News in Shorts

Posted 15 Feb 2024

Updated 22 Mar 2024

5 min read

OPERATION SARVASHAKTI

The Army initiates Operation Sarvashakti in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri-Poonch sector, targeting terrorists amid repeated attacks on troops.
About Operation Sarvashakti:
- Indian Army plans “Operation Sarvashakti” on the lines of “OperationSarpvinash” launched in 2003.
- It is to target resurgence of militants on both sides of Pir Panjal in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Operation aims at combined counter-militancy efforts with Chinar Corps and White Knight Corps coordinating in Collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group, and intelligence agencies is crucial.
Importance of this region
- Strategic Terrain for Militants: Pir Panjal provides dense forest hideouts, facilitating hit-and-run operations and rest for militants.
- Natural Division and Key Entry Points: It acts as a natural division between Kashmir Valley and Jammu, controlling key entry points to the Valley.
- Shift in Militant Focus: Post-2019, militants focus on Pir Panjal, retreating into its forests amid reduced local support.
About Pir Panjal Range
- Natural Border: Pir Panjal delineates Kashmir and Jammu, influencing landscapes and cultural nuances.
- Peaks: Deo Tibba (6,001m) and Indrasan (6,221m) are highest peaks of the range.
- Passes: Banihal Pass and Peer Ki Gali connect Kashmir and Jammu, enhancing regional connectivity.
- Rivers: It spans between Jhelum to Chenab, encompassing Rajouri, Budhal, and Poonch on the Indian side.

Tags :
Army

AKASH-NG (NEW GENERATION) MISSILE

Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted successful flight-test of Akash NG missile.
Akash-NG is a Surface to Air Missile capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats.
- It has range of around 80 km.
Its active electronically scanned array (AESA) multi-function radar features all three functions - search, track and fire control in one platform.
Akash Weapon System is Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by DRDO.

Tags :
Missile

INDIAN NAVY COMMISSIONED INS IMPHAL

INS Imphal is the third of four indigenous Visakhapatnam class stealth-guided missile destroyers under project 15B.
- Project 15B is the latest in the lineage of Project 15A (Kolkata class) and Project 15 (Delhi class) indigenous destroyers with upgraded capabilities and greater indigenous content.
- The other two destroyers of this Project are INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao.
Key Features:
- It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
- It is armed with medium-range surface-to-air missiles, Brahmos surface-to-surface missiles, Indigenous torpedo launchers etc.
It has a high level of indigenization (about 75%), highlighting efforts towards Atmanirbhara Bharat in the defence sector.
Need for Defence Indigenization:
- Autonomy: Decision-making autonomy in Geo-strategic issues.
- Reducing dependence on import: World’s largest arms importer between 2018-22 (as per SIPRI Report).
  - Also, it aims to reach US$5 billion in defence exports by 2025.
- Prevention from disruption of supply–chain: Like the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Other: Tackling neighbours like China, supporting friendly nations etc.