VICTOR TEAM :ALL ARMS/SERVICES MIXED TEAM

Team Victor Candidates

1. Brig AS Jassar, Rajput Regt- Vice Chairman — RAJPUT REGIMENT
2. Capt (IN) Rakesh Batta, NM- Housing & Gardens —- INDIAN NAVY
3. Col Rupinder Singh, GUARDS- Bar & Discipline —-BRIGADE OF GUARDS
4. Col Vikram Uppal, AAD- Finance —-BARMY AIR DEFENCE
5. Col Jaswinder Singh, ASC- Sports & Entertainment — ARMY SERVICE CORPS
6. Flt Lt (Dr) Renu Lamba, IAF- Catering —-INDIAN AIR FORCE

Pease do visit the INSTITUTE on 16 March (SUNDAY) from 09AM onwards upto 5PM to exercise your power of vote and elect the Victor Force members to serve the DSOI and you .

Be sure that :

1. You have cleared your dues.
   Any member with unpaid dues is debarred from voting.
2. You are carrying your Membership Card (Veterans) / Identity Card (Serving Officers)
   Credentials of Voters will be verified at the point of entry.
3. You are carrying the list of Victor Force Members with you.
   _Names of Candidates will be jumbled on the ballot. Make sure your vote goes only to your favourite candidate of the Victor Force. List of Victor Force candidates is shared along with this message.

Looking forward to welcoming you at the venue.

Warm Regards and Best Wishes .

Brig Anupinder Singh Jassar
9878599122

Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces on Friday

As President Donald Trump took credit for the elimination of a senior ISIS terrorist leader, who was killed in a coordinated operation involving US and Iraqi forces, a debate erupted on social media

Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces on Friday, announced Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

He was the head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and was considered “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.”

On his Truth Social platform Friday night, US President Donald Trump said, “Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters” in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government. “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!” Trump posted.

However, a few social media users were miffed with Trump claiming credit for killing Abu Khadija, while others supported him.

“C’mon. Use better language. He may have ‘authorized’ it or ‘ordered’ it. But HE did not do it. Give credit where it’s due — to the armed forces who had the expertise to carry it out. Stuff like this irritates veterans. This tweet obviously written by someone who never served,” commented one.

Another wrote, “He’s taking responsibility for it instead of them hunting our soldiers down.”

“HE ORDERED it. That’s where the credit goes,” commented another user.

Dear Esteemed Member of DSOI and supporter of the Victor Force Candidates,

The ‘Big Day’ is around the corner.

Please do visit the DSOI on 16 March (SUNDAY) from 09AM onwards upto 5PM to exercise your power of vote and elect the Victor Force members to serve the DSOI and you.

Be sure that :

1. You have cleared your dues.
   Any member with unpaid dues is debarred from voting.
2. You are carrying your Membership Card (Veterans) / Identity Card (Serving Officers)
   Credentials of Voters will be verified at the point of entry.
3. You are carrying the list of Victor Force Members with you.
   _Names of Candidates will be jumbled on the ballot. Make sure your vote goes only to your favourite candidate of the Victor Force. List of Victor Force candidates is shared along with this message.

Looking forward to welcoming you at the venue.

Warm Regards and Best Wishes for a very HAPPY HOLI to you and to your familiy!

Brig Anupinder Singh Jassar
9878599122
( Issued by: Victor Force Campaign Manager )

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The cadres, including a couple, turn themselves in before senior police and CRPF officials  

Seventeen Naxalites, nine of them collectively carrying a cash reward of Rs 24 lakh on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Thursday, a senior police official said.

The cadres, including a couple, turned themselves in before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials here, he said.

The Naxalites cited disappointment with the “hollow” and “inhuman” Maoist ideology, exploitation of innocent tribals by senior cadres and increasing influence of security forces, Bijapur Senior adav said.ity forces and administration have been striving to provide basic amenities and carry out development works in interior areas, he said.

All the surrendered Naxalites were active in different capacities in the Gangaloor area committee of the outlawed Maoist organisation, he said.

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Of them, Dinesh Modiam (36), a divisional committee member of Maoists, was wanted in 26 cases in Bijapur district and carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, the senior police official said.

Modiam’s wife Jyoti Tati, alias Kala Modiam (32), and Dula Karam (32), both active as area committee members, carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh each, he added.

Six of the surrendered cadres carried a bounty of Rs 1 lakh each, he said.

District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force, CRPF and its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) played a crucial role in the surrender of these Naxalites, Yadav said.

The cadres were provided assistance of Rs 25,000 each and will be further rehabilitated as per the government’s policy to integrate them into the mainstream, he added.

So far this year, 65 Naxalites have surrendered in Bijapur district of the state’s Bastar range.

Last year, 792 Naxalites had surrendered in the Bastar region, comprising seven districts including Bijapur.

The Army has opted for a dual-weapon system instead of a single standard rifle due to the distinct operational needs of different units.

Lt Gen Dushyant Singh retd

India’s small arms procurement process has increasingly become a subject of misinformation and speculation, particularly on social media. Every step — from the grant of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) and Final Evaluation Trials (FET) to the final contract — becomes an occasion for debate, often driven by conflicting agendas rather than a clear understanding of operational realities.

The result is a distorted narrative that ignores the complexities of military readiness and the strategic calculus behind India’s decisions.

Small arms procurement is not merely about buying new rifles; it is about ensuring that soldiers are equipped with the most effective weapons suited for combat. It is a balancing act between meeting immediate operational needs, integrating indigenous industry and maintaining logistical efficiency.

The reality is far removed from the simplistic claims that procurement choices are dictated by lobbying or bureaucratic inefficiency.

The selection of the SIG Sauer 716 and AK-203 rifles follows a deliberate strategy tailored to the Army’s operational needs. The SIG Sauer 716, a 7.62×51-mm battle rifle, has been inducted specifically for frontline infantry and mechanised units, providing enhanced lethality and longer-range effectiveness.

Conversely, the AK-203, a 7.62×39-mm assault rifle, is intended for broader deployment across the forces, replacing the ageing INSAS rifles with a rugged, reliable platform. This strategy for small arms procurement was driven by the vision of the late General Bipin Rawat, former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). It marks a game-changing step in making our soldiers future-ready.

General Rawat was committed to ensuring that infantry soldiers were equipped with the best weapons and systems in the world. During one of his visits to the Army War College, where I was the Commandant, he conveyed his belief that the modernisation of infantry was critical to battlefield success.

The battles of Bakhmut and Avdiivka in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have underscored the necessity of empowering infantry soldiers with the latest and most advanced weaponry. Future conflicts will demand nothing less.

The argument that these acquisitions complicate ammunition logistics is misleading; their phased induction ensures streamlined supply chains without overwhelming the existing systems.

The decision to procure the SIG Sauer 716 in two tranches — 72,400 rifles in 2019 and 73,000 in 2025 — was guided by urgency. These weapons were acquired under the “Buy (Global)” category to immediately enhance the firepower of frontline troops even as the indigenous small arms manufacturing ecosystem continued to evolve.

The AK-203, on the other hand, is a product of a long-term vision for self-reliance, developed through a joint venture with Russia. The project aims to manufacture 6.71 lakh rifles domestically over a decade — a significant step towards reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The first batch of 35,000 rifles was delivered in 2024, marking progress in this transition.

Critics question why the Army has opted for a dual-weapon system instead of a single standard rifle. The answer lies in the distinct operational needs of different units. The SIG Sauer 716 offers greater accuracy and stopping power for specialised combat roles, while the AK-203’s reliability and ease of use make it ideal for widespread issue.

The notion that this creates logistical chaos disregards the Army’s structured approach to managing ammunition supply chains. The military already operates a variety of small arms and introducing weapons with complementary roles does not disrupt logistics; it enhances combat

effectiveness.

Misinformation also surrounds the larger debate over “Buy Indian” versus “Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured” (IDDM) procurement. The SIG Sauer acquisition was necessitated by immediate battlefield requirements while the AK-203 represents a strategic push for indigenous production under the IDDM category, which mandates at least 60 per cent domestic content.

However, the reality is that indigenous small arms production remains a work in progress. The AK-203 project, despite its merits, faced delays due to cost negotiations and technology transfer issues. These challenges highlight why a pragmatic mix of imports and domestic manufacturing is essential rather than focus on one over the other.

Another myth is that the small arms procurement process is riddled with unnecessary delays. While it is true that defence acquisitions have historically suffered from bureaucratic inertia, it is also a fact that stringent field trials are necessary to ensure that weapons perform reliably across diverse combat environments.

In recent years, only a fraction of the planned procurements has been completed within the stipulated timeframes, often due to protracted evaluation phases. This caution is justified; rushing untested weapons into service can lead to operational failures, as experience has demonstrated. The Army’s rigorous testing protocols exist to prevent precisely such shortcomings.

India’s long-term small arms roadmap is clear: a systematic phasing out of outdated inventory, steady modernisation and development of a strong domestic manufacturing base. But modernisation cannot come at the cost of battlefield readiness.

The push for self-reliance must be balanced with the imperative of ensuring that soldiers are not left waiting for weapons while domestic production catches up.

Successful indigenous defence projects in other domains — such as artillery and missile systems — demonstrate that self-sufficiency can be achieved without compromising operational effectiveness. The same principles must guide small arms procurement.

Public debates around military procurement often overlook the fundamental reality that a soldier’s rifle is more than just a weapon — it is a lifeline in combat. The Army’s approach to small arms procurement ensures that this lifeline is reliable and effective, now and in the future.

It is time to move beyond the noise and recognise that equipping the military is not a matter of popular discourse but of strategic necessity.

Views are personal

(Author is Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies)

The attack came a day after security forces killed all 33 attackers who had hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan

Pakistani security forces on Thursday foiled an attack on a checkpoint in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing 10 terrorists, including a suicide bomber, military’s media wing said on Thursday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists tried to attack the checkpost in Jandola area of Tank, which was repulsed by the security forces. A suicide bomber blew himself up in a vehicle near the Frontier Corps camp, they said.

The ISPR stated that security personnel bravely confronted the militants and effectively prevented the attackers from advancing toward the checkpoint.

Following an intense exchange of fire, Pakistani soldiers carried out an operation, eliminating 10 terrorists, including the suicide bomber.

The attack came a day after security forces killed all 33 attackers who had hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan and held passengers hostage in the mountainous region.

The country witnessed a sharp increase in terror attacks in January 2025, surging by 42 per cent compared to the previous month, according to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), a think-tank.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the worst-affected province, followed by Balochistan.

After the failure of their talks with a visiting Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) delegation, various Kuki groups in Manipur are learnt to be considering going in for referendum to seek union territory status for tribal-dominated areas of the state….

Animesh Singh Tribune News Service

After the failure of their talks with a visiting Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) delegation, various Kuki groups in Manipur are learnt to be considering going in for referendum to seek union territory status for tribal-dominated areas of the state.

While no concrete proposal was on the table currently, sources said much would depend on the outcome of the second round of talks with the Centre. They said the referendum proposal was also discussed during the first round on March 11.

The sources said the Kuki groups opted to consider the referendum option after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s directives to the Manipur administration that the demand for a separate UT was “non-negotiable”. The Tribune had last week exclusively reported on Shah’s view on the matter.

The referendum idea is learnt to have been picked from neighbouring Nagaland, which came into being following a plebiscite in 1951. The Nagas had then sought a separate nation, but settled for a new state. In Manipur’s case, the Kukis believe they would only have to vote for the creation of a UT comprising the tribal-majority areas.

Meanwhile, the shutdown announced on March 8 by Kuki bodies against the Centre’s decision to open all roads in Manipur continued on Thursday. Residents of Keithelmanbi village gathered to pay their last respects to Lalgouthang Singsit, a member of the Kuki-Zo community who had died during protests against the opening of all roads on March 8.

Reaching a ceasefire is ‘very important’, says Trump

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his first public remarks on Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, expressing gratitude to world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for their efforts in addressing the conflict.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, Putin said Russia agrees with the proposals to cease hostilities but “proceeds from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the crisis.”

When asked about Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, Putin said, “As for Ukraine’s readiness for a ceasefire, I will tell you how I view it, of course. But I would like to start by thanking the President of the United States, Mr Trump, for paying so much attention to the Ukraine settlement. We all have enough of our own domestic affairs to attend to. But many leaders of states, among them the President of the People’s Republic of China, the Prime Minister of India, the Presidents of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa are addressing this issue and give it a lot of their time. We are grateful to all of them for that because this activity is aimed at achieving a noble mission — the mission of ending hostilities and loss of life.”

He further said, “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities but proceed from the assumption that this cessation should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of this crisis.” He also referred to the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia, suggesting that Ukraine’s willingness for a ceasefire was likely influenced by American pressure.

“Now, on Ukraine’s readiness to cease the hostilities. You know, on the face of it, the US-Ukraine meeting in Saudi Arabia may look like the Ukrainian side made this decision under pressure from the United States. In fact, I am absolutely convinced that the Ukrainian side should have asked the Americans for this decision most emphatically, in view of the situation evolving on the ground, as has just been mentioned here,” Putin said.

On March 11, Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an “immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire,” which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties and is subject to Russia’s acceptance and concurrent implementation.

US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukraine’s agreement to the ceasefire after the peace talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and further affirmed hope that Russia will also agree to it. Stating that soldiers of both Russia and Ukraine are being killed in this “horrible war”, Trump said reaching a ceasefire is “very important”.

Earlier in February, PM Modi welcomed Trump’s efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reiterated India’s position that the conflict should be resolved on the negotiating table.

He also reiterated that India’s stance in the conflict is not neutral, but rather it is on the side of peace. The Prime Minister emphasised that he has himself met leaders of both Russia and Ukraine and also pointed to his ‘this is not an era of war’ remark that he made in the presence of Russian President Putin.

“I have always been in close contact with Russia and Ukraine. I have met the leaders of both countries. Many people are in a misconception that India is neutral, but I want to reiterate that India is not neutral; we are on a side, and that is peace,” PM Modi said in a joint presser at the White House.

He further reiterated India’s position that a solution to the conflict can’t be found on the battlefield and appreciated President Donald Trump’s efforts in this direction.

“I have said that ‘this is not a time of war’ in front of the media when President Putin was with me. Even today, my conviction is that the solutions to war cannot be found on the battlefield, and ultimately, we have to be at the table,” PM Modi said.

He added, “India believes that the solution to the war can be found only when the issue is discussed in a forum where both countries (Russia and Ukraine) will be present. The efforts made by President Trump – I support, and welcome it. I hope he succeeds as soon as possible.” In July last year, PM Modi travelled to Russia to participate in the 22nd India-Russia Bilateral Summit. He also travelled to Ukraine in August last year.

During the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, PM Modi emphasised India’s position of peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

He said that India was ready to play an active role in the path to peace and progress. Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in war since February 2022.