India launches anti-Maoist operation: India has launched a large offensive against the rebel Maoist groups in five states – West Bengal, Jharakhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The new operation, according to Home Minister P Chidambaram, is aimed at reasserting “the authority of the civil administration” in the affected areas, and arresting top leaders. The Indian government had in the past repeatedly called upon the Naxalite-Maoists rebels to end the violence, and enter into talks to resolve grievances. However, the groups have failed to do so. The operation is so far being termed as satisfactory by the Home Minister.
Naxalite-Maoists groups rebelling against underdevelopment and neglect of tribal areas have been involved in violent attacks on police and other representatives of the state machinery. Their attacks kill hundreds of policemen and innocents each year. The movement that began in the 1960s has spread across many states of India and threatens to destabilize the country.
Indian airlines and airports put on high security alert: Following intelligence reports of the possibility of a hijacking, Indian airlines and airports have been put on high security alert. The Times of India reports, “terrorist groups having allegiance with al-Qaida, Lashker-e-Taiba and Jamat-ul-Dawa were planning to hijack an Air India plane especially operating in or from SAARC countries — Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India as well.” Airports in these countries have also been requested to tighten security measures, and sky marshals are to be deployed on flights between these countries.
Red flags were also raised by reports of significant para-gliding equipment procured by Lashkar e-Taiba (LeT). The LeT has previously masterminded numerous attacks on Indian territory, including the Mumbai attacks in 2008 that killed at least 160 people.
A few months ago, I wrote about the early stages of the conflict in Ukraine through the lens of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. While it appears likely that the war will carry on into the foreseeable future, enough time has passed for us to make an honest assessment of each side’s relative […]
The Ukrainian Army has made dramatic strides in the last few weeks. Ukraine’s tactical commanders have outfoxed their Russian counterparts, and by issuing a feint towards the south the UA has been able to earn substantial gains in the north of their country. The impact of these efforts have been compounded by the steady stream […]
In mid-May the Irish political party, Sinn Féin, won the plurality of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Many American readers might not fully understand the significance of Sinn Féin’s political victory- but rest assured that subjects of the United Kingdom and a wide range of political movements the world over have heard the message […]
The first wave of the Russian offensive in Ukraine has fallen short of Russian autocrat Vladmir Putin’s ambitions. Most analysts deduced that Putin had hoped to achieve a decapitation strike of the Ukrainian government- taking Kiev and replacing Ukrainian President Vladimir Zolinski with a pro-Kremlin voice. Kiev has been threatened repeatedly through the course of […]
On the weekend of March 26th, the notorious MS-13 gang went on a massive killing spree in El Salvador which left more than 70 people dead by Sunday. Even for a country where powerful gangs hold massive sway, this recent tragedy stands out considering that it was the bloodiest day on record since the civil […]
