SECURITY SCAN: Internal and External Security, Countering China Pakistan Hybrid War
This article of Security Scan is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India"s national security. Attempt has also been made to analyze these events and recommend certain specific actions that can be undertaken by India.
NewsBharati 06-Aug-2022 11:17:43 AM
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This article is a summary of important events that have taken place in last one week affecting, India's national security. Attempt has also been made to analyze these events and recommend certain specific actions that can be undertaken by India.
Revocation Of Article 370 Third Anniversary
5th Aug marks the third anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. It is on this day in August 2019, when provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated by the Union Government.
After the revocation of Article 370, all Central laws and various welfare schemes are applicable there and the decision has also paved the way for attracting investment in the region which in turn has brought in development.
There has been a record footfall of tourists at airports and tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir and over 79 lakh Tourists visited there between October 2021 and March 2022.
Abrogation has ended the seven-decade-long discrimination faced by the tribal communities including Gujjar-Bakerwal and Gaddi-Sippi. Jammu- Baramulla railway project will be an all-weather convenient and cost-effective mass transportation system and will act as a catalyst for the overall development of Kashmir valley.
The J&K Police data on the third anniversary of the nullification which showed that violence has dropped to all time low. The democratic process has reached at ground level.
Jammu and Kashmir has made rapid economic progress after revocation of article 370. Pakistan's attempt to increase terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir has been check mated. Supporters ofterrorism have been nullified. Jammu Kashmir infrastructure has vastly improved.
'Make In India' progressing rapidly
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Navy have signed an MoU to collaborate on aviation research and development, and to ramp up self-reliance efforts for the Indian Navy, in line with the goals of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
The MoU, signed on July 29, provides a formal basis for the Indian Navy to interact with relevant faculty members at IISc and will promote joint research programmes in areas of mutual interest, Bengaluru-based IISc said in a statement.
The areas of collaboration under this MoU will fall under the domain of Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering, including design and education technology.
The Indian Army is procuring 800 Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle for Mechanized forces under 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
The pointer to future economic prosperity is ‘Make in India’. The Indian armed forces are a prominent stakeholder in its success. The numbers related to equipment and wherewithal of the services are huge. The making of military equipment gives a push to the industry. It also builds up a dual-use ecosystem of many smaller items, which in turn, boosts entrepreneurship and generates employment.
Start of Recruitment Rallies for Agnipath scheme
The Indian Army, by far the biggest recruiter of soldiers in the armed forces, will start conducting recruitment rallies throughout the country from August 11, with notifications sent with a detailed schedule for different districts. The army is expected to recruit over 40,000 soldiers under the scheme in the first year.
Commencement of recruitment rallies for Agnipath gives good opportunities for the youth to join armed forces. They must make full use of these rallies.
Igniting Dormant Spirit of Patriotism
Under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a campaign titled Har Ghar Tiranga seeks to encourage the people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s Independence.
Bringing the flag home collectively as a nation in the 75th year of Independence is also an embodiment of our commitment to nation-building. The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the dormant feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people.
Igniting dormant spirit of Patriotism in every citizen will ensure that all Indians contribute to India's growth .The country will prosper only when every citizen contributes his might in developing the country. All unproductive activities must stop.
As India’s President said every Indian's Moto should be “Sabka prayas, sabka kartavya”.
Stopping spread of radicalization
Private board headed by Badruddin Ajmal runs private 1000 madrasas and CM Himanta Biswa has assured strict actions against all elements spreading radicalization. The Assam government has also asked people to report to police if the imam (cleric) or teacher of a madrasa in their locality is from outside.
Authorities in Assam's Marigaon district demolished a madrasa, run by a cleric who was recently arrested for his links with a Bangladesh-based terror outfit.
NIA has cracked down on ISIS modules, 13 premises were raided in six states at 13 premises across the states, with searches in Bhopal and Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar's Arariya district and Kolhapur and Nanded districts of Maharashtra.
Proactive actions by security agencies is stopping spread of radicalization in the country. Most terrorist and their supporters get arrested by the NIA before they are able to commit act of terrorism. This is a vast progress in fighting terrorism as compared to the earlier years.
EXTERNAL SECURITY
COAS Bhutan visit
Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande was on two-day visit to Bhutan. The visit aimed to further enhance the unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterized by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding.
This was important visit in view of recent intrusion by the Chinese in Bhutan territory.
IAF to retire MiG-21 Bison aircraft by 2025
Mig-21 trainer aircraft met with an accident near Barmer killing both pilots. MiG-21s had been the mainstay of the IAF for a long time and performed well in wars. However, the aircraft had a very poor safety record.
IAF will retire one squadron of the MiG-21 Bison aircraft by September 30 and phase out the remaining fleet by 2025, MOD has decided to step up the induction of LCA Tejas aircraft.
Last 60 years more than 400 air crashes have taken place resulting in death of 200 air force personal and 50 civilians. The reasons for the accidents are multiple. What is required is quick induction of advance Jet trainers, better spare parts management and replacement of Mig- 21 by light combat aircraft Tejas at the earliest.
SPECIAL COUNTER TERRORISM MEET IN UNSC
Pakistan a Failed State?
Pakistan Army Chief was Seeking US help in Securing Crucial IMF Loan. Historical importance of Pakistani Army has touched nadir, says PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry. Pakistan reported 434 terror attacks on security forces in first half of 2022.
Viral videos have claimed that the Taliban destroyed a pillar with the Pakistan emblem laid by the Pakistan government at the zero point of the Durand Line.
Af-Pak Activities
The killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri in a Kabul safe house was an outstanding counter terrorist operation. Zawahiri was killed in Kabul, where he was residing as a guest of the Taliban. The house was struck by two Hell fires missiles in a precision, counter terrorism operation.
Zawahiri killing may help anti-India groups get shelter in Kabul. The killing has exposed close ties of the Taliban leadership with the terror outfit and has highlighted concerns that anti-India groups are being given shelter and support by Kabul. Killing Zawahiri shows that USA is back in Af-Pak.
The Tehrek e Taliban has already started accusing the Pakistan army of providing a base to US forces for the drone strike. This would imply that more serious violence will be seen in the Af-Pak region in the weeks to come. Taliban requires urgent infusion of cash to handle an economic catastrophe.
ISIL-K seeks to recruit members from other terror groups
The 15th report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da'esh) to international peace and security and the United Nations efforts in countering the threat is well analyzed but the militant group views Afghanistan as a base for expansion for its "great caliphate" project. Their activities need to be monitored closely.
Counter-Terrorism Meet For UNSC
India will host special counter-terrorism meet for UNSC members in October 22.India is halfway through the second year of its two-year term as an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. India's tenure at the Council will end in December when India will also preside as President of the powerful UNSC for the month.
Taiwan Crisis
Tensions are high in the Taiwan strait after China announced targeted military operations in several areas around Taiwan following U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi's arrival on the island.
China has warned aircraft and ships to avoid the areas during the exercises, which run through Sunday. The drills appear to be a rehearsal for a potential blockade.
The drills were prompted by a visit to the island by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and are intended to advertise China’s threat to attack Taiwan. Along with its moves to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, China has long threatened military retaliation over moves by the island to solidify its de- facto independence with the support of U.S.
Suspected drones have flown over Taiwan and massive cyber attacks are also taking place.
How close the People's Liberation Army is to mastering the capabilities needed to dispatch tens of thousands of troops to Taiwan, by sea or air; establish a foothold on the island; and push outward to seize vital sites like ports, railways and communication hubs, as well as cities crowded with potential insurgents. Invasion of the island would certainly draw the United States, along Japan and Australia.
Many users on Chinese Social Media mocked the Chinese government for not taking military action to stop Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan trip, saying it hadn’t lived up to its tough rhetoric.
U.S. and China have now entered a long tunnel of confrontation that does not let either side back down and the struggle will last for long time.
Presently the Chinese are not ready for contact warfare. If they attack Taiwan, they will get bogged down in military campaign in Taiwan like Russia in Ukraine.
China should not be allowed to expand further violating international norms. Anti-China sentiments globally are on the increase. India should also further strengthen its ties with Taiwan, for overall mutual benefits especially semiconductor chips . India should build alliances with Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asian countries to counter aggressive Chinese designs in various fields.
COUNTERING CHINESE HYBRID WAR
Why is China’s water security a concern for lower riparian states? China has already started using water as a weapon as upper riparian country, causing concern to the lower riparian states like India, Bangla Desh, South East Asian Countries. This must be countered collectively.
India's relentless and proactive diplomacy has resulted in hosting a special Counter Terrorism meeting at United Nations. This will help us to control terrorists activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Chinese have lot of weaknesses. We must as a nation stand up to all hybrid activities carried out by China against India and increase the cost of being enemy of India.
For detailed analysis WATCH:
BRIG Hemant Mahajan
Passionate writer on National Security related issues, Brig Hemant Mahajan YSM (Retd) is M Sc, M Phil in Defence Studies. He joined IMA Dehradun in July 1973 and passed out as a Commissioned Officer on 15 June 1975. He was commissioned into 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY. He has served extensively in Counter Insurgency Operations in Insurgency and Terrorist prone areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and North East and has taken part in all important operations undertaken by the Army since 1975.
Brig Hemant Mahajan served in Jammu & Kashmir, in the deserts of Rajasthan, in Super High Altitude areas of Kargil and Leh, forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh. He was deployed in Punjab in ‘Operation Avert’. He was also involved in maintaining peace post ‘Operation Bluestar’ days in Punjab in the worst affected district of Gurdaspur, Taran Taran and Amritsar.He served in the areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and Sikkim. He commanded his battalion 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY in Operation Rakshak in the most difficult areas of Poonch and Rajouri during the times of highest militancy. His unit was responsible for stopping terrorists from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. His unit was awarded Unit Citation, 18 gallantry awards including YSM (gallantry) for the officer.