BSF men inspect the body of a smuggler shot dead by them. PTI

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, February 7

Four drug smugglers were shot dead during an encounter with BSF troopers of the 191 Battalion near the Mehndipur border outpost here today.RK Thapa, DIG, BSF, said five Pakistani intruders had come up to the barbed wire fence near border pillar 165/18 at 4.30 am. “Two of them came forward and three stayed back. Their three Indian assistants also arrived to receive the consignment. The BSF jawans challenged the smugglers, who opened fire. The troopers retaliated and gunned down two Pakistani nationals and two Indian smugglers,” the DIG said.He said during a search operation, 10 packets of heroin (10 kg), two 9 mm Chinese pistols, a country-made pistol along with 54 cartridges, Pakistani currency and SIM cards were seized. Some Pakistani cigarette packets were also found. Bodies of the Indian drug peddlers had been handed over to the police to ascertain their identity. Two days ago, the BSF had seized 2 kg of heroin and arrested two Indian smugglers, Rashpal Singh and Jodhbir Singh, from Kamal Singh Wala border outpost. 

4 drug smugglers gunned down by BSF near border at Tarn Taran

“BSF troops of 191 battalion sensed their movement and cornered them. Finding themselves trapped, they opened fire on the troops. The BSF men retaliated, killing the smugglers,” he said.

Paliwal said ten packets of contraband , two Pakistan-made pistols, one local-made pistol ,54 live rounds of ammunition, one plastic pipe, Pakistani currency notes worth ` 270, a knife, a packet of cigarettes made in Pakistan and a SIM card of the neighbouring country were recovered from the spot.

BSF officials said the bodies of the smugglers had been handed over to the police for further investigation. The deceased were not identified till the time of filing this story. RK Thapa, deputy inspector general ( DIG) Punjab frontier, said: “T he enhanced vigil of BSF troops has once again thwarted the attempt by smugglers and anti-national elements to smuggle contra band items into India. In the future also, we will not allow them to succeed in their attempts.”

Mohsin Ibrahim Sayyed (R) being brought at the Delhi Police Special cell on Friday. Tribune photograph

Tribune News Service & PTI

New Delhi, February 5

A 28-year-old man with suspected Islamic State links was nabbed from Kashmere Gate ISBT here, making it the fifth arrest by the Delhi Police in connection with a module of the terror outfit it had claimed to have busted last month.“The accused, Mohsin Ibrahim Sayyed, was arrested on the basis of a tip-off from a central intelligence agency. During interrogation, it has emerged that he was about to leave for Syria,” Special Commissioner of Police Arvind Deep said.Intelligence agencies had found that he was also close to one of the 14 men arrested by the NIA last month in its crackdown against the IS, he said.Sayyed was given Rs 1.5 lakh by a person in Lucknow and he was to deliver it to an associate here, the officer said, alleging that the police have found Rs 85,000 from his possession.According to the police,  Sayyed, who is believed to be self-radicalised, was acting as a financier and had allegedly given Rs 50,000 to the four persons who were arrested by the Delhi Police from Haridwar last month. 

Will teach Pathankot plotter lesson: Parrikar

New Delhi, February 5

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said India would “surely” teach a lesson to the mastermind of the Pathankot air base attack and admitted that the terrorists were probably inside the air base even before intelligence about an impending strike was received.Noting that India “is losing much of its patience”, Parrikar said the country would give tit-for-tat. “Eent ka jawaab patthar se denge (We will reply to bricks with stones),” he said. Parrikar said the “pushers” of the attack were in Pakistan, refusing to disclose further details.“You have to plan. Here I have named individual and organisation, and have not named any country, because if it’s against a country, then it means war. We want to teach a lesson to the individual. Where and when, that will be our choice,” Parrikar said on a TV channel. On counter-attack against terror camps in Pakistan, Parrikar was quoted as saying the time will be chosen by India. — P

Presidential ship INS Sumitra proceeds for fleet review. —PIB

Visakhapatnam, February 6

President Pranab Mukherjee today embarked on Presidential Yacht ‘INS Sumitra’ and reviewed the imposing international parade of fleet at IFR-2016 here where 50 countries across the globe have come together to participate in this show of prowess and preparedness by the Indian Navy.

Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, was accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, among others at the International Fleet Review (IFR).

This is the 11th fleet review after independence and the second international one being conducted in India. The President was onboard ‘INS Sumitra’ which sailed through a display of 70 ships at anchorage off Visakhapatnam.

Speaking after reviewing the fleet, Mukherjee said 50 friendly Navies have sailed across oceans and sent Naval ships and/or delegations to participate in the first IFR on the east coast of India at Visakhapatnam.

“Navies world over have conducted fleet reviews to symbolise their loyalty, allegiance to the nation and strengthening bonds between the sailors and the state. IFR 2016 does that much and much more,” the President said.

“IFR 2016, while focusing on the prowess of Indian Navy, has brought together Navies from across the globe here on Indian shores, signifying our common desire to use the seas to promote peace, cooperation and friendship as also develop partnership for a secure maritime future”, he said.

The review had a combination of ships from Indian Navy as well as frontline Navies from across the globe. The ships from Indian Coast Guard and Mercantile Marine also participated.

In this most formal of naval ceremonies, each ship dressed in full regalia saluted the President as he passed.

The President also reviewed the Indian Naval air arm in a display of spectacular fly-past by several fixed wing and rotary aircraft comprising 15 formations.

In the final stage of the review, a mobile column of warships and submarines streamed past the Presidential Yacht.

This display showcased the latest acquisitions of the Indian Navy.

Further, several enthralling waterfront activities, a display of Marine Commandos and helicopter demonstrations were conducted to mesmerise the viewers. —PTI

Dogs of the Special Protection Group undergo training at the ITBP’s National Centre for Training Dogs in Bhanu. tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 31

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) is training sniffer dogs employed by the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) that is responsible for providing security cover to the Prime Minister.The first such batch of SPG dogs is undergoing training at ITBP’s National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD), co-located with its Basic Training Centre at Bhanu near Chandigarh. The centre was recently expanded and upgraded with new training infrastructure and accommodation.The training regimen is of 24 weeks out of which they have already completed seven weeks. The dogs include Labradors, German Shepherds and Malinois. The number of SPG dogs being trained by the ITBP is being kept a closely guarded secret.Last year, the SPG had approached the ITBP for urgent allotment of seats at the NCTD to train their dogs in anti-sabotage checks in view of pinpointed threats. The SPG will now train all its dogs at the ITBP centre.New training methodologies have been formulated by the ITBP to train its dogs. ITBP K-9 units were the only Indian sniffer dog squads to be selected for dove-tailing with the US dog squads during the visit of President Barrack Obama to India last year. They have also validated their performance in highly sensitive operations such as Op French Toast, conducted during this Republic Day celebrations to protect the visiting French Premier Francois Hollande in addition to Op Lal Quila, Op Doga, Op Ob-Mo, Op Africa and many others that involved sanitising VVIP areas and protecting foreign dignitaries.Besides its own dogs, the ITBP trains dogs of other paramilitary forces, state police forces and some other countries. It has the capacity to accommodate and train 60 dogs and their handlers at a time. The ITBP has also trained dogs to sanitise encounter sites by sniffing out IEDs and booby traps before troops move in.

24-week drill

• The training regimen is of 24 weeks, out of which dogs have already completed seven weeks
• The dogs include Labradors, German Shepherds and Malinois. The number of SPG dogs being trained by the ITBP is being kept a secret

Our Correspondent

Udhampur, February 23

Little Flower Convent High School paid tributes to Capt Tushar Mahajan here today.Captain Mahajan, who lost his life while fighting militants in the Pampore area of Kashmir on Sunday, had been a student of the school and learnt his first lessons of patriotism and valour in the campus. He was always in the forefront and led by examples. His teachers remembered him as a naughty but lovable boy.His classmates remembered him as a lovable and dedicated friend who left an inerasable impression on all those whom he met. He was a brilliant student, excellent in all disciplines.

Protesting Gujjars block Pathankot highway, seek compensation

Vishal Jasrotia

Samba, February 23

A day after the death of a Gujjar youth in the alleged police firing in the Sarore area of Samba, locals, including the relatives of the victim, blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway at Vijaypur in protest on Tuesday.The protesters laid Mohammad Yaqoob’s body in the middle of the road and raised slogans against the authorities.Despite inputs, no preventive measures were taken by the district administration and security agencies to avert the protest, which led to disruption in vehicular movement for more than two hour.The blockade led to a massive traffic jam on both the sides of the highwayThe protesters demanded compensation to the victim’s family and registering of criminal case against the police personnel responsible for the incident.Later, Deputy Inspector General Ashqoor Wani, senior National Conference leader Mian Altaf, Surjeet Singh Slathia and senior district officials reached the spot and assured the protesters of compensation and a magisterial probe into the incident.“We assured Rs 5 lakh from district administration as compensation to the deceased’s family. Directions have also been given for providing tents and relief material to the affected families. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered and the situation is control,” said Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sheetal Nanda.An FIR into the killing of the youth has already been registered and police have constituted a team headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Faizal Qureshi to investigate the case, said a police spokesperson.A civilian was killed and seven police personnel, including two women constables, were injured after a clash over an anti-encroachment drive by the Jammu Development Authority in the Sarore area.

End of siege, diversions on NH lifted

Srinagar, February 23

The traffic on the Pampore-Panthachowk stretch of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was allowed to ply normally today after remaining in absolute disarray for about three days.Traffic on the NH remained diverted from Saturday afternoon to Monday evening in the wake of the 48-hour gun battle between security forces and militants in Sempora area of Pampore near here.Nine people, including three Army men, two CRPF personnel, three militants and a civilian, were killed in the gunfight.Security agencies, keeping the safety of commuters in view, diverted Srinagar and Anantnag-bound traffic to different routes to avoid the actual spot of the gunfight.The traffic today, however, was very thin in wake of a sporadic shutdown being observed in many parts along the highway, including Panthachowk, Pampore and Awantipora. Sources said public transport remained largely off the roads throughout the day.—OC

A soldier explains features of a weapon to students at a seminar at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar. A Tribune photograph

Amritsar, February 22

Panther Division organised a seminar at Guru Nanak Dev University on various entry schemes to motivate and encourage youth of Punjab to join Army here today.The seminar was attended by a large number of civil officials, faculty members and students. The life of an officer in the Army was highlighted among students, including girls, besides other entry schemes during the seminar.The event commenced with an address by Commander Dograi Brigade, which was followed by a movie “Life less ordinary”, featuring life of an officer and various adventure activities undertaken by the Indian Army. Students were given information about various entry schemes for joining the Army as commissioned officer. A team of officers gave details about complete selection procedure of the Service Selection Board (SSB).Hundreds of students from various colleges attended the seminar. The display of weapons used by the Infantry at the end of the seminar was the main attraction, especially among the younger generation.— TNS

In the last 48 hours, the Indian army is once again in the news. One, for its deployment in Haryana to control the Jat agitation in the state which spiraled out of control, thanks to inept political and administrative handling. And two, losing a young officer, a para-commando officer—who incidentally was a graduate from the Jawaharlal Nehru University—in an on-going operation in Kashmir. It is not clear if the para-military forces—CRPF and BSF—were deployed in Haryana after the police lost control over the situation but what is evident is that increasingly, the Army is being called in to deal with what essentially are law and order situations. The decision to deploy the Army in Haryana at the first indication of trouble instead of using it as the last resort is debatable but given that the agitators were hell bent on destruction of public property and indiscriminate violence, perhaps the decision was unavoidable.

The Army has in the past done whatever job it has been assigned to do and will continue to do so in the future too, its reservations on certain aspects of decision-making notwithstanding but what hurts the men in olive green is the continuing attempts to downgrade the Army’s status and constantly downplay its contribution to the national effort. The award of the 7^th Central Pay Commission (CPC)—thankfully only a recommendation so far not accepted by the government–is a case in point. It seeks to place the Army at par or below the central armed police forces (CAPFs) through granting lower grade pay and lesser allowances. This is harmful to the Army–and the nation in the process–in the long run for several reasons.

Progressive degradation of status of Armed Forces personnel has had alarming adverse impact on self esteem of personnel and hence their operational effectiveness. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research (IJMSSR) in its issue of 12 Dec 2013 listed the findings of its research stating that only eight per cent of youth surveyed opted to join Armed Forces as against 58 per cent choosing to join other Central government services although Armed Forces Officers cadre constitutes 72 per cent of all Group A and All India Services strength. Though not being spoken formally, the following facts are undeniable if the current trend continues.

• Shortage of officers in Armed Forces will be extremely difficult to be fully mitigated.
• Self Esteem of those joining as officers, is taking a hit quickly after joining. This, despite many in-house measures, is reflected in relatively lower morale and less than desired level of commitment of younger generation officers.
• Owing to large scale unemployment, intake of recruits (as Jawans) has not declined yet, their quality and amenability to discipline and of being shaped into combatants with high degree of commitment and sacrifice, has been declining by the day. So far significant numbers have been responding positively to the quality of leadership by the officer cadre. However, with declining self esteem of officer cadre itself, their collective capacity at stemming the rot and keep jawans motivated, is eroding. Increasing numbers have already begun displaying unwillingness to serve beyond initial period of engagement. This trend is already affecting retention of skilled manpower, adversely.

And this despite the fact that personnel of Armed Forces, on an average, incur Least Lifetime Cost to the Government on account of the following:-

• Largest numbers serve for shortest period and retire early (between ages of 35 yrs to 54 yrs). Hence, draw least per capita government salary.
• During entire career, they serve maximum time in junior ranks and least time in senior ranks hence, draw lower salaries for maximum portion of career.
• Owing to combination of both of above (largest numbers retiring early and in lower ranks), their last pay drawn is much lower than civilian counterparts. Pension, though being 50 per cent of Last Pay Drawn as applicable to all, pension amount of Armed Forces personnel is much lower.

And yet, as an Instrument of last resort, the demands on the armed forces are significantly higher in terms of proficiency, commitment and sense of sacrifice. Armed forces being ‘Instrument of Last Resort’ do not have the luxury of ‘failing’ or handing over adverse situation to any other government agency. This singular fact demands of its personnel much higher degrees of commitment, leadership, risk taking, proficiency in multiple technological and tactical skills and willingness to sacrifice.

It is therefore imperative that armed forces should at least be considered ‘First amongst Uniformed Services’. Unfortunately, the 7^th CPC has not considered this and placed Defence Personnel even below the Indian Police Service (IPS) by awarding them two additional increments at 4, 9 & 13 years Service (now at par with IAS) while military personnel continue to get only one increment each at 2, 6 & 13 years Service. Overall, taking pay and allowances cumulatively, the 7^th CPC has further placed Armed Forces either at par or below CAPF.

This faulty award is because of faulty assumptions and inadequate Appreciation of Actual Roles and Required Degree of Proficiency & Risks. For instance, equating of CoBRA unit of CRPF with ‘Special Forces’ and assuming their hardship & risk as more severe than ‘Airborne Forces – Para units,’ reflects gross ignorance of roles, desired proficiency levels & attendant risks of various components of Armed Forces and the CAPF. Consider 7^th CPC recommending ‘Risk & Hardship Allowance’ for National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel when employed in disaster relief. Since Disaster Relief is the only role assigned to the NDRF, how can the organization seek extra allowance over & above their salary for doing their primary and only task? By this logic, ask the armed forces personnel, why shouldn’t the military be awarded special allowance when called out to aid civil authority during disasters which is not its primary task?

It’s time a thorough review is done in the way we as a nation compensate our soldiers. Otherwise, one of our most admired institutions is bound to face decay that will come at the cost of nation’s security.http://www.abplive.in/blog/downgrading-the-military-is-bad-for-nations-health

Army personnel get down from a helicopter at the Police Lines in Rohtak on Saturday. Manoj Dhaka

Ravinder Saini,Tribune News Service,Rohtak, February 20

With the main roads leading to Delhi, Hisar and Jaipur either dug up or blocked by protesters, choppers were used to drop troops at the Police Lines ground early this morning. As three Army helicopters made several rounds to drop the personnel, curious residents rushed to their housetops for a better view. The district authorities had to call more troops in the afternoon in view of the large number of protesters who encircled the city.Though the district authorities imposed a curfew and issued shoot-at-sight orders, people were seen roaming around on two-wheelers. Over a dozen autos were found burnt at various places on the city’s main road. Distraught traders and shopkeepers whose business establishments were set on fire last night were seen assessing their loss. The Army and the police staged a flag march from the Police Lines till the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) campus where a large numbers of protesters were on dharna. The protesters did not budge despite repeated warnings.  BJP to issue show-cause notice to Saini New Delhi: The BJP has decided to issue a show-cause notice to its Kurukshetra MP Raj Kumar Saini for speaking against reservation forJats. “The party has taken cognisance of remarks made by Saini and decided to issue him a show-cause notice,” BJP general secretary Anil Jain, who is in charge of Haryana, said. “Saini was asked to refrain from making such statements but he defied the central leadership’s diktat,” Jain said at a press meet jointly addressed by Union Ministers Chaudhary Birender Singh and Sanjeev Balyan and Haryana Minister OP Dhankar. TNSPowergrid puts off recruitment examNew Delhi: The state-owned transmission utility firm Powergrid has deferred screening test for engineers due to the Jat agitation. The test was originally scheduled for Sunday. “Test stands postponed. Fresh dates will be be announced later,” Powergrid said in a statement. Haryana continued to be on the boil on Saturday as the Jat stir unleashed fresh incidents of violence and arson, in which railway stations,  police stations and some buildings were set ablaze even as the Army had to use choppers to reach parts of the blocked Rohtak district. PTICentre keeps tabs; UP, Rajasthan on alertNew Delhi: With Haryana on the boil, the Centre is monitoring developments in the state and has advised UP and Rajasthan Governments to be on alert, as it fears spread of the agitation in other parts too. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs while refuting the allegation of Intelligence failure said, “The ministry is keeping a watch on the development in the troubled state and has assured the local administration all possible help.” UP and Rajasthan Governments have been asked to be on alert, as “they might witness a cascading effect of the stir in Haryana,” they said. TNS

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DECLASSIFIES THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS CONSTITUTED FOR REDUCTION OF LITIGATION, REVIEW OF SERVICE AND PENSION MATTERS AND STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS OF REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES
In a step towards greater transparency, the Raksha Mantri has ordered the declassification of the Report of the Committee of Experts constituted for reduction of litigation, review of service and pension matters and strengthening the institutional mechanisms of redressal of grievances. The panel had submitted its Report on 24th November 2015.

Major Navdeep SIngh(Retd)

A helidrop exercise at Pithoragarh as part of the India and Nepal military exercise linked to disaster managment. Tribune photo

Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, February 18

On the 10th day of the India -Nepal military exercise, named ‘Surya Kiran IX’, Army units of both nations today held jungle disaster mitigation and guerrilla war exercises at the Army ground of the local Cantt area.According to a press- note of the Army, the troops taking part in the exercise are also getting training in searching hidden enemy through jungle warfare and in reaching at the war zone by helicopters. “We have also organised friendly volleyball, football and basketball matches between the units of the two nations and a seminar on disaster management,” said Rakesh Manocha, an officer taking part in the exercise.