News Story: Six terrorists killed in Pakistan's Karachi

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Six suspected terrorists were killed in an encounter during a raid at the suspects' hideout, police in the Pakistani port city of Karachi said Thursday.

Senior Superintendent of Police Rao Anwar said police along with intelligence officials conducted the raid on a tip-off about the presence of the terrorists in Sachal area of Karachi, the capital of the country's southern Sindh province.

"All six of the terrorists were killed in retaliatory firing after they opened fire on the raiding team," Anwar said.

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: ALP To Expand Under New US Strategy

An Afghan Police Officer (File Photo)

By Sharif Amiri

Officials from the directorate of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) said on Tuesday that under the new US war strategy, the local police forces will take on more responsibilities in the fight against insurgents on the battlefields.

The head of the directorate, Ghulam Mohammad Azizi Gharnai, said currently the local police are responsible for maintaining security of 40 percent of the country. However, they expect the number of troops to increase in the near future.

According to the ALP, their personnel is not only involved on the battlefields, but they are also often advance teams ahead of operations by the Special Forces. 

“In every part of the country, the local police along with other forces fight the insurgents and sacrifice their lives,” Sekandar Mohammad Asghari, deputy head of the directorate of local police said.

However there have been reports regarding the misuse of weapons and authorities by the ALP in parts of the country.

The ALP said measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in future.

“Unfortunately we also have heard of such things, but we also have worked a lot to prevent such actions,” said Gharnai.

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Report: India Successfully Tests 500kg Locally Developed Precision Guided HSLD Bomb

The development is significant as India continues to heavily rely on imports for air armaments. The Israel-manufactured SPICE bomb is the biggest conventional bomb that can be delivered by the Indian Air Force.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – India has successfully tested a precision guided high speed low drag (HSLD) bomb weighing 500 kg, which is the largest bomb locally developed by the country so far. During the flight trial in the western state of Rajasthan, the 500 kg general purpose bomb was released from Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su 30 MK1 aircraft. The bomb has been developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) of the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The trial covered ground adaptation, carriage and handling, limited separation and release of the bomb. Sukhoi-30MKI released PGHSLD-500 fitted on station 05/06 from an altitude of 5 km at 900 km to verify separation performance and to estimate stability.

News Story: Huge arms cache found in Bangladeshi militant hideout

DHAKA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A huge cache of arms and ammunition, including bombs, improvised explosives, bomb-making materials and a stash of local weapons, was recovered Friday from a militant hideout in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka.

"We've recovered 17 strong bombs, 30 improvised explosive devices, 100 home-made weapons and chemicals used in explosive making from the militant hideout," Bangladesh's anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told reporters.

Security forces Wednesday afternoon found seven bodies burned beyond recognition inside the militant hideout that was devastated by a fire triggered by several heavy explosions Tuesday night.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: S. Korea, Vietnam to hold defense strategy talks

SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Friday it will hold vice ministerial defense talks with Vietnam on improving bilateral cooperation on North Korea and other security issues.

South Korean Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk is scheduled to meet with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Chi Vinh later in the day for the annual Defense Strategy Dialogue, which was launched in 2012.

He's on a visit here to attend the sixth Seoul Defense Dialogue, a security forum hosted by Suh's ministry.

Read the full story at YonhapNews

News Story: Fire breaks out at Indian Army's ammunition depot in Punjab state

NEW DELHI, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- A major fire broke out at an ammunition depot of the Indian Army in the northern state of Punjab Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place at the Indian Army's field ammunition depot in Bathinda district, around 250 km from state capital Chandigarh.

"The fire has now been contained. There is no loss of life in the incident. A short-circuit is said to be the cause of the fire," Bathinda's Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra told the media.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: US prepares Filipino troops against chemical attack

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The US military is helping Filipino soldiers prepare for possible chemical attack of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group as fighting continues in several parts of Mindanao. 

According to the US Embassy in Manila, officials from the Joint United State Military Assistance Group has delivered 1,000 M40 field protective masks and C2 filter canisters to the Philippine Navy.

The turnover of the military protective masks were conducted in two batches; one delivery made on Wednesday and the other on Thursday.

The support came following the request of the Philippine Navy to help sailors and marines prepare for possible chemical attack of terrorists.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Pakistani forces arrest 6 terror suspects, recover arms - army

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces have arrested 6 terror suspects and seized arms during search operations in two tribal regions, the military said on Tuesday.

The security forces on Tuesday carried out search operations in parts of Mohmand tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, on reports of terrorist hideout, a statement from the army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Suicide jackets, improvised explosive devices, rockets, hand grenades, detonators, huge amount of various calibre ammunition and communication equipment were also recovered, it said.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Suspects arrested, heavy ammunition recovered in SW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Several suspects were arrested and a heavy cache of arms and ammunition were recovered by Pakistani security forces during last four days in an ongoing operation in different areas in the country's southwest province of Balochistan, local media reported on Saturday.

The intelligence based search and hunt operation in the province is part of the ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.

Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was launched by the Pakistani army in support of local law enforcement agencies to de-weaponize the society and to eliminate the hidden terrorist sleeper cells across the country on Feb. 22 this year after a series of lethal terrorist attacks.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: Indian Defense Sector Opens up to Private Players; Clears $2.8 Bln of Orders

Indian private companies would have to forge a joint venture with foreign firms for the purpose of manufacturing specific products with complete transfer of technology. The foreign firms, however, would not hold a majority stake in such joint ventures.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian Army has selected eleven priority defense projects worth $2.8 billion to be awarded to the private sector, in what is being seen as a bid to hasten the plugging of critical shortage.

The contracts mainly comprise development and manufacturing of arms and equipment including short range unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced robotic surveillance systems, 1200-1500 HP modular engine for tank T-90 S/SK, and third generation missile for 125mm gun barrels of T-90 And T-72 Tanks. The biggest of the contracts is the manufacturing of modular engine for T-90 tanks. The project alone is pegged at $1.5 billion.

Development of short-range remotely piloted aircraft system has an indicative cost of approximately $350 million. The Indian Army wants to purchase the robotic surveillance platform for the Rashtriya Rifles battalions which primarily tracks terrorist hide-outs in urban or built up areas.

News Story: 3 arrested as police clash with NPAs

New People’s Army (NPA)

By Emmanuel Tupas

MANILA, Philippines - Policemen clashed with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Taytay, Palawan last Friday, but no casualties were reported.

Supt. Imelda Tolentinno, spokesperson of the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police, said the encounter happened at around 10:20 a.m. in Barangay Alacalian.

Elements from the police Regional Public Safety Battalion were conducting patrol operations when they spotted a group of around 20 armed men inside a nipa hut.

A woman was said to be conducting a lecture before the armed men, who opened fire at the policemen, triggering a shootout.

Members of the 212 Marines Company arrived and reinforced the policemen.

There were no reported casualties on the government’s side while authorities are verifying reports on rebel casualties.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: ‘No War, No Peace’ - India Raises Military Alert Level Over China Border Dispute

The standoff between China and India along the Doklam Plateau has shown no signs of de-escalating, as India continues to bolster its strength and increase operational readiness along the border.

New Delhi raised the military alertness level as a "matter of caution," according to anonymous sources speaking to Reuters. The level in question is known as "no war, no peace," and instructs the soldiers to take defensive positions. 

India sends its troops onto "operational alert" every year in the fall — but this year the state has been activated early. "It's out of caution. It has been done because of the situation," the anonymous source told Reuters. "The troop level along the border with China in the Sikkim and Arunachal sectors [next to Doklam] has been increased," another anonymous official told the India Times.

New Delhi is split over its next course of action. On August 4, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called for a bilateral troop retreat to increase the chances of a peaceful resolution, while Defense Minister Arun Jaitley told the National Parliament on Friday that the military was "prepared to take on any eventuality" in the stand-off. 

News Report: Reducing Arms Imports Still a Far Cry From Reality for India

India’s defense contracts with foreign vendors witnessed an eight-fold jump in the last three years despite the government’s bold initiatives aimed at reducing import dependency in the sector.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The Indian defense ministry signed 23 contracts with foreign vendors worth $12.1 billion during the last financial year that ended on March 2017. The figure was $4.3 billion in 2015-16 and $1.69 billion in 2014-15. A total of 61 contracts have been signed with foreign vendors in last three years.

"The foreign vendors are mainly from USA, Russia, Israel, UK, Germany, France and Sweden. Capital procurement of defense equipment is based on threat perceptions, operational challenges and technological changes and to keep the armed forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges," Subhash Bhamre, India’s Minister of State for Defense said in Parliament.

Equipments purchased from foreign venders during the last three years included aircraft, helicopters, rockets, missiles, artillery gun, frigates, simulators and ammunition.

News Story: India’s auditing agency cites continued ammunition shortage crisis

M-777 Howitzer and ammunition (Unrelated File Photo)

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India is facing a severe shortage of ammunition, with 40 percent of the types of ammo in the armed forces’ inventory able to only last fewer than 10 days, according to a report by India’s autonomous audit agency, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Military officials here are saying in private that defense forces are concerned about the ammunition shortage because of the threat from China and Pakistan.

“War is best avoided till we are able to make up our deficiencies in which ammunition seems to be a major concern; till then we need to rely on diplomacy to ward off even a medium-intensity conflict,” said Rahul Bhonsle, a defense analyst and retired Indian Army brigadier.

According to the 176-page report, known as “Report No. 15 of 2017 (Defence Services),” the “availability of 55 per cent types of ammunitions was below MARL i.e. minimum inescapable requirement to be maintained for operational preparedness and 40 per cent types of ammunitions were in critical level having stock of less than 10 days.”

“Availability of high calibre ammunitions relating to AFVs (Tanks) and Artillery are in more alarming state. Moreover, in the absence of fuze, 83 per cent of these high calibre ammunitions presently held with Army were not in a state to be used in operation,” the report continued.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: US help for AFP proves robust ties with Philippines

By Jaime Laude

MANILA, Philippines - The delivery by the United States of new weapons and ammunitions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is proof of the enduring military alliance between the two countries, AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Año said yesterday.

At Malacañang, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippines-US alliance “remains robust to this day,” citing the turnover last week by the US of two Cessna-208B surveillance and monitoring aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

“These aircraft would bolster the capability and readiness of our Air Force to help address terrorism and support our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations,” Abella added.

President Duterte has repeatedly castigated the US for the latter’s criticizing his deadly war on drugs. He earlier announced his “separation” from the US and pivot to China and Russia.

But Año said the Philippines is grateful for the US assistance. “We appreciate the assistance and grants provided by the US government. They remain our number one ally, especially in the fight against terror,” Año said.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: US delivers weapons for PAF amid Marawi siege

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The US military transferred rockets and munitions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines as support to its counterterrorism operations in Marawi against the ISIS-aligned groups, the US embassy said Saturday.

In a statement provided to the press, the transfer was made by the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) through the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) with the AFP.

The US embassy reported that officials from the JUSMAG delivered recently 1,040 2.75 inches rocket motors and 992 rockets to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Through the MLSA, the AFP is able to receive select munitions and equipment from US military stock in an accelerated process reserved for allies and close partners of the United States.

“These timely transfers greatly enhance the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ counterterrorism efforts,” the statement read.

"The munitions and weapons deliveries will enhance the AFP’s counterterrorism capabilities, and directly support AFP members actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines, including Marawi,” it added.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: India Beefs Up Army’s Financial Teeth to Fortify Military Centers

The Indian Defense Ministry has decided to delegate substantial financial powers to the armed forces for undertaking works for perimeter security of sensitive military installations. The move has been announced following dire need of securing installation after repeated attacks on these camps.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Defense Minister Arun Jaitley is said to have fixed strict timelines to ensure the works are undertaken on priority and in a time-bound manner to ensure full security of critical defense assets. Few days back, the ministry authorized its regional command unit to purchase arms and ammunitions worth up to $6 billion for a "short and intense war".

"This has been done primarily to expedite the decision-making process involved in the modernization of the security apparatus of airbases and defense installations. The vice-chiefs of the three services have been empowered to place orders, procure equipment and carry out civil works without further seeking approvals of the MoD," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

News Report: Amid Ammo Shortage, Indian General Seeks More Funds to Counter China

Stressing for more defense expenditure in the backdrop of China’s expansionist approach, India’s top army general has said Delhi has to be prepared for the threat from Beijing in the coming years.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Lieutenant General Sarath Chand, the vice-chief of the Indian Army, said a large part of Chinese defense expenditure is not included in account books, which means China spends much more than what it declares.

"China is expanding its influence across the Himalayas into our neighborhood despite being an economy five times the size of India, with such a large standing army, and despite having the Himalayas between us, it is bound to be a threat for us in the years ahead," Chand said.

News Story: Afghan police foil ammunition smuggling in northern province

Afghan Police Officer (File Photo)

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Police seized sacks of ammunition from a truck in the northern Jawzjan province of Afghanistan and arrested two persons on charge of smuggling on Wednesday, provincial police chief Rahmatullah Turkistani said.

"The smugglers placed more than 100 mortar mines in several bags inside a truck that was carrying bags of ladyfingers and melons from Kunduz to Jawzjan province onward to armed insurgents in Faryab province but fortunately police discovered and seized the contraband," Turkistani told Xinhua.

Read the full story at Xinhua