NEWS 20-02-2019. NEWS FOR 22-FEB (FRIDAY) 1) 40 CRPF personnel were martyred in J&K’s Pulwama district when a terrorist rammed an explosive laden car into the bus. Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan based terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack. · 2) In a major boost for the Indian Air Force’s unmanned warfare capability, the Defence Ministry has approved 54 Israeli HAROP attack drones which can crash into high-value military targets to destroy them completely. It is an anti- radiation drone that can autonomously home in on Radio emissions. The drone itself is the main munition. · 3) India is all set to produce 7.5 lakh Kalashnikov rifles in a joint venture with Russia. The AK-203, a derivative of the AK-47 will be manufactured by the Ordinance Factory Board in a joint venture with a Russian firm. The new rifles will be used by the troops deployed at the borders and will replace the INSAS rifles which were inducted in 1978. · 4) The Indian Air Force is in advance talks with Russia for an urgent procurement of MiG-29 fighters that can be delivered promptly. The plan is to acquire 21 aircrafts to make a new squadron of MiG 29 jets which have been kept mothballed by Russia. · 5) In a major boost for the operational capabilities of the Indian Airforce, American aerospace major, Boeing has delivered the first batch of 4 Chinook helicopters to India. The heavy-lift helicopters will be used by the Air Force to move & transport troops, cargo, artillery, ammunition supplies and equipment across the length & breadth of the country. · 6) The UK home secretary has ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya over allegations of £1bn fraud. The UK home secretary noted that Vijay Mallya, a Fugitive Economic Offender is accused in India of conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering offences. 7) Azim Premji, Chairman of Wipro Ltd will be felicitated with the Ernst & Young Lifetime Achievement Award. EY is a multinational professional services firm and is one of the “Big Four” accounting firms. · 8) India’s Mithali Raj became the first woman to play 200 ODI matches with her 200th match appearance against New Zealand. < < Back