Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 30

War veteran and defence expert Major Gen (retd) GD Bakshi and former RAW chief RSN Singh slammed the move of calling a five-member Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to visit Pathankot Air Force base in connection with the probe into the January 2 terror attack.“I do not agree with this step seeing our old experience with Pakistan. You saw what happened after 26/11, there were a lot of talks, but nothing has been done to bring perpetrators of the crime to book by that country. It is a white lie that Pakistani army and its ISI were not involved in the Pathankot attack, without their support it could not have happened. Moreover, if investigation is to be done in the case then the investigating police team should be there and not military officers,” said Bakshi on the sidelines of a seminar on national security threats in Sector 37 here.“Our PM trusted Pakistan and attended Nawaz Sharif’s granddaughter’s wedding as a goodwill gesture. But, what they did to us, a few days later they stabbed us in the back with a terrorist strike in Pathankot,” he added.Col (retd) RSN Singh, former RAW chief, is also not hopeful of the development. “Will this bring any change in the attitude of Pakistan? Will it have any deliverables? I do not think it will have any positive effect,” said Col Singh.

An IAF helicopter fires a rocket during ‘Iron Fist 2016’. PTI

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

Pokhran (Rajasthan), March 18

Amid a dwindling fleet of fighter jets, the Indian Air force today came up with its most potent display of prowess in waging a war from air.The IAF displayed its preparedness in tackling threats besides showcasing its arsenal, including its indigenous helicopters and fighters jets, during “Iron fist 2016” at the Pokhran firing range, 100 km from the Pakistan border, in western Rajasthan.A total of 181 aircraft from the IAF stable carried out a four-hour-long firepower display, which was witnessed by President Pranab Mukerjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Along with the integration of India-made beyond visual range (BVR) missile, the air-to-air “Aastra” mounted on the Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 MKI. The indigenous Akash surface-to-air missile was also fired live for the first time.“The IAF is transforming itself into a formidable force with multi-spectrum capability to deter a conflict,” said Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.The Light Combat Aircraft, “Tejas”, which uses a US-made GE 404 engine was the “showstopper”.The LCA, nearing its final operational clearance, first fired a BVR missile, the “R 73 E”, and then dropped a laser-guided bomb, the Griffen. The LCA is produced by Ministry of Defence-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Rochelle D’ Silva said both targets were engaged successfully by Tejas.Also, the Light Combat Helicopter, produced by HAL, which is now testing the IAF and Army arsenal, fired a 70mm rocket. A total of 179 of the LCH are on order — 114 for the Army aviation and 65 for the IAF — and these, will form the attack helicopter fleet, moving in air in tandem with tanks on the ground.The twin-engine machine, that uses a French-origin engine, the Turbomeca, has been approved for flying after extensive high-altitude and hot-weather trials.The IAF today has a fleet of 33 fighter squadrons, the lowest in a decade.

In a first Six film-makers each from India and Pakistan joined hands at Attari in Amritsar district on Tuesday.
Aparna sen, Tanuja Chandra, Bejoy Nambiar, Nikhil Advani, Tigmanshu Dhulia and Ketan Mehta are participating from Indian side.
From Pakistan Khalid Ahmad, Mehreen Jabbar, Meenu-Farjad, Sabiha Sumar, Shahbaz Sumar and Siraj-ul-Haque will make films.
The film-makers have volunteered to make 12 films of their
Bridging Indo-Pak divide
.
In a first Six film-makers each from India an own choice, but with a common theme ‘freedom’.

JALANDHAR: The Vajra Corps organised a flower show and competition in Jalandhar Cantonment on Sunday. The event was conducted by the cantonment board and station headquarters.

Major General Deepak Dhanda, chief of staff of Vajra Corps, inaugurated the event. The show was attended by senior officials of the army, Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police and civil administration. Officials said the event was being held at Jawahar Garden since 1924. During the event, around 200 varieties of flower were displayed in the competition. Prizes were awarded in several categories.

Bengaluru, Mar 2: From past four days, the ‘Bhakts’ have been constantly targeting Karnataka Chief Minister’s Press Adviser, Dinesh Amin Mattu in social media for his remarks on soldiers. The CM’s secretary Mattu has recently made a statement, “it is not only patriotism, but also poverty that drive job seekers to get employed with the Indian Army”. However a Kannada newspaper reported saying the CM secretary stated in a award function program at Udupi that “it is not patriotism, but penury leads youth to join the Army” The CM secretary also questioned right wing outfits, mainly RSS and the VHP that allegedly behave as the custodian of patriotism and asked how many RSS and and VHP (without naming the any organisations) leaders send their children to protect the borders. To understand the context of his statements, the OneIndia contacted Dinesh Mattu. In a brief interview Mattu explains why he has made such statement. In the initial conversation Mattu contested the report published in a Kannada daily and said “my statement was misreported by a Kannada daily. I did make a remark on soldiers by not only invoking poverty but also including the aspect of patriotism.” Mattu reiterated the statement made at Udupi and conveyed, “I said it is not only patriotism but also poverty that drive youth to join the army.” Mattu was quick take pot shots at the right wing affiliated groups, mainly RSS and VHP asking, how many so called custodian of patriotism send their children to army. “They want their kids to end up doing sophisticated jobs, while youth from the lower strata of the caste hierarchy protect the boarders.” Mattu also made above statement at Udupi in his speech as a continued part of his statement on soldiers. Mattu further said, in Udupi he we was mainly speaking on people who call for preservation of folklore. The folklore, for example Bhoota Kola (ritual in Dakshina Kannada ) is performed by Dalits and preserving the culture means Dalits should not give up the practice. By this logic of those who campaign to preserve that culture, Dalit youths and successive generations have to continue the bygone practice, while people from other upper caste do sophisticated or white colored jobs? However it means the same. This is the modern way of keeping the caste system alive. For how long Dalits have to go such ordeals? Even Dalits too possess aspirations to join the mainstream, Mattu informed this saying this is what he spoke in Udupi. In this flow while speaking on Dalits and folklore, “I touched upon the aspect of soldiers, which is another domain where people from lower strata are more. I also questioned, with out naming RSS or VHP or BJP on how many children of these so called patriots end up joining the army,” Mattu reiterated. OneIndia News

Read more at: http://www.oneindia.com/india/not-only-partiotism-but-also-poverty-drive-youth-join-army-cm-press-adviser-2029250.html

Army Chief Dalbir Singh presents the ‘Standard’ to 18 Cavalry in Amritsar on Monday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 7

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Dalbir Singh, on behalf of the President of India, presented the ‘Standard’ to 18 Cavalry at the Amritsar military base today. Army chief is also the honorary Colonel of the regiment. General Dalbir Singh also released a “Special Day Cover” to commemorate the event.The honour has been bestowed upon 18 Cavalry in due recognition of the dedicated service rendered by the regiment since its raising on January 31, 1842.General Dalbir Singh addressed a gathering of serving personnel and veterans of the force and felicitated the regiment for having earned the distinction. It was formed 174 years ago.The 18 Cavalry is a frontline regiment of the Indian Armoured Corps which has participated in a large number of operations undertaken by the Army since its raising.The General said his father Rishaldar Major Ramphal Singh (retired) had participated in the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971 as a member of this regiment. He said even his grandfather had been a soldier of the Azad Hind Fauj.General Dalbir Singh also awarded the COAS commendation card to six personnel. A mounted parade was held on the occasion.The ceremony was also attended by Lieutenant General KJ Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command and a number of senior officers and civil dignitaries.

Army chief presents President’s Standard to 18 Cavalry in Amritsar

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar’s sudden homily just two days ago on not talking with Pakistan looks rather outdated. Jaishankar had argued that Pakistani action against Pathankot airbase attackers would take precedence over talks. He appeared to be overruling the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad who had delinked talks from the Pakistani probe into Pathankot. Now the outcome of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue may force India to rethink its position.  Indian strategic analysts were worked up over the US-Pakistan Joint Statement mentioning Kashmir. But they underplayed the prominent place to Pathankot in the joint document and in remarks by Sartaj Aziz and John Kerry.Aziz’s account of the Pakistani probe moved Kerry to “appreciate” Nawaz Sharif’s “stated commitment” to bring the perpetrators of the Pathankot attack to justice. The column ticked, the US moved on to the main purpose of the strategic dialogue — creating the right environment for the ‘Quadrilateral’ of Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China to achieve a political settlement with Taliban. India, despite weathering repeated attacks on its Afghan consulates and providing substantial aid, is on the sidelines of the peace process. Aziz painted India as being opposed to the reconciliation process. With so much of global diplomatic capital expended on this, he raised fears of the damage recalcitrant countries can inflict.Not only will Islamabad try to trip India each time it tries to assist in the Afghan peace process, there will be a loss of standing among Central Asian countries, some with backs to the wall against resurgent Islamists could do without a breach within the ranks. Russia and China want rapproachment as they had agreed to admit India and Pakistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) provided their bilateral quarrels were compartmentalised. The US instead is keen on India building more intensive ties in eastern Asia. It may turn out to be a useful ploy to insert India vigorously in East Asian geopolitics but for now it is the other flank that craves attention.

Governor NN Vohra holds a review meeting at the civil secretariat in Jammu on Tuesday. A Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 1

Governor NN Vohra today reviewed significant road projects being maintained and developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a high-level meeting here.The meeting was attended by Parvez Dewan, Adviser to Governor; Lt Gen Suresh Kumar, Director General, BRO; PK Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor; Rohit Kansal, Commissioner PWD (R&B); and Brig Biswajit Bhattacharya, Chief Engineer, Sampark.The Governor was apprised of the status of maintenance and ongoing work on Jammu-Poonch national highway, Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road, Batote-Kishtwar road, Parimpora-Shalteng-Narbal part of NH1; and Baramulla-Rafiabad-Kupwara-Tangdhar road.The Governor observed that keeping in view the strategic and economic importance of NH-144A, the road from Akhnoor onwards which was under the control of the BRO was required to be developed to national highway standards by carrying out major improvements such as cross drainage works, surfacing and geometrics.The Governor directed expeditious upgrade of the Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road and other related improvements in order to make this road an effective alternative connection to Chenab Valley and onwards to Kashmir.Once completed, this road would provide an all-weather alternative corridor to the Chenab valley and for tourists and Amarnath pilgrims.He was informed that snow was being cleared near Simthan Pass and the nine-km road stretch from Achabal to Donipawa on the Batote-Kishtwar road was being widened. The Governor directed timely completion of snow clearance work to make the road trafficable well in time.The Governor directed that four-laning of the Parimpora-Shalteng-Narbal road sanctioned under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme and development work on Srinagar-Sonamarg sector must be completed on priority.He reviewed the work of upgrade of the Srinagar-Uri-LoC road, double-laning of the Srinagar-Leh road via Kargil, Uri-Kamanpost road and Nimu-Padam-Darcha road. The Governor discussed the need to improve and widen the Mughal Road links from Bafliaz to Rajouri and to Surankote for encouraging traffic on this alternative route connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country.The status of maintenance and upgrade of roads in the border towns by Beacon and Sampark and various other important and critical roads maintained by the BRO were discussed in the meeting.He noted that feasibility studies undertaken by Beacon on Basti-Chattergala tunnel on Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah road, Sadhana Pass tunnel on Kupwara-Karnah road and Razdan Pass tunnel on Bandipora-Gurez road.The Governor urged Dewan to fix timelines for land acquisition process on these important road projects and asked the DG, BRO, to direct all his officers to maintain close coordination with Commissioner, PWD.He reiterated his earlier directions that the Commissioner, PWD, should hold monthly review meeting to resolve all issues pertaining to land acquisition and other impediments in timely implementation of all national highway and other important road works.

Himalayan glaciers fragmenting: Expert

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 1

Dr Suraj Mal from the Department of Geography, Delhi University, today said, “Glaciers in the Bhilangana basin are fragmenting and resulting in the formation of glacial lakes. This is increasing the risk of floods due to glacial lake bursting.”Dr Mal was speaking at a workshop to present the results of a collaborative research project on hydropower irrigation nexus in the upper Ganga headwaters here today.Dr Mal’s study has revealed that there were 26 glaciers in the Bhilangana basin in 1968 and due to fragmentation, the number has increased to 30.He presented a data on recession and shrinking of the Khatling and Phating glaciers. The information presented has serious implications for development projects in the Bhilangana basin.The research project is a collaboration between the University of Arizona (USA), People’s Science Institute, Dehradun, Delhi University and ICIMOD, Kathmandu. It is funded by the water, land and ecosystems programme of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).Mussoorie-educated Prof Chris Scott of the University of Arizonaspoke about the project, its objectives and shared results from hydro-meteorolgy analysis. He said there was a tremendous potential to enhance livelihood in mountain villages by using hydropower generated to lift river water for irrigation.Former Chief Secretary Dr RS Tolia called for integrating forest-hydrology linkages and understanding mountain geology and spring systems.Dr Ravi Chopra from the PSI said a grievance redressal mechanism was needed at the state level to respond to problems related to hydropower development in Uttarakhand raised by local communities.Vibha Puri Das, former FRDC, Uttarakhand Government, Ajay Verma, chief engineer (Garhwal), Department of Irrigation, P Jeyraj, PCCF (Planning and Management), Department of Forests, Bihari Lal from Lok Jeevan Vikas Bharti, Budha Kedar and Dr KN Vajpai of UNIDO also spoke at the workshop.