COALITION FORCES KILL 60 FROM HAQQANI NETWORK NEAR PAK BORDER
In what has become one of the largest and most successful assaults on the Taliban-linked Haqqani network, Afghan security forces killed at least 60 militants near the Pakistan border last week. This assault reflects an intensified campaign against the Haqqani network, often described as the most effective and lethal militant operation in the Af-Pak region, in preparation of the departure of Coalition forces later this year. The attack was coordinated by a special Kabul-based unit created by the Obama Administration late last year to deliver lasting blows to the Taliban and its allies. (Reuters, April 30, 2014)
SIXTH ROUND OF SINO-INDIAN BORDER TALKS
A year after a PLA patrol established camp nearly 10 miles beyond the Line of Actual Control in India for a period of three weeks, China and India have held the sixth round of the newest border negotiations “working mechanism.” Following on the heels of a high-level Strategic Dialogue held the week prior, the border talks focused on increased communication mechanisms and a code of conduct to diffuse confrontations like the April 2013 episode in the Depsang Valley. Additionally, China’s Defense Minister has announced his intention to visit India later this year as a means to ameliorate relations and the two sides plan to hold on-again-off-again annual military exercises in India this year. (Outlook India, April 28, 2014)
2013: 1,500 KILLED IN TERRORIST VIOLENCE IN PAK
According to the State Department’s 2013 Country Report on Terrorism, Pakistan lost 1,500 lives to terrorism last year, including nearly 500 security forces and over 1,000 civilians. The report praised some efforts by the Pakistani government to root out militancy, including the “disruption” of “some [al Qaeda]-affiliated terrorist groups” in Punjab. It also documented the interception of large stockpiles of weapons and explosives, and the killing of several Pakistani Taliban leaders in security operations.
INDIA TESTS SEA-BASED MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM
India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) tested a newly-designed anti-ballistic missile from a warship in the Bay of Bengal last week. The Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV) is capable of intercepting targets at altitudes higher than 120km. The mission was deemed a success, though interceptor missile was not designed to explode on contact. Indian officials suggested the infrared seeker in the interceptor performed successfully, though they could not say whether “the hit-to-kill took place” had the warhead exploded. Six of the seven DRDO tests of the Prithvi have been successful, though this is the first to take place at altitudes greater than 80kms. Currently, only a small club of nations, including the U.S., Russia, and Israel, possess anti-ballistic missile systems of similar capability. (FARS News Agency, April 28, 2014)
PAK GETS NEW F-16s FROM JORDAN
Pakistan has begun receiving a new batch of U.S. F-16A/B multi-role fighter aircraft from Jordan. Five arrived in Pakistan on April 27 out of a total of 13 to be delivered. Jordan operates a fleet of more than 60 F-16s it has obtained from surpluses in NATO air forces. With the U.S. blocked by Congress from exporting more F-16s to Pakistan, the administration has reportedly lobbied other F-16 operators to sell planes to Pakistan. (World Tribune April 29, 2014)