In a significant maritime operation, the Indian Navy successfully intercepted two Sri Lankan-flagged fishing boats suspected of engaging in narcotics smuggling in the Arabian Sea. This well-coordinated effort took place over the course of two days, from November 24 to 25, resulting in the seizure of approximately 500 kg of crystal meth.

The operation highlights the strengthened maritime collaboration between India and Sri Lanka, particularly in addressing regional security issues. Following intelligence inputs from the Sri Lankan Navy, along with aerial surveillance conducted by the Indian Naval Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), the Indian Navy was able to locate and identify the vessels linked to the criminal activity. The surveillance efforts were further informed by data from the Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram, India.

During the operation, an Indian Navy warship, supported by aerial assets, successfully boarded the two fishing boats on the designated dates. To enhance operational effectiveness, an additional naval vessel was dispatched to ensure comprehensive surveillance and engage in joint operations. Following the seizure of the narcotics, the boats and crew members were subsequently turned over to Sri Lankan authorities for further legal action.

This operation serves as a testament to the strong partnership established between the naval forces of India and Sri Lanka and emphasizes their collective determination to tackle maritime challenges and maintain safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region.

In a related development, India’s commitment to maritime security was further underscored by the successful conclusion of the fourth edition of the Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise, Sea Vigil 2024, which wrapped up on November 21. The exercise comprised two phases, with the first phase taking place from November 13 to 19, while the second phase unfolded over a 36-hour period across all coastal states and union territories.

Sea Vigil 2024 demonstrated India’s robust approach to enhancing its maritime security framework, covering the country’s extensive 11,098 km coastline and its Exclusive Economic Zone spanning 2.4 million square kilometers. The exercise saw participation from over 21 agencies across six ministries, including the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, as well as various state and local agencies.

During the second phase of the exercise, more than 550 surface assets were deployed alongside 60 air sorties, totaling around 200 hours of flight time, showcasing the comprehensive efforts made by India to bolster its coastal defenses and joint operational readiness against any maritime threats.

In a significant anti-drug operation in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Navy, has successfully seized 500 kilograms of crystal meth from two fishing boats. This operation followed a series of coordinated efforts between the two naval forces, initiated by intelligence shared from Sri Lanka.

The Indian Navy launched an extensive search and surveillance operation, utilizing advanced technologies and assets to track down suspicious activities in the region. Key elements of this operation included the deployment of Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Aircraft, and a naval ship. The backbone of the operation was the guidance provided by the Information Fusion Centre (Indian Ocean Region) located in Gurugram, which played a critical role in coordinating the surveillance efforts.

With continuous intelligence input from the Sri Lankan Navy, Indian Naval aircraft conducted aerial surveillance that led to the identification of two suspicious boats. The decisive action took place on November 24th and 25th when the boarding team from an Indian Naval ship successfully intercepted both vessels. This operation culminated in the remarkable seizure of approximately 500 kilograms of crystal meth.

In addition to the initial naval deployment, an extra ship was sent to reinforce the operation, ensuring that it was fortified against any unexpected developments. The seized drugs, along with the two fishing boats and their crew members, will be handed over to Sri Lankan authorities for legal proceedings, as part of the ongoing collaborative efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

This operation mirrors a previous incident earlier in the month, where a joint effort by the Indian Navy, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) unit of the Gujarat Police resulted in the seizure of around 700 kg of drugs from an Iranian boat off the coast of Porbandar. These incidents underscore the vigilant stance taken by Indian maritime forces in addressing the growing threat of drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean region.

In a significant step towards community development and youth empowerment in the remote border areas of India, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Changthang Football initiative, successfully organized a football tournament for local children. The event took place at the Chumathang Astro Turf and brought together over 120 talented young players from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the unifying power of sports in fostering camaraderie and teamwork.

The tournament was characterized by high levels of enthusiasm, skill, and team spirit among the participants. The Fire and Fury Corps, responsible for overseeing the event, aims to nurture local talent through various long-term initiatives. These include organizing sports training camps, improving sports infrastructure, and fostering collaborations with local schools to promote physical fitness and competitive spirit.

Through its Operation Sadbhavana, the Indian Army is making substantial contributions to the socio-economic development of the Ladakh region. This operation focuses on empowering the younger generation by providing them with the necessary tools to succeed not only in life but also in sports. The General Officer Commanding of the Uniform Force presided over the final event, emphasizing the army’s commitment to uplifting the youth of Ladakh. “Our aim is to empower the youth of Ladakh, not just through education but by instilling confidence and teamwork via sports,” he stated.

The tournament served as a vital platform for children in remote areas to discover their potential, hone their skills, and aspire for greater achievements. The event concluded on a celebratory note with an award ceremony, where trophies and medals were distributed to honor the exceptional talent and spirit displayed by the participants. The successful execution of this tournament not only highlighted the capabilities of the local youth but also set a precedent for future initiatives aimed at building a brighter future for the younger generation of Ladakh.

In the coming months, the Indian Army and its partners are expected to roll out more such events, continuing to inspire and develop the potential of children in this strategically important region.

In a significant move to modernize and enhance the training of its personnel, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled an innovative online learning platform called ‘Eklavya’. This initiative aligns with the Indian Army’s larger vision of embarking on a ‘Decade of Transformation’ as well as its theme for the year 2024, designated as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption’.

The ‘Eklavya’ platform, which has been launched on the Army Data Network, boasts a scalable architecture designed to facilitate a seamless integration of various training establishments within the Indian Army. This integration aims to deliver a broad spectrum of courses to its personnel, allowing student officers to register for multiple courses simultaneously. Currently, the platform features 96 courses developed by 17 Category ‘A’ Training Establishments of the Indian Army.

The courses available on the ‘Eklavya’ platform are categorized into three distinct types. The first category, known as ‘Pre-Course Preparatory Capsules,’ provides study materials aligned with the physical courses offered at various Category ‘A’ training centers. This strategic shift aims to enhance the richness of the physical training experience by ensuring that the foundational aspects of various subjects are covered online, thereby allowing more time for contemporary and application-focused content in face-to-face courses.

The defence ministry highlighted that this model not only decongests the existing courses but also creates time to incorporate emerging concepts reflecting the evolving nature of warfare. Importantly, student officers will have the flexibility to enroll in any course throughout their service period.

The second category comprises “appointment or specific assignment-related courses.” Upon receiving new postings, officers in specialized roles often require on-the-job training to become fully functional in their positions. This category caters to those engaged in fields such as information warfare, financial planning, and veteran affairs, enabling them to undertake online capsule courses relevant to their new roles upon receiving their posting orders. This advance preparation is anticipated to enhance their operational effectiveness and efficiency right from the outset.

The third type of courses available is referred to as the ‘Professional Development Suite.’ This includes subjects such as Strategy, Operational Art, Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, Finance, and the exploration of Emerging Technologies. These offerings are designed to foster continuous professional military education among army officers.

Officials from the defence ministry expressed confidence that the ‘Eklavya’ platform will substantially contribute to ongoing military education, alleviate the burden on physical courses, prepare officers for specialized assignments, and promote domain specialization in various fields.

Developed under the guidance of Headquarters Army Training Command and sponsored by the Army War College, the ‘Eklavya’ platform has been created at no financial cost, thanks to the efforts of the Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) in Gandhinagar, in collaboration with the Directorate General of Information Systems. This initiative marks a key step in the Indian Army’s commitment to harnessing technological advancements for the professional growth of its officers.