Nawaz Sharif. File photo

Islamabad, August 3

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Kashmir was witnessing a “new wave of freedom movement” as he asked diplomats to “tell the world” that Kashmir crisis was not India’s internal issue.

Addressing the concluding session of the three-day Envoys Conference organised by foreign ministry here, Sharif said: “Resolution of the lingering dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people is the corner stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy”.

“Today, Kashmir is witnessing a new wave of freedom movement,” Sharif said.

“This movement is running into the bloods of third generation of Kashmiri people and the world has itself seen its intensity in the wake of July 8,” Sharif said, referring to the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in Kashmir.

“The Kashmiri youth are writing new chapters of sacrifices to get the right to self determination. They have lost eyes to bullets but the desire for freedom is guiding them to the destination.”

“The ambassador should make the world feel that Kashmir is not the internal problem of India, as India already accepted it as dispute territory and the UN also declared it as a dispute between India and Pakistan.”

However, Sharif said that all bilateral issues with countries in the region should be solved though talks.

“We cannot afford a conflict. If we became part of any conflict, then our progress in the social and economic fields would be affected,” he said.

“Although Pakistan wants peace in the world on the basis of honour, dignity and equality, our desire for friendly ties should not be considered as weakness. We believe in mutual interests, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the affairs of others,” Sharif said.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Maleeha Lodhi said Sharif had asked her to step-up her campaign to highlight “excesses and rights violations” in Kashmir.

Earlier in the day, Sartaj Aziz, the Prime Minister’s advisor on foreign affairs, told a meeting of secretaries of interior ministries that it was wrong to project Pakistan as being isolated.

Sharif’s statements came on a day when Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in the country for SAARC Interior Ministers’ Conference.

The two countries’ already-strained relationship has soured further in the past few weeks over a recent unrest in Kashmir over a militant’s death and Pakistan’s seemingly “provocative” response.

Kashmir has been on edge since security forces killed Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. More than 45 people have been killed and nearly 6,000 people were injured in violent protests that followed the killing. — Agencies

Frigid relations between India, Pak permeates SAARC meeting

Islamabad, August 4

Frigid ties between India and Pakistan over the ongoing unrest in Kashmir became apparent at the venue of SAARC interior ministers’ conference as the meeting went underway on Thursday.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Pakistan’ counterpart Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan greeted each other with the briefest handshake — their hands barely touched — before the Indian Home Minister moved to enter the conference hall.

The Indian press was kept well away from the meeting hall, leading to an argument between a senior Indian and Pakistan official.

Khan claimed Pakistan was “committed to SAARC processes, and, desires to see it as a successful regional organisation”.

“We must do a reality check of what we have achieved so far and what still remains. It is time for us to seize the moment, to leverage our potential and overcome our choices,” he said.

“We have made substantial contribution towards various SAARC processes and have taken a number of initiatives in furthering the goal of close regional integration,” he said.

Relationship between nuclear-armed rivals — already strained — has turned frigid in the past few weeks since violence began in Kashmir after the death of a militant commander.

Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces in an operation on July 8 in Kashmir’s Anantnag district. His death sparked violence that killed more than 45 people in the Valley and left nearly 6,000 injured.

Pakistan’s repeatedly “provocative” statements on the issue has been condemned the statements by India, which calls the Kashmir crisis an internal dispute. — Agencies

He gives an insight into the new strategies worked out by the Command to take on its traditional adversary on the western borders, as well as the counter terrorism measures to control infiltration

Lt Gen KJ Singh, AVSM, GOC-in-C Western Command. Express file photo

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen KJ Singh, speaks to The Indian Express and gives an insight into the new strategies worked out by the Command to take on its traditional adversary on the western borders, as well as the counter terrorism measures to control infiltration.

How has the operational doctrine of Western Command evolved in the past two years with respect to Pakistan?

The very concept of ‘decisive victory’ appears to be giving way to ‘stalemates’ as seen in Iraq and Chechanya. The possible way forward is to apply overwhelming forces targeting common centre of gravity. In our context it translates to application of Strike Corps. These Strike Corps, which are fixed in the Order of Battle (ORBAT) i.e. one per command on western front, were also getting fixed in their application. We have practised using two Strike Corps in the same theatre to cause psychological dislocation. Unlike the desert, here you do not need to go in deep as the objectives are shallow and sensitive. If you apply sufficient force you can get decisive victory. We have wargamed it and also practised on ground.

Are there any more elements to this?

Yes. Hybrid warfare has become a part of conventional warfare now. Stalemate in conventional warfare is also taking place due to outbreak of hybrid warfare, a distinct possibility in our case. Even when you go in deep you may have to deal with Jihadi elements who may be meshed with elements of the adversary’s army. We have practised counter measures and stabilisation operations for this.

Has any change in behavior been observed with respect to pushing in terror from Pakistan?

It does not seem to have changed. New areas are being explored with the movement of terror from the Samba area to Gurdaspur area now. We have received information that elements are even experimenting with hang gliders for terror attacks and so we have to remain vigilant. The border belt must be sanitised and the drugs smuggling in Punjab and cattle smuggling in Jammu area must be dealt with harshly. We have found lot of supposedly mentally ill people roaming in border areas. Recently two people from Kerala were caught there. We have asked the civil authorities to investigate. It seems our defences are being tested. More coordination with BSF and more aerial surveillance is needed.

What new measures have been taken to protect the vital National Highway 44 between Pathankot and Jammu which runs very close to International Border and has seen many attacks?

I have proposed that an alternate route to connect Pathankot in Punjab to Udhampur in J&K must be developed. A road already exists which has to be strengthened. This Dhar-Udhampur axis will take the vital highway from Pathankot to the valley away from the reach of the adversary as at some place along with existing highway the International Border (IB) is just eight km away. I have also proposed that an alternate railway link should also be put in place along this new axis so that there is redundancy in our defence. The local MLAs and political representatives have already taken up this issue with the Union Railway Minister. We also want that some military stations should be set up along with new road so as to provide an element of security to it.

Were you satisfied with the response to Pathankot terror attack given the criticism that it took too long?

As far as the Army’s response is concerned, it was timely. Our troops reacted in time bound manner and the contact with the terrorists was established well in time. Our Infantry Combat Vehicles were pushed into service and we used them effectively. However, care had to be exercised because the area where the terrorists were hiding had a village in the backdrop. Later, the National Security Guards took over the operation and conducted it.

What about the controversy that there were six terrorists while bodies of only four were found?

This aspect was dealt with by the NSG, which had received information that someone had seen movement of two terrorists inside that particular building. NSG is armed with sophisticated equipment and they dealt with the situation as per their assessment.

What specific measures have brought results in dealing with infiltration in Jammu area?

We have put into place schemes like ‘Jagruk Hindustani’ and ‘Buland Haunsle’ along the IB in Jammu area upto Akhnoor. This has immensely helped us to have a headstart on those terrorists who manage to infiltrate. Meanwhile, we have also increased our defence tiers along the IB and for the safety of the villagers who come under fire from Pakistan. We, along with state government, are ensuring construction of 26 bunkers which will be two-roomed structures with separate enclosures for men and women to take shelter during firing.

Western Command also has the responsibility of catering to Chinese presence opposite Himachal Pradesh in Tibet. What operational improvements have been made there lately?

The area was called Sugar Sector till some years back and was later upgraded to a regular Army brigade and now it has further been upgraded to an Independent Infantry Brigade. The force levels which we have there are optimum for now. There is a move to establish an airstrip in Kaza in that area which would give boost to the operational capabilities. We have also started a practice of close coordination with Northern Command over developments in the area.

What steps have been taken to ensure that the officer shortage which affects Army units does not impinge on operational readiness?

When I was commissioned, we used to have nearly two dozen officers in a unit but this figure is now down to an average of eight or nine. Here in Western Command we have practised and put into place a system in which mobilisation of units for operations, which is a cumbersome and important task, will be exclusively dealt with by the Junior Commissioned officers (JCOs). I have taken out the officers from the equation leaving them to deal with other

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 29

In what apparently seems to be a case of paper leak, 14 of the 100 questions for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), conducted yesterday for short service commission in the Indian Air Force, allegedly appeared on the Internet at least 25 minutes prior to the commencement of the first shift of the test at 9 am. The Indian Air Force has ordered a probe into the incident.A BTech student from Jalandhar, who appeared for the test in Amritsar, said he was checking the answer key for the paper last night when he stumbled upon a website that showed conversation among candidates leaking and discussing the paper online at 8.35 am yesterday, while the exam was to start at 9 am. “I was shocked to see those questions in both sets. Later, I decided to highlight the matter in the media,” said the candidate’s father pleading anonymity.Three-mark questions were repeated in a different order for the afternoon paper starting at 1 pm, which gave candidates four hours and 25 minutes to prepare. Around 7 lakh students took the test across the country for getting entry into flying, technical and ground duty branches.

The hints

• The 14 questions leaked by a person with an identity “tk” came in short hints as: “Book of Sharad Pawar, shooting 50 m rifle, highest civil award of Australia, lifetime achievement in cricket, environmental conference, Hyder Ali won with British, fundamental right part-3, Commonwealth Game 2018 Australia, solar eclipse, Mirage 2000, Piku-Deepika, IRNSS satellite, Goswami Ashoka Chakra and acid rain.”

Some questions in the test

• The book “On My Terms: From the Grassroots to the Corridors of Power” is the autobiography of? (Sharad Pawar is an option in the answer)
• Indian ruler who defeated British in early stage of their rule in India was? (Hyder Ali is an option in the answer)
• Fundamental Rights are enshrined in the Constitution of India in which part? (Part 3 is one of the options in the answer)
• Deepika Padukone has received Filmfare award 2016 for the Best Actress in the movie? (Piku is an option in the answer)…

The conversation that followed

• As “tk” leaked the paper, another person with an identity “Rohit Sindhu” responded with a message at 10.05 am, “Dear Tapendra, thanks for sharing, we appreciate your efforts”.
• Then the criticism begins, “How the hell did u get hold of these questions man? The paper was held after 9 am and u had posted here by 8.30 am”.
• The discussion goes on till next day with a message appearing, “How is this possible? This should be reported to media! Paper leaked”.

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Indian and Chinese armies hold a ceremonial border personnel meeting in Ladakh on Independence Day. A Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16

The Indian and Chinese armies on Monday held a ceremonial border personnel meeting (BPM) in the Ladakh sector and sought to uphold the treaties and agreement signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).According to the defence spokesperson, Northern Command, SD Goswami, the ceremonial meeting was held on Independence Day at the Indian border personnel meeting huts at Chushul-Moldo and the newly constructed BPM hut at the DBO-TWD meeting points of eastern Ladakh.The Indian delegations were led by Brigadier RS Raman and Brigadier V Yadav and the Chinese delegations by senior Colonel Fan Jun and senior Colonel Guo Kexie.“Both delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegation parted amid a feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the LAC,” the spokesperson said.He said both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling of upholding the treaties and agreement signed between the two governments to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC.The ceremonial meeting was marked by saluting the Tricolour by both delegations. This was followed by a ceremonial address by the leaders of both delegations which comprised exchange of greetings, wishes and reaffirming the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at the functional level on the border.Thereafter, a culture programme showcasing the Indian culture was organised with traditional grandeur.

Ex-servicemen helpline

• Chandigarh: Amarinder on Sunday launched a helpline for the ex-servicemen where they could register their grievances. Addressing an ex-servicemen convention here, he said the ex-servicemen would be given due recognition and representation in the government. Col Bhag Singh (ret), incharge of ex-servicemen cell, listed their demands, including disparities in the one rank, one pension scheme.

“”PUNJAB DA CAPTAIN“” ALL OUT TO RESTORE STATUS AND DIGNITY OF EX-SERVICEMEN IN PUNJAB

GOC Vajra Corps, Lieut- General JS Cheema (extreme right), dedicates a landmark in the name of a war hero at the Cantonment area in Jalandhar on Saturday. A Tribune Photograph

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 6

In a special function held at Jalandhar Cantonment today, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, Lt-Gen JS Cheema, dedicated various landmarks to war heroes and sportspersons. The function was attended by veterans of Jalandhar city, as well as from the nearby places.The prominent gate of Jalandhar Cantt, near Rama Mandi Chowk, has been named as ‘Harbaksh Dwar’. It was inaugurated by Lt- Gen MS Bhullar (retd), former Colonel of the Sikh Regiment. It was Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, who led the Western Command to victory in the 1965 Indo-Pak war thereby thwarting Pakistan’s designs to annex Kashmir.The road leading from ‘Harbaksh Dwar’ has been named as ‘Rajindar Singh Sparrow Road’, to honour the legendary Maj-Gen RS Sparrow, MVC and Bar. The road was inaugurated by his sons Lt-Gen MS Shergill and TS Shergill.Lt-Col RS Sparrow, then Commanding 7 CAV, was awarded MVC in 1947-48 for taking tanks upto Zojilla Pass and pushing back Pak infiltrators. In the 1965 war Maj Gen RS Sparrow, then GOC 1 Armed Division, took the battle into the Pak territory in the Shakargarh Bulge and was awarded MVC and Bar. His sons then young Captain and Lieutenant also fought the war in Khemkaran sector.Other roads, which were named after veterans include, Lt-Gen JS Dhillon and Vikram Batra roads. Lt-Gen Dhillon was the Corps Commander of Vajra Corps in 1965 and Capt Vikram Batra, PVC, evicted Pakistani soldiers from Kargil heights in the 1999 conflict.The road leading to Hari Pal Kaushik Sports Complex has been named as ‘Dhyan Chand road’ after the legendary hockey wizard Maj Dhyan Chand. It was inaugurated by Col Balbir Singh Kular (retd), renowned hockey player and a native of Jalandhar.One of the living accommodations of JCOs/ORs has been named as ‘Sanjay Vihar’ after Rfn Sanjay Kumar, who was awarded the PVC in Kargil operations.The sports complex of Vajra Officers Institute has been christened as ‘Hari Pal Kaushik Sports Complex’. The complex was dedicated by none other than the legendary 82-year-old Lt-Col Hari Pal Kaushik (retd), a Veer Chakra recipient.Hockey players, mainly from the Sikh Regiment, who were present on the occasion, include Lt-Gen MS Bhullar (retd), Major Gen Trilochan Singh (retd), Brig HJS Chimni (retd), Brig IS Gakhal (retd), Col RS Cheema (retd) and Col Balbir Singh Kular (retd).Salinder Kaur wife of Sub Maj Makhan Singh, who won a gold and silver in athletics at Jakarta Asian Games in 1962 and had beaten legendary Milkha Singh in 1962 National Games in Kolkata, was presented a cheque of Rs 1,00,000 by the Vajra AWWA zonal president Anupvir Kaur.Hav Virender Singh of 5011 ASC Bn and Sep Ramudri Someswara Rao of 11 Madras Regiment were awarded cash prize of Rs 50,000 each by GOC, Vajra Corps. Hav Virendra Singh has qualified for Rio Paralympics Games to be held in Brazil. He will participate in javelin and short put events. Sep Ramudri Someswara Rao is a blade runner and has represented Services at the national level para-athletic championship and won gold in 100 mtr.