A T-72 tank of the Army deployed in eastern Ladakh (file pic). Photo courtesy: MoD

Ajay Banerjee

DURING the ongoing military stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh, the 1 Strike Corps of the Indian Army — headquartered at Mathura and tasked westwards — was given a mandate along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Hundreds of tanks and infantry combat vehicles — colloquially known by their Russian brand name ‘BMP’— were moved from the plains to the LAC.

For years, regiments of BMPs and tanks have been positioned on the plateau of eastern Ladakh and northern Sikkim. The stand-off forced fresh inductions since the Army assessed that “threats on the northern borders are likely to remain in the foreseeable future”.

Learning a lesson from the stand-off, the Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry of the Army are undergoing their biggest transformation in decades. Former Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (retd), says, “The Indian armed forces have built requisite capabilities and enhanced capacities to deter China’s aggressive behaviour along the LAC.”

A series of changes include equipping the regiments with drones that can function as a swarm, addition of loitering ammunition, beyond-line-of-sight guided missiles, systems to bring down enemy drones, swifter and more powerful tanks, specialised high-altitude tanks, new generation armoured vehicles and missile launchers, besides better anti-tank guided munitions (ATGM).

The infusion of greater technology and precision strike capability will keep the armoured and mechanised forces relevant as ‘new’ airborne threats like drones and loitering ammunitions have emerged. Former Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh (retd) says the “focus has to be on boosting protection against top attack (from air); tanks need to have agility and imaginative dispersed deployment”.

Loitering ammunition

It can stay up for a specified period and be programmed and controlled from the ground to hit specific targets at the desired time. The plan is to acquire a canister launch system that will be integrated on the ‘BMP-2’.

Swarm drones

The two arms of the Army are now getting niche technology — one of them is ‘swarm drones’ sourced from two Indian start-ups. Swarm drones consist of a number of drones controlled from the ground station that can carry a variety of ammunition. They are capable of overwhelming enemy defences. Tests have been carried out in Ladakh.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) allows a swarm of drones to communicate with one another and also the control station. AI-based ‘swarming algorithms’ enable the drones to automatically distribute tasks among themselves to target the enemy equipment on ground like artillery, air defence equipment, command and control centres and vehicles.

AI-based targeted attack

The Army has also initiated a case for drones that can autonomously do surveillance and also be armed to launch a strike when needed. This includes operations in high-altitude areas like Siachen, eastern Ladakh and Sikkim.

Known within the Army as the Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), it enables beyond-line-of-sight attack. The surveillance drone will fix targets and launch smart munitions automatically on identified targets for a precision kill. Artificial Intelligence ensures recognition and differentiation between targets like tanks, gun positions, vehicles and humans.

These are to be integrated with tank formations.

The ISR punch

Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) will provide a better picture to commanders on the ground in case of a conflict. These will use mini-UAVs, specialised equipment to ‘see through armour’, and autonomous combat vehicle — the last one being a ground-based unmanned vehicle that can be sent ahead to tackle the enemy. “Fuel cell and alternate fuel-based technologies are being worked on to ensure a system that allows for silent overwatch,” said a senior Army official.

An AI-based surveillance system allows for an alarm to be triggered in case of unusual movement, facilitating faster decision-making. Gen Bhatia adds: “High-altitude warfare now includes light tanks, drones, loitering ammunition, night-fighting capability, better surveillance, well equipped and armed soldiers and long-range artillery guns.”

New light tank, Zorawar

After the recent experiences along eastern Ladakh, the Army is looking at an indigenous light tank in the range of 25 tonnes. Named ‘Zorawar’ — after Zorawar Singh, the Dogra General who captured Ladakh in 1834 — the tank is being designed to be transportable in a C-17 plane of the Indian Air Force for rapid deployment.

Zorawar will have niche technologies to include artificial integration, drone integration, and have a high degree of situational awareness. “The next generation of tanks is to be based on minimising radar signature, enhanced agility and countering drones,” says Gen KJ Singh.

China has inducted a large number of medium and light tanks. In contrast, the Indian Army had to induct a considerable number of T-72 and T-90 tanks (weighing 41 tonnes and 46 tonnes, respectively) in operational areas. “These helped in gaining tactical surprise. However, these tanks were primarily designed for operations in plains,” said a serving officer.

Future tanks

The Army has a considerable fleet of battle tanks consisting of T-72s, T-90s and Arjun. While the T-72s have been the main battle tank of the Armoured Corps for close to 40 years, the time has come for induction of modern tanks

The target is a state-of-the-art future ready combat vehicle (FRCV) as future conflicts are estimated to be intense, fast-paced and multi-dimensional.

It will carry niche technologies to include AI, drone integration, a protection system, have a high degree of awareness about the battlefield and be capable of operating with the unmanned ground vehicles.

“FRCV will be able to integrate itself with all war-waging platforms on land and in air while being seamlessly networked with each other,” a senior officer said. FRCV will be inducted in a phased manner from 2030.

The main battle tank, the Arjun MK-1A, is a technological improvement over the Arjun inducted a decade ago. This version will carry 71 new features, and is all set to acquire missile-firing capability from its main gun. The missile firing from the main gun has been tested successfully.

The tank would ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, besides precise target engagement during day and night. The Army has placed an order for 118 Arjun MK-1As.

Mechanised forces’ changes

In the past four decades, the Mechanised Infantry has been employed in conventional and unconventional operations and terrains — in the high-altitude areas of eastern Ladakh and Sikkim to the deserts of Rajasthan and plains of Punjab.

For Mechanised Infantry, the target is replacement of vintage equipment with futuristic platforms, and capability enhancement of existing equipment through upgrades.

One of the biggest changes is an indigenous engine. It’s being trial-evaluated. Multiple projects are also being progressed for better survivability, modern navigation aids, effective communication and critical operational logistic requirements.

A futuristic infantry combat vehicle (FICV) is to replace the existing lot of BMP-2s. The project is all set for getting an approval from the Ministry of Defence.

The Mechanised Infantry is getting lethal capability beyond visual range (BVR); this includes automatic 30-mm cannon and co-axially mounted 7.62-mm machine gun to engage aerial targets.

Changes in tank formations

• Niche technologies to include AI, drone integration, higher situational awareness and ability to work with unmanned teams.
• It will synchronise with technological advancements to dodge and negate enemy surveillance systems, counter aerial threats and enhance own survivability.
• Arjun MK-1A tanks will have 71 new features, and have missile firing capability from its main gun. 118 Arjun MK-1As have been ordered.
• Indigenous light tank ‘Zorawar’ is designed to operate in varying terrain. Niche technologies will include AI and drones.
• The future ready combat vehicle (FRCV) is targeted for induction in 2030. It will be a force-multiplier for future conflicts, which are expected to be multi-dimensional.

About the Mechanised Infantry modernisation plan

• Acquisition of contemporary, adaptable and niche technology, along with interoperability with other arms.
• Replacement and new acquisition of equipment capability enhancement include night ops, better lethality, firepower, ISR (intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance).
• State-of-art missiles & lethal capability beyond visual range.
• Fire and forget ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles).
• Futuristic infantry combat vehicle to replace BMP-2.
• Nag Missile System (NAMIS): MoD okayed 13 such systems and 293 Nag missiles this July.
• Infantry combat vehicle — command and control platform. 177 such vehicles okayed.
• Wheeled armoured fighting vehicle — 105 okayed.
• Light armoured multi-purpose vehicle with enhanced mobility and protection for platoon to replace Maruti Gypsy

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 7

In a move that will help Indian students offset the falling value of the rupee and combat inflation, Canada has allowed international students to work over 20 hours per week off-campus while the class is in session. This is being permitted as a temporary measure from November 15, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

At present, international students in Canada can work off-campus during their studies for up to 20 hours per week. This limit is lifted during scheduled breaks such as the summer and winter holidays.

This measure will allow over five lakh eligible international students already in Canada to potentially work more hours. Aimed at alleviating labour shortages, it will also apply to those who have already submitted a study permit application, announced Immigration Minister Sean Fraser in Ottawa on Friday.

Fraser said Canada has already processed more than 4.52 lakh study permit applications since January, a 23 per cent increase compared to the 3.67 lakh processed over the same period last year.

In 2021, Canada had over 6.20 lakh of which one-third were from India.

This policy allows international students to support themselves financially while also seeking to ensure that they remain focused on completing their studies rather than be focused on working in Canada. Facing nearly 10 lakh job vacancies, however, has resulted in the Canadian government easing this rule for just over a year.

Canada has been banking on international students as a key channel for permanent residents in recent years and most of the 4.05 lakh immigrants given citizenship last year were from this category.

According to research reports, most of the foreign students are interested in remaining in Canada as permanent residents after completing their studies.

According to Statistics Canada, international students who get permanent residence tend to integrate quickly into the Canadian labour market due to their previous experience of living in the country on visas.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) already offers a Post-Graduation Work Permit which allows work for three years for any employer of their choice.

In September, Fraser had proposed a strategy on helping more temporary residents gain permanent residence which will be incorporated in the new Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 to be unveiled on November 1.  

India has conveyed its ob[1]jections to the US over the recent visit to Pakistan[1]Occupied-Kashmir by the American Ambassador to Islamabad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. India also took objections to the US ambassador to Pakistan holding some meetings in PoK. “We have con[1]veyed our objections to the visit,” MEA spokes[1]person Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing. He also said rights of people in China’s Xin[1]jiang region should be “respected and guaran[1]teed” but noted that its decision to abstain from a resolution on the con[1]cerns at the UN human rights commission was in line with the practice of not voting on country[1]specific resolutions. It is for the first time that India clearly called for respecting the human rights of the people of Xinjiang Uyghur autono[1]mous region. “The human rights of the people of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region should be re[1]spected and guaranteed. We hope that the rel[1]evant party will address the situation objectively and properly,” External Affairs Ministry spokes[1]person Arindam Bagchi said. His comments came at a media briefing when asked about India’s ab[1]stention at the UN rights body on the resolution calling for a debate on the human rights situ[1]ation in Xinjiang. PTI

DAVID KLEPPER Russia has devised yet another way to spread disin[1]formation about its invasion of Ukraine, using digital tricks that allow its war propaganda videos to evade restrictions imposed by governments and tech companies. Accounts linked to Rus[1]sian state-controlled media have used the new method to spread dozens of videos in 18 different languages, all with[1]out leaving telltale signs that would give away the source, researchers at Nisos, a U.S.- based intelligence firm that tracks disinformation and other cyber threats, said in a report released Wednesday. The videos push Kremlin conspiracy theories blaming Ukraine for civilian casualties as well as claims that residents of areas forcibly annexed by Russia have welcomed their occupiers. English-language versions of the Russian propaganda videos are now circulating on Twitter and lesser-known platforms popular with American con[1]servatives, including Gab and Truth Social, created by former President Donald Trump, giv[1]ing Russia a direct conduit to millions of people. In an indication of the Kremlin’s ambitions and the sprawling reach of its disinfor[1]mation operations, versions of the videos were also created in Spanish, Italian, German and more than a dozen other languages. “The genius of this ap[1]proach is that the videos can be downloaded directly from Telegram and it erases the trail that researchers try to fol[1]low,” Nisos’ senior intelligence analyst Patricia Bailey told The Associated Press. “They are creative and adaptable. And they are analyzing their audience.” The European Union moved to ban RT and Sputnik, two of Russia’s leading state-run me[1]dia outlets, after Russia’s inva[1]sion of Ukraine in late Febru[1]ary. Tech companies such as Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram also announced they would ban content from the outlets within the 27-nation EU, undermin[1]ing Russia’s ability to spread its propaganda. Russian attempts to get around the new rules began almost immediately. New websites were created to host videos that make debunked claims about the war. Rus[1]sian diplomats took on some of the work. The latest effort revealed by analysts at Nisos involved uploading propaganda videos to Telegram, a loosely moder[1]ated platform that is broadly popular in Eastern Europe and used by many conservatives in the United States. In some cases, watermarks identify[1]ing the video as RT’s were removed in a further attempt to disguise their source. Once on Telegram, the vid[1]eos were downloaded and reposted on platforms includ[1]ing Twitter without any labels or other indications that the video was produced by Rus[1]sian state media. Hundreds of accounts that later posted or reposted the videos were linked by Nisos researchers to the Russian military, embas[1]sies or state media. Some of the accounts ap[1]peared to use fake profile photos or posted content in strange ways that suggested they were inauthentic. One example: a Twitter account supposedly run by a woman living in Japan that had a singular interest in Rus[1]sian propaganda. Instead of posting about a variety of topics such as entertainment, food, travel or family, the ac[1]count user only posted Rus[1]sian propaganda videos — and not just in Japanese, but also in Farsi, Polish, Spanish and Russian. The account also cited or reposted content from Russian embassies hundreds of times, researchers found, showing again the close relationship between Russian diplomats and the country’s propaganda work. When it comes to Russia’s overall disinformation capabil[1]ities, Bailey said, the network is “just one piece of a puzzle that is quite large.” Twitter labels content that it can identify as coming from Russian state media. Since late February, the company says it’s added labels to more than 900,000 different Tweets that contained links to Russian state outlets like RT. In ad[1]dition, the platform does not artificially promote content from state media accounts. “We use labels to make it clear on Twitter when an ac[1]count is operated by a state actor, such as a state-backed media outlet, and we will not recommend or amplify Tweets from these types of accounts,” a company spokesperson told The AP. PTI I ndia has once again sent out a clear message to Pakistan that there can be no talks without Pakistan dismantling the terrorist infrastructure which it has built over the years and has been using it relentlessly against this country under its pernicious policy of inflicting a thousand cuts. Addressing a rally in Kashmir valley, which was his first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah bluntly ruled out any dialogue unless Pakistan changed its behaviour and junked the policy of state terrorism. In his speech, Shah said that some people had been suggesting to him that he should talk to Pakistan. But he was clear on this issue. “I don’t want to talk to Pakistan. I would talk to Gujjars and Paharis of Baramulla. I will talk to the youth of Kashmir. They (Pakistan) have spread terrorism here. What good have they done for Kashmir.” Shah used a large part of his 25-minute speech to slam the “three families that have ruled Kashmir for 70 years”. While the BJP leaders have often hit out at the families of Abdullahs and Muftis, it was for the first time that Shah brought Gandhis too in the line of his attack. He said he saw a tweet of Mehbooba (Mufti) ji. She had said that the Home Minister should go back only after giving account of what they have given to Kashmir,” Shah said. “Mehbooba ji, listen with open ears and eyes, what we have done, I will give its account but what you and Farooq (Abdullah) sahib have done, you should give that account later… I have come here to ask you, Mehbooba and Farooq sahib, tell us how much investment has come to Kashmir in 70 years, how many industries have been set up, how many factories have been opened and how many youth have been given employment. (There has been an investment of) only 15,000 crore in 70 years. In three years, Modi ji brought an investment of 56,000 crore”. The Home Minister said the Modi government’s “achieve[1]ment” was to take democracy to the grassroots in J&K. “Before that democracy was limited to 87 legislators, six parliamentarians and three families – Mufti family, Abdul[1]lah family and Gandhi family,” he claimed. “We have taken it to villages, to 30000 panches and sarpanches.” He also subbed the National Conference (NC) as “Abdul[1]lahs and sons” and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “Mufti and company”. Shah said that they gave stones and guns in the hands of Kashmiri youth. “Modi ji brought industry here and gave mobiles and laptops in their (youth’s) hands.” He went on to say that there were two models: Modi ji’s model of development, peace and employment and Gupkar model. Gupkar model gave Pulwama attack. Modi model gave a Rs 2,000 crore hospital to Pulwama. Gupkar model gave stones and machine guns in youth’s hands and closed colleges whereas the Modi model gave IIMs, IITs, AIIMS, NIFTs and NEET.” The Home Minister also pointed out that 42,000 people have been killed in J&K due to terrorism since the start of militancy in 1990. “Who is responsible for the deaths of these 42,000 people? The three families, who ruled Kashmir for 70 years, are responsible,” he alleged. “You know the most difficult thing is to shoulder the coffin of your son. 42,000 people have been killed here. Has the son of any leader been killed ever? We want that the fear of separatism should go away from Kashmir, terrorism should go away and Kashmir becomes the paradise of India.” Kashmir was a “hotspot of terrorism” earlier, but had now turned into a “hotspot of tourism” under the BJP dis[1]pensation. In the past, six lakh tourists would visit Kashmir annually,” he said. “I have come here in October – 22 lakh tourists have already visited Kashmir so far this year, and it has given employment to five lakh youth.” Shah listed the developmental works undertaken by the Centre in J&K since 2014 and highlighted the setting up of new medical colleges announced during the Manmohan Singh government, electricity to every village, free health cards to the people among its key achievements. Terrorism in J&K has virtually ended, appealing to its people to join the mainstream. The Modi government wouldn’t tolerate terrorism, he said, exhorting the people to come and join the mainstream and be part of development. SPIRITUAL WORLD DISCLAIMER: The opinions ex[1]pressed in the articles published in these columns are the personal opinions of the authors. The facts and opinions appearing in the articles do not reflect the views of Bright Punjab Express and Bright Punjab Express does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

Message to Pakistan Russia finding new ways to spread propaganda videos DAVID KLEPPER Russia has devised yet another way to spread disin[1]formation about its invasion of Ukraine, using digital tricks that allow its war propaganda videos to evade restrictions imposed by governments and tech companies. Accounts linked to Rus[1]sian state-controlled media have used the new method to spread dozens of videos in 18 different languages, all with[1]out leaving telltale signs that would give away the source, researchers at Nisos, a U.S.- based intelligence firm that tracks disinformation and other cyber threats, said in a report released Wednesday. The videos push Kremlin conspiracy theories blaming Ukraine for civilian casualties as well as claims that residents of areas forcibly annexed by Russia have welcomed their occupiers. English-language versions of the Russian propaganda videos are now circulating on Twitter and lesser-known platforms popular with American con[1]servatives, including Gab and Truth Social, created by former President Donald Trump, giv[1]ing Russia a direct conduit to millions of people. In an indication of the Kremlin’s ambitions and the sprawling reach of its disinfor[1]mation operations, versions of the videos were also created in Spanish, Italian, German and more than a dozen other languages. “The genius of this ap[1]proach is that the videos can be downloaded directly from Telegram and it erases the trail that researchers try to fol[1]low,” Nisos’ senior intelligence analyst Patricia Bailey told The Associated Press. “They are creative and adaptable. And they are analyzing their audience.” The European Union moved to ban RT and Sputnik, two of Russia’s leading state-run me[1]dia outlets, after Russia’s inva[1]sion of Ukraine in late Febru[1]ary. Tech companies such as Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram also announced they would ban content from the outlets within the 27-nation EU, undermin[1]ing Russia’s ability to spread its propaganda. Russian attempts to get around the new rules began almost immediately. New websites were created to host videos that make debunked claims about the war. Rus[1]sian diplomats took on some of the work. The latest effort revealed by analysts at Nisos involved uploading propaganda videos to Telegram, a loosely moder[1]ated platform that is broadly popular in Eastern Europe and used by many conservatives in the United States. In some cases, watermarks identify[1]ing the video as RT’s were removed in a further attempt to disguise their source. Once on Telegram, the vid[1]eos were downloaded and reposted on platforms includ[1]ing Twitter without any labels or other indications that the video was produced by Rus[1]sian state media. Hundreds of accounts that later posted or reposted the videos were linked by Nisos researchers to the Russian military, embas[1]sies or state media. Some of the accounts ap[1]peared to use fake profile photos or posted content in strange ways that suggested they were inauthentic. One example: a Twitter account supposedly run by a woman living in Japan that had a singular interest in Rus[1]sian propaganda. Instead of posting about a variety of topics such as entertainment, food, travel or family, the ac[1]count user only posted Rus[1]sian propaganda videos — and not just in Japanese, but also in Farsi, Polish, Spanish and Russian. The account also cited or reposted content from Russian embassies hundreds of times, researchers found, showing again the close relationship between Russian diplomats and the country’s propaganda work. When it comes to Russia’s overall disinformation capabil[1]ities, Bailey said, the network is “just one piece of a puzzle that is quite large.” Twitter labels content that it can identify as coming from Russian state media. Since late February, the company says it’s added labels to more than 900,000 different Tweets that contained links to Russian state outlets like RT. In ad[1]dition, the platform does not artificially promote content from state media accounts. “We use labels to make it clear on Twitter when an ac[1]count is operated by a state actor, such as a state-backed media outlet, and we will not recommend or amplify Tweets from these types of accounts,” a company spokesperson told The AP. PTI I ndia has once again sent out a clear message to Pakistan that there can be no talks without Pakistan dismantling the terrorist infrastructure which it has built over the years and has been using it relentlessly against this country under its pernicious policy of inflicting a thousand cuts. Addressing a rally in Kashmir valley, which was his first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah bluntly ruled out any dialogue unless Pakistan changed its behaviour and junked the policy of state terrorism. In his speech, Shah said that some people had been suggesting to him that he should talk to Pakistan. But he was clear on this issue. “I don’t want to talk to Pakistan. I would talk to Gujjars and Paharis of Baramulla. I will talk to the youth of Kashmir. They (Pakistan) have spread terrorism here. What good have they done for Kashmir.” Shah used a large part of his 25-minute speech to slam the “three families that have ruled Kashmir for 70 years”. While the BJP leaders have often hit out at the families of Abdullahs and Muftis, it was for the first time that Shah brought Gandhis too in the line of his attack. He said he saw a tweet of Mehbooba (Mufti) ji. She had said that the Home Minister should go back only after giving account of what they have given to Kashmir,” Shah said. “Mehbooba ji, listen with open ears and eyes, what we have done, I will give its account but what you and Farooq (Abdullah) sahib have done, you should give that account later… I have come here to ask you, Mehbooba and Farooq sahib, tell us how much investment has come to Kashmir in 70 years, how many industries have been set up, how many factories have been opened and how many youth have been given employment. (There has been an investment of) only 15,000 crore in 70 years. In three years, Modi ji brought an investment of 56,000 crore”. The Home Minister said the Modi government’s “achieve[1]ment” was to take democracy to the grassroots in J&K. “Before that democracy was limited to 87 legislators, six parliamentarians and three families – Mufti family, Abdul[1]lah family and Gandhi family,” he claimed. “We have taken it to villages, to 30000 panches and sarpanches.” He also subbed the National Conference (NC) as “Abdul[1]lahs and sons” and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as “Mufti and company”. Shah said that they gave stones and guns in the hands of Kashmiri youth. “Modi ji brought industry here and gave mobiles and laptops in their (youth’s) hands.” He went on to say that there were two models: Modi ji’s model of development, peace and employment and Gupkar model. Gupkar model gave Pulwama attack. Modi model gave a Rs 2,000 crore hospital to Pulwama. Gupkar model gave stones and machine guns in youth’s hands and closed colleges whereas the Modi model gave IIMs, IITs, AIIMS, NIFTs and NEET.” The Home Minister also pointed out that 42,000 people have been killed in J&K due to terrorism since the start of militancy in 1990. “Who is responsible for the deaths of these 42,000 people? The three families, who ruled Kashmir for 70 years, are responsible,” he alleged. “You know the most difficult thing is to shoulder the coffin of your son. 42,000 people have been killed here. Has the son of any leader been killed ever? We want that the fear of separatism should go away from Kashmir, terrorism should go away and Kashmir becomes the paradise of India.” Kashmir was a “hotspot of terrorism” earlier, but had now turned into a “hotspot of tourism” under the BJP dis[1]pensation. In the past, six lakh tourists would visit Kashmir annually,” he said. “I have come here in October – 22 lakh tourists have already visited Kashmir so far this year, and it has given employment to five lakh youth.” Shah listed the developmental works undertaken by the Centre in J&K since 2014 and highlighted the setting up of new medical colleges announced during the Manmohan Singh government, electricity to every village, free health cards to the people among its key achievements. Terrorism in J&K has virtually ended, appealing to its people to join the mainstream. The Modi government wouldn’t tolerate terrorism, he said, exhorting the people to come and join the mainstream and be part of development