Kautilya

An attempt by the Pakistani military’s Border Action Team (BAT) to push a terrorist into India was foiled after he was gunned down in the Keran sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district around 3pm on January 1, the Army said on Sunday. Slain terrorist Mohammed Shabbir Malik was carrying an AK-47, seven grenades, ammunition, ration suited for a long haul in cold weather, certificates and a photo that showed him in army uniform with the name tab.

“Force levels in areas where disengagement has yet to take place have been adequately enhanced. Threat assessment and internal deliberations have resulted in reorganisation and realignment of forces in keeping with the Army’s mandate of ensuring territorial integrity and to cater for the major augmentation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces and military infrastructure,” the ministry said in its year-end review.

According to officials in knowledge of the matter, the Rafale-M fighter will be pushed through intensive trial at the 283 metre mock-up ski jump facility at INS Hansa for nearly 12 days to assess whether the fighter aircraft is best suited for IAC-1. The Rafale M fighter is the principal weapon system for French Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier and has also shown its inter-operability with US aircraft carriers way back in 2008.

These tugs have been designed and built under the classification rules of Indian Register for Shipping (IRS) with a service life of 20 years and are capable of assisting large naval ships, including Aircraft Carrier and Submarines in berthing, un-berthing, turning and manoeuvering in confined waters and in harbour. They also provide afloat firefighting cover/assistance to ships alongside/anchorage and have limited capability for Search and Rescue operations.