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Haqqani Network Leader Says Group Won’T Interfere In Kashmir, Seeks Friendship With India

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Haqqani Network Leader Says Group Won’T Interfere In Kashmir, Seeks Friendship With India
The top Taliban leader, who is one of the front-runners in the yet-to-be-formed Taliban regime in Afghanistan, also clarified their stand on Kashmir

The scion of Afghanistan’s feared Haqqani network has called for an amicable relationship with India and pledged not to interfere in the Kashmir issue. In an exclusive interview, Anas Haqqani, 28, rejected accusations of terrorism against the guerrilla group controlled by his family and promised to provide complete security to all Afghan Sikhs and Hindus.

“Kashmir is not part of our jurisdiction and interference is against the policy,” Haqqani said. “How can we go against our policy? This is clear: we will not interfere.”

The outreach by Haqqani is the latest conciliatory signal from the new masters of Afghanistan, who appear keen to build friendly ties with India, which has poured money into rebuilding Afghan infrastructure. Edited excerpts from the interview.

Today must be a great day for you since the Americans have gone?

Thank you very much, yes, it’s a big day for us.

Today you got the victory after twenty years. You also said now peace will prevail. How are you feeling?

It’s a blessing of god which he bestowed on us. We struggled twenty years for this blessing. Today it’s our day of victory and the day of our independence. Everyone is happy and I’m hopeful that more beautiful days will come in future.

How do you see the world and its support?

As per policy, we don’t interfere in matters of others and we expect others also not to interfere in ours. We want all matters to be sorted amicably. Our doors are open for everyone. We want to have a good relationship with the rest of the world.

The Haqqani network is closely associated with ISI and the Pakistan Army. Now that you are a part of the Afghanistan government, what will be your association with them?

We struggled for twenty years. Lots of negative propaganda about us and it’s all wrong. The Haqqani Network is nothing. We are working for everyone. The media worldwide and especially in India is spreading negative propaganda about us. This is spoiling the atmosphere. No Pakistani weapon was ever used in the war. These allegations are wrong and baseless.

What kind of relationship is the Haqqani network looking at with India?

We want a good relationship with India. We don’t want anyone to think wrong about us. India has helped our enemy for twenty years but we are ready to forget everything and take the relationship forward.

Pakistan is very close to Haqqanis and it is regularly interfering in Kashmir. Will you also interfere in Kashmir to support Pakistan?

Kashmir is not part of our jurisdiction and interference is against policy. How can we go against our policy? It is clear we will not interfere.

So you are saying you will not interfere in the Kashmir matter? And Haqqani will not support JeM and LeT in the Kashmir matter?

We have clarified this multiple times and I’m saying it again – This is just propaganda.

All the development work done by India in Afghanistan is pending. In case India wants to come and complete those projects will you allow them?

We will clarify all our policies in the days to come. We want all help for the people of Afghanistan. We want not only India but the rest of the world to come and support us.

Many Indians are stranded in Afghanistan and many Afghan Sikhs and Hindus are here. You assure that all are safe?

I want to assure you that everyone is safe in Afghanistan. There was some panic and fear initially, but now things have settled and people are happy. Afghan Sikhs and Hindus are like any other communities of Afghanistan and they would live happily.

In 2020, the Kabul gurdwara attack was blamed on the Haqqanis by the US. What do you have to say?

These are all propaganda by our enemies and the media. This is false and wrong. We have never done that.

You were sentenced to death in 2016 but were released in prisoner exchange. What role will you play in the Taliban?

I don’t know my role in the Taliban. Time will tell and decide the role for us. I’m a Muslim and I take things as they come. Our aim was to get freedom and we got that. We don’t bother about our role and power in the future. We will follow our elders and leaders.

What guarantee do you want to give India about the safety of Indians and assets they have built?

After taking over Afghanistan, we have proved that we will take everyone along. There is propaganda going on, but we want to assure all that they would be living with peace and happiness in Afghanistan.

Women in Afghanistan are living in fear and are saying their freedom is over. What assurance do you want to give to females that they are safe with the Taliban?

This will be proved (wrong) in days to come. We will declare all policies for men and women, and everything will be transparent.

Do you accept the Durand Line as a permanent border between Pakistan and Afghanistan?

I can’t confirm anything right now. Our elders will decide and declare this.

What is the scenario about government formation and when can we expect a government in Kabul?

The major problem is over now. America is gone. The wait is over and very soon, we will have good news about government formation.

What kind of government are you expecting in Kabul?

This will be declared with time. We don’t want to discuss anything publicly about this. I don’t know anything about this.

What message do you want to give to the world for Taliban recognition and relationship in future?

The world knows that we are committed individuals, and we are against propaganda. People, who want to fight in Afghanistan, have been exposed. We want good relationships with everyone in the world. But we want the rest of the world to not interfere in our matters and we will also not interfere in their matters.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





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