Islamabad warns India of ‘strategic miscalculation’

In this handout photograph released by Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations, Pakistani army chief Raheel Sharif and other military officials offer funeral prayers for soldiers on Monday.

Islamabad, November 14

In a rare admission, Pakistan today said seven of its soldiers were killed in “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops across the Line of Control, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India’s “belligerent” attitude may lead to a “strategic miscalculation”.Pakistani troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian firing and targeted Indian posts “effectively”, a statement by the Pakistan army said.Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the “unprovoked ceasefire” violation.Chaudhry emphasised that the “belligerent attitude” of Indian forces was a “serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation. It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned the Indian High Commissioner.On November 10, Bambawale was summoned to the Foreign Office to protest alleged ceasefire violations by Indian troops.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country was “fully capable” of defending its territory against “any aggression”. He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the “latest violation of LoC by Indian forces” . He claimed the Indian forces resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to “uselessly divert” world’s attention from the “grave human rights situation” in Kashmir. Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to “effectively” respond to firing by India. Pakistan’s Adviser to the PM  Sartaj Aziz also condemned the “unprovoked Indian firing”, the Foreign Office said. — PTI 

Terror funding down to zero in Valley: ParrikarS

ince the demonetisation of high currency notes, terror funding has come down to zero and there hasn’t been stone-pelting on security forces (in Kashmir). Earlier, there were rates: Rs 500 for stone pelting (on security forces) and Rs 1,000 for doing something else. PM has brought terror funding to zero. —Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister  

Pak says 7 soldiers killed on LoC; warns India against attack

A general view of part of the electric fence along the LoC between India and Pakistan is seen in Noushera sector, some 150kms from Jammu. AFP photo

Islamabad, November 14

Pakistan on Monday said seven of its soldiers were killed in “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops across the LoC, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India’s “belligerent” attitude may lead to a “strategic miscalculation”.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed at the LoC in the Bhimber sector in an alleged ceasefire violation by Indian troops late last night, according to a statement by the Army.

Pakistani troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian firing and targeted Indian posts “effectively”, it said.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the “unprovoked ceasefire” violation by the Indian forces on the Line of Control (LoC).

The Foreign Secretary deplored the increasing Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary, especially in the last two months, a statement said.

He emphasised that this “belligerent attitude” of Indian forces was a “serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation”, the statement added.

The Foreign Secretary asked the Indian High Commissioner to convey to his government that it must stop the provocative firing and observe the ceasefire.

Pakistan is pursuing a policy of restraint, which should not be construed as a sign of weakness, the statement quoted him as saying.

He underlined that the Armed Forces of Pakistan do not initiate fire, but will always respond in a befitting manner, if fired upon, the statement said.

It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned Indian High Commissioner.

Pakistan on November 10 summoned Bambawale to the Foreign Office to protest over alleged ceasefire violations and use of artillery by the Indian forces.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country is “fully capable” of defending its territory against “any aggression”.

Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the “latest violation of Line of Control (LoC) by the Indian forces” and said “it is extremely unfortunate that Indian forces have continuously violated ceasefire agreement at the LoC in the recent days”, Press Information Department Pakistan said.

“We are fully capable of defending our soil against any aggression,” it quoted Sharif as saying.

The Prime Minister also claimed that the Indian forces have resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to “uselessly divert” the world’s attention from the “grave human rights situation” in Kashmir.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to “effectively” respond to firing by India. —PTI

Support India on terror, ours not a friendship to hide: Israel Prez

Reuven Rivlin, Israeli President

Mumbai/New Delhi, Nov 14

Friendship between India and Israel is at work “day in, day out” and is not a relationship “we should be hiding”, said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he pledged full support to India in fighting terrorism. Rivlin arrived today in Mumbai on an eight-day visit to India, the first by any Israeli President in nearly two decades.According to the Israeli mission in India, Rivlin is being accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen and academicians. Rivlin was welcomed at the Mumbai airport by Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon.The Israeli President, who is in India on the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee, later left for New Delhi where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. The last Israeli President to visit India was Ezer Weizman in January 1997.Officials said Rivlin is due to open an agro-tech conference in Chandigarh. He will also visit the sites of several Indo-Israeli projects.On his way back home, Rivlin is due to visit the Chabad House in Mumbai where six Israelis were killed during the November 26, 2008, terror attacks. He is also due to hold a meeting with representatives of the Jewish community in Mumbai.The delegation accompanying Rivlin is due to sign 15 separate agreements between Israeli and Indian educational institutions.The Israeli President acknowledged differences with India on the Palestinian issue but spoke warmly about the growing Indo-Israeli ties. — TNS/PTI

KHATTAR, WHO WAS ADDRESSING RALLY IN BHIWANI, SAYS PM MODI HAS ALREADY DISTRIBUTED `5,600 CR UNDER THE SCHEME

ROHTAK: Having maintained his stand on not giving martyr status to ex-soldier, Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over One Rank One Pension issue, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday did not visit his family despite holding a rally in Bhiwani. Grewal’s house in Bamla village of the district has been buzzing with political leaders of all the major opposition parties, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, coming in to pay their condolences to the bereaved family.Khattar, who held a rally in Tosham in Bhiwani on Monday, defended Modi government on OROP. Addressing the rally, he said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already distributed `5,600 crore under the scheme, while a budget of `9,000 crore has been allotted for its implementation. This is far more than what Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and subsequent governments under the Congress allotted for this scheme.” Earlier, at Grewal’s funeral ceremony on Thursday, Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had attacked Khattar questioning his absence from the ceremony. “If Khattar had any sympathy with the bereaved family, he would have had come here to offer his condolences,” Surjewala had said.

Gursewak Singh of 22 Sikh, Rajinder of 22 Maratha LI martyred in Poonch

Grieving family members of martyr Gursewak Singh in Tarn Taran on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 6

Sepoy Gursewak Singh (24) of 22 Sikh and Naik Rajinder Narayan Tukpare of 22 Maratha Light Infantry were killed as the Pakistani army resorted to heavy shelling and firing in Krishna Ghati and Saujiyan sectors in Poonch district this morning. Subedar Sanjay Solanki, Sepoy Yaqoob Beig, a civilian and a woman SPO were injured in the shelling.Indian troops retaliated, destroying the Kopra post across the border. The Army repulsed two infiltration attempts in KG sector during which Gursewak was seriously injured. He succumbed to his injuries later. Naik Tukpare was killed in Gali Maidan area. He belonged to Karve village in Kohlapur district of Maharashtra.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Defence PRO Lieut-Col Manish Mehta said on the intervening night of November 5-6 in Krishna Ghati sector, “troops challenged infiltrators who opened fire while trying to sneak back into PoK. In the ensuing gunfight, Sepoy Gursewak Singh suffered a gunshot injury and succumbed while being evacuated.”A BSF spokesperson said SI Nitin Kumar, deployed in Poonch sector, had received a splinter injury. His condition was stable.

Chandigarh, November 3

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the OROP scheme, cannot be placed in the category of martyrs.“Only those who lay down their lives while fighting enemies on the borders are called martyrs, not the ones who commit suicide,” Khattar said on the sidelines of the Swaran Jayanti Samaroh of the state Assembly held at the Indradhnush Auditorium at Panchkula today.The CM said while the exact cause of the suicide would be known after investigation, prime facie, Ram Kishan ended his life due to discrepancies in his bank account.Hitting out at the opposition parties for playing politics over Grewal’s suicide, Khattar said no one should politicise the unfortunate incident. — TNS

Reports indicate that the government is embarking on a new blacklisting policy for defence companies that have allegedly crossed the Lakshman Rekha of ethical propriety. The Manohar Parrikar-headed Defence Acquisition Council is tipped to approve this policy for penalising firms suspected of bribing to win defence orders. Under the existing policy, an entire military-industrial complex is blackballed if one of its many companies or employees is suspected of unlawful activity. Under the new policy, the axe will fall only on the subsidiary company or the employee directly involved in bribery and not on the entire group. This is common sense.The need for a realistic and level-headed policy has long been recognised by sober and experienced administrators. The time has come to undo the damage when AK Antony headed the Defence Ministry and institutionalised a populist streak. Indiscriminate blacklisting helped “Saint” Antony to hold on to his pristine image. But his trigger-happy approach left everyone displeased. India’s defence acquisition schedule went haywire and probe agencies dragged on with the cases. The new system of blacklisting proposes a product-specific ban instead of Antony’s blanket bans. In other words, if a company making bullets is banned, its sister company that manufactures rifles won’t be blacklisted just because it belongs to the same group.The proposed policy is eminently realisable. But it will remain prone to misuse because the investigating agencies seem to lack the competence to probe cases with cross-border ramifications. It is also no secret that military-industrial complexes are highly resourceful and influential. They may be encouraged to take the risk of bribing decision-makers. If caught, only one company will be barred while the rest of the group firms can carry on with business. And even if a company is blacklisted, the probe will lead to nowhere. Changes in blacklisting norms may at best let some favourites off the hook. Investigating agencies need to be invested with the capability and confidence to go after the corrupt. No policy on blacklisting can be successful unless the fear of the law is instilled in the shady and the crooked.

An elderly woman shows parts of mortar shells fired from the Pakistan side in Korotana Khurd village of RS Pura sector, about 27 km from Jammu, on Saturday. PTI

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 22

Hours after the Border Security Force said it had killed seven Pakistani Rangers and a terrorist yesterday, Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling on the International Border (IB) during the night in which six cattle were killed in Suchetgarh sector.

The ceasefire violation, witnessed all along the 198-km-long IB of the Jammu frontier, continued till 2 am.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Heavy shelling was witnessed in Korotana and Bidhipur villages of Suchetgarh sector and around Abdullah and octroi border outposts (BOPs) where the administration advised people to stay indoors. The BSF said it gave a befitting response to the unprovoked fire from the Pakistan side. Pakistan forces used 60 and 82 mm mortars.

With escalation in tension on the IB, the Jammu district administration ordered the closure of 55 to 80 schools in the border areas.

“People have been advised to stay indoors during the day as there is a likelihood of shelling during day time also. SDMs have been told to close schools in vulnerable areas,” Simrandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, said.

Ever since the Army conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control on September 28, it has been witnessing heavy shelling and firing at regular intervals. The International Border had remained peaceful, till an infiltration bid was foiled by the BSF at Bobiyan border outpost in the Hiranagar sector on Thursday. This was followed by ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces, and strong retaliation by the BSF.

Jawan succumbs to injuries

• BSF soldier Gurnam Singh (26), who was battling for life after being grievously wounded in a sniper attack by Pakistani troops on Friday, succumbed to his injuries at Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, on Saturday night.

Our Correspondents

Poonch/Rajouri, October 19

After a lull of over 72 hours, Pakistani soldiers again violated ceasefire on the Line of Control in the BG sector of Poonch today by resorting to heavy firing.The Pakistani army also resorted to indiscriminate and unprovoked small and automatic weapons firing and heavy mortar shelling in the Tarkundi area of Rajouri.Indian soldiers retaliated to the firing, which was going on in both the sectors when reports last came in.“The Pakistani army resorted to unprovoked firing at Indian forward posts in the BG sector from 4:30 pm using small arms, automatic weapons and 82-mm mortars,” said Lt Col Manish Mehta, defence spokesman.“Our soldiers are responding appropriately and no casualty or damage to our men was reported till reports last came in. The firing was still going on,” he added.“Tension gripped residents of Naka, Panjgrain and Tarkundi Gali villages. They locked themselves inside their houses apprehending mortar shelling,” said Haji Zakar, naib sarpanch.He said more than 10 mortar shells fell in Naka hamlet, but no loss t

Angrej Kaur shows her picture with her husband Surjit Singh days after their marriage, in Faridkot on Wednesday. tribune photo

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, October 19

For the last 45 years, Angrej Kaur is observing “Karva Chauth” even as she has not seen her husband Surjit Singh who went missing during the Indo-Pak war in 1971.Angrez Kaur believes that one day her husband will return home. Surjit Singh was a BSF sepoy who is lodged in a Pakistan jail as a prisoner of war (PoW) since 1971.For all these years, Angrej Kaur and her son Amrik Singh continue to waffle between hope and despair. They pray for better relations between India and Pakistan, hoping that it would help in the release of Surjit Singh.The bitter relations between the two nations, especially after the surgical strikes by the Indian Army across the LoC, have again left the family crestfallen.They met Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj a few days ago. “Sushma Swaraj has assured us all help in tracing my father. But all we have got after meeting the authorities is assurances that never bore any fruit in the last 45 years,” rues Amrik Singh.“My son was barely one year old when my husband was captured by the Pakistan rangers during the 1971 war,” said Angrej Kaur, adding that they had also sought former Pakistan minister Ansar Burney’s help in tracing Surjit Singh and his repatriation.

Dehradun, October 17

Air Commodore Nitin Sathe, Air Officer Commanding, No.1 Air Force Selection Board, Town, flagged off a trekking expedition to Pangerchula here today. The No.1 Air Force Selection Board has organised the trekking expedition from Auli to Pangerchula.Eight Air Warriors from the 1 AFSB are participating in the expedition, which is led by Wing Commander KHB Singh. The entire expedition is spread over six days, covering various places such as Tali, Khulara, Tapovan and Pangerchula which is situated at 4,500 mtrs. The trip, besides keeping the adventure spirit alive, also aims to reach out to remote places spreading awareness about the IAF.—TNS