Monthly Archives: August 2018

FEROZEPUR: The Indian army constructed a new bailey bridge over Hussainiwala Barrage, situated about 10km away from Ferozepur.

HT PHOTOArmy jawans constructing a bailey bridge over the Hussainiwala barrage in Ferozepur on Sunday.

It is worth to mention that during 1971 Indo-Pak hostilities, a portion of Hussainiwala Bridge was damaged,

The army had put up a bailey bridge for sustenance of villages inside Hussainiwala, the last village along the IndoPak border in Ferozepur.

Now, a permanent bridge will be made to complete the damaged portion of existing bridge, for which, army has made an alternate bailey bridge to ensure unhindered connectivity to Hussainiwala.

The civil administration and people of Hussainiwala welcomed the development, as the new bridge will pave way for permanent bridge without causing any inconvenience to local population and ensuring continuous traffic movement for local people as well as tourists.

The Army engineers constructed the bridge in spite of limited space, at a working height of over 50 feet and in flood like situations necessitating several precautions like use of safety ropes and nets.

F-16 fighter jet. PTI file photo

Washington, September 10

India is not likely to come to a resolution in ‘transfer of technology’ in production of F-16 and other fighter jets “for at least a year and a half”, a top Pentagon official has said.

“Obviously technology transfer is something that India is really really hoping for—looking for so how much we’re able to work through—will probably be a key determinant,” US Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told reporters on Friday.

“Then a key determinant in what India ultimately ends up doing will relate to the make in India part, how many jobs, what sorts of technologies might transfer,” James said.

“The Indian government is not likely to come to a resolution on this for at least a year, a year and a half perhaps, that’s my impression,” she said.

James, who recently returned from India said, India is thinking about manufacturing not just F-16s and F-18s.

“They’re also considering the Grippons and a variety of other aircraft. But I always consider it my—part of my job when I travel overseas is I am team USA and I am going to talk about our fantastic programs and the importance of training and interoperability. These are the types of things that I stress plus the total package approach,” she said in response to a question.

James said her discussions with respect to the F-16 and F-18 did not get into the actual details of what industry proposed.

“My discussions related to the importance of interoperability, joint training, how we have and of course, many countries around the world have extensive experience with both the F-16, the F-18,” she said.

“Now there is always technology transfer issues to work through but obviously, just about the F-16, that has been produced and has been sold to many different countries around the world so it’s a question of working through these technology transfer issues,” James said.

The US Air Force Secretary said, in India she discussed with Indian officials its modernisation programs, their desired modernisation program as well as their strong interest in co-production and co-development technology transfer.

“Some of this would occur under the defence technology and trade initiative. That, of course, would be viewed as complementary, to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi’s make in India campaign, so they are interested in growing jobs in India,” she said.

“I did have the opportunity to talk about both the F-16 and the F-18 proposals which came direct from industry, they are not US government proposals, they are not FMS (Foreign Military Sales),” she said.

“I had the opportunity to talk to the leaders with whom we met in India about just how high quality both of these aircrafts are how the selection of either one of them would go a long way for interoperability, being able to train with partners and allies and also the importance of the total package approach, that is to say, buy the aircraft, but an aircraft alone won’t do you,” she said. — PTI

Separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mohammad Yasin Malik. File

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 6

On his return from Jammu  and Kashmir after leading an all-party delegation to the state, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the ground situation in the Kashmir Valley. There are strong indications that the Centre may toughen its approach towards separatist leaders, making their foreign sojourns difficult and scaling down their security cover.The Home Minister, in an hour-long meeting, apprised Modi on the assessment of the all-party delegation that visited Srinagar and Jammu on September 4 and 5.“Briefed the Prime Minister on all-party delegation’s visit to J&K and also apprised him of the situation in the state,” Rajnath tweeted. Miffed at the Hurriyat leaders snubbing the visiting MPs’ plea for a dialogue, the Centre has decided on a carrot and stick policy. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, say sources, firmly believes in this policy. the Centre is considering curbs on the separatist leaders’ foreign trips by taking back their passports and in some cases denying them travel documents. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA ) said bank accounts of separatist leaders may be scrutinised and pending investigations against them hastened. The intention is to send across the message that those provoking the youths in the Kashmir Valley to create disturbance will not be spared. The MHA’s tough stand has come apparently after the Prime Minister’s nod. There is a feeling in the government that lack of governance in Jammu and Kashmir needs to be addressed and that the state government has been treating the separatists with kid gloves. The final decision, however, will be taken after the all-party delegation meets here tomorrow.Pellets kill another youth Srinagar: A 20-year-old youth was killed and over 100 were injured on Tuesday as security forces fired pellets to quell protesters, who were agitating against overnight police raids in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Restrictions and separatist-backed shutdown continued on 60th day in Kashmir as death toll climbed to 75. Educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed. Pak violates truce in PoonchJammu: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in the region, the Pakistani army violated the ceasefire agreement at the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector. The firing started around late on Monday night and stopped at 9:45 am on Tuesday. This was the second ceasefire violation by the Pakistani army within a week.Elite to blame for discontent: Ex-Home SecyNew Delhi: Former Union Home Secretary GK Pillai on Tuesday said that “absence of effective local self- governance” in Jammu & Kashmir had led to concentration of power in the hands of a few families, resulting in disconnect and discontent. “The 73rd Amendment pertaining to Panchayati Raj Institutions and the 74th Amendment with regard to urban local bodies are not applicable to the state. This has resulted in concentration of power with the elite.” TNS

Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda with Governor NN Vohra in Srinagar on Wednesday. A Tribune photo

Tribune News service

Srinagar, August 31

Lt Gen DS Hooda, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, met Governor NN Vohra here today. The Governor discussed with Lt General Hooda the obtaining internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 19

It was a sombre occasion today with grief and sorrow palpable in the air  as coffins of the soldiers killed in Sunday’s Uri attack lay in a row in an open ground at Badami Bagh, the 15 Corps Headquarters.The ceremony  was led by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. While paying her homage, she expressed grief over the tragic loss. Due to the large number of coffins, not seen by the Army in many many years, the wreath-laying ceremony was held in the open ground.“It was a heart-wrenching scene to see 17 coffins at the same time,” said an official who attended the ceremony. “Thoughts go out to the families of martyrs who were in their early 20s or mid 30s,” he said.The Army and the state government gave a befitting farewell to the bravehearts. Laying a wreath on behalf of the Army, Lt Gen Satish Dua, Chinar Corps GOC, paid rich tributes to the gallant soldiers.Officials from the state government, administration and other security agencies joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs.Chief Secretary BR Sharma, Home Secretary RK Goyal, DGP Rajendra Kumar, senior police officers Gopal Reddy, SP Vaid, Dilbag Singh and  L Mohanti, Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmad Khan and IB Joint Director Harmeet Singh were present.

Punjab News Express
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today joined the veterans’ march to Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore and submitted a memorandum supporting the stand taken by the three services chiefs against the bias against the defence services in the Seventh Pay Commission.

The march was led by Lt Gen (retried) SS Brar, the senior most amongst the veterans participating, and included among others senior retired army personnel including several Lieutenant Generals, Major Generals, Brigadiers, Colonels, JCOs and soldiers.

Senior Congress leaders including Ms Ambika Soni, Ms Asha Kumari and Harish Chaudhary also joined the veterans in their protest march.

The memorandum addressed to the President of India, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said, “the community of veterans across the country fully endorses the stand taken by the Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force with regard to the recommendations of the seventh Central Pay Commission”.

Briefing reporters, Capt Amarinder and other veterans said that it was the bias of the bureaucrats against the armed forces and the blind eye turned by the political parties running the government which has led to this situation. “We constitute the largest share of employees and pensioners and we have no say in the decisions made by a handful of bureaucrats which are imposed on the Armed Forces”, they said.

“The brazen and blatant discrimination against the defence forces has been continuing ever since Independence”, the veterans argued, adding, “the lowering our status in the Warrant of Precedence, lowering our pay scales vis-à-vis other government cadres, brining it below the police and now the central police organisations is a deliberate attempt to belittle the armed forces”.

Capt Amarinder said, such repeated wrong steps on part of the government can only demoralize the defence forces. He said, India cannot afford a demoralized defence service with a belligerent China and mischievous Pakistan being next door neighbours. “Just because our soldiers belong to a disciplined force does not mean their rights are trampled upon”, he said, while hoping that the better sense prevails on the government and the anomalies are removed at the earliest.

“Nobody among the bureaucrats knows about the hostile conditions in which our soldiers are made to work and that is the reason there is such a bias against the defence forces”, he said, pointing out, according to the recommendations while a soldier posted at Siachen Glacier will get Rs 38,000 extra salary, while an IAS officer posted in Assam will get Rs 58,000 extra.

“I have been suggesting to the Defence Minister that the bureaucrats who have habitually been creating hurdles and hindrances in providing better pay to the defence personnel should be made to serve in Siachen for at least a day so that they realise what a soldier goes through”, he said, while asking the Defence Minister to stand by the soldiers and get the anomalies removed at the earliest.
Capt Amarinder said, this is not only an issue of salary to the defence personnel, but their status vis-à-vis other civilian services including the police and the administrative. He said, the defence services have constitutionally to be put higher to the civil and police services. Once their salaries are less than those in corresponding ranks in the civil and police services, their status will get lowered down which is not in the national interest.

“If the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations are accepted as such, what will happen in a situation like Kashmir where army is assigned the job as a last resort, will it be asked to work under the local police and administration?” he asked.

The veterans who participated in the march included Lt TS Shergill, Lt Gen SS Brar, Lt Gen AS Sekhon, Lt Gen SR Ghosh, Lt Gen JP Singh, Lt Gen RS Sujlana, Lt Gen JS Dhaliwal, Lt Gen Baljeet Singh, Lt Gen Iqbal Singh, Maj Gen Tarlochan Singh, Maj Gen SPS Bains, Maj Gen GS Grewal, Maj Gen JS Sidhu, Maj Gen HS Malhi, Maj Gen SPS Grewal, Col RS Boparai,Col CJS Khera,Col BS Brara,Col Bhag Singh,Brig Inder Mohan Singh

President Pranab Mukherjee reviews a passing-out parade of cadets at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on September 10, 2016. — AFP

Chennai, September 10

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the 21^st century is witnessing strife of a very “virulent nature” and called for capable and responsive armed forces to ensure stability and peace.

Stating that security challenges go much beyond conventional borders and threats in the international arena, including a sizeable diaspora, he said, “India requires young men and women to take up the challenge of navigation through troubled waters and work tirelessly and selflessly even at the peril of their lives in the service of country.”

“Our security challenges in fact go much beyond conventional borders and conventional threats in the international arena including a sizeable diaspora to protect in unstable regions in the world, energy security issues and protection of maritime sea lanes,” he said.

Addressing the officers on the occasion of review of the passing-out parade of the summer term at the Officers Training Academy, Mukherjee said the country has reposed faith in armed forces in internal crisis situations, both man-made and natural.

“All these challenges demand a capable and responsive armed forces to ensure stability and peace, so vital for our country on its path of peace and prosperity for all its citizens,” he said.

The 21^st century has ushered in its own set of challenges, he said.

“Though turbulence and uncertainty have manifested all along in the history of mankind, this century is witnessing chaos and strife of a very virulent nature comprising asymmetric warfare involving both state and non-state actors,” Mukherjee added.

The Indian Army represents the Instrument of Last Resort, he said, adding that “the acme of a great and powerful army does not lie in the power it can unleash but the manner and dexterity with which it does so”.

Earlier, the President reviewed the impressive parade commanded by Academy Under Officer Varun Singh Chauhan.

Notably, this was the third time in the 53-year-old history of Officers Training Academy in Chennai that the Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces was reviewing the parade.

A total of 269 Officer Cadets, including 217 Gentleman Cadets and 32 Lady Cadets, 19 Gentleman Cadets and one Lady Cadet from the friendly nations, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Lesotho and Fiji, were commissioned as officers following completion of a vigorous training course at the OTA.

Mukherjee gave away the coveted “Sword of Honour” for the best all-round gentlemen/Lady Cadet of the passing-out course to AUO Varun Singh Chauhan.

The gold medal for standing first in Order of Merit was awarded to Battalion Under Officer Alla Shridhar. The silver medal was awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant Divya Tyagi and the bronze medal was awarded to BUO Rakesh TR.

The banner for Champion Company was awarded to Mektila Company.

The Officer Cadets were piped as officers by their parents and the event was followed by an oath taking ceremony and the National Anthem.

The President briefly interacted with the cadets and their parents after the ceremony. — PTI

A file photo of security forces chasing away protesters during a clash in Srinagar. —PTI

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Sept 9

The restive south Kashmir will see an additional deployment of the Army. This comes in view of the government’s worry as street protests in south Kashmir–Kulgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and  Shopian–have been vociferous.A decision to this affect has been taken and the Army has been told to tie-up its last minute deployment patterns. The Army will not be tasked with mob control, but with tracking down armed terrorists who have been fanning trouble.

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The government is seeing this as a major challenge to restore law and order that has broken down completely in the absence of any presence of the Jammu and Kashmir Police or the paramilitary forces, in the rural hinterland.Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag is in Kashmir today to review the security situation, especially in the backdrop of rather long-winded street protests in the Valley. The protests had gone out of hand since terror-outfit Hizbul Mujahideen’s self-styled commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces. More than 70 people lost their lives in various protests.General Suhag was briefed this morning at Srinagar and he was told about the new military methods planned to curb Pak-sponsored infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir.Gen Suhag will also visit the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan during his visit to the Kashmir Valley. General Suhag will visit the Army establishment at Kupwara located along the 749-km long LoC.General Suhag shall also visit Awantipora during his day-long visit to review the security situation in the Valley.

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court has issued a contempt notice to the secretary, revenue and rehabilitation, Punjab, on a petition filed by a 1971 war widow alleging allotment of “useless land” to her across the fence on the international border with Pakistan instead of a cultivable land.

The high court bench of justice Rakesh Kumar Jain has sought a reply by October 21 on the petition moved by Jasbir Kaur, wife of Major Kanwaljit Singh, a Delhi resident.

The petition says Kanwaljit was taken into custody by the Pakistan army during 1971 war but was later declared martyred and was awarded Shaurya Chakra.

he high court had in 2015 directed Punjab to allot 10 acres of cultivable land to the petitioner, as per policy of the Punjab government, or in the alternative, to make her payment for the price of the land. The court was told that the revenue department allotted her 10 acres of “useless land”, which could not be cultivated, as it situated across the fence, beyond the BSF check-post, at zero point on the International border between India and Pakistan in Amritsar.

“There is no source of irrigation. Moreover, the authorities don’t permit installation of tubewell. There are many restrictions in approaching the land even during the day. Even a temporary hut for labourers cannot be permitted,” the petitioner had submitted adding that state’s act was in violation of court orders.