On Thursday, 5-6 pirates had boarded the Liberian-flagged vessel

Latest technology coupled with Indian military philosophy of having combatants on ground helped the Indian Navy secure merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk and its 21 crew in an operation in the middle of the Arabian Sea yesterday.

A day after the operation, Indian naval forces investigated suspected vessels in the north Arabian Sea to track down pirates who could have been involved in the attempted hijack of the merchant vessel.

The power and propulsion of merchant vessel was restored with help from crew of Indian Navy warship INS Chennai around 3 am on Saturday. “The vessel is now on its way to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain and INS Chennai is back to its anti-piracy duties,” a Navy official said.

INS Chennai is equipped with adequate arms and manpower to meet exigencies at sea, say sources in the Navy. Such warships have teams of engineers and complements of marine commandos (MARCOS) with requisite gear, arms and specialised fast-moving boats.

INS Chennai’s marine commandos boarded the vessel and undertook thorough sanitisation of the upper decks, machinery compartments and living spaces.

Forceful warnings by the naval aircraft to the vessel and likely interception by the warship compelled the pirates to escape, the Navy said.

The crew, including 15 Indians, had followed the standard operating procedure and locked themselves in a strong room of the vessel. The strong room is resistant to bullet and explosives.

Strong rooms in modern merchant vessels often come equipped with steering control of the ship. So even when the pirates boarded MV Lila Norfolk and reached the bridge — the traditional control centre of the ship — on the main deck, they did not have controls to steer it.

On Thursday, 5-6 pirates had boarded the Liberian-flagged vessel. Information about the attack, some 850 km from Africa’s Somalian coast, was sent to the UK Maritime Trade Organisation. The Indian Navy was informed around 7.45 pm the same day. A Boeing P8I surveillance plane of the Navy was despatched and it flew over the besieged vessel in the early hours of Friday, establishing radio contact with the ship. INS Chennai, on anti-piracy patrol duties in the Gulf of Aden, 720 km north of the attack, was asked to alter course. It reached the merchant vessel around 3.15 pm on Friday and sent a helicopter followed by a team of commandos using a boat.

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 6

International students, mainly from Punjab, have begun an indefinite protest at Algoma University, Canada, after 130 students failed in one of the IT subjects. The students claimed they were “intentionally failed”.

The varsity said, “The faculty is intervening to ensure fair assessment.”

Singh is expected to call on British PM Rishi Sunak and Foreign Minister David Cameron

PTI

New Delhi, January 7

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day visit to the UK on Monday to rejuvenate strategic and security ties between the two countries, including possible collaboration to jointly develop fighter jets and other military platforms.

The Defence Ministry, announcing the visit, said Singh and his British counterpart Grant Shapps are expected to discuss a wide range of issues in the spheres of defence, security and industrial cooperation.

It said on Sunday that Singh is also expected to call on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Minister David Cameron.

The defence minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the three services, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and department of defence production.

“He will also interact with the CEOs and industry leaders of UK Defence Industry and meet with the Indian community there,” the ministry said in a statement.

Singh’s talks with Defence Secretary Shapps would largely focus on sharing of critical technology and expanding bilateral industrial defence cooperation, people familiar with the matter said.

The two sides are expected to discuss collaboration in joint development of fighter aircraft and other military platforms, they said.

Singh and Shapps are also expected to delve into the situation in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and Ukraine, the people said.

In April 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his then British counterpart Boris Johnson had agreed on a new and expanded India-UK defence partnership.

During his visit to India, Johnson had announced that the UK is creating an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) for India to “reduce bureaucracy and slashing delivery times for defence procurement.

The British prime minister also said that the UK will help India in the co-development of military hardware, including indigenous production of fighter jets.

A statement issued after the talks between Modi and Johnson had said the two leaders reiterated their commitment to “transform” defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The India-UK relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the India-UK virtual summit held between Modi and Johnson in May 2021.

At the summit, the two sides adopted a 10-year roadmap to expand ties in the key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections among others.

Both sides are also keen to expand cooperation in the maritime sphere.

In June, 2021, the UK posted a liaison officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) that has emerged as a key hub in tracking movements of ships and other developments in the Indian Ocean region.

The UK joined a select group of countries such as the US, Australia, Japan and France to depute officials at the Gurgaon-based facility.

The Indian Navy established the IFC-IOR in 2018 to effectively keep track of the shipping traffic as well as other critical developments in the region under a collaborative framework with like-minded countries. 

The runaway at Kargil is paved but does not have night landing facility

The Indian Air Force has successfully carried out a maiden night landing of a fixed-wing plane at the Advanced Landing Ground at Kargil in Ladakh.

The C-130J Hercules aircraft carried out the landing, the IAF said on Sunday. The plane, sourced from Lockheed Martin US, used its own night landing aids and positioning system to land at the 9,600-foot altitude landing strip at Kargil. The plane had taken off from a base under the Western Air Command.

The IAF used the maiden flight to also practice ‘insertion’ of its commando team known as the ‘the Garuds’.

“This is the first-ever night landing of a fixed-wing plane at Kargil,” an IAF functionary said on Sunday.  

The runaway at Kargil is paved but does not have night landing facility. The runway was built by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in 1996 during the India-Pak clash in Kargil and its vicinity the runway was transferred to the IAF.

Located very close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, it’s an important runaway that can be used to move troops, ammunition, artillery guns and even tanks besides supplies.

Jammu, January 1

Over a week after a deadly ambush on two Army vehicles at Surankote in Poonch in which four soldiers were killed, Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva on Monday took over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nagrota-based 16 Corps, which secures Rajouri, Poonch and other areas.

GOC tells troops to remain combat-ready

• Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva, the GOC of 16 Corps, has asked the troops to be combat-ready to thwart the nefarious designs of forces inimical to India and maintain operational preparedness of the highest order
• He has taken over at a time when terrorism has revived in twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. There were multiple attacks on security forces in these districts last year in which 20 soldiers died

Many senior officers of Army were replaced in Rajouri and Poonch and an inquiry ordered in the aftermath of the ambush as soldiers had picked up civilians for questioning from among whom three died, resulting in a major controversy.

While the change of guard at 16 Corps was routine and was expected even before the Poonch incident, Lt Gen Sachdeva has taken over at a time when terrorism has revived in the twin LoC districts of Jammu division. There were multiple attacks on security forces in these districts last year in which 20 soldiers died.

An Army spokesperson said Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, GOC White Knight Corps (16 Corps) relinquished the command. “In a solemn ceremony, the GOC paid tributes to the bravehearts by laying wreath at Ashwamedh Shaurya Sthal, Nagrota. He extended his best wishes to all ranks and their families of White Knight Corps” the official said.

“The Corps Commander exhorted all ranks of White Knight Corps to work relentlessly towards maintaining the operational preparedness of the highest order, ” he said.

Lt Gen Sachdeva asked them to remain combat-ready to thwart the nefarious designs of forces inimical to India in synergy with civil administration and paramilitary forces.

anuary 1

Tourism Development Authority (TDA), Kargil, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdul Gaffar Zargar on Monday visited various historically significant sites in the district.

Historian Mohammad Sadiq Hardassi accompanied him. The visit was aimed at delving into rich historical background of Kargil and highlight its potential for tourism development.

During his inspection, Zargar emphasised the significance of historical sites like Karpokhar and Damsna, recognising their importance in showcasing heritage and cultural significance.

Additionally, attention was directed towards the development initiatives in Damsna Children Park, Hiker Base Panikhar, and several other key areas pivotal for tourism promotion.

Parkachik councillor Syed Ainul Huda called upon the CEO at Namsuru and requested to develop the area to augment tourism. He stressed the need to enhance facilities and infrastructure to attract more visitors and elevate the tourism experience in Kargil.

The tour included stops at the final resting places of revered figures such as Syeed Mohammad Shah Hussaini and Akhone Mohd Qasim, underscoring the deep cultural heritage of the area.

They also visited at the graves of SC Gergain and Captain Herbert W Christian, recognising their historical significance in the region’s narrative. Mohammad Sadiq Hardassi briefed about historical context and cultural importance of these sites.

The CEO acknowledged the need to preserve and promote these historical landmarks. He also highlighted the intensified focus on tourism development in Kargil post-formation of UT. He stressed the concerted efforts aimed at expanding and enhancing tourist destinations, with a specific emphasis to augmenting tourist footfall in the region.

Churunda (J-K), January 1

As people across the country ushered in the new year on Sunday night, at the Line of Control here soldiers celebrated it hours before. They had to return to their night duties—guarding and patrolling the LoC with Pakistan.

But before they returned to their posts, they shared greetings over hot cups of tea, food and a dance at a brief celebration planned by the army and locals to mark the occasion.

During the festivities, which started around 4 pm in this sleepy village in Uri sector, the army and villagers reassured each other that they are together through thick and thin. “The Army has been the first responder whenever civilians face any problems. And, civilians have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with soldiers in times of need,” Lal Hassan Kohli, a local social activist, said.

“The new year celebration programme was organised by the Army. I thank the Army for it. Whenever we face any difficulty, the Army comes to our help in the most difficult times,” he said.

“We celebrate all important days with the Army. Republic Day is around the corner and then we have Independence Day in August. The soldiers attend weddings in the village as well. We live like brothers. We have a bond with the Army and we pray that it stays strong,” he added.

Lal Din Khatana, sarpanch of the village, said events like these help people, including the soldiers, put aside their problems and enjoy.

“We celebrate New Year Day together with the Army at the zero point on the Line of Control. It is a very good programme and we wish this tradition continues in the future as well. These occasions help us put aside our daily woes while the soldiers, who are away from home, also get to celebrate,” Khatana said.

Seoul, January 2

South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck during a visit to the southern city of Busan on Tuesday and was airlifted to a university hospital for treatment, party and fire officials said.

New Delhi, January 1

More than four years after the historic Ayodhya verdict of the Supreme Court (SC), Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday said the five judges, who ruled in favour of construction of a Ram temple by a Trust at the disputed site, had unanimously decided there will be no authorship ascribed to the judgment.

On November 9, 2019, settling a fractious issue that went back more than a century, a five-judge Bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi had paved the way for the construction of the temple and ruled that an alternative five-acre plot would be found for a mosque in the holy town in Uttar Pradesh.

In an interview, Chandrachud, who was part of the Constitution Bench, candidly spoke on the issue of anonymity and said when the judges sat together, as they do before a pronouncement, it was unanimously decided that it would be a “judgment of the court”. He was replying to the query as to why the name of the author judge was not made public. “When the five-judge Bench sat to deliberate on the judgment, as we all do before a judgment is pronounced, we all decided unanimously that this would be a judgment of the court. And, therefore, there was no authorship ascribed to any individual judge,” the CJI said.

“The case has a long history of conflict and diverse viewpoints based on the history of the nation, and all those who were part of the Bench decided that this will be a judgment of the court. The court will speak through one voice and the idea of doing so was to send a clear message that all of us stand together not only in the ultimate outcome but in the reasons indicated in the judgment,” he said, adding, “I will close my answer with that.” Delivering a unanimous verdict on the case that long polarised the country and frayed the secular tapestry of Indian society, the apex court Bench had said in 2019 that the faith of Hindus that Lord Ram was born at the site was undisputed, and He was symbolically the owner of the land. — PTI

Says order on Article 370 according to law

“We decide according to the Constitution and the law. I don’t think it will be appropriate for me either to respond to the criticism or mount a defence to my judgment. What we have said in my judgment is reflected in the reason present in the signed verdict and I must leave it at that.”

Same-sex marriage ruling: Outcome never personal

Reflecting on the unsuccessful fate of the pleas for legal sanction to same-sex marriage before the Supreme Court, the CJI said the outcome of a case was never personal to a judge and he had no regrets. He acknowledged that queer couples fought a “long and hard battle” for the realisation of their rights, but “judges do not associate themselves with a cause, and having decided the case now, I leave it for the future of our society to judge which course to take”.