Daily pill of Defence - 8 April 2008

Chandipur test site to get a facelift
ToI

India's ballistic missile and weapons testing facility in Orissa's Chandipur is being expanded to thrice its present size and modernised to test indigenously-developed weapons for India's defence forces. (read more)

Army gets first Muslim Major General from Kashmir
M. Saleem Pandit,ToI

Ever since Jammu & Kashmir became part of India, there has never been a Kashmiri Muslim general in the Army. This has now been remedied. With the elevation of Brigadier Mohammad Amin Naik to the post of Major General, Kashmiris, who have historically felt alienated from the mainstream, would now have one grievance less. (read more)

China using Sikkim to push Arunachal claim?
Rajat Pandit, ToI

China continues to play cat and mouse game in the eastern Himalayas despite having implicitly accepted Sikkim to be a part of India as a quid pro quo for New Delhi's unequivocal recognition of Beijing's claim over Tibet. There have already been already as many as 40 "intrusions" by Chinese troops across the 206-km border between Sikkim and Tibet since January this year, say top sources. (read more)

A.K. Antony visits Tawang
MoD Press Release

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has said ‘infrastructure development in the North East is now a top priority for the Government’. Addressing jawans on his maiden visit to Tawang today, Shri Antony said infrastructure development in the North East will not only contribute to the security of the nation but also accelerate the growth process of this vital region. (read more)

Sri Lanka Minister killed in suicide blast
The Hindu

A powerful Sri Lankan Minister was on Sunday assassinated by suspected LTTE rebels in a suicide attack on a marathon opening that also killed a former Olympian and 12 others while injuring nearly 100, in a bloody start to the strife-torn country's traditional New Year. (read more)

Gates: U.S. May Send More Troops to Afghanistan in 2009
FIDSNS

The United States may send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed on April 4. President Bush said during the NATO summit conference that ended today (April 4) that he expects the United States would make a significant additional contribution to the Afghanistan mission next year, Gates said. (read more)