Govt.'s focus now on left-wing extremism, insurgency: Defense report

New Delhi, March 29 (ANI): The Government on Monday stated that in the case of internal security challenges, the focus has shifted from the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir to the left wing extremism and insurgency in north-eastern States.

The government in its annual report of the Ministry of Defence of 2009 - 10, released here on Monday, said the arrest of the top leadership of ULFA including its Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa has been a major breakthrough.

While on Jammu and Kashmir, it says: "all parameters of proxy war are at an all time low and the current situation indicated a shift towards normalcy and peace... the ceasefire on the borders / LoC is holding out with a few minor aberrations".

Despite improving security situation in the State, infiltration attempts continued. During the period April 01, 2009 to February 28, 2010, 33 infiltration bids were foiled with 50 terrorists killed in the process.

During the same period, 213 terrorists were also killed and 68 apprehended in encounters with the Armed Forces.

On developments within the three Armed Forces, the report mentions that the setting up of the Integrated Space Cell (ISC) under the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations), Headquarter IDS as the nodal point for all space related activities of the tri-services was a significant step forward towards modernization. The ISC has worked out the overall satellite communication requirements of the three services till 2020 in coordination with the ISRO. A contract was signed this month to equip two regiments of the Indian Army with the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile System.

On India's indigenous missile programme, the report says that the DRDO plans to conduct shortly the 4th Flight Test of Long Range Agni - III missile, capable of carrying a 1500 kg war head. The DRDO is also toying with the indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW andC) System, based on the Embraer - 145 aircraft platform. The first modified aircraft is expected in mid - 2011. (ANI)