News Story: S.Korean presidents stresses need for early transfer of wartime operational control from U.S.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday stressed a need for early transfer of wartime operational control of its forces from the United States to better tackle the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile threats.

Moon said in a speech to celebrate the 69th anniversary of Armed Forces Day that the government aimed to regain the wartime command of South Korean forces early from Washington, and that the transfer will make the military's capability leap forward.

The president said the DPRK will be scared of the South Korean military when it has the wartime control of its own troops.

South Korea handed over its operational command to the U.S. forces after the three-year Korean War broke out in 1950. The country won back its peacetime operational control in 1994.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: (Phil) Army captures NPA camp near Batangas City

New People’s Army (NPA)

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines — Government troops captured a suspected training camp of communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels near Batangas city following last Sunday’s fighting that left one insurgent dead and scores wounded.

Maj. Gen. Rhoderick Parayno, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Brigade, said troops are pursuing the NPA rebels that occupied the camp.

Parayno said the security situation in Barangay Talumpok and the villages nearby where the camp is located has normalized since Tuesday.

At the height of the fighting that resulted in the evacuation of residents and the disruption of classes, the military deployed a helicopter to provide close air support to the troops.

Parayno said all the rockets fired by the helicopter hit their targets, contrary to claims that some of them hit residential houses.

“There’s no truth to that. It’s all propaganda by the left,” he said.

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News Report: India Deploys Nuclear-Capable Infantry Division Near Pakistan Amid High Tensions

India has deployed an infantry division to a potential flashpoint to guard against any provocation from its neighbor Pakistan and has again warned its ‘adversary’ against aiding terrorists to cross the Line of Control.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – In the midst of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the possibility of India launching a “limited war,” India has revived its decades-old combat division comprising tanks and armored vehicles near the historically significant Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

The division is mandated to counter any action of Pakistani troops in the Chamb-Jaurian sector – the area where the 1971 war between the two countries broke out.

The 10th Infantry Division of the Indian Army, which is now being converted into RAPID (Reorganized Army Plains Infantry Division), will hold around 100 T-72 tanks and the same number of Russian made mechanized armored vehicles.

The RAPID formation has infantry assets to reasonably conduct significant offensive operations and is easily adaptable to nuclear, biological & chemical warfare.

News Story: Philippine military may liberate Marawi City from extremists by Sept. 30 - defense chief

MANILA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The more than four-month battle to retake the southern Philippine city of Marawi from pro-Islamic State extremists may end this weekend, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday.

Citing the assessment of military ground commanders, Lorenzana told reporters at the House of Representatives that he is confident that the troops will completely gain control of the city by Sept. 30.

"Our military commanders on the ground said that they will end the conflict before the end of this month, so they have three days to do the job," Lorenzana said.

"I'm very confident, I'm very confident with the abilities of our soldiers to do their job."

The military has been battling the pro-Islamic State Maute group since May 23, when the militants occupied a large part of the city. The war has continued and dragged on for 129 days, killing nearly 700 militants and more than 150 government security forces.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Indian Army kills several militants in major operation along Myanmar border

NEW DELHI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indian Army Wednesday claimed to have killed several militants in a major operation along the border with Myanmar.

In a statement, the Indian Army's Eastern Command said that the operation was carried out by a dozen soldiers early this morning but also made it clear that the troops did not cross the international border.

The operation was carried out against militants belonging to NSCN-Khaplang, a terror outfit which is fighting for a separate state of Nagaland in northeastern India.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: Myanmar Braces for Turmoil as Rohingyas Prepare Major Ambush on State Forces

The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army has disclosed plans to launch a fresh ambush on Myanmar military similar to the one on August 25 this year.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) has claimed that they have no terror links and that their only objective is to secure equal rights for the Rohingya community in Myanmar. However, the group has threatened to continue attacking the state forces unless the government of Myanmar agrees to fulfill their demands.

“What Myanmar government is saying is that more than fifty percent of the villages of Rohingyas are intact, is a total lie. Myanmar government is trying to spread lies around the world and branding us as terrorists,” Abdus Shukur, a second-rung leader of ARSA, currently in exile in Bangladesh, told Sputnik.

Meanwhile, the government of Myanmar has reiterated its resolve to flush out the “terrorist outfit.”

A diplomat from Myanmar embassy in Delhi, who did not wish to be named, told Sputnik that "ARSA is basically a terrorist outfit" that should be dealt with accordingly.

"Our security forces are on alert. Our security force is ready to thwart any nefarious designs,” a diplomat added.

News Story: India rules out deploying troops in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- India on Tuesday ruled out deploying troops in Afghanistan but reiterated its participation in the war-torn country's development activities.

Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the country's stance on Afghanistan clear to her visiting U.S. counterpart James Mattis during the delegation-level talks in the national capital.

"There shall not be any (Indian) boots on the ground in Afghanistan," Sitharaman told the media after the talks with Mattis.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Troops clash with NPAs in Batangas

New People’s Army (NPA)

By Ed Amoroso

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Hundreds of residents left their houses on Sunday to avoid being caught in the crossfire after government troops clashed with communist guerrillas in Barangay Talumpok Silangan in Batangas City.

The encounter lasted for about 40 minutes, resulting in the killing of one suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) while several rebels were wounded, police officials said.

Senior Supt. Randy Peralta, Batangas police director, said government forces reportedly overran yesterday morning a rebel camp on Mt. Banoy in Batangas City.

The evacuees included 365 residents of Sitio Tibig in Barangay Talahib Pandayan near Mt. Banoy and more than 500 residents from Barangay Masagitsit and Banalo of Lobo town. Around 70 others fled to villages in Batangas City.

“The evacuees still remained at the evacuation centers despite the firefight having ended yesterday morning after government troops invaded the encampment of the rebels while clearing operations are ongoing,” Peralta told The STAR.

Classes in 12 public schools in Batangas City were suspended yesterday due to clashes between troopers and NPA rebels.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: Pakistan, Russia Begin 'Friendship 2017' Joint Anti-terror Drill

Ayaz Gul

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani and Russian military commandos have launched joint counterterrorism drills in the mountains and forests of Russia's North Caucasus republic of Karachaevo-Cherkessia.

The two-week-long exercise dubbed as "Friendship 2017" involves more than 200 mostly special forces from both countries who will conduct joint "hostage rescue" and "cordon-and-search" operations, according to the Pakistani military.

"The joint exercise will enhance and further strengthen military ties between the countries and share Pakistan army's experience in war against terrorism," it added.

Meanwhile, a nearly three-week-long joint air force exercises China is hosting with Pakistan are due to conclude this week. A spokesman for the Chinese air force described them as "routine" exercises.

Pakistan's deepening political, economic and defense ties with traditional ally China and its emerging new alliance with Russia come amid Islamabad's increasingly uneasy and strained relations with the United States.

News Story: Philippine military to send more soldiers to Marawi

MANILA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- More government troops will be deployed to Marawi City, adding to about 5,000 soldiers already involved in the prolonged fight to liberate the city from the Daesh-inspired Maute Group, a Philippine military official in charge of local operations said on Monday.

"We have more forces coming in. We have identified some gaps. We are making sure that those gaps, especially in the (Lanao) lake will be patched up," Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez told a press briefing in Marawi City.

Galvez refused to disclose the number of personnel who will be sent to fight the Maute Group and when they will be arriving at the city.

The armed conflict, which broke out on May 23, has resulted in the death of 695 Maute members, 151 soldiers and policemen and 47 civilians, with all the residents fleeing the city.

On Sunday, Philippine military officials were able to cross two bridges that were recently retaken by government troops from the terror group for the first time since conflict erupted, leaving only a size of about 10 hectares with about 300 structures to be cleared.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: 3 militants killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with Indian army near Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, officials said Monday.

The gunfight according to Indian army officials broke out in forest area at Kalghe village of frontier Uri town, about 117 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Three militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with army at Kalghe of Uri," a police spokesman said. "The gunfight that started early on Sunday morning ended during the night."

The operation in the area was launched following specific information about presence of militants in the area, police said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Pakistan, Russian militaries hold joint anti-terror exercises

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- A two-week long joint exercise codenamed as "DRUZBA 2017" between special forces of Pakistan and Russia Armies started in Mineralnye Vody, Russia, Pakistani army said on Monday.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior military officials of special forces of both countries, the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

The joint exercise will focus on counter terrorism operations, hostage and rescue, cordon and search operation, it said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Military Ops Total 20,000 In First Six Months Of This Year

By Gulabudin Ghubar

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Sunday said over 20,000 land and air operations were launched by the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Air Force (AAF) in the first six months of this year. 

Defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said 440 key insurgent strongholds were destroyed in these operations in various parts of the country and hundreds of insurgents were killed or wounded. 

According to Waziri, among those killed were 1,022 Daesh fighters who were mostly killed in Nangarhar province.

Waziri said the operations were as follows:

• 3,122 pre-planned land operations
• 3,090 operations by Special Forces
• 271 night operations by Special Forces
• 2,460 air strikes by Afghan Air Force

Waziri said the number of flights made by the Afghan Air Force totaled 17,356 of which 2,460 were airstrikes.

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Story: (Philippines) Generals cross Marawi bridges

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

By Michael Punongbayan

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time since the conflict started four months ago, ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines crossed two bridges in Marawi City’s main battle area yesterday as troops moved closer to ending the fight with the Maute terrorist group.

Major Generals Rolando Bautista and Danilo Pamonag, commanders of the Joint Task Force Marawi and Joint Special Operations Task Force Trident, respectively, passed through the Bayabao and Masiu bridges.

The AFP said the bridges were recently recovered and controlled by government forces from the Maute group that placed the Islamic city under siege.

Both commanders were met by Brig. Gen. Melquiades Ordiales, commander of the Joint Task Group Tiger.

Bautista said the act of crossing the bridges showed the significant progress in the effort of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to defeat the enemy, rescue the hostages and regain control of the city.

“The terrorists are now becoming desperate as our soldiers and police are closing in on their defensive positions. We are continuing our appeal to the terrorists to release their hostages and… surrender,” he said.

During his fifth visit to Marawi City last Sept. 21, President Duterte said “the end of the combat operation is just around the corner.”

The commander-in-chief and the AFP gave assurance that once the firefight is over, the daunting task of rehabilitation will proceed in full blast.

Read the full story at PhilStar

Related Story: 

• Palace says retaking of Marawi's Masiu bridge 'a significant development'

News Story: Battle to free Marawi in Philippines continues, enters fifth month

MANILA, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Bullets continue to fly and rocket bombs continue to explode in Marawi as the military offensive to completely retake the southern Philippine city from Islamic State (IS)-inspired extremists entered its fifth month.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the pro-IS Maute militants managed to prepare sufficient caches of bombs, high-powered firearms and ammunition to fight the government security forces even before they laid siege to Marawi on May 23.

"The Maute was really preparing for a long-haul (fight). Until now, they never run out of ordnance, explosives, ammunition, and all. I really do not know the extent now of the contamination," Duterte told reporters in his home city of Davao late Friday.

He said local politicians who are into drug trafficking funded the war in Marawi. He showed a new diagram of politicians and people who are allegedly linked to illegal drug trade.

To date, he said "hundreds" of soldiers and policemen have been killed in drug-related encounters.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: 3 terrorists killed in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's army said that the security forces killed three terrorists on Sunday in a clash in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The clash started after the terrorists riding motorcycles refused to stop at a check post near the Dera Ismail Khan city and fired at the forces, an army statement said.

"Security Forces carried out search operation in Gara Madda near Dera Ismail Khan. During search operation suspected persons on motor cycle riders started firing at troops once signaled to stop," a statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Key militant leaders among 10 dead in airstrikes in northern Afghan province

Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano Ground Attack Aircraft

MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces launched airstrikes leaving at least 10 militants dead and 25 others wounded in northern province of Faryab, an official said Sunday.

The strikes took place Saturday evening in the restive Khawja Sabz Posh and Daulat Abad districts of the province, where a military operation codenamed "Naweed 3 Operation" is ongoing, said Nasratullah Jamshidi, spokesman of army 209 Shaheen Corps based in the area.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Suicide Bomber Targeted Foreign Troops Convoy In Kabul City

A suicide car bomber targeted a Danish troops convoy in Kabul's PD5 on Sunday morning wounding at least five civilians, security officials confirmed. 

The Afghan National Police Academy and other key government institutions are located in the area. 

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Story: Australian Military Revises Small Drone Operating Procedures

DJI Phantom 3 UAV (File Photo)

by Bill Carey

Australia’s Department of Defence has established “revised operating procedures” for small unmanned aircraft, an action that follows a U.S. Army directive to its units in August to stop using drones manufactured by China’s DJI because of “cyber vulnerabilities.”

On August 9, “after Defence became aware of the U.S. Army’s actions, the use of all commercial off-the-shelf UAS[unmanned aerial systems] was suspended until a formal assessment into the cyber risk presented by these systems could be conducted,” said a spokesperson with the Australian department, in a statement provided to AIN. “Flight operations recommenced on 21 August 2017 following the completion of the risk assessment that led to the development of revised operating procedures for commercial off-the-shelf unmanned aerial systems.”

Australia’s military “operates a number commercial off-the-shelf UAS, including the DJI Phantom,” according to the statement, which did not describe the revised operating procedures. The Australian newspaper first reported the revised procedures.

Citing “increased awareness over cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products,” the U.S. Army in an August 2 memorandum ordered units to “cease all use, uninstall all DJI applications, remove all batteries/storage media from devices, and secure equipment for follow-on direction.” The memorandum, which was leaked to the news service sUAS News, cited as references a classified Army Research Laboratory report on DJI technology and a U.S. Navy memorandum regarding operational risks of using DJI products.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: Esperon - Maute fighters confined to area near Lake Lanao

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte

By Audrey Morallo

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte's most recent visit to Marawi City was an indication that the crisis may soon be over, his national security adviser said, as the main fighting area shrinks further to areas near Lake Lanao.

Duterte went to Marawi City on Thursday to visit troops who have been battling Islamist militants for 123 days now. The visit happened while massive protests were held in the capital over Duterte's alleged complicity in drug-related killings as well as for the commemoration of the 45th year since martial law was declared in the Philippines by ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Martial law was lifted in 1981. In May, Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao in response to the Marawi siege.

The military has also received information that Isnilon Hapilon, the appointed Southeast Asian emir of the so-called Islamic State, is still in the battle area and has not yet escaped as previously reported, according to Esperon.

Hapilon's Abu Sayyaf faction has merged with the Maute Group to stage the most significant terror event to face Southeast Asia in recent years which has killed hundreds of militants, civilians and security personnel and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents of the lakeside town.

According to Esperon, the recent gains by security forces, including the retaking of a mosque at the heart of the city used as headquarters by the militants' leaders and the rescue of hostages, and the travel by land of Duterte to Marawi were signs of the looming end of the most serious security problem to face the administration of the former Davao City mayor.

He said that he himself has traveled to Marawi by land on two occasions, one in July and another in September, although he was hesitant to allow the president's recent land travel there.

Read the full story at PhilStar