s) where the research study was conducted; the protocol, sample size, Institutional Ethics Committee clearance, Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) registration, and results data of the study, and to stop advertising/publicizing such claims till the issue had been duly examined.
The Ministry has also requested the concerned State Licensing Authority of the Uttarakhand government to provide copies of the license and product approval details of Ayurvedic medicines being claimed as useful in the treatment of COVID -19.

Regulated by Act

“Also, the concerned Ayurvedic drug manufacturing company has been informed that such advertisements of drugs including Ayurvedic medicines are regulated under the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and Rules thereunder and the directives issued by the Central Government in the wake of COVID outbreak. The Ministry had also issued a Gazette Notification on April 21, 2020 stating the requirements and the manner in which research studies on COVID-19 with Ayush interventions/medicines should be undertaken,’’ the Ministry said.

‘100 patients’

Meanwhile, scientists associated with the trial said they had not yet published the results. Dr. Abhishekh Sharma, Assistant Professor of Medicine, National Institute of Medical Sciences, and among those who supervised the trial, said that 100 patients, who had tested positive for the virus, were recruited for the trial. Of them, 50 were given the medicine and five dropped out midway. The remaining 50 were administered a placebo.
- “69% of the 45, when tested on the third day, were found clear of the virus and half of those on the placebo recovered,” said Dr. Sharma. That works out to 31 of those on the treatment tested negative, and 25 of those on placebo tested negative.
- No other details on the profiles of the COVID-19 positive persons — the degree of sickness in those who enrolled for the trial, their age, whether they were on other medication prior to enrolment — were immediately available.

Clinical trial registry

A check on the clinical trial registry, where all trials must be registered, showed that a wide spectrum of patients were solicited. They were “asymptomatic, mildly symptomatic, moderately symptomatic and those aged 15-80”. The original aim of the study was to check the status of patients at day 3, day 7 and day 14, and whether they had improved immunological parameters due to the medicine. The medicine regime involved are the Tablet Swasari Ras (500 mg), Tablet Pure Ashwagandha Extract (500 mg), Tablet Pure Giloy Extract (500 mg), Tablet Pure Tulsi Extract (500 mg) and Anu Taila (nasal drop), according to information on the clinical trial website.