Latest news with #CentreforResearchandSecurityStudies
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
After DeepSeek, China's JC10 moment
The writer heads the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad. He is currently a visiting Research Fellow at Fudan University, Shanghai Listen to article Amidst the intricate tapestry of Chinese intellectual and academic circles, a distinct sense of pride permeates the nation's achievements. The recent, albeit perilous, Indo-Pak confrontation (May 7-10) serves as a catalyst for this sentiment. As the ongoing war of information and propaganda intensifies, Chinese intellectuals eagerly celebrate the groundbreaking milestones achieved through their technological advancements, particularly in the domains of AI-driven satellites, jet fighters and missiles, in collaboration with the Pakistan Air Force. They find amusement in the spotlight that has been bestowed upon their defence hardware, which emerged triumphant after four days of engagement. Following the DeepSeek, Beijing and Shanghai have experienced a collective sense of triumph akin to the JC10-PL15 Moment for most academics. This moment is fueled by the successful demonstration of their technology, which has garnered widespread attention. An excerpt from The National Interest elucidates the recriminations between the Indian and French governments over access to source codes for the Rafale jets. These events have engendered both anger in India and amusement in Beijing. Chinese social media platforms have been abuzz with these developments, as they find amusement in the circumstances. After all, why should they not? Chinese weapons and warplanes exceeded expectations during the conflict. When news emerged of India's inability to access Dassault's source code, coinciding with India's capture of an intact Chinese PL-15 missile, one of Beijing's "wolf warrior", diplomats took to X to mock New Delhi: "India invested $288 million per Rafale, yet they lack access to the source code. Furthermore, they assert their ability to 'extract the software' from the wreckage of a PL-15 missile. However, they are unable to access the fundamental functions of their own Rafale jets." While exuberance is understandable, it should not be construed as complacency. The Indo-Pak confrontation has only served as a catalyst for further pursuit of excellence through meticulous deliberation and strategic planning, both domestically and internationally. Discussions at universities, think tanks and official quarters continue to be influenced by the recent four-day conflict between nuclear rivals, India and Pakistan. The episode appears to have energised Chinese academia to engage in forward planning and explore options for enhanced and more effective cooperation with partner countries, particularly Pakistan. Why is this the case? Consistency is ensured by the Communist Party, which underpins China's entire political economy and the intellectual growth led by a dedicated leadership that ascends the political ladder through a rigorous accountability process. Only those with the utmost integrity and demonstrated commitment to the party and the people are successful in this process. What unites these individuals is an unwavering faith in the well-being of citizens and the belief that investment in human resources is essential for progress. Whether it is the iconic Great Wall in Beijing or Shanghai, Yiwu or Guangzhou, China's defence hi-tech capabilities, dozens of high-altitude glass bridges, or Shanghai's Global Finance Center, they all convey the same message: unwavering policy consistency, honesty and visionary leadership, coupled with absolute focus on the welfare and education of the people. These factors have transformed China and propelled it to a position where it is now asserting itself even against the United States. While President Trump's bullying tactics were met with resistance, China agreed to engage in diplomatic discussions but refused to yield. The recent grand summit in Kuala Lumpur, which involved China, ASEAN and the GCC, provided a glimpse of Beijing's unwavering commitment to peaceful engagement and win-win cooperation rather than coercive diplomacy. While President Biden's Build Back Better World initiative has seemingly lost momentum, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to thrive and attract an increasing number of countries. Since Xi Jinping assumed the presidency in 2012, China has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in research and capacity building. Notably, the Chinese military has undergone a significant reduction in personnel, with nearly 300,000 personnel being eliminated. Additionally, the generals have been instructed to prioritise their professional duties and future challenges rather than engaging in commercial ventures. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) must maintain its focus on excellence and avoid any involvement in commercial activities. Both the PLA and the Communist Party have endured severe purges of high-ranking officials for corruption, inefficiency and betrayal of their responsibilities. The driving force behind China's current success lies in an ecosystem anchored in solid planning, facilitated knowledge and skill development, and the pursuit of excellence. This system operates on merit and celebrates knowledge and skills. Coincidentally, as I was concluding this article, a public service text message arrived on my mobile device, reminding us that May 30th is the 9th National Science and Technology Workers' Day and coincides with the 25th National Science and Technology Activity Week. "We extend our utmost respect to all science and technology workers. Let us harness innovation as our guiding principle and hard work as our propulsion, collectively constructing the vision of a robust nation through science and technology," said the message from the ministry. This inspiring message serves as a testament to the recognition of science and technology as the indispensable key to self-sufficiency and competitiveness, positioning China at a significant advantage over other nations. It is unsurprising that China is experiencing a surge of technological achievements that few countries can boast of - something that instills a sense of confidence and fosters national pride.
NDTV
27-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Pak Army Says Killed 54 Militants Trying To Cross Border From Afghanistan
Islamabad: Pakistan's army said Sunday its soldiers killed 54 militants who had tried to enter the country by crossing its northwestern border with Afghanistan. "Movement of a large group... who were trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border was detected by the security forces" in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between Friday and Sunday, according to an army statement. The "group of jihadists was specifically infiltrating on behest of their 'foreign masters' to undertake high profile terrorist activities inside Pakistan," it said, adding that 54 militants had been killed. Pakistan is grappling with a broad uptick in militancy coinciding with the Taliban's 2021 return to power in neighbouring Afghanistan, where Islamabad claims attackers are now taking shelter. Separately, India has blamed Pakistan of supporting "cross-border terrorism" after gunmen killed 26 people on April 22 in the worst attack on civilians in the contested Kashmir region in years. Islamabad has denied any involvement. The Pakistani army said Sunday a "large cache of weapons, ammunition & explosives was also recovered" from the militants attempting to enter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It comes a day after 15 militants were killed in the province in three clashes that also left two soldiers dead. More than 200 people, mostly security forces, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, according to an AFP tally. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore on Sunday that the militants' "foreign masters are pushing them to enter Pakistan". "Our soldiers attacked them from three sides and killed 54 (militants)," Naqvi said. "This is the biggest number of this ongoing operation till today, such a big number has never been killed before." Last year was the deadliest in nearly a decade in Pakistan, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad, with the vast majority of the attacks near the western border with Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses the Taliban government of failing to rout out militants organising on Afghan soil, a charge Kabul routinely denies.
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IBOs the way to go
Listen to article Amidst casualties, it's a moment of pride for the brave armed forces who have deterred the invisible enemy on the premise of their invaluable sacrifices. Yet, in two other intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the restive districts of Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, four soldiers embraced martyrdom in the process of exterminating 15 terrorists. In a similar fight-out, a Levies man was killed on Sunday as a check-post was fired upon by disgruntled elements in Balochistan's Kalat district. This bravado was witnessed close on the heels of another operation last week in which 13 disgruntled fugitives were killed. These incidents have come to prove beyond any doubt that the nation is in a state of war and terror fissures are all around. Statistics compiled by a think tank, Centre for Research and Security Studies, reveals that 2024 was the deadliest year as more than 685 soldiers lost their lives, and at least 444 terror attacks were reported. The gravity has passed on to the current year as terrorists are regrouping and apparently seem to be scot-free, especially with the crossing over of Afghan Taliban from the western frontiers. The intensity could be gauged from the fact that security forces had conducted a total of 59,775 operations last year during which 925 terrorists were killed. It has also led to a snowball reaction wherein Baloch nationalist elements are seen working in close association with TTP and other foreign elements in Balochistan and K-P, and their prime targets are law-enforcement agencies and the Chinese engineers. This pattern, at least, makes it clear that terror has little to do with local socio-political revulsion and is being stage-managed by ulterior forces beyond the geographical horizons of Pakistan. The point is what is the way out? This gangrene can better be addressed by beefing up intelligence and conducting more target-precision operations. At the same time, soaring domestic unrest can be neutralised by putting the locals at the vanguard of decision-making.
Khaleej Times
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Pakistani Taleban kill two police officers in night raid in northwest
An overnight raid on a police checkpoint claimed by the Pakistani Taleban killed two officers, police said on Thursday, while one more remains missing after being abducted in the northwest. More than 1,600 people were killed in attacks in Pakistan last year which was the deadliest in almost a decade according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based analysis group. Around 10 militants attacked the checkpoint near Karak city in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province around 1am, police official Nazar Muhammad said. "Two police officers stationed at the checkpoint were martyred, and six others were injured," he said. Local administrative official Misbah Uddin also confirmed the number of dead and wounded. "The terrorists used heavy weaponry, including mortar shells, during the assault," he said. On Wednesday, an officer was travelling home from his police station elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when armed men stopped his car and "abducted him", according to local police official Sajjad Ali. The Pakistani Taleban — which shares a common ideology and lineage with the Afghan Taleban — claimed responsibility for both the checkpoint attack and the kidnapping. They have waged a decades-long insurgency in Pakistan's regions bordering Afghanistan. Violence has surged in those regions since the Taliban surged back to power in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taleban government of failing to root out militants who launch attacks from Afghan soil, a charge it routinely denies. On Sunday, armed militants killed four members of Pakistan's security forces in an attack on their vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The day before, separatist militants claimed responsibility for a huge raid killing 18 state paramilitaries in southwestern Balochistan province. According to AFP data 38 people, mainly security officials, have been killed in instances of militant and anti-state violence in Pakistan since the beginning of this year.
