New Delhi : India and Australia have strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms including the use of cross-border terrorist proxies and emphasised the need for strengthening global cooperation to deal with the challenge in a comprehensive manner.The two sides discussed ways to combat terrorism at the 13th meeting of the India-Australia joint working group on counter-terrorism that took place in Canberra on Wednesday.A joint press statement said Australia reiterated its condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot and Pulwama attacks, and extended its support for the people and the government of India in the global fight against terrorism.In the meeting, both sides underlined their commitment to coordinate and collaborate on tackling terrorism in line with the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."India and Australia strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner," said a joint press statement.It said both sides condemned the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, seen as a reference to Pakistan."India and Australia underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks," it said."Australia reiterated its condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, including 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot and Pulwama attacks, and reiterated its support for the people and the government of India in the global fight against terrorism," the statement saidThe two sides exchanged views on various areas of cooperation in the sphere of counter-terrorism, including countering radicalisation and violent extremism, combating the financing of terrorism, the "proscription of terrorist individuals and entities as a tool to combat terrorism".It said the two sides also discussed counter-terrorism cooperation in multilateral fora such as the UN, G20 and FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) as well as with Quad partners."Australia looked forward to hosting India at the next Quad Counter-Terrorism Tabletop Exercise in October 2022, while India welcomed Australia's participation in the proposed No Money for Terror Conference in New Delhi, scheduled for later in 2022," the statement said.They also deliberated on ways to prevent the exploitation of the internet for terrorism and agreed on information sharing and capacity building."Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together to respond to these challenges and discussed ways to deepen engagement between their respective counterpart agencies to further advance interaction, cooperation and information sharing in the sphere of counter-terrorism," the statement said—PTI

India and Australia have strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms including the use of cross-border terrorist proxies and emphasised the need for strengthening global cooperation to deal with the challenge in a comprehensive manner.

India, Australia discuss ways to combat terrorism

Madrid: Spain plans to relax work permit rules for foreigners, its social security and migration minister said on Friday, seeking to address labour shortages in key industries such as tourism and construction that threaten its economic recovery. The government intends to grant more temporary visas for sectors that need workers, Jose Luis Escriva told reporters. Labour shortages have been reported in the tourism, agriculture, construction and technology industries."We are evaluating different aspects of the migration law and where there is room to improve it ... in order to address bottlenecks in Spain's labour market," he said. Spain's tourism industry has seen a strong rebound but companies are struggling to find workers willing to wait tables and clean hotel rooms, according to reports from business organisations and consultancy S&amp;P Global.Staff shortages have also been reported in fruit orchards and on construction sites. Friday's S&amp;P monthly purchasing managers survey showed that although the service sector reported stronger demand in May, businesses were unable to grow as fast as expected because of problems finding workers. "Hiring additional staff came at a cost in the form of higher wages being paid," S&amp;P said. Labour shortages also threaten European Union-funded projects worth billions of euros that the government is counting on to get the economy back to its pre-COVID level.Spain's economy was the hardest hit in the euro zone by the pandemic, shrinking 11% in 2020. Though unemployment is still high, at 13.65%, the pandemic encouraged more workers into the formal economy as official contracts were needed to collect furlough payments. As a result, formal employment has reached a record high, causing shortages in some areas. Spain already has migration programmes with countries such as Morocco, Ecuador and Colombia and is open to extending temporary work visas to other Central America countries. A new pilot programme started with Honduras earlier this year, sources told Reuters.—REUTERS

Spain plans to relax work permit rules for foreigners, its social security and migration minister said on Friday, seeking to address labour shortages in key industries such as tourism and construction that threaten its economic recovery. The government intends to grant more temporary visas for sectors that need workers, Jose Luis Escriva told reporters.

Spain to grant more work visas to combat labour shortages

Copenhagen: As the Europe reels from the effects of a prolonged heatwave responsible for a series of ferocious wildfires and escalating record-breaking high temperatures, regional governments have been urged by the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement the Paris climate agreement, whose position has been reinforced "as a health treaty" by the COP26 Health Programme."Governments need to demonstrate political will and genuine leadership in implementing the global Paris Agreement on climate change, with collaboration replacing division and empty rhetoric," WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said in a statement on Friday.According to Kluge, 1,700 people have died as a result of the current heatwave in Spain and Portugal, and wildfires have spread from southern Europe to as far north as Scandinavia, reports Xinhua news agency.This week, with the "scorching summer season barely halfway done", fires in London have destroyed 41 homes, he added."Ultimately, this week's events point yet again to the desperate need for pan-European action to effectively tackle climate change, the overarching crisis of our time that is threatening both individual health and the very existence of humanity."In reaction to the extreme effects of the current heatwave, the WHO has issued guidance support for national and local authorities "to save lives and strengthen the resilience of communities and people to cope during extreme heat".The WHO guidance recommended basic steps that everyone should take to safeguard themselves and their loved ones from the heat, including keeping out of the heat as much as possible during the night as well; avoiding strenuous physical activity and ensuring children and animals are not left in parked vehicles; and seeking medical advice if one is suffering from a chronic condition or taking multiple medications.Furthermore, Kluge reiterated the UN Climate Change Conference's call for "health systems to assume their share of the responsibility to step up their resilience to, and fight against, climate change", arguing that coordinated action on multiple fronts will "strengthen environmental health and reverse the ravages of climate change". —IANS

As the Europe reels from the effects of a prolonged heatwave responsible for a series of ferocious wildfires and escalating record-breaking high temperatures, regional governments have been urged by the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement the Paris climate agreement, whose position has been reinforced "as a health treaty" by the COP26 Health Programme.

 Heatwave in Europe underscores need for effective action to combat climate change: WHO

Washington: U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain traveled to Oak Creek, Wisconsin August 5-6 to participate in the 10th Annual Oak Creek Sikh Memorial Anniversary Candlelight Remembrance Vigil.
The event convened federal and state government representatives, civil society, and religious leaders to honor the victims of the 2012 attack and to stand in solidarity with the Sikh community.
Ambassador Hussain met with community leaders and local government officials to discuss our continuing efforts to work together to combat hate and protect religious freedom and places of worship everywhere.
Sikh and Gurdwara communities in America have urged the US Congress to heed the call by the Sikh Coalition and Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) to pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, on the tenth anniversary of the attack on a Sikh gurudwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
"On this day we also join the call to US Congress by Sikh Coalition and SALDEF to pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act," Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (AGPC) said in a statement on August 5.
Remembering the "senseless shooting", members of the SCCEC and AGPC prayed for the victims and their families.
"Today is the 10th anniversary of the August 5, 2012 mass shooting at the Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin by a white supremacist. It was the deadliest act of anti-Sikh hate in US history that took the lives of seven Sikh worshippers while they were praying," according to a statement by the SCCEC and the AGPC. "Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (AGPC) memorializes this senseless shooting and prays for the departed souls and their families," it added.
On August 5, 2012, a 40-year-old army veteran Wade Michael Page shot several people, killing six and injured four people at a gurdwara in Oak Creek in Wisconsin, One more person in a mass shooting at a gurdwara in Oak Creek in Wisconsin died in the year 2020.
Meanwhile, the SCCEC and AGPC also remembered the church mass shooting in Charleston where nine Black worshipers were shot and killed in 2015 and the shooting incident at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 worshipers were slain in 2018. "Both SCCEC and AGPC stand in full solidarity with other faith communities that have fallen victim to mass gun violence and white supremacy. We realize that there is much strength we can draw from each other to help in process of healing and moving forward," the statement read.
US President Joe Biden called for strict measures to reduce gun violence and defeat domestic terrorism and hate in all its forms.
Mourning the loss of lives in the 2012 gurudwara attack, Biden said, "The Oak Creek shooting was the deadliest attack on Sikh Americans in our nation's history. Tragically, attacks on our nation's houses of worship have only become more common over the past decade. It is up to all of us to deny this hate-safe harbour." According to an official statement, Biden said that when generations of Sikh-Americans in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, constructed their own place of worship after years of renting local halls, it was a sacred place of their own and a connection shared with the broader community. Every year, the congregation now hosts an annual memorial run to honour the victims. The event bears the words Charhdi Kala, meaning "eternal optimism." The US President said that to stand in defence of religious freedom, all must stand together to ban the weapons that terrorize congregations around our country. —ANI

US Envoy For Int'l Religious Freedom Travels To Oak Creek Sikh Memorial, Discusses Ways To Combat Hate

U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain traveled to Oak Creek, Wisconsin August 5-6 to participate in the 10th Annual Oak Creek Sikh Memorial Anniversary Candlelight Remembrance Vigil.

 U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain traveled to Oak Creek, Wisconsin August 5-6 to participate in the 10th Annual Oak Creek Sikh Memorial Anniversary Candlelight Remembrance Vigil.

Jaipur: Two Army officers from Rajasthan were killed following the crash of an Advanced Light Combat helicopter of the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district, officials said on Saturday, adding another jawan -- also from Rajasthan, is still missing.
There were 5 persons including two pilots in the ill-fated helicopter that crashed on Friday.
Major Vikas Bhambu of Jaipur, and Major Zakiuddin Bohra of Udaipur were killed in the crash.
Rohitashv Khairwa, a resident of Khairwa ki Dhani near Posana village in Udaipurwati area, could not be traced even on the second day.
Commanding Officer Nitin Chaudhary called Rohitashv's wife and informed about the accident. He said: "Sorry... we could not save anyone. Search is on for the missing jawans."
A few hours before the crash, Khairwa spoke to his wife Subhita on Friday morning and promised to come home after Diwali. He was working in the technical wing of the Army.
The crash took place about 25 km from Tuting headquarters.
Those engaged in the escue operations are facing difficulties due to lack of proper road connectivity to crash site.
The crash took place on Friday morning in Migging village, around 25 km from the district headquarters. The helicopter, which took off from Likabali (in Assam), was on a regular sortie.
Defence spokesman Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said that the weather was good for resuming the search operations on Saturday.
"The pilots had more than 600 combined flying hours on ALH-WSI and over 1800 service flying hours between them. The aircraft was inducted into service in June 2015.
"Prior to the crash, the Air Traffic Control had received a 'May Day' call suggesting a technical or mechanical failure," he said.&nbsp;
—IANS

Two Army officers from Rajasthan were killed following the crash of an Advanced Light Combat helicopter of the Indian Army in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district, officials said on Saturday, adding another jawan -- also from Rajasthan, is still missing.

 2 Army officers from R'than killed in Arunachal chopper crash

Chennai (The Hawk): The Crime Investigation Department (CID) at the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation is in the process of hiring more employees.
The action was taken in response to widespread allegations that staff members had smuggled rice and other Public Distribution System (PDS) supplies into other states.
Some of the department's employees who helped rice traffickers have already been suspended. It's interesting to note that the majority of the CCTV cameras in the department of civil supplies have been inoperative for several months. At order to repair the 2869 CCTV cameras in the godowns of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation, the department is currently seeking for bids.
In order to stop rice smuggling, which has become widespread in the state, the Tamil Nadu police have also chosen to deploy CCTV cameras at border checkpoints.
According to state police sources who spoke to IANS, CCTV cameras will be deployed in the Tamil Nadu border checkpoints of Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Tenkasi, and Pollachi.
The Civil Supplies Corporation of Tamil Nadu reported that as many as 12,721 persons were detained for rice smuggling between May 2021 and October 25, 2022. Under the Goonda Act, a total of 128 persons were detained and 2607 cars were seized for rice smuggling. When trying to sneak rice into neighbouring states, checkpoints seized about 90,122 quintals of the grain.
"The corporation is keen that the smuggling of rice from the corporation is plugged," a senior officer with the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation told IANS. "We are repairing all the CCTV cameras installed in godowns and we will be employing more people to increase the strength of the Crime branch within the department to prevent rice smuggling."
(Inputs from Agencies)

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) at the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation is in the process of hiring more employees.

To combat rice smuggling in TN, vigilance was increased

Rampur (The Hawk): Leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Mohd Azam Kahan, has argued that it is preferable to keep an eye on events and put up the strongest defence feasible given the conditions.
He added in a casual conversation with reporters: "What is the use of remarking on injustice committed by those in authority. By demonstrating our solidarity and the strength of democracy in this by-election, we should in reality serve as an example for future generations.
Azam Khan encouraged party members and supporters to act in one and work to support SP candidate Asim Raja in the by-election on December 5.
When his close aide Fasahat Ali Khan recently joined BJP along with more than 250 people, he experienced a severe shock.
"The Samajwadi Party has never made distinctions based on a person's caste or religion. Elections come and go, but the ones in Rampur this time are being conducted in such a gravely unfair manner that future generations will bleed blood.
The public's capacity for tolerating tragedies and the brutality of those who go to whatever lengths to serve injustice will surprise them, he continued.
Azam Khan was found guilty in a hate speech case that was filed in 2019 during the Lok Sabha elections, and as a result, his membership in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly was revoked.
Up until his disqualification on October 8, he served as the representative for Rampur Sadar.
The BJP is running Akash Saxena in the by-election after Saxena was defeated by Azam Khan in the Assembly elections earlier this year by a margin of more than 50,000 voters.
On December 2, Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister, is anticipated to hold a rally in the public in support of Akash Saxena.
(Inputs from Agencies)

Leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Mohd Azam Kahan, has argued that it is preferable to keep an eye on events and put up the strongest defence feasible given the conditions.

Better to watch and engage in combat here: Azam Khan

Palermo (Italy) [India]: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Friday participated in the two-day UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime Ministerial Conference (September 28-29) at Palermo in Italy. "On behalf of the Republic of Bharat it is a privilege to take the floor. I take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to the Government of Italy and the UNODC Secretariat for organizing this Ministerial Conference to mark the 20th anniversary of coming into force of UNTOC Convention," MoS Home Nityanand Rai said speaking at the Conference.
He further said that India's ancient philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' sees all creation as a family. "We are One Earth, One Family, and we share One Future. Prime Minister of Bharat, Narendra Modiji has given a clarion call for international cooperation by saying that When threats are global, the response cannot be just local!" he explained. "The world has to come together to defeat these threats. India expresses its strong commitment towards combating and uprooting organized crimes in all its manifestations" he added.
MoS Home Rai said that Organized crime signifies a major global threat. "Advances in technology have been leveraged by organized criminals to rapidly expand their networks. This includes serious challenges posed by illicit trafficking in arms, drug trafficking, organized cyber crimes, human trafficking, corruption, money laundering and international dispersal of proceeds of crime," Rai said. "India has updated and strengthened its legal framework to combat such crimes through The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016; amendment in 2018 of The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 and amendment of The Prevention of Money Laundering Act," he added. Nityanand Rai further said in the Conference that India's G20 Presidency outcomes inter alia included G20 High-Level Principles on Strengthening Law Enforcement related to International Cooperation and Information Sharing for Combatting Corruption, Strengthening Asset Recovery Mechanisms for Combatting Corruption, Promoting Integrity and Effectiveness of Public Bodies and Authorities Responsible for Preventing and Combatting Corruption. MoS Home further said that Organised crime cannot be seen in isolation. "Organized crime has also emerged as one of the sources of terrorism and terror financing. Organized crime networks often have deep links with terrorist outfits. Activities like money laundering and financial crimes have been known to help terror funding," he said. "India reiterates that at the international level there can be no safe haven for organized crime, for such a safe haven poses serious global threat. It is incumbent to deny safe havens to those who engage in transnational organized crime by prosecuting their crimes wherever they occur and by cooperating at the international level" he added in conference. Union Minister Rai further said that The Convention (UNTOC) needs to be leveraged as a framework to enhance international cooperation in order to combat these challenges. "India has been pro-active in rendering assistance to other countries requests under UNTOC and reaffirms its commitment for future. I am positive that the deliberations during this Ministerial Conference will give impetus to the cause of strengthening international cooperation to combat organized crime," Rai said.
—ANI

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Friday participated in the two-day UN Convention against Transnational Organised

India expresses strong commitment towards combating, uprooting organized crimes at UNTOC Convention

New Delhi [India]: In what could be termed as one of the biggest pushes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Make in India' in the defence sector, the Indian Air Force is going to place orders for 156 more Prachand Light Combat Helicopters, with HAL, which would be deployed at both the China and Pakistan front by the IAF and the Indian Army. The two services have already inducted 15 of these choppers in their fleet in the last 15 months after holding trials in the most extreme weather conditions and terrain in the world.
“The Indian Air Force as the lead service has moved a proposal to the government for buying 156 more Prachand choppers as a joint acquisition case which is likely to get approved soon,” senior defence officials told ANI. Recently, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari had announced from foreign soil about the force’s intent to buy around 100 more Light Combat Aircraft Mark 1A to push indigenisation. The combined total of the two projects in terms of worth is over Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Of the 156 choppers, 66 would be inducted by the Indian Air Force while the rest 90 would be acquired by the Indian Army. Meeting the Indian Air Force requirement of being a completely Indian Designed, developed and manufactured weapon system, the Prachand has been extensively test-flown by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The attack helicopter has been built as per the requirements of the Indian armed forces to operate both in desert terrains and high-altitude sectors. Prachand is the world’s only attack helicopter that can land and take off at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 ft), which makes it ideal to operate in the high-altitude areas of the Siachen glacier and Eastern Ladakh. It is also capable of firing a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and can destroy air defence operations of the enemy. It is also going to be equipped with newer Dhruvastra air-to-ground missiles which can destroy hardened shelters of the enemy in high altitude as well as other terrain. The IAF is also buying a significant number of these choppers to keep the machines ready for export requirements and sale to friendly foreign countries. The number of these choppers in the services is expected to go beyond 300 to meet full military requirements and is also expected to find buyers in the export markets soon.
—ANI

In what could be termed as one of the biggest pushes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Make in India' in the defence sector

IAF to buy 156 more ‘Prachand’ Light Combat choppers for deployment along China, Pak border

Tel Aviv [Israel]: The Israeli soldiers shot and killed three hostages in Gaza who were unarmed and waving a white flag, violating Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) rules of engagement, CNN reported, citing an IDF official. The incident was termed a "tragic, tragic event," and details indicate that the hostages were shirtless and came out of a building near IDF soldiers.

<div style="text-align:left;"><img src="https://thehawk.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/i1.webp" alt="IDF soldiers" style="height: auto;width: auto"/></div>

One IDF soldier felt that there were suicide bombers and so he opened fire, against the rules of engagement, resulting in the immediate deaths of two hostages and the third later. The situation is complicated by intense combat in the area, with terrorists moving in civilian attire to create traps. The hostages were identified as Yotam Haim, Samer Fouad Al-Talalka, and Alon Shimriz. An investigation is underway to examine the circumstances surrounding the killings, including a potential connection with a nearby building marked with SOS. The three men came out of a building "tens of metres from our soldiers' position," the official said. At least one of the soldiers "feels threatened and opens fire. Two are killed immediately. One is wounded and runs back inside. The soldiers hear a cry for help in Hebrew and the brigade commander issues a cease-fire order but there is another burst of fire," as reported by CNN. The third hostage died later. It remains uncertain if the second burst of fire killed the hostage or which of the three it was. More than one IDF soldier fired at the hostages, the official told CNN after briefing journalists. "This was against our rules of engagement. I'll repeat that: This was against our rules of engagement," the official said. The official also said there is "intense combat" in the area where the hostages were shot, and "terrorists there are moving around in civilian attire. They are wearing sneakers and jeans. They are trying to pull us into traps." "Hundreds of metres from that location, there was a building with markings of SOS on it, and we are still looking to see if there is a connection between that building and the hostages," the official said. An investigation is ongoing into the killing of the hostages, CNN cited the official as saying.
—ANI

The Israeli soldiers shot and killed three hostages in Gaza who were unarmed and waving a white flag, violating Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) rules

Israeli troops violated rules by killing hostages who waved white flag: Report

Jan 01 (The Hawk): In the present era, while technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increased the facilities, its serious side effects are also coming to the fore. These days, the problem of misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology has emerged as very serious. Now, amid growing concerns regarding these, the Central Government has issued an advisory to all internet media platforms to follow IT rules. Deepfake technology means manipulating the content available on the Internet and misrepresenting it.To do. These days, many types of misleading and inflammatory videos are being created on the internet media using AI and deepfake technology and misinformation is being spread to the people, like big experts in that field are being used to sell a household product in the market. A fake video has been prepared quoting its usefulness and is being made viral on the internet on the internet. People claiming to have discovered a medicine that can cure a major disease have been making fake videos and making them viral. health and fitness sector Such fake videos are being prepared in the name of some big personality in which he is giving information about special methods and dosages to reduce obesity. Fake videos are being released quoting beauty experts inventing creams and pills to make dark skin fair and beautiful, and teeth whitening creams. In the name of some big personality, such fake videos containing one-sided statements on national and international topics are being posted, which can have an impact on the diplomacy of those countries. Moreover such provocative Fake videos of speeches are also being posted, so that hatred can spread in the society and the atmosphere can be spoiled. In such a situation, it is very worrying. Creating and circulating misleading and inflammatory videos with the help of AI can cause a major crisis. It is important to stop its misuse. Today we need to understand that misinformation poses a deep threat to the security and trust of Internet users. Amidst the increasing misuse of deepfake technology, there is a need to spread awareness among people about it. Fake videos and pictures are being shared on the internet.Making things viral on media platforms should be avoided. If we identify content based on AI and deepfake technology in time, it is possible that we can stop the spread of false and misleading information among people.  
—Vijay Garg Retired Principal Educational Columnist Malout Punjab

In the present era, while technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increased the facilities, its serious side effects are also coming to the fore.

Challenge to stop misuse of Artificial Intelligence

Beijing: In a surprise development, a top Chinese military general has cast aspersions on the PLA’s much-publicised ‘real combat-oriented exercises’ as "fake combat capabilities" at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered it to prepare for “maritime military struggles” to win wars.
The remarks by General He Weidong, the second-ranked vice-chairman of China’s powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), the overall high command of the three Armed Forces headed by Xi, during a discussion with a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) delegation on Tuesday, according to minutes of the meeting made available to media.  Though it was just one line – Gen He called for a crackdown on "fake combat capabilities" in the military -- military analysts say the remark by a top official in the backdrop of the recent purges carried out by Xi, questions the authenticity of the real-time combat exercises as insisted by Xi since he took over power in 2012-13 and the quality of the equipment, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper reported on Saturday.
Xi recently sacked Defence Minister Gen Li Shangfu last year, which was followed by the removal of another nine senior generals, many of them from the key Rocket Force, which operates the country’s missile forces.  Since Xi took over, the Chinese military, at all levels, is carrying out real-time drills splitting forces into two groups to test their combat skills.  Analysts say the message from Gen He, China’s number three military official, was “brief and ambiguous”, but could relate to the procurement of flawed equipment, and also deception among the ranks during training.  The Chinese government early this week hiked the defence budget by 7.2 per cent to $232 billion as it continues with the massive modernisation of its military amid prevailing tensions over Taiwan, the disputed South China Sea as well as border frictions with India and increasing rivalry with the US.  China is the second largest spender after the US, whose military budget last year was $886 billion.  Fu Qianshao, a former equipment expert with the PLA, said He appeared to be partly referring to the procurement of flawed weapons, which could affect the military’s combat capabilities.  “The weapons and equipment should reach the technical standards. So, counterfeiting will surely have an impact on how they function,” he told the Post.
“Fake combat capabilities” could also refer to “fake” drills that do not reach the standards required, such as “night exercises” being conducted around sunset – something military mouthpiece PLA Daily has reported about in recent years, the Post said.  Xi, who heads the ruling Communist Party and has the Presidency, places a premium on the combat readiness of the military as its battle readiness has not been tested in recent decades.  For his part, Xi has called hi-tech integration of the armed forces, which is vital to joint operations.  Xi also ordered the PLA to prepare for "maritime military struggles" and protect maritime rights, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.  “The preparation for the military struggle at sea, the defence of maritime rights and interests and the development of the maritime economy must be integrated,” he said, adding, “Strategic capabilities in emerging areas are an important part of national strategies and are of great significance to the country.”  During the PLA discussion at the parliament in Beijing on Tuesday, there was more emphasis on loyalty to Xi than in previous years, according to the Post report.  Earlier, Xi’s anti-corruption drive also targeted the military with dozens of top generals either sacked or investigated in the last 10 years.  Besides the sacking of nine generals, the government also removed three senior executives from the state-owned aerospace and defence sector from the top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in December.  The PLA, meanwhile, is under pressure to boost combat readiness, with President Xi calling for the military to step up “real combat” exercises and training to prepare for “stormy seas” ahead at a time when geopolitical tensions are rising and rivalry with the US is heating up.  Fu, the former PLA equipment specialist, said He’s comments also hinted at the problems with training, and that it “should be conducted according to the actual combat requirements – it must not become a show.”
—PTI

Top Chinese military official casts doubt on PLA's combat readiness, urging a crackdown on "fake capabilities" as China ups defence spending amid growing global tensions.

The Hawk

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India, Australia discuss ways to combat terrorism

Sunil Aswal

Tag : combat

India, Australia discuss ways to combat terrorism

Sunil Aswal

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