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Three JeM associates involved in Srinagar grenade attack held

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police today claimed to have arrested three JeM OGWs (over-ground workers) involved in the Srinagar grenade attack, in which two CRPF men and seven civilians suffered injuries.

The three militant associates have been identified as Naveed-ul-Lateef Padroo, Shakeel Ahmad Padroo, both residents of Pulwama and Shamshad Manzoor of Shopian.

According to an official statement, Srinagar police arrested them after receiving credible input regarding their involvement in militant activities. “In pursuance of the investigation of a terror-related case under FIR No 10/2020 pertaining to a recent attack at Lal Chowk. Police was able to identify three militant associates who were involved in establishing of militant networks and facilitating the execution of militant activities across the valley,” the police said.

The Police also said that during the investigation, the arrested OGWs revealed that they had links with militants across the border in Pakistan through the internet and VPN. “On the direction of Pakistani based militant Shaheen, these three arrested persons were extending the militant networks in the valley,” police said.

Police also said that the arrest of the trio has given a major jolt to JeM, who were trying to extend their network in Srinagar.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Haseeb Mughal said one of the arrested include Shakeel Ahmad, a close relative of former politician and PDP Minister Khalil Band.

“Shamshad Manzoor is a 12th class pass out, and Naveed-ul-Lateef, who was a meritorious student was in Srinagar preparing for NEET exams,” the officer said.

He said Naveed and Shamshad have been recent recruits, while Shakeel was active for last three years.

The trio, Haseeb said, was so much motivated by the group that on the day of their attack, they had to flip a coin to decide who would hurl the grenade. “The tiff was between Naveed and Shamshad, over who will hurl the grenade and earn deeds,” Haseeb said.

According to the SSP, the trio had been doing a recce for an hour before they lobbed the grenade in the park with an aim to target the forces and not civilians. “It was when they found forces busy in washing hands nearby that they threw the grenade,” he added.

Haseeb also said that in the coming days, former PDP leader Khalil Band will be called for questioning. The coaching center where Naveed was studying will also be visited, he said.

PM to visit Bangladesh for Bangabandhu centenary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bangladesh to attend the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to be held in Dhaka on March 17, 2020.

This was stated by Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla when Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran met him here today, according to a statement issued by the Bangladesh High Commission.

Shringla told the envoy that he plans to visit Dhaka to prepare ground for the Prime Minister’s visit as India wants the trip to become mutually-beneficial to both the countries, it said.

During the meeting, Shringla noted the importance India attaches on the relationship with Bangladesh as its immediate neighbour.

Expressing satisfaction over the excellent bilateral relations, Shringla stressed that the two countries can further promote ties in areas like defence cooperation, trade and people to people contact.

The Bangladesh envoy appreciated Shringla’s role in consolidating the bilateral relations between the two countries during his tenure as the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.

The High Commissioner particularly noted Shringla’s endeavour in easing visa issuance system which contributed huge movement of people between the two countries.

Shringla served as the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh from 2015-2018 and also served as the Head of the Territorial Wing of Bangladesh-Myanmar (BM) Division in the External Affairs Ministry.

Srinagar, Jammu to have elevated rail system

Jammu (NVI): Srinagar and Jammu cities of recently-formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will have elevated light rail system by December, 2024.

The project, which will cost Rs 10,559 crore, was granted approval by Administrative Council which met under the Chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu for inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth process.

An efficient urban transport system including Mass Rapid Transportation System (MRTS) is essential, an official statement said.

“Keeping this objective in view, Elevated Light Rail Systems have been conceived for Srinagar and Jammu cities to provide “best-in-class” mobility in terms of safe, reliable, convenient, cost effective and sustainable public transport system,” it said.

“This will not only facilitate easy and quick movement of people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life in these cities,” it added.

The Light Rail Transit System (LRTS) in Jammu will have one corridor from Bantalab to Bari Brahmana with a total length of 23 kilometers.

The LRTS in Srinagar will have two corridors, one from Indira Nagar to HMT Junction and second from Usmanabad to Hazuri Bagh, with a total length of 25 kilometers.

The capital cost of the project, at current prices, including land, rehabilitation and resettlement and taxes is estimated to be Rs 4825 crore for Jammu LRTS and Rs 5734 crore for Srinagar LRTS.

The Housing and Urban Development Department has prepared the final DPRs.

The Administrative Council authorized the Housing and Urban Development Department to submit the DPRs of the proposals to Government of India, for appraisal and funding including external funding.

The expected ridership of this light rail has been estimated to be 2-2.6 lakh by 2024 which is expected to increase upto 5.42 lakh by 2044 in each city.

150 passengers identified with coronavirus symptoms: Health minister

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Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

New Delhi (NVI): At least 150 inbound travellers, identified with symptoms of coronavirus, have been referred to isolation facilities while three people, with travel history to Wuhan in China, have tested positive in Kerala.

This information was given by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in the Rajya Sabha today.

“The government has taken several measures to check spread of coronavirus to India,” he said.

Among the steps taken, he noted that visas issued to Chinese nationals are no longer valid.

“Health ministry monitoring coronavirus situation in country,” he said.

Over 16.61 lakh youth trained under PMKVY get placement

New Delhi (NVI): Over 16.61 lakhs youths have been placed under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), the flagship scheme of the government to enable youth to take up industry-relevant skill training, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship R.K. Singh said the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has been implementing Pradhan Mantri Kaush. al Vikas Yojana with a view to imparting skill development training to the prospective youth across 371 courses.

As on January 17, 2020 over 73.47 lakhs youths have been trained under this programme, he said.

Further, under Craftsman Training Scheme, long term training in 137 trades is being imparted through 15697 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) which have a cumulative seating capacity of 34.30 lakhs.

Machine based automated release introduced by CBIC

New Delhi (NVI): The Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) has introduced the Machine Release of Imported Goods, which is yet another step towards ease of doing business.

India has been improving consistently in the World Bank’s EODB rankings over the past 5 years and one of the key drivers has been the initiatives under Trading across Borders (TAB), where India jumped substantially from 146 to 68 in the last two years.

Keeping with the Government’s objective of furthering ease of doing business, particularly in trading across borders, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has introduced Machine based automated clearance of imported goods.

At present, the imported goods are available for examination or clearance to the officer after the applicable duties are paid by the importer.

Time Release or dwell time studies conducted by the department have shown that a major contributor to dwell time today is the time taken by the importer to pay the duties.

The new initiative has been launched as a pilot at two ports, Chennai and Nhava Sheva from February 6, 2020, and will soon be rolled out to all ports across India, including the Inland Container Depots, Airports etc.

DefExpo 2020 witnesses signing of over 200 MoUs, ToTs and product launches

Lucknow (NVI): Over 200 partnerships involving signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), transfer of technology (ToTs) and product launches were concluded Defence Expo 2020 in Lucknow.

The MoUs were aimed at forging and renewing partnerships for innovative collaboration, and transformation of the defence manufacturing in the country were inked by representatives of various DPSUs, Indian private Defence and foreign companies.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the ‘Bandhan’ programme held on the ongoing DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow.

Singh described the signing of MoUs as a step in the direction to achieve Prime Minister’s $5 billion defence exports target in next 5 years.

He also said that the defence PSUs and the Indian defence private industry were better placed today to lead India as the emerging R&D hub of the world leveraging the sharp minds of Indian youth.

“The liberalised licensing regime brought out by the government would surely attract large investments by both Indian and global companies,” he said.

He also thanked all the stakeholder who signed MoUs and expressed hope that Uttar Pradesh would emerge as a defence manufacturing hub.

Among those 200 MoUs which was signed today, 23 of them were by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said these MoUs envisage Rs 50,000 crores investment in the defence corridor setup in the state and generate 3 lakh job opportunities.

He also assured that investments coming to the state were secure  and  the state investment policy was the most attractive in the country.

He announced that HAL would soon supply Dornier 19-seater civilian aircraft to Uttar Pradesh.

Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar said that this DefExpo would be remembered for many firsts – including for the signing of largest number of MoUs, ToTs and product launches.

“Bandhan ceremony witnessed more than 13 product launches, 124 MoUs between DPSUs, private and global defence manufacturing companies. 23 MoUs were signed between the UP government and private companies,” he added.

DRDO Chairman Sateesh Reddy said that it was DRDO’s duty to ensure that the defence corridor in Uttar Pradesh flourishes, hence DRDO signed a technological partnership agreement with the state government, imparting skill training, hand holding and providing guidance in all aspects related to technology.

“A collaboration cell was already setup in the state to facilitate the process,” he added.

He also mentioned that a Research and Development centre would be setup in the state that would act as a catalyst with respect to defence development.

“Technology transfer was made available at no cost to companies in order to further the defence ecosystem in the country.Further, the patents held by DRDO were given free to Indian companies to further develop technologies that would benefit Indian companies,” he added.

During the course of the ceremony, a major announcement in the form of issuing the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) certificate of Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) was issued to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

LUH is designed and developed as a replacement for Cheetah & Chetak helicopters which are currently being operated by Indian Armed forces.

LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-Ton class incorporating the state-of-the-art technology features which will meet the emerging needs in this class of helicopters in the coming decades.

OFB launched “Sharang” the 155mm artillery gun with 36 km range and handed over a model to Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane.

OFB also launched JVPC Alpha gun with 100 mt range, Light Machine Gun of 800 mt range and UBGL – Under barrel Grenade launcher.

BDL launched Amogha-3 the anti-Tank Guided Missile. It is a man portable fire and forget missile.

BDL also launched Varunastra – the anti-submarine torpedo, manufactured under the technological guidance of DRDO.

Light Utility Helicopter gets initial clearance

Lucknow / Bengaluru (NVI): The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), paving the way for its production.

LUH is a single engine, light weight, highly agile 3-Ton Utility Helicopter, indigenously-designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of Indian Army and Indian Air Force. It will soon replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

The HAL received the IOC document in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the ‘Bandhan’ programme held in Lucknow.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan described it is a momentous occasion for HAL and said, “it reinforces our commitment towards indigenous R&D programs on self-reliance and enhancing operational effectiveness of the Indian Armed Forces.”

HAL is fully geared up to fulfill the requirements of its customers in a time-bound manner, he added.

HAL Director, Engineering and R&D Arup Chatterjee said the performance of basic configuration of

LUH in all terrains and under all weather conditions is satisfactory and HAL is moving towards the next phase of integrating and flight testing of Mission & Role Equipment on LUH.

One LUH Prototype is part of flying display and another is part of static display at the DefExpo 2020.

Africa is at the top of India’s priorities: Rajnath

Rajnath Singh at DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. (Source: @rajnathsingh)

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that India is ready to take defence engagements with African countries to next level and is seeking deeper cooperation in various sectors including combating terrorism and extremism, cyberspace security and supporting the UN in peacekeeping operations.

Addressing the India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave in Lucknow on the sidelines of DefExpo 2020 today, the Defence Minister said that India is an all-weather friend of Africa. He added that Africa is at the top of India’s priorities.

“New Delhi is looking forward to deeper cooperation in the domain of defence industry including through investment, joint ventures in defence equipment, software, digital defence, research and development, provisioning of defence equipment, spares and their maintenance,” he said.

Singh further said, “Our partnership with Africa is an open partnership with all the possibilities and avenues for collaboration from our side being open to you to choose from and decide as per your priorities.”

He also said that India is prepared to supply Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Fast Interceptor Boats, body and vehicle armour, night-vision goggles (NVGs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Dornier aircraft, and arms and ammunition to African nations.

Reiterating that the guiding principles given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s engagement with Africa has deepened economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours, Singh said that maritime security in the region is a matter of common interest for both sides.

This is highlighted by the emphasis on SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) for the Indo-Pacific region by the government.

India’s security relations with Africa have centred on providing training to African Service personnel, participation in United Nations peacekeeping efforts on the continent and maritime cooperation.

Stressing on the safe secure seas a pre-requisite for the development of Blue economy in the region, he called for stronger partnerships for capacity building, information sharing and surveillance.

With its increased engagement in the region, India has been the first responders in providing humanitarian assistance in times of crisis like cyclone Idai in Mozambique and more recently, cyclone Diane in Madagascar.

Auto Expo 2020: Maruti Suzuki unveils all new Ignis

New Delhi (NVI): Maruti Suzuki today unveiled Ignis facelift in India on the third day of Auto Expo at Greater Noida.

The new Maruti Suzuki Ignis exudes an SUV design and has a fresh front fascia, wide and tough rear appearance, high seating position and all new colour options.

The new Ignis has Maruti Suzuki’s K12 1.2-liter engine which still puts out similar power and torque at 83hp and 113Nm respectively.

The motor is mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox, with an option for an automatic transmission.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis exterior features has a new look at both front and rear. The bumpers get faux scuff plates that add to the ruggedness of the vehicle.

In the interior features it has a spacious cabin with ample legroom at the front and rear and high-seating position, the dual-tone ivory interiors accord a peppy feel to the cabin.

The centre console gets a blue highlight. Some of its notable features include multifunction steering wheel, 17.78-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system and automatic AC.

However, Maruti Suzuki has not revealed the the price and launch details of the car.

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