Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service,Jammu, December 18

CM to raise demand with MEA, mulls amusement park near international border

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today pitched for developing the Suchetgarh international border on the pattern of the Wagah border in Punjab so that people from both sides could meet at this point. He promised to take up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs. “This is the nearest place from Jammu on the Indian side and Sialkot from the Pakistan side. If developed like the Wagah border, it could attract tourists from all over. Already Rs 7 crore were allotted for developing the area but that is not enough and we need more money,” Mufti said while talking to reporters on the Suchetgarh border, 30 km from here.The Chief Minister was on tour to the border areas today and had a discussion with locals on development in the area. He said people of Jammu had complaints that the tourist footfall had come down in the Jammu after the train service had reached Katra. “If we need to acquire some land to develop this place, we will do that. This is one place in Jammu which can be developed as a tourist destination,” Mufti said.“On the other side it is Sialkot and here it is Jammu. Earlier, when I used to visit this place, people from the other side also used to visit this place. It is my desire to develop this place as a tourist destination on the pattern of the Wagah border in Punjab,” the Chief Minister said.He said the government would try to set up an amusement park near the international border in Suchetgarh. “We are trying our best to develop this place on the pattern of the Wagah border so that this place becomes a meeting point of the people from both sides,” he said. “I feel that this is the closest point between the two sides which can also help become a bridge between the industries on either side,” the Chief Minister said, adding that this place could act as a meeting point between people from both sides, especially schoolchildren.

Tourism potential

• This is the nearest place from Jammu on the Indian side and Sialkot from the Pakistan side. If developed like the Wagah border, it could attract tourists from all over. Already Rs 7 crore were allotted for developing the area but that is not enough and we need more money. –Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Chief Ministe

AMRITSAR: Panther Division celebrated Vijay Diwas in Amritsar Military Station on Wednesday to commemorate the victory of India against East Pakistan in 1971. Gallant soldiers of the Indian Army made the supreme sacrifice while defending the frontiers of the motherland in one of the most challenging circumstances and inhospitable terrain.

Veterans from Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts attended the event. A floral wreath was laid at the Panther Inspirational Park by general officer commanding, Panther Division. Wreath laying was also done by veterans, serving army officers and other ranks as a tribute to the martyrs.

A 24-men guard honoured the martyrs and was followed by the poignant note of Last Post sounded by the buglers. Similar functions were also held at Dera Baba Nanak (DBN) and Batala War Memorials. The general officer commanding, Panther Division, expressed that the sacrifice and professionalism displayed by veterans would always remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.Army release informed that in 1971 Indo-Pak war, Panther Division under the able and gallant leadership of major general BM Bhattacharjee fought the Battles of ‘Dera Baba Nanak’ (DBN) and ‘Fatehpur Burj’. The gallant soldiers of 10 DOGRA, 1/9 GR, 17 RAJPUT and 71 Armd Regt proved their mettle and gave an unforgettable feel of their steely grit and determination to the enemy. On December 6 1971, the Panther Division had the proud privilege of hoisting the first Tricolour in the captured territory of Western Pakistan. The division earned one MahaVir Chakra, one Vir Chakra, three Sena Medal and four mentions in dispatches for the gallant action.

Tribune News Service,Dehradun, December 12

Academy Under Officer (AUO) Lalit Thapliyal, the winner of the Sword of Honour, says youths should come forward in a large number to join Indian defence forces. Thapliyal is a Rimcollian, a former student of Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), and his father DN Thapliyal was vice-principal of the RIMC. He is from Dehradun. His elder sister, Capt Swarnima Thapliyal, is the person behind his success, he adds.Thapliyal says rigorous training in the Indian Military Academy (IMA) makes Gentleman Cadets mentally and physically tough and helps them to overcome any challenge. He dedicates the award to his parents and says hard work with determinations always helps in achieving goals.The gold medal awardee, AUO Abhishek Kumar Singh, is from Uttar Pradesh. He has done his schooling from Sainik School, Gorhakhal, Uttarakhand. The only son in the family, Abhishek wanted to join the Indian Army in deference to his father’s earnest desire.The silver medal awardee, GC Iqbal Singh, is from Amritsar. He says his father retired Subedar Santokh Singh was his source of inspiration to join Army. Iqbal resigned from a renowned IT company to join the Army.Another silver medal awardee, Battalion Under Officer Ravi Somanagouda Mulimani did his schooling from Sainik School, Bijapur, Karnataka. He says there are many misconceptions about the Indian Army. The Army service is a noble profession. Ravi has no Army background but it was his childhood dream to join the Army as he was always attracted to the olive green uniform.

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 8

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) today slammed the Navy and the Ministry of Defence for the delay in carrying out the refit of diesel-electric submarine INS Sindhukirti — a Russian origin vessel.
The CAG said the Navy has not been able to operate one of its lethal platforms since June 2004. The CAG in its report submitted to Parliament today said that the ‘medium refit’ of the submarine was due for commencement in 2001 but was carried out from January 2006 by which the submarine witnessed extensive deterioration.
It noted that though it was scheduled to be completed by January 2009, due to the deficiency in manpower deployed by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited, lack of protection to main line cables, delayed supply of yard materials and modernisation of equipment, the submarine was delivered by the shipyard to the Navy in June this year with sea acceptance trials to follow.
“As a result, the Navy is unable to operate one of (its) lethal platforms since June 2004,” the report said.
It also noted that the cost of the refit was enhanced from Rs 629.50 crore (June 2005) to Rs 999.52 crore (August 2013) with additional liabilities of Rs 92.17 crore still being claimed (September 2015) by the yard.
“This apart, improper financial management led to the diversion of funds to the tune of Rs 92 crore,” the report said.
In its recommendations, CAG said planning and commencement of refits of submarines should be as per schedule to avoid excessive exploitation of submarines as well as extended refit schedule. “The Ministry should ensure that efforts are augmented to improve the scale of utilisation of indigenous materials in line with its own directives. The Navy should establish a dedicated Project Team, the expertise of which is available to each indigenous offloaded refit.”
The CAG also criticised the Coast Guard and the MoD for the delay in acquisition of inshore patrol vessels. It said that eight of the 13 IPVs decommissioned between December 2008 and July 2013 could be replaced after a delay of four to sixty months, while replacement of the remaining five had not been received.

INS Sindhukirti’s ‘medium refit’ was due for commencement in 2001 but was carried out from January 2006. By then the submarine witnessed extensive deterioration.
The sub was delivered by the shipyard in June this year with sea acceptance trials to follow
As a result, the Navy is unable to operate its lethal platform since June 2004, the report said

Washington, December 7

President Barack Obama today vowed to “destroy” the Islamic State while reassuring rattled Americans in the aftermath of the California massacre that the US will overcome the “new phase” of terror threat that seeks to “poison the minds” of people here and around the world.In a rare address to the nation from his Oval Office at the White House, Obama said the threat from terrorism was real, but the US would overcome it. However, he ruled out sending large-scale troops to Syria and Iraq to defeat the “cult of death”.Obama said his strategy to destroy the IS was designed and supported by US military commanders and counter-terrorism experts, together with 65 countries that had joined an American-led coalition targeting the terror outfit. “We will destroy IS and any other organisation that tries to harm us. Our success won’t depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values or giving in to fear. That’s what groups such as the IS are hoping for. Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless. And by drawing upon every aspect of American power,” he said.In his primetime address, Obama said: “We should not be drawn once more into a long and costly ground war in Iraq or Syria. That’s what groups such as IS want. They know they can’t defeat us on the battlefield. IS fighters were part of the insurgency that we faced in Iraq.”“But they also know that if we occupy foreign lands, they can maintain insurgencies for years, killing thousands of our troops and draining our resources, and using our presence to draw new recruits,” he said.Asserting that the US military would continue to hunt down terror plotters in any country where it was necessary, he said: “In Iraq and Syria, air strikes are targeted at IS leaders, heavy weapons, oil tankers, infrastructure.” — PTI

Will ‘destroy’ IS

• The threat from terrorism is real but we will overcome it… We will destroy IS and any other organisation that tries to harm us. Our success won’t depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values or giving into fear. That’s what groups like IS are hoping for. Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless —Barack Obama, US President

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 3

Terming the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as India’s strategically extended arm, Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan today said infrastructure on the islands was being strengthened to allow submarines, warships and aircraft to be based there.
The islands in the Bay of Bengal sit at the ‘mouths’ of the straits of Malacca, which is one of the biggest shipping choke points of the world as an important sea lane of communication (SLOC) passes through it.
Some 70,000 ships cross the Malacca annually – that works out to eight ships every hour. China’s entire oil supplies from the Persian Gulf pass through these straits and this is India’s biggest military base closest to the contentious South China Sea.
Addressing a press conference ahead of Navy Day, Admiral Dhowan said “The enhancement of infrastructure is on, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar islands so that we can deploy ships and aircraft to carry out surveillance on the SLOC and the choke point”.
The islands are very important, he said, adding that strengthening of infrastructure of ports and harbours and extension of airfield runways was getting the attention. “All are getting due priority and due importance as (it’s) an important strategic location where assets (warships and planes) can be based.
On what would be the response to an armed conflict in the South China Sea. Admiral Dhowan said: “The Navy is monitoring the ocean all the time and we will be monitoring it even more so in case of armed conflict. It’s a hypothetical question, but we will monitor and take appropriate action at that point of time.”

Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 30

After China denied visa in 2010 to then Northern Command chief Lt Gen BS Jaswal, Lt Gen DS Hooda will be the first Northern Command chief to visit Beijing in mid- December this year.
Lt Gen Hooda will be meeting his Chinese counterpart. In August 2010, India had cancelled defence exchanges with China after Beijing refused to allow the visit of Lt Gen Jaswal because he was responsible for Jammu and Kashmir, a state that China maintained was disputed.
“The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda is likely to visit China in mid-December. The exact date of his visit will be intimated later,” said defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami.
After the denial of visa to Lt Gen Jaswal, New Delhi had refused permission to two Chinese defence officials to come to India for a course at National Defence College. A subsequent visit by Indian military officials to China was also cancelled by India.
Taking a tough posture, New Delhi had told Beijing that the unexpected decision to block Lt Gen Jaswal’s visit to China was reason behind India’s reactionary decisions.
While both armies regularly hold border personnel meetings on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region, Lt Gen Hooda’s visit to China will definitely ensure more synergy and understanding between the two sides, said Army sources.
During Lt Gen Hooda’s visit, the talks will be held on maintaining tranquillity on the LAC in order to avoid stand-offs, the sources added.
“Though we have had stand-offs on the LAC but notably not even a single bullet was fired between us because of various
border mechanisms in place to avoid any skirmishes. It also shows the resolve of both countries to maintain peace and tranquillity on the LAC,” said a source.

In August 2010, India had cancelled defence exchanges with China after Beijing refused to allow the visit of then Northern Command chief Lt Gen Jaswal because he was responsible for J&K, a state that China maintained was disputed
Lt Gen Hooda will now be holding talks with his Chinese counterpart on maintaining tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control

Arteev Sharma,Tribune News Service,Jammu, December 29

Centre invites global bids for 14.08-km-long Zojila tunnel, set to be the longest in South-East Asia

To meet the long-pending demand for an all-weather road to Ladakh, the Centre has taken the first step for construction of South-East Asia’s longest Zojila tunnel connecting Kashmir’s Sonmarg with the Gumri area in Kargil district.For the execution of the project, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, headed by Nitin Gadkari, has invited international bids for Expression of Interest. The bids will be opened on January 14 next year.The 14.08-km-long tunnel will be constructed in seven years with an estimated cost of Rs 9,090 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to J&K last month, had announced Rs 80,000-crore economic package, which included allocation for the construction of the Zojila tunnel.The project holds strategic importance in view of Ladakh sharing its vast borders with the aggressive China. The tunnel will be built on the design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) (annuity) basis.The proposed tunnel will pass through Zojila, which serves as the gateway to the Ladakh region. The pass, located at an altitude of about 12,000 ft (3,530 metres), is the fourth highest pass in the country. Out of the 30-km stretch from Sonamarg in Kashmir to Gumri near the Zojila, a 10-km run is tough covering steep ravines and vertical mountains prone to avalanches. “The tunnel will be completed within seven years and its concession period will be 22 years comprising seven years of construction and 15 years of operation period,” an official source said.“It is expected that the work on the project may begin in the next couple of months once the procedure for Expression of Interest gets completed. It is a dream project not only for Ladakhi people but also for entire country as it will provide round-the-year connectivity to Ladakh, which remains cut off from other parts of the world for almost six months due to closure of two vital highways — the 434-km-long Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway and the 474-km-long Manali-Leh road — due to the accumulation of snow in harsh winters,” a source said. The Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road traverses through two major mountain ranges. It first crosses through the Himalayas at Zojila and then the Zanskar mountain range at Fatula to enter into Ladakh. Apart from its tough topography, the mighty Zojila witnesses a maximum standing snow of around 5-6 metres every year.The all-weather road has remained a major election issue in Ladakh, which faces shortage of essential commodities when both highways to the region remain closed in winter.In July, the National Highways Authority of India had drilled a hole through the final section of the country’s longest 9.2-km-long road tunnel between Chenani (south end) and Nashri (north end) on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

Zojila tunnel: Proposed lifeline for Ladakh

• Length: 14.08-km(between Sonamarg in Kashmirand Gumri in Kargil)
• Total cost: Rs9,090 crore
• Construction time: 7 years
• Concession period: 22 yrs
• Strategic importance: Ladakh shares vast borderswith China
• Significance: To ensureround-the-year connectivity of Ladakh with rest of the country

About the project

• Zojila tunnel will be a single tube bi-directional tunnel with a parallel egress tunnel (to serve in emergency).
• It is being built on design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) (annuity) basis. The concession period for the project will be 22 years, including 7 years of construction and 15 years of operation time.
• Under the DBFOT basis, the successful bidder will design, build, finance, operate and transfer the project to the govt after the concession period.

The Army jawans today averted a major tragedy in Jammu and Kashmir, when it recovered an explosive device planted under a bridge in the Poonch area.

The Army jawans today averted a major tragedy in Jammu and Kashmir, when it recovered an explosive device planted under a bridge in the Poonch area.

Army bomb squad defused the 5 kg Improvised Explosive Device(IED) kept in a pressure cooker.

Army spokesman said terrorists had used TNT in the explosive device.