Category: Defense

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met to discuss security in Jammu and Kashmir. This was the first meeting since the assembly elections held in September and October. The meeting included J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with top officials from the Army, paramilitary forces, local government, intelligence agencies, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

This was Shah’s first review of security after the National Conference party, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, took power. After the laws changed in 2019, the central government now manages law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, Shah focused on planning for security in 2025. Even though the situation has improved, there have still been some terrorist attacks. Recently, seven people were killed in an attack in central Kashmir on October 20th. Before that, there were attacks on workers from outside the Valley.

Shah’s meeting aimed to address these recent attacks and figure out how to prevent more in the future. Official records show that 142 terrorists were killed in J&K in 2019, while about 45 have been killed this year. In 2019, 50 civilians lost their lives, and this year, by early November, that number stood at 14.

On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin said he was willing to talk about ending the war in Ukraine with Donald Trump. He claimed Russian forces are making progress on the battlefield. Trump, known for his book “The Art of the Deal,” has promised to end the conflict quickly, but he hasn’t shared how he plans to do it.

During a live TV session with Russians, Putin mentioned that he hasn’t spoken to Trump in years but would be open to a meeting. He assured that Russia is not in a weak position but has become stronger since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Putin said, “We are always ready for talks,” adding that Ukrainian fighters will eventually run out of steam. He stressed that both sides must be open to negotiations and compromises.

In a report last month, it was mentioned that Putin was willing to discuss a ceasefire with Trump, but he firmly stated that Russia would not give up any territory and that Ukraine should stop trying to join NATO.

Putin also talked about Russia’s military presence in Syria, saying many leaders there support keeping Russian bases. He plans to discuss the case of missing U.S. reporter Austin Tice, who was captured in Syria in 2012, with Syrian leaders.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has caused a major crisis between Russia and the West. He claimed that Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine and has captured a lot of land recently. He admitted that predicting the future of the conflict is hard but believes Russia is moving closer to its goals.

On the economy, Putin noted that it is overheating and causing high inflation. He also discussed ongoing fights with Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, saying they would be forced out but didn’t give a timeline.

Putin bragged about a new hypersonic missile called Oreshnik, which Russia tested on a Ukrainian factory. He said he is ready to launch another test against Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, to see if Western defenses can stop it. He urged the other side to prepare for this potential strike.

On Thursday, President Vladimir Putin told people in Russia that their military is moving closer to winning its goals in Ukraine. He mentioned that Russian soldiers are gaining control of more land every day. During his annual live call with Russians, he explained that they are advancing on the battlefield along the entire front line. “The situation is changing quickly,” he said.

According to military experts, Russian forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine faster than they have since last year. “Our soldiers are reclaiming land by the square kilometer every day,” Putin stated. However, he admitted that the fighting is tough, making it hard to predict what will happen next. “But we are working towards solving our main goals, which we set at the start of this special military operation,” he added.

When asked about the Ukrainian soldiers still in Russia’s Kursk region, Putin assured that they would eventually be pushed out, but he did not say when this would happen.

Finland is getting serious about protecting itself after Russia started expanding its influence and invaded Ukraine. Many Finns are now signing up for weapons training, which has become very popular. A shooting range in Kerava, just north of Helsinki, has seen its membership grow from around 1,000 to over 2,100 in just two years.

The chairman of the Vantaa Reservist Association, Antti Kettunen, noticed a change in people’s attitudes. He said many feel they need to learn self-defense skills. This shift comes after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leaving many in Finland worried about their own safety.

Earlier this year, the Finnish government announced plans to open more than 300 new shooting ranges. Currently, there are about 670 ranges across the country. Lawmaker Jukka Kopra, who leads Finland’s defense committee, confirmed that interest in national defense has increased due to Russia’s actions.

In addition to shooting training, the National Defense Training Association reported hosting over 120,000 training days this year, which is more than double compared to three years ago. The national reservists’ group has also grown significantly, reaching over 50,000 members since the Ukraine invasion.

Unlike some European countries, Finland still has around 50,000 Cold War-era civil defense shelters, enough for about 85% of its 5.5 million people. Tomi Rask from Helsinki Rescue Services emphasized the need to prepare for the potential threats from neighboring countries.

At the shooting range, reservists and gun enthusiasts practice using Glock handguns on human-shaped targets. Some do it for fun, while others feel the need to be prepared because of Russia. Finland has a long history of conflicts with Russia, including fighting to gain independence in 1917 and facing Soviet forces during the Winter War in World War II. Kettunen compared learning to shoot to learning to swim: it’s better to be trained and ready before you need it.

A fun trip to Elephanta Island turned into a disaster on Wednesday when a ferry called Neelkamal flipped over. It was struck by a fast naval speedboat near Butcher Island. This boat was testing a new engine when it accidentally went out of control, according to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The crash happened at 3:15 PM, and chaos followed. Families and children were thrown into the sea as the ferry capsized. A viral video showed the naval boat spinning out of control before crashing into Neelkamal.

Brave Rescuers Save Lives

Nearby was a CISF patrol boat named Shera 1. When they got the emergency call, Constables Amol, Vikas, and Arun rushed to help. They arrived just ten minutes later, but by then, the ferry was already underwater.

Sawant, one of the rescuers, said, “We found nine or ten children. The first one we saved was just three years old. Our main job was to help all the kids.” Although their boat could only hold a few people, they managed to rescue 30 passengers and took them to a nearby port. Many were unconscious, and they provided CPR before transferring them.

The rescue operation quickly grew bigger. Four naval helicopters, eleven Navy boats, a Coast Guard ship, and three Marine Police boats joined in the effort. Survivors were taken to nearby docks and hospitals. There were six people on the naval speedboat, including two Navy members and four company representatives.

By 7:30 PM, 101 passengers had been rescued, but sadly, 13 people lost their lives, including two children and a Navy member.

Government Promises Support

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that families of those who died would receive ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. There would also be an investigation by state police and Navy officials to see what caused the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised ₹2 lakh to help the victims’ families.

A passenger named Ganesh recalled, “The naval boat was spinning in the ocean. I thought it might hit us, and it did in seconds.” Another eyewitness saw people falling into the water and nearby boats coming to help. “People were screaming, and kids were crying,” Sawant said.

The naval speedboat was testing its new engine, which reportedly got stuck, making it impossible for the driver to control it. Neelkamal was a well-known ferry for tourists visiting Elephanta Island, famous for its ancient caves. As officials investigate, everyone is questioning how this accident could happen near civilian boats. This rescue operation showed how important it is for agencies to work together quickly to save lives.

On Wednesday, the US government announced that it is imposing sanctions on four groups that help Pakistan with its ballistic missile program. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated that the US is worried about Pakistan’s missiles and will continue to work with the country on this issue.

The US has designated these four groups under an Executive Order that targets those involved in developing weapons of mass destruction and associated delivery methods. The groups include:

– Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC): This organization is in charge of Pakistan’s ballistic missile program and has tried to get materials to enhance long-range missile development, including special vehicles for launching missiles and testing equipment.

– Akhtar and Sons Private Limited: Based in Karachi, this group supplies equipment to support Pakistan’s long-range missile program.

– Affiliates International: Also located in Karachi, this entity helps with purchasing missile-related items for the NDC and other organizations.

– Rockside Enterprise: This group provides various equipment to aid Pakistan’s long-range missile program.

The US has stated that these entities pose a risk to global security and will continue to take action against activities that support the spread of dangerous weapons.

On Wednesday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi met for important talks to improve relations between India and China. This was their first meeting in five years, and they agreed on six key points to keep peace at the borders and build a good relationship.

Both leaders agreed that solving border issues is important but should not harm the overall friendship between the two countries. They praised the recent solutions on border matters and promised to keep working on them. They also talked about making the rules for the border clearer and building trust between their countries.

Doval and Wang Yi talked about several ways to strengthen ties, including allowing Indian pilgrims to visit Tibet, boosting trade between India and China at Nathula, and working together on cross-border rivers. They plan to continue these discussions in future meetings, with the next one scheduled to take place in India next year.

The meeting also covered many other international and regional issues, focusing on how important it is for both countries to work together for global peace. Wang Yi highlighted the long-standing friendship between India and China, which can positively influence many people.

Doval also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who emphasized that both countries, as ancient civilizations, have a critical role to play globally. The talks followed a military agreement allowing both countries to withdraw from tense areas, signaling a step towards mending the strained relationship caused by conflicts in the past few years.

China and India are working together to make their border issues less of a problem in their relationship. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked to India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, in a meeting on Wednesday, as reported by China’s state broadcaster, CCTV. They agreed that both countries should find fair solutions to the border dispute that work for everyone involved. They also talked about improving how they manage their border to keep peace and safety in the area.