1. Manipur Violence: Situation yet to be Normal, casualties so far 54
2. SCO meet: China Paddleed Regional Solidarity; distrust emerged between India-Pakistan
3. Rajouri terror attack: Lashkar’s Sajjid Jutt module behind attack, Concided with Pak FM’s visit
4. China, Pakistan mention Kashmir in a joint statement
5. PM Narendra Modi to visit Paris for Bastille Day parade as guest of honour on July 14

What Else

6. As tension with China drags on, Army fast-tracks new battle management system, integrated surveillance centers
7. India steps up rupee’s internationalization for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery
8. 2 more coal blocks with huge reserve found in Bihar
9. Wrestlers Protests: Farmer leaders, wrestlers give 15-day ultimatum to govt to arrest WFI chief
10. Pak-Afghan FMs emphasize need for enhanced counter-terror coordination
11. Khalistan Commando Force chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar, wanted by India, gunned down in Pakistan
12. China presses Myanmar to crack down on cross-border cyberscams targeting Chinese
13. China puts upper Yellow River dam plans on the fast track with feasibility study

Manipur Violence: Situation yet to be Normal, casualties so far 54

• Indian Army and Assam Rifles have successfully rescued nearly 23,000 civilians so far and moved them to the operating bases, Army said on Sun.
• As per the statement, no major incidents of violence have been reported since the rescue operation began resulting in the relaxation in the curfew hours (7-10 am) (here)
• Violence has gripped Manipur, the north-east-state bordering Myanmar, since Wed.
• On Thu, Central Govt invoked Art 355 and take over control of the state’s law & order.
• At least 30 people were killed since May 3, the first official death toll was given out Sat by the state govt, but unconfirmed reports suggest 100, (TOI) while PTI reported 54
• The Army has also received a flag march. BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte was allegedly attacked by protesters and taken to hospital and stable.
• While gunfights between militant groups and security forces were reported in the morning hours from various hill districts, they dialed down later in the day.
• A total of 13k people were rescued and shifted to safe shelters, some in army premises.
• A CoBRA Commando was Killed, CRPF Asked his family to reach the nearest camp.
• Forces are using UAVs and helicopters to keep an eye on the intrusion.
• Defense forces said that the valley-based insurgent groups staying in camps across Indo-Myanmar Border may be detrimental to ongoing efforts to restore normalcy.
• The peaceful protests by tribal groups against the Meiteis’ demand for ST status turned violent on May 3 due to the involvement of armed Kuki militants.
• The fear now is that Meitei insurgents may retaliate. This could be catastrophic (here)
• Taking advantage of Violence, Information Warfare immediately started from Pakistan to portray this as violence between Christians and Hindus.

[Could it be a coincidence that Chinese FM was in Myanmar from May 3-4]

SCO meet: China Paddleed Regional Solidarity; distrust emerged between India-Pakistan

• The SCO FM’s meeting concluded in Goa on Fri with a joint statement calling for the expansion of the bloc and cooperation on regional security and fighting terrorism.
• Chinese FM urges neighbors to keep their distance from US:China’s FM Qin Gang has warned South and Central Asians to maintain distance from the US by maintaining “strategic autonomy”.
• SCMP (analysts)- described that Qin’s comments during his 2^nd visit within 2 months were seen as a tailored message to other members of the SCO and particularly his hosts.
• “..with the resurgence of the cold war, the counter-current of unilateral protectionism, and the rise of hegemony and power politics,” Qin said (F ministry statement). (here)
• The bilateral meeting of Jaishankar with his Chinese counterpart, Qin, concluded on Thu without any desired result.
• The discussions focussed on resolving outstanding issues and ensuring “peace and tranquility” in the border areas. (here)
• Qin’s next stopover was Islamabad, where he held a trilateral with Pakistan and Afghanistan [As reported previously]
• Bilawal says India ‘propagating false narrative’ on terrorism: Hours after India’s FM Jaishankar called out Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto as a ‘promoter, justifier and spokesperson of terrorism industry’, the latter responded ‘a false narrative’ was being propagated by the Indian leader. (here)
• The last time a Pakistani FM visited India, Manmohan Singh was still India’s PM.
• Rawalpindi’s stamp of governance was with PM Yousaf Raza Gillani in Islamabad’s power corridors.
• No bilateral between India-Pakistan; no Indian Journalists are allowed in PC by Bhutto
• [ironically, at the same time terrorists killed 5 elite security forces commandos, which India claims as Pak sponsored.]

Rajouri terror attack: Lashkar’s Sajjid Jutt module behind attack, Concided with Pak FM’s visit

• Indian security forces lost 5 troopers on Fri in a Rajouri sector, J&K.
• Indian Army has launched full-scale counter-terrorist operations in Kandi Forest in the Bhata Dhurian area to avenge
• The needle of suspicion is on the Kotli (PoK) based module of the Pakistan-based LeT
• As per intel inputs, there is a possibility of 2 groups of LeT terrorists in the Rajouri-Poonch sector with local support but this stands to positive confirmation.
• It is understood that 1 group comprising 2-3 Pakistanis along with 3 local terrorists were involved in the Apr 20 attack on an Army vehicle, killing 5 troopers.
• Given the scale of the attack, the agencies believe that there could be another group of 5 terrorists with 2 Pakistanis at the core operating in the area. (here)
• Def Min Singh on Sat took stock of the security situation in J&K’s border districts, where terrorists have killed 35 people, including 26 soldiers, in 8 attacks since Oct 2021.
• J&K Police on Fri claimed that the terror plot in Poonch’s ambush has been uncovered and 6 locals have been arrested for sheltering the terrorists.
• Pulwama Police averted a major tragedy by apprehending a terror associateIshfaq Ahmed WaniR/OArigam Pulwama and recovering an IED (5-6Kg) on his disclosure.
• J-K: BSF soldier killed, 6 injured in Poonch accident: A jawan has been killed and 6 others were injured when their met with an accident in the Mankote sector of Poonch on Sun, said BSF. (here)

China, Pakistan mention Kashmir in a joint statement

• Just a day after Pakistan’s FM Zardari was rebuked by EAM Jaishankar at the SCO FMs meeting, China and Pakistan mentioned Kashmir in their joint statement.
• The joint statement was issued after the 4^th round of the Pakistan-China FMs Strategic Dialogue led by Bilawal and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
• “Both sides underscored …. the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir,” read the Pak FO press release.
• “Both sides opposed any unilateral actions that further complicate the already volatile situation,” added the release.
• However, the Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir dispute was left over from history between India and Pakistan and should be properly and peacefully.
• Jaishankar also brushed aside Pakistan’s objections to India hosting the G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar in J&K in May.
• “I don’t think there is a G20 issue to debate with anybody, certainly not with a country which is nothing to do with G20,” Jaishankar said. (here)

PM Narendra Modi to visit Paris for Bastille Day parade as guest of honour on July 14

• PM Modi will be the guest of honour for this year’s Bastille Day Parade in Paris scheduled to take place on July 14.
• The Ministry of External Affairs stated the Indian armed forces’ contingent will also partake in the parade along with their French counterparts.
• India and France have a shared vision of peace and security, especially in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, it said.
• On the 25^th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, French President Macron extended an invitation to the Indian PM for this year. (here)

As tension with China drags on, Army fast-tracks new battle management system, integrated surveillance centers

• India’s tensions with China, the Army has fast-tracked the expansion and operation of its new battle management system and set up of integrated surveillance centers.
• The info and intel- a key factor, the Army has also invested in captive data centers and has thus acquired the substantial capability to host applications operational by this year.
• One of the key projects that the Army has been focusing on is Project SAMA, which will act as its new battlefield management system.
• The Army’s Combat Info Decision Support System has been re-designed as the Army Info and Decision Support System, which will be simulation and interpretation.
• In the interim, the Army has developed an in-house decision support system called the Situational Awareness Module for the Army (SAMA).
• The application has been designed to present a comprehensive battlefield picture to commanders at all levels based on authorization and roles. (here)

India steps up rupee’s internationalisation for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

• India and Sri Lanka stepped up their talks to proceed with trade in INR as both look set to expand bilateral support in “power and energy as well as aspects related to Re trade”.
• A cabinet rank official in New Delhi, met with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda in New Delhi on Fri to continue the bilateral dialogue between two.
• “The High Commissioner stressed the vital role that economic integration between the two countries could play in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery,” an official readout stated.
• Several banks in Sri Lanka have opened special rupee trading accounts, called Vostro accounts.
• This means the Lankan can now hold $10k (₹826,823) in physical form and for transactions with their Indian counterparts, they can use rupees instead of US$.
• Meanwhile, India’s fin ministry has asked the Indian Banks’ Association and the FIEO to proceed with an awareness campaign to stakeholders about the rupee trade. (here)

2 more coal blocks with huge reserve found in Bihar

• Two new coal blocks, Mirzagaon and Lakshmipur, have been identified in Bhagalpur, Bihar, by Coal Mine Planning and Design Institute Ltd.
• The blocks have estimated reserves of 2.3bn tonnes and 1.03bn tonnes respectively, and will be divided into sub-blocks for easier mining.
• The discovery comes after an earlier reserve was found near Mandar Parvat, but failed to attract any bidders.
• As per the CMPDIL report, Mirzagaon coal block, which has estimated reserve of 2300 MTs, is spread over 37 km² and possesses generally good quality of coal.
• The Lakshmipur block is located 51 km from Bhagalpur and 21 km from Kahalgaon railway station, spread in 14.9 sq km, with tentative coal reserve of 1035 MTs. (here)

Wrestlers Protests: Farmer leaders, wrestlers give 15-day ultimatum to govt to arrest WFI chief

• Various farmer leaders joined the wrestlers against the WFI chief and BJP MP BBS Singh at New Delhi on Sun and gave a 15-day ultimatum to arrest and said that the future course of action would be decided after that.
• The decision was taken at a meeting, attended by the SKM, BKU, Khap leaders, wrestlers, and members of a 31-[“9” IE] member committee, advising the movement.
• Tikait, BKU said that another meeting had been scheduled for May 21, and if Singh was not arrested by then, the leaders would take a “big decision”.
• The scenes were similar to the farmers’ protest that continued for 13 months until the govt repealed the law. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

Pak-Afghan FMs emphasize need for enhanced counter-terror coordination

• Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto and his Afghan counterpart on Sun emphasized the need for “enhanced coordination to CT and deepening bilateral cooperation”-FO
• Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is currently in Pakistan on a 4-day visit to participate in bilateral and trilateral meetings.
• The FO statement said the two sides held a “candid and in-depth exchange”.
• Earlier (Sun), FM said it was an honor to host the FMs of China and Afghanistan at the 5^th China-Pak-Afghan Trilateral FMs Dialogue.
• The dialogue this time took place at a time when cross-border attacks are on the rise.
• PM Shehbaz Sharif also said the trilateral dialogue underlined the “consensus of Pakistan and China to work for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan”.
• The trilateral dialogue had productive discussions on matters of mutual interest, including political engagement, counter-terrorism, trade, and connectivity.
• This was followed by the 4^th round of Sino-Pak strategic dialogue.
• The foreign minister had said engagement with the Afghan authorities was a must and it was their consistent message to them to “help us help you”.
• FM Muttaqi also held a meeting with politicians on Sat where the participants stressed the need for “nations and govts” of the two countries to be closer and for free travel.
• Army Chief Gen Asim Munir also met Muttaqi on Sat and discussed cooperation between the two “effectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism”.
• Separately, COAS Munir had also met with Qin and discussed “Matters of mutual interest, including regional security and defense cooperation,” –ISPR.
• The two dignitaries also discussed the evolving security situation in the region. (here)

Khalistan Commando Force chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar, wanted by India, gunned down in Pakistan

• Paramjit Singh Panjwar, the chief of the terrorist outfit KCF that stood for a now-receding separatist movement, was reportedly gunned down in Johar town of Lahore.
• Panjwar branded himself as a radical Khalistani, the term used while describing the proponents of the separatist movement.
• Paramjit Singh Panjwar was a wanted terrorist who headed a terrorist outfit called Khalistan Commando Force.
• He took KCF’s charge after Indian security forces eliminated Labh Singh, the former KCF chief, and Paramjit’s cousin.
• He was a key conspirator of the 2010 high-velocity twin bomb blasts in Patiala and Ambala cities.
• He has also been cited as the kingpin of the 2009 killing of Rulda Singh, head of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, an offshoot of the RSS (here)

China presses Myanmar to crack down on cross-border cyberscams targeting Chinese

• Chinese FM Qin Gang has urged Myanmar to take “effective measures” to crack down on cross-border telecoms fraud targeting Chinese and called for joint law enforcement.
• Qin made the remarks during a 2-day visit to Naypyidaw and the neighboring southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan.
• “The Chinese government places great importance on this issue and is determined to take stringent action to crack down [on these cross-border crimes],” Qin said.
• In a meeting with Myanmar’s Home Affairs Minister Soe Htut in Mar, China’s envoy to Myanmar, Chen Hai, urged the country to do more to rein in the groups.
• In response, Myanmar said it was willing to improve cooperation with China’s security departments to crack down on online fraud and other crimes in border areas. (here)

China puts upper Yellow River dam plans on the fast track with feasibility study

• China has fast-tracked plans to build a big hydropower station on the upper reaches of the Yellow River, as part of an extension for a controversial project to divert river water from the wetter south to the country’s more arid northern regions.
• The Heishanxia water conservancy project, to be built at the border of the Gansu and Ningxia provinces in N China, would include the 2.6GW Daliushu hydropower station, the latest dam on what China calls its “mother river”.
• It will bring benefits such as a stable water supply and blocking silt that might raise the river bed and increase flood risks, aside from boosting the electricity supply.
• Northwest China is on water alert as Yellow River supplies run low
• However, it also risks submerging 15,814 acres of arable land and replacement of 73k, all for an installed power generation capacity (1/10^th) of the 3 Gorges dam. (here)