New Delhi – India’s defense research agency on Feb. 23 announced plans to develop electronic warfare technologies to help paramilitary and police forces across the country. G. Elangovan, the Chief Controller Research and Development (Avionics) at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), says a department for Low Intensity Conflict (LIC) was introduced for internal security due to rising incidents of violence in India.

New Delhi – An Indian air force Mirage 2000 combat jet crashed in central India on Feb. 24. Both pilots ejected safely. Engine failure is suspected to be the cause of the crash, an IAF officer said. The crew was on a routine flight-training sortie. India last year signed a $2.4 billion deal with Dassault Aviation to upgrade 51 Mirage 2000s in the IAF fleet. The first set of aircraft are already in France for the project. The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the accident.

Tax authorities in India have frozen Kingfisher Airlines’ bank accounts, forcing the ailing carrier to ground aircraft and cancel flights over the past few days. In addition, dozens of Kingfisher pilots are reported to have resigned. The airline, controlled by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, has grounded most of its aircraft and canceled more than 100 flights in the past two days, leaving scores of passengers stranded in various parts of the country.