Month: April 2023

Having already operationalised the first two squadrons of the long-range air defence system, the Indian Air Force is going to carry out the maiden firing of the S-400 missiles soon.

Senior defence officials told ANI that the Indian forces had carried out the firing of the Russian-origin missile system during trials in Russia but it is yet to be fired in the country.
“The firing is planned to be held very soon using one of the small or medium ranges missiles against a fast-moving aerial target,” defence officials told ANI here.

The air defence missile system had a different range of missiles which can shoot down fast-moving fighter jets or cruise missiles at a maximum range of 400 kms, they said.

India has already put its first two missile system squadrons into service.

The first two squadrons have been deployed at different locations from where they can cover the Ladakh sector, as well as West Bengal’s delicate Chicken’s Neck Corridor.

The first squadron is in Punjab and its elements have been deployed in a manner in which they can look after the Pakistan border as well as in the northern and western sectors.

The system can engage enemy fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic and cruise missiles, and cruise missiles with a range of up to 400 kilometres.

India and Russia signed an over Rs 35,000 crore deal for five squadrons of S-400 air defence missiles, and all deliveries are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2023-24 but there may be a delay in this timeframe, the sources said.

The Indian Air Force, which recently received the indigenous MR-SAM and Akash missile systems as well as the Israeli Spyder quick reactions surface-to-air missile systems, believes the S-400 will be the game changer for it.

The Indian Air Force has significantly improved its air defence capabilities in recent years.

The S-400 missile systems have also participated in exercises, and according to sources, the adversaries have been alarmed by this because they are aware of the Indian system’s superior capabilities to those of the Chinese system.

Presently, the S-400 air defence systems of China and India are each stationed along the Line of Actual Control. (ANI)

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday expressed his condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Shah took to Twitter to condole the loss of lives and assured that the teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will reach the affected area soon.
The Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

“My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim. We are closely monitoring the situation and the teams of NDRF will reach the affected area soon. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Shah said in a tweet.

At least seven tourists were killed and many are feared trapped after an avalanche struck the Gangtok-Nathu La road in Sikkim on Tuesday afternoon, the Army said.

An estimated 20-30 tourists were feared to be trapped under the snow along with five-six vehicles, the Army added.

“By 3 pm, 14 persons were rescued and taken to a nearby Army medical facility. However, seven persons succumbed. The other seven persons were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok, the Army said in a statement.

Approximately 5-6 vehicles along with 20-30 tourists on way to Natu La are feared to have been stuck under the snow, the army said.

Besides, a total of 350 stranded tourists and 80 vehicles have also been rescued after snow clearance from the road.

Earlier in the day, at about 11.30 am, a massive avalanche hit the 15th Mile on Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathu La.

Meanwhile, the road has been opened for traffic by Border Roads Organisation. A search and rescue mission for the remaining persons is underway by the Army, State Disaster Management Team and police. (ANI)

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The United States is still assessing the parts that were recovered from the balloon and precautionary steps were taken in time to limit the intelligence value that it would be able to collect, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a press briefing on Monday.

Responding to media queries on whether the balloon was able to transmit intelligence back to China, she added that the US took steps to protect its own military installations from foreign intelligence collection by taking preventive measures.
“So, on the balloon itself, right now, the FBI is leading, still assessing the parts that we were able to recover from the balloon. As we mentioned early on when we first started tracking the balloon, we do know that the balloon was able to be manoeuvred and purposely driven along its track but not going to get into specific sites it was able to hover over,” the Pentagon Spokeswoman revealed.

But what we did do is take precautionary steps to limit the intelligence value that it would be able to collect and, you know, again, we — we took steps to protect our own military installations from foreign intelligence collection,” Pentagon Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said during the press briefing.

Speaking further, the Pentagon spokesperson said that due to the immediate steps the US took at that point in time, “we were able to prevent transmission of certain aspects of our sites to be transmitted.”

On transmission back to the PRC and what was able to be transmitted back, she said, “I just don’t have further information for you at this time. As of right now, we’re still doing an assessment of what exactly the intel was that China was able to gather, but we do know that the steps that we took provided little additive value for what they’ve been able to collect on from satellites before.”

The suspected Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon, before being shot down by the US forces was hovering in the nation’s airspace for a few days.

The balloon passed above US nuclear missile facilities, notably the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana before it was shot down on February 4 after entering American territory on January 28.

However, China has denied the device being used for surveillance purposes. Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the balloon in the US is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological.

“The airship is from China. It is a civilian airship used for research, mainly meteorological, purposes. Affected by the Westerlies and with limited self-steering capability, the airship deviated far from its planned course,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the unintended entry of a Chinese unmanned airship into US Airspace. (ANI)

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An avalanche at 15th Mile in Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathula killed six tourists while over 80 are feared trapped under the snow, said police officials.

The avalanche occurred on Tuesday around 12.20 pm. The six people succumbed to injuries in a nearby Army Hospital include 4 males, one woman and a child.
According to the police, over 150 tourists are still stranded beyond the 15th mile. Meanwhile, 30 tourists who got trapped under the snow have been rescued and admitted to STNM Hospital and Central Referral Hospital in Gangtok.

Currently rescue operations are being carried out by Sikkim Police, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, Tourism department officials, and vehicle drivers.

As per information shared by Inspector General for Checkpost, Sonam Tenzing Bhutia, “Passes are issued for only 13th mile, but tourists are going to 15th Mile without permission. The incident took place in 15th mile.”

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has said terrorists involved in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai should be brought to justice. Amir Ohana made the remarks during a visit to the Nariman House in Mumbai to pay tribute to victims of the 26/11 terror attack.

“Everyone who took part in this terrible terror attack should be brought to justice. This is a major part of counter-terrorism. So, first we need to prevent, but once we didn’t succeed to prevent, everyone needs to be brought to justice. And this is our expectation, and I think it is the vast majority of the Indian people’s expectation,” Amir Ohana said.
He said, “Visiting this place, there’s two issues that are very, very close to my heart. One is Chabad, which symbolizes the love of mankind and the bridges between us. And the second is Counter-terrorism, which I spent over twelve years of my life, both in the IDF and the Shinbad Israeli Security Agency. Terror, as we all know, does not differentiate between religions, between race.”

He stressed terrorism is exactly opposite to what Chabad symbolizes, which is building bridges and connecting people. Ohana said, “It is exactly the opposite of what Chabad symbolizes building bridges and connecting people. We have yet to conclude this terror event because still we are waiting for those who sent the terrorists to be brought to justice, the perpetrators.”

The Speaker of Israeli Knesset said he visited Moshe’s room who was two years old when the terrorist attack in Mumbai took place in 2011. He said, “And we just visited Moshe’s room, who was two years old when this event took place. And and we saw the wall that represents his height when he was eleven months old, and then later on, when he was, what, 11 years of age, and someone wrote there three words that someone was and still is the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. And those three words are Hum Israel Hai – the people of Israel lives.”

Ohana said Moshe wrote the same words when he visited Villa Vanza, where the final solution for the Jewish people took place in Germany. He said, “This is our message, I think, from here to the world. Hum Israel Hai – the people of Israel lives. And we are combined together.” He said that Jews in India never experienced hatred and anti-semitism and called it “very unique.”

He said that people of India and Israel have rich history and added that the nations are trailblazers when it comes to technology.

Moshe Holtzberg is a 26/11 survivor of the Mumbai terror attack. Holtzberg’s parents were killed in the 2008 terrorist attacks when he was two years old. Moshe lived with his parents at Mumbai’s Nariman House, also known as Chabad House. The boy was rescued by his nanny, Sandra Samuels, who was hiding in a room downstairs when the 26/11 Mumbai attacks unfolded. Six Jews, including Moshe’s parents Rabbi Gabriel and Rivka Holtzberg, were killed in Chabad House.

“Israelis are actually Jews being living here for centuries, never experienced hatred, never experienced antisemitism. This is something very unique. This is something we don’t see much in the world, and for many reasons, but those amongst them, my decision as to where would my first visit as speaker of the Knesset would be, was this. It is very, very impressive. People with very rich history, actually both nations with rich histories, with great respect for their traditions, but yet trailblazers when it comes to high tech and technologies and innovation. So we have a rich past, but we look forward to the future,” Ohana said.

On Monday, Ohana landed in Mumbai. Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai tweeted, “Knesset Speaker MK Amir Ohana has landed here as part of a first-ever visit to India. At the National Stock Exchange he was honored by ringing the bell and meeting the CEO.”

Before his visit to Mumbai, Ohana and Israel’s parliamentary delegation held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday. The two sides discussed strengthening India-Israel ties and promoting cooperation in I2U2.

“Glad to welcome Israeli Knesset Speaker @AmirOhanaand parliamentary delegation in South Block today. Discussed strengthening India-Israel ties and promoting cooperation in I2U2, Jaishankar tweeted.

Ohana tweeted, “Thank you my dear friend Minister for External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar. It was an important and productive meeting. I’m confident that our collaboration will enhance Israel-India relations for the benefit of both nations.”

The Israeli Speaker also called on Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar at the Parliament House. Taking to Twitter, the official handle of the Vice president of India wrote, “A Parliamentary delegation from Israel, led by Hon’ble Speaker of Knesset, H.E. Mr Amir Ohana called on the Hon’ble Vice President & Chairman Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Parliament House today. @AmirOhana @MEAIndia”

On Friday, the Knesset Speaker called India one of Israel’s closest and dearest friends. He called it a distinct pleasure to have been invited to India. Knesset Speaker made the statement during a meeting with Parliament Speaker Om Birla.

“It is a great honour for me to be here with you today. This is indeed not only my first visit to India but also the first visit of any speaker of the Knesset in an official visit to India. And it is my distinct pleasure to have been invited specifically to India, one of Israel’s closest and dearest friends and the world’s largest democracy,” Ohana said.

The Israeli Parliamentary Delegation led by Amir Ohana called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Parliament House on Friday. At the outset, Birla welcomed the delegation to India and said that Israel and India have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations. The Israeli Parliamentary Delegation, which is on a visit to India was jointly invited by the Vice President and Chairperson of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha. (ANI)

The BJP on Tuesday released the third episode of ‘Congress Files’, attacking the UPA government over the alleged coal scam worth Rs 1,86,000.

In the video, BJP ame down hard on the Congress, alleging discrepancies in the allocation of coal mines during the UPA tenure.
The official Twitter handle of the BJP posted the video titled, ‘Koyle ki dalali mein haath kaala’, tagging it with the message, “Watch in the third episode of Congress Files, The story of blackened ‘hand’ in coal brokerage”.

“You all must have heard the proverb ‘Koyle ki dalali mein haath kaala’. But it’s not just a proverb, it is also the truth. In the 2012 coal scam, it was not just the hands but also the face of the then UPA government that got blackened,” the BJP stated in the video.

The party alleged that coal , which is an important natural instrument in the economy, became a victim of corruption.

“When Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister for the second time, he made many promises, However, during his tenure, instead of his promises, it was the corruption on his watch that made the headlines,” the BJP added in the video.

BJP claimed further that the “coal scam” resulted in a loss of Rs 1,86,000 crore to the national exchequer.

“During 2004-2009, about 100 companies were allocated coal mines without any auction violating the rules. This scam resulted in a loss of around Rs 1,86,000 for the country. The CAG had also pointed out the wrong allocation of coal mines,” the BJP stated.

“During 2004-2009, the Union Coal ministry was under former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren and the Prime Minister himself. This scam not just resulted in economic loss to the country but also dented its image”.

The BJP posted the first episode of ‘Congress Files’ on Sunday titled ‘Congress means corruption’.

In the video, the ruling party alleged a scam of Rs 48,20,69,00,00,000 in the “70 years” of Congress rule. (ANI)

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