Current Events :
Jammu, December 14
A ‘Clean Indus, Green Indus’ initiative was undertaken by the Army in which 250 soldiers and 100 members of local community carried out cleaning of Indus River banks in Leh.
The cleaning was carried out over a 3-km stretch of the river banks. Discarded plastic, polythene bags and bottles were removed, resulting in the collection of three truckloads of garbage.
The campaign was aimed to raise awareness among the community, tourists and school children about the importance of keeping the water bodies clean.
“Army’s initiative was well received and appreciated by all present, with the slogan ‘Jawan Aur Awam Hasil Hai Muqam’ (Soldier and citizen, together we achieve success) resonating throughout the event,” an official spokesperson said.
Chandigarh, December 14
Punjab’s Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla was lauded for confronting one of the two intruders who jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery on Wednesday.
“Singh is King” Awesome Aujla, my brave colleague, who confronted the intruder in the Lok Sabha, wrote Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor in a post on X.
Speaking to reporters, Congress MP Aujla said, “I had just finished raising an issue when two people jumped into the House chamber. One of them was moving towards the Chair when Hanuman Beniwal caught him.”
“When we rushed to catch the second person, I saw he had something in his hand, which he started waving. We snatched it from him and threw it out for the safety of the members as it was releasing a gas.”
“The two protesters were raising slogans like ‘tanashahi band karo (stop dictatorship)…They have given a big message. The government should pay attention,” he added.
The two visitors jumped into the chamber from the public gallery at around 1 pm. While one was spotted jumping over the benches, the other was left dangling from the gallery before jumping into the chamber.
Imphal, December 14
The bodies of 64 victims of the Manipur violence lying in morgues since ethnic clashes broke out in the state in May were handed over to their families under tight security, officials said here on Thursday.
According to a report by Supreme Court-constituted committee to look into the violence, 175 deaths were reported during the clashes and 169 victims were identified.
The bodies of 60 members of the Kuki community, which were kept in the JNIMS and RIMS hospitals here, were airlifted amid tight security arrangements put in place by the Manipur Police and the Army’s Assam Rifles unit.
Four bodies of Meiteis that were lying at a morgue in Churachandpur were also brought to Imphal and handed over to their families for the last rites, the officials said.
In a statement, the Committee on Tribal Unity said the burial of the “fallen KukiZo brethren” would be held on Friday. The organisation called for a 12-hour shutdown within Sadar Hills Kangpokpi on Friday for the funeral services.
Peshawar, December 12
At least 23 soldiers were killed on Tuesday when militants linked to a Pakistani Taliban affiliate rammed an explosive-laden truck into a security forces’ post in restive Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, the army said.
The Inter-Services Public Relations — the media wing of the army — said that the terrorists rammed the explosive-laden vehicle after their attempts to gain entry were ‘effectively thwarted’ in the unruly Dera Ismail Khan district bordering the South Waziristan tribal district.
The attack was followed by another suicide attack, leading to the collapse of the building, causing multiple casualties.
At least 23 soldiers were killed as a group of six terrorists attacked the security forces’ checkpost in Dera Ismail Khan’s Daraban area in the early hours of December 12, the army said.
All the attackers were killed by the security forces while fresh contingents of police were rushed to the site, and a subsequent search operation was launched, officials said.
The Tehrik-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a newly formed militant group that is an affiliate of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack.
TJP spokesperson Mullah Qasim termed the attack a “suicide mission” (Fidayein).
The toll is expected to rise as several injured are critical, police said.
An emergency was declared in district hospitals while all schools and colleges were closed due to the attack.
The terror organisation has been behind some major attacks in Pakistan.
On November 4, the TJP militants attacked the Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali Training Air Base, some 300 km from Lahore, damaging three grounded aircraft. All the attackers were killed in the army operation, which came a day after 17 soldiers were killed in three separate terror strikes in the country.
In July this year, the TJP militants attacked Zhob Garrison in the restive Balochistan province, killing four soldiers and wounding five others.
Pakistan has been facing a rise in violence in the wake of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Throughout this year, terrorists and separatists have been targeting security forces in Pakistan.
The terrorists have repeatedly attacked the security and military installations in Pakistan.
In September 2015, Taliban gunmen killed 29 people, including 16 praying in a mosque, when they stormed Badaber air base, close to the northwestern city of Peshawar. It was the deadliest Taliban attack on a military installation in Pakistan’s history. Among those killed were 22 serving officials of the Pakistan Air Force, four civilians and three army soldiers responding to the attack. The 13 gunmen were also killed in the attack.
In May 2011, 15 terrorists belonging to TTP and Al Qaeda attacked PNS Mehran, the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy’s Naval Air Arm, located in Sindh and killed 18 military personnel and wounded 16. Two American-built surveillance aircraft were also destroyed.
IAF officials stated that the integrity of the boundary wall remains intact while denying any breach in security at the Air Force Station Hindon following the discovery of a suspicious pit
The Indian Air Force (IAF) officials have denied any breach in security at the Air Force Station Hindon following the discovery of a suspicious pit adjacent to the boundary wall. Addressing concerns, they stated that the integrity of the boundary wall remains intact, and the reported hole is under investigation by local police.
“There has been no breach in security at AF Station Hindon. The integrity of the boundary wall is intact. The reasons behind the small hole observed on the outermost boundary wall from the outside are being investigated by the local police. The location of the dug-up area is towards the outside of the Perimeter wall of the Air Force station. The complete perimeter wall, including this particular area, is covered by the CCTV cameras,” IAF officials clarified, as per news agency ANI.
The discovery of a four-foot deep and wide pit adjacent to the strategically significant Hindon airbase raised concerns. Local police expressed the possibility of an infiltration attempt and promptly initiated an investigation, registering a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter, news agency PTI reported.
The pit was noticed near Iqbal Colony, and locals reported the finding to the Teela More police station on Sunday night. Responding swiftly, both police and Air Force officials examined the pit, with the latter filing an FIR.
Trans Hindon Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shubham Patel, said, “It could be the case of somebody trying to dig a tunnel to enter the premises”, as quoted by PTI. He added that the police are investigating the incident from various angles, acknowledging the possibility of an infiltration attempt by anti-national elements or a terrorist outfit.
The pit has been temporarily filled with mud and soil, and authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance. The Hindon airbase, located just 10-12 kilometers from Delhi, is the largest airbase in Asia and falls under the Western Air Command.
New Delhi: In a major boost to the firepower of soldiers, the Indian Army will get 70,000 more Sig Sauer assault rifles which will be given to troops deployed in counterterrorism operations and other duties.
lThe approval for the procurement was given at a high-level meeting of the Defence Ministry held recently and attended by the top brass of the military, government sources said.
The approval for the Indian Army to buy more than 70,000 of these assault rifles worth over Rs 800 crore has come at a time when the forces are deployed in a military standoff with China and are carrying out extensive counterterrorism operations along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir against Pakistan-sponsored terrorist activities, they said.
India has already indicted over 70,000 of these American-made assault rifles, which are being used by forces in the Ladakh sector along the China front and also in Kashmir valley.
The plan to buy these rifles was taken by the force initially as it wanted to have a rifle with a longer range.
In February 2019, 72,400 SiG 716 rifles — 66,400 for the Army, 4,000 for the Air Force and 2,000 for the Navy — of 7.62 x 51mm calibre were bought from SIG Sauer of the US.
The SiG-716 assault rifle was chosen by the force of several candidates because of its high calibre and extended range.
It is also reportedly more lethal than the INSAS Rifle or the AK-47 and its variants in the service.
The Indian forces are also going to soon get the AK-203 being produced by the joint venture between two companies in the ordnance factory near Amethi.
Indian forces have recently also acquired the Russian AK-103 in significant numbers to bolster their capabilities against terrorists and for conventional operations.
Sachin Mittal
Cholesterol is a fatty, waxy substance needed for cell formation and production of various hormones like cortisol, sex hormone, etc, and Vitamin D. It is carried in the blood by protein particles called lipoproteins. Based on the density, these can be LDL (low density lipoprotein), HDL (high density lipoprotein) and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein).
What’s good cholesterol and bad cholesterol
LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’, as it’s popularly known, deposits in the walls of blood vessels, causing their clogging and blockage. HDL or ‘good cholesterol’ transports cholesterol from cells to the liver, lowering the risk of heart disease. Thus, it prevents the clogging phenomenon.
Myths about cholesterol
a) Only obese people can have it: Weight is a factor in high cholesterol risk but even people with normal weight or thin persons can have high cholesterol levels.
b) Since I don’t eat junk/unhealthy food, I can’t have it: While a balanced diet is important for controlling cholesterol, other factors such as heredity, exercise and general metabolic health also play a role.
c) Since there are no symptoms, it does not affect me: High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and its effects go unnoticed. Regular monitoring, lifestyle choices and aggressive management are crucial for maintaining good health and preventing the risk of stroke, heart attacks, etc.
d) I cannot do anything to change my cholesterol levels: Lifestyle changes and medication (prescribed by doctor) can positively impact cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health. Consistent adjustments in lifestyle can reduce cholesterol levels and lower cardiovascular disease risk.
Certain foods raise cholesterol
Foods, including saturated and trans-fats in animal products, full-fat dairy, fried foods, baked goods and palm oil, can increase cholesterol levels, particularly LDL. While dietary cholesterol is not as dangerous, certain individuals are more sensitive to it. Therefore, those with high cholesterol should eat egg yolks, red meat, fried foods, butter, etc, in moderation. One large yolk contains 210 mg of dietary cholesterol; the recommended total dietary cholesterol intake is 275 mg per day.
Role of diet and exercise
Food and exercise are crucial for lowering high cholesterol levels. Lifestyle changes include avoiding saturated and trans-fats, eating healthy fats, soluble fibre-rich foods and moderate amounts of legumes like chickpeas, peas, beans and lentils. Regular aerobic exercise can raise HDL levels and improve cardiovascular health. Maintaining a healthy weight is also essential for managing cholesterol levels.
Signs and symptoms
High cholesterol is often a silent condition, often unnoticed until it leads to complications like artery narrowing or cardiovascular events (heart attacks, paralysis, stroke) requiring stenting, bypass surgery, etc. Some individuals may have slight cholesterol deposition in the skin, known as Xanthelasma. Regular health check-ups are must and should include lab parameters, considering factors like family history, metabolic health, age, and co-morbidities. Mental health and stress management should also be addressed during annual check-ups to ensure overall well-being.
People who can develop cholesterol and the risks of having a high, uncontrolled cholesterol
Various factors that raise the risk of increased cholesterol levels include age, gender, family history, irregular physical activity, unhealthy diet, obesity, increased alcohol intake and chronic smoking. People with diabetes are more prone to high cholesterol, leading to risk of silent heart attacks and stroke.
Are men more at risk than women?
Women have lower LDL cholesterol levels before menopause, but the gender gap narrows after menopause, as women have an increasing risk of rising LDL levels. Menopausal hormonal changes, particularly a decrease in estrogen levels, may affect lipid profiles, affecting cardiovascular health. High cholesterol risk is caused by genetic and environmental factors, affecting both men and women.
Understanding cholesterol terms
Total cholesterol is the amount of cholesterol in the blood, containing various lipoproteins that transport cholesterol, including LDL and HDL. A low LDL and a high HDL, even if the total cholesterol is within range, suggest a high risk of heart diseases.
VLDL, a type of lipoprotein, transports triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids and proteins from the liver to tissues.
Cholesterol ratio compares the amounts of different forms of cholesterol in the blood by dividing the total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides, a type of fat, are stored in fat cells and released by hormones for energy between meals. High levels of triglycerides may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Pros and cons of taking statins
Statins are medications that reduce cholesterol production, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke. They are used in patients with a high risk of these conditions and are protective against future events. Treatment should not be stopped on your own once levels are normalised. While statins are generally well-tolerated, they can have side-effects, such as muscle pains and weakness. Severe muscle-related side-effects are rare. However, the benefits of statins outweigh the adverse effects.
— The writer is an endocrinologist with Fortis, Mohali
India has announced it will set up a non-lapsable fund to invest more in the country’s defence modernisation
The fund comes just after the government allocated ₹1.60.000 Crores ($19.4bn) to the modernisation of the armed forces under its February 2023 Union Budget, which marked a 57% rise since 2019/20.
In accordance with the programs, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is expected to add main battle tanks, air defence gun systems, missiles, naval vessels, submarines, multi-role aircraft, transport helicopters, and attack helicopters to its existing fleet.
It also plans to upgrade its C4I2SR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, information, surveillance, and reconnaissance) systems, maritime surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. While the Indian Army’s long delayed Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme is expected to be expedited, the MoD is also anticipated to speed up the Army’s Tactical Communication System program.
Indian defence spending to increase from $80.5bn to $97.7bn between 2024 and 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. This contrasts with the slow CAGR of 3.6% since 2019 largely due to economic constraints.
Modernisation Ahead of Renewed Conflicts
The country’s decision to assign more funds to modernisation reflects the global trend of defence expansion as a means of security in an unstable geopolitical landscape.
India has announced it will set up a non-lapsable fund to invest more in the country’s defence modernisation
The fund comes just after the government allocated ₹1.60.000 Crores ($19.4bn) to the modernisation of the armed forces under its February 2023 Union Budget, which marked a 57% rise since 2019/20.
In accordance with the programs, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is expected to add main battle tanks, air defence gun systems, missiles, naval vessels, submarines, multi-role aircraft, transport helicopters, and attack helicopters to its existing fleet.
It also plans to upgrade its C4I2SR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, information, surveillance, and reconnaissance) systems, maritime surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. While the Indian Army’s long delayed Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme is expected to be expedited, the MoD is also anticipated to speed up the Army’s Tactical Communication System program.
Indian defence spending to increase from $80.5bn to $97.7bn between 2024 and 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. This contrasts with the slow CAGR of 3.6% since 2019 largely due to economic constraints.
Modernisation Ahead of Renewed Conflicts
The country’s decision to assign more funds to modernisation reflects the global trend of defence expansion as a means of security in an unstable geopolitical landscape.
