1. J-K: Infiltration bid foiled on LoC in Poonch, 3 terrorists arrested
2. NIA Cracks Down Again on Newly Floated Terror Outfit across the Kashmir Seizes Incriminating Materials
3. NSA Ajit Doval calls on Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in Delhi
4. NIA raids 25 places in Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar in Phulwarisharif PFI case
5. GDP growth at 7.2% in 2022-23, higher than expected and buoyed by strong Q4, govt data shows

What Else

6. Chinese reporters had been treated unfairly in India for years, claims China’s foreign ministry
7. Latest satellite images reveal how China is scaling up its air power along LAC
8. 27th Meeting of WMCC on India-China Border affairs held on Wed
9. “What is happening to Muslims in India today, happened to Dalits in 1980s”: Rahul Gandhi
10. UK army chief meets COAS Munir, recognizes Pak Army’s sacrifices in fight against terrorism
11. 2 terrorists killed in gun battle with security forces in North Waziristan’s Dossali: ISPR
12. PTI deserters meet Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Adiala jail in bid to ‘convince’ him to quit party
13. Pakistan Keen to Cut a ‘New’ IMF Deal

J-K: Infiltration bid foiled on LoC in Poonch, 3 terrorists arrested

• Foiling an infiltration bid, Indian Army apprehended three terrorists near the India-Pakistan border in Poonch on Wed.
• Army launched a joint operation with J&K Police on the LoC in the Poonch sector on the night of 30/31 and intercepted 3-4 terrorists while they trying to cross the fence.
• The security forces then cordoned off the area and a search operation was launched.
• “Blood trails have been found. 3 terrorists with some weapons and war-like stores including 1 IED and Narco have been apprehended.,” the statement further mentioned.
• Army recovered 10 kg IED (improvised explosive device) from the terrorists.
• The search operations were in progress. (here)

NIA Cracks Down Again on Newly Floated Terror Outfit across the Kashmir Seizes Incriminating Materials

• The National Investigation Agency on Wed cracked down once again on a newly floated terrorist outfit in J&K and seized implicating texts and several digital devices.
• The searches were conducted in the residential premises of sympathizers/cadres, hybrid terrorists, and OGW at 3 locations in the valley, linked with the newly-formed shoots and linked to proscribed Pak-backed terror outfits, such as LeT, JeM, HM, Al-Badr, AQ.
• The searches were conducted in Srinagar and Budgam, into the activities of the recently formed terrorist groups, including TRF, ULFJ&K, MGH, JKFF, KT, and PAAF.
• A total of 51 locations have been searched in recent days in connection with the terror conspiracy case, which was registered suo moto by NIA on 21^st June 2022.
• The case relates to the hatching of a conspiracy, both physical and in cyberspace, and plans by the proscribed terrorist organizations to unleash violent terrorist attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms etc.
• The plans are part of a larger conspiracy to carry out acts of terror and violence, by radicalizing local youth and mobilizing overground workers, to disturb the peace and communal harmony of J&K.
• Cadres are involved in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs/magnetic bombs, IEDs, funds, narcotic substances, arms/ammunition, etc.
• They are spreading activities relating to terror, violence, and subversion in J&K.
• Investigations have further revealed that Pak-based operatives are using drones to deliver arms/ammunition, explosives, narcotics etc. to their operatives in Kashmir.
• These operatives are using social media to connect with the cadres and workers.

NSA Ajit Doval calls on Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in Delhi

• Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on his first overseas visit since assuming office met National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wed.
• As Nepal PM Dahal is set to meet his Indian PM Modi on Thu (today), the engagement between the two PMs will discuss the entire gamut of the multifaceted relationship
• During the visit, both sides will build on the successes achieved by India and Nepal in the bilateral partnership during previous high-level visits
• [PM Deuba to New Delhi (April 2022) and PM Modi to Lumbini (May 2022).]
• During his visit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka ‘Prachanda’ will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
• Kickstarting his 4 days India visit, Nepal PM arrived in New Delhi on Wed. (here)

NIA raids 25 places in Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar in Phulwarisharif PFI case

• NIA on Wed conducted raids at about 25 locations in Karnataka, Kerala, and Bihar in the Popular Front of India (PFI) Phulwarisharif case.
• The raids were still underway at the premises of suspects of PFI and its leaders and cadres in violent and unlawful activities, who had assembled for that purpose.
• Earlier, 6 persons were arrested and several incriminating documents related to PFI were seized in the instant case which was initially registered on July 12 last year.
• On Feb 4-5 this year, the NIA also searched 8^th locations in Motihari and arrested 2 people who had arranged weapons and ammunition to carry out the killing. (here)

GDP growth at 7.2% in 2022-23, higher than expected and buoyed by strong Q4, govt data shows

• The economy grew 7.2% in the FY 2022-23, faster than the 7% predicted in Feb, sustained by a in the Q Jan-Mar 2023 by almost all sectors of the economy- govt data.
• The Min of Stat Wed released data on the growth of India’s GDP for the Q4 of 2022-23 as well as for the full year.
• The 7.2% growth for the full year 2022-23, while faster than earlier estimated, is significantly slower than the 9.1% growth seen in 2021-22.
• Looking sectorally, agriculture grew 4% in 2022-23, faster than the 3.5% growth it registered in the previous year.
• The sector has been seeing accelerating growth throughout 2022-23.
• In Q4, the sector grew 5.5%, compared with 4.7% in Q3, 2.5% in Q2, and 2.4% in Q1.
• The manufacturing sector saw a mixed performance in 2022-23.
• The manufacturing sector grew 4.5% in Q4, breaking a trend of contraction in Q3 (-1.4%) and Q2 (-3.8%). The sector grew 6.1% in the Q1 of the financial year. (here)

Chinese reporters had been treated unfairly in India for years, claims China’s foreign ministry

• China said on Wed it had taken “appropriate” action in response to India’s unfair treatment of Chinese journalists, in the latest episode to highlight tense relations.
• The WSJ reported on Tue that China and India had ejected nearly all of each other’s journalists in recent weeks.
• Citing people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said India had this month declined to renew the visas of the last 2 Chinese state media journalists in India.
• Meanwhile, at least two Indian reporters had not been granted visas to return to China and a 3^rd was told that his accreditation had been revoked. (here)

Latest satellite images reveal how China is scaling up its air power along LAC

• China’s expansion of airfields along the LAC since 2020 has created capabilities for its military to conduct a wider range of operations, and to counter India’s advantages.
• The changes show that China has boarded on a massive expansion of airfields, helipads, railway facilities, missile bases, roads, and bridges.
• satellite images of airfields at Hotan, Ngari Gunsa, and Lhasa show the Chinese side has expanded these facilities by building new runways, hardened shelters designed to protect combat jets, and construction of new support and military operations buildings.
• These 3 Chinese airfields were chosen for analysis because of their locations opposite strategic positions and use in current operations amid the standoff with India.
• Indian officials declined to comment on the analysis. (here)

27th Meeting of WMCC on India-China Border affairs held on Wed

• The 27^th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on Wed in New Delhi, stated MEA.
• The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secy (E Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs while the Chines side was led by the DG of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese FM.
• Both sides reviewed the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas.
• Moreover, the discussions on proposals for disengagement in remaining areas in a frank and open manner also took place, according to the official statement of MEA.
• They also agreed to hold the next (19^th) round of Senior Commander’s meetings at an early date. (here)

“What is happening to Muslims in India today, happened to Dalits in 1980s”: Rahul Gandhi

• Targeting the BJP govt, Rahul Gandhi on Wed said, “What is happening to Muslims in India today, happened to Dalits in the 1980s” and it has “to be fought with affection”.
• Speaking at the ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukaan’ event in San Francisco in the US, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the impact of some actions of the BJP-led govt was being felt by minorities and people from the Dalit and tribal communities.
• The Congress leader was responding to a question from ‘Bay Area Muslim community’ and the steps Congress will take to tackle the issues faced by them.
• Gandhi is on a 6-day visit to the US to interact with the Indian diaspora and express the Congress party’s “commitment to democratic values in India and across the world”. (here)

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

UK army chief meets COAS Munir, recognizes Pak Army’s sacrifices in fight against terrorism

• Gen Sir Nicholas P Carter, chief of staff, the UK Army, on Wed called on Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and recognized the Army’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
• According to a press release issued by the Army Media wing ISPR, Gen Sir Sanders met Gen Munir at the GHQ in Rawalpindi.
• During the meeting, “regional security” issues and matters of mutual interest were discussed.
• “The visiting dignitary acknowledged the sacrifices and achievements of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region,” the ISPR said.
• The statement added that Gen Sir Sanders also called on the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Staff HQ in Rawalpindi.
• The British army chief arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a five-day “defense engagement” visit. (here)

2 terrorists killed in gun battle with security forces in North Waziristan’s Dossali: ISPR

• 2 terrorists were killed by security forces during an intelligence-based operation in the general area of North Waziristan’s Dossali, the military’s media wing said on Wed.
• According to a press release issued by the ISPR, the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists in the area.
• The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists who were “actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces”.
• Meanwhile, a soldier deployed to provide security to polio teams was martyred in an attack by terrorists in Waziristan’s Spinwam area.
• It added that sanitization of the area was underway to eliminate other terrorists in the area.
• Pakistan has seen an uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the outlawed TTP ended its ceasefire with the govt in Nov. (here)

PTI deserters meet Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Adiala jail in bid to ‘convince’ him to quit party

• In a bid to change the loyalty of detained PTI Vice-Chief SM Qureshi — who according to Imran Khan will lead the party in case of his disqualification — the party’s key deserters met him in Adiala jail on Wed.
• A delegation of PTI defectors comprising the party’s bigwigs Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail, Mahmood Moulvi, and Aamir Kiani met Qureshi and tried to convince him.
• In a presser post meet, Fawad — once a close aide of Khan — said that 250 million people could not be left at the mercy of component parties of the PDM.
• Following the presser, Zain Qureshi — son of Qureshi — dismissed the perception that his father will part ways with Khan or the party. (here)

Pakistan Keen to Cut a ‘New’ IMF Deal

• Amid a stalemate on securing a bailout from the IMF PM Shehbaz Sharif has informed the fund’s MD Kristalina Georgieva about Pakistan’s intention to secure a new bailout.
• Moreover, Dy Fin Min Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Wed criticized IMF mission chief Nathan Porter’s comment, saying he should not “interfere in politically domestic” matters.
• The PM had revealed Pakistan’s intentions to sign a follow-up bailout package during his telephonic conversation with the IMF managing director on the weekend.
• Pakistan’s current $6.5 billion program stood derailed and the efforts being made to revive it for the past seven months could not materialize.
• The program is going to expire on June 30.
• The IMF chief reciprocated the premier’s views about the need for another package.
• Diplomatic corps and international financial institutions think that Pakistan cannot avoid default without securing a new IMF package. (here)