Monthly Archives: August 2018

French Defence Minister Yves Le Drian arrived on Friday to finalise the deal. ANI

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 23India on Friday inked the much-awaited contract to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of 7.87 billion euros (Rs 58,828 crore) from France.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian signed the deal.
This will end the two-decade gap in procuring new fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and will provide a technological edge.

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The IAF has not procured any new fighter jets for long, the last being the Sukhoi 30-MKI from Russia first ordered in mid-1990s and since then licence-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).The first of the jets from France is to be delivered in 36 months, that is September 2019, and the entire lot will be delivered over the following 30 months. The French company will make India-specific changes like the next-generation missiles like Meteor and Scalp, which will add capability much beyond India’s immediate adversaries. The plane will be fitted with synthetic aperture radar and radar-jamming.The Meteor is a BVR (Beyond Visual Range) air-to-air missile with a range in excess of 150 km. It will allow the IAF to hit targets inside both Pakistan and Tibet from within its own territory. The Scalp is a long-range air-to-cruise missile with a range of 300 km.Parrikar said, “Rafale is a potent aircraft which will add to the IAF’s capability.”The total cost includes 3.42 billion euros as the cost of the bare planes; 1.8 billion euros for associate supplies for infrastructure and support; 1.7 billion euros for India-specific changes to the plane; 710 million euros for the additional weapons package and 353 million for performance-based logistics support.Under the logistics support, Dassault will ensure that at least 75 per cent of the fleet remains operational or airworthy at any given time.

Probe says before attacking four terrorists might have stayed put in a village located at a vantage point. — PTI file

Uri, September 22

Initial investigations into the terror attack on a highly-guarded army camp in Kashmir here have pointed towards several procedural lapses, including lack of coordination between two guard posts.The National Investigation Agency (NIA), meanwhile, was finishing documentation work in the case besides effecting seizures of material evidence from the scene of attack.

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The investigators probing the deadly attack in which 18 soldiers were killed have also found that the perimeter of the highly sensitive Brigade Headquarters of the Army was not properly fenced at several places, official sources said today.The probe also pointed towards the possibility of the four terrorists involved in the attack having sneaked in from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) through Haji Peer Pass on the intervening night of September 16/17 and stayed put at Sukhdar village, overlooking the Brigade headquarters, they said.Sukhdar village is located at a vantage point allowing an unhindered view of the layout of the army base and movement of personnel inside it.The growth of wild grass and bushes around the perimeter of the brigade is seen as one of the factors that could have facilitated undetected movement of the terrorists close to the fencing, which was cut by the ultras to sneak inside the base, the sources said.Standard security procedures provide for mowing any tall grass and cutting of bushes around vital security installations but it was not done around the target site.The initial probe has also pointed towards the failure of two manned guard posts, located barely 150 ft from each other, to detect the intrusion inside the base by the terrorists, they said, adding it could have been due to lack of coordination between the two guard posts.The Jammu and Kashmir Police have collected call details and internet data usage of all active cellphones and broadband connections in Uri town for the period of 24 hours prior to daring attack on the army base, the sources said.The sources said the data along with the partial analysis carried out by state police has been handed over to the NIA for further investigation. The state police have also handed over the DNA samples of the slain militants to the NIA.Slain militants buried
The authorities have buried the slain militants in a village graveyard close to the Brigade headquarter. The last rites of the deceased were performed by the local Imam and some residents, the sources said.The NIA team, which arrived here on Tuesday, is in the process of completing the case documentation and collecting the material evidence from the site which would form part of seizure memo, the sources said.They said the arms, ammunition and other seized articles have been packed in wooden boxes for transportation to Delhi as these would be part of case property.  The NIA team is also trying to retrieve data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) sets recovered from the slain militants.The NIA on Tuesday registered a case to probe the terror attack at the Army installation in Uri.It took over the investigation from the state police, which had registered a case on Sunday, and began probe by collecting evidence available with the Army formation at Uri.The NIA team led by Inspector General G P Singh has been camping in Uri since its arrival here yesterday.Some members of the team will return to Delhi tomorrow while others will stay back at Uri to carry out further investigation, including questioning of people who might be familiar with the movement of the militants prior to the attack.The team would prepare a dossier and may make a formal request to Pakistan once the identity of the four was ascertained.Army has also instituted an inquiry into the attack with preliminary probe suggesting that the terrorists had entered the area at least a day before mounting the brazen assault.The inquiry besides ascertaining lapses, if any, would also suggest measures to prevent such attacks in the future as Pakistan-based groups were indulging more in “shallow infiltration”, which means that terrorists strike the first available installation after crossing the Line of Control.Meanwhile, the road passing through the Brigade headquarters — which connects Uri town to 12 villages close to the Line of Control — was today thrown open for civilian traffic after remaining off limits for the past four days.Civilian vehicles were allowed to pass through after thorough checking but the brigade premises was kept out of bounds for media personnel. — PTI

An Army man interacts with civilians in south Kashmir. Photo courtesy Army PRO

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 21

The Army on Tuesday said its men had been striving to bring calm and peace in the Kashmir valley like other government agencies.“Our officers and soldiers are making concerted efforts to reach out to all sections of society. In these times of unrest, the Army has been conducting Awaam Milan, medical camps, sports events and educational initiatives by establishing contact with people in remote areas,” an Army statement issued here said.The Army interacted with the sarpanch, village elders, religious heads and a number of prominent persons at Behibagh village in south Kashmir.“The elders regretted the cycle of untoward incidents being perpetrated by inimical forces and assured that they would sensitise the youth not to fall prey to such designs,” the Army said.In a separate drive, the Army at Shikargarh in south Kashmir carried with it the message of peace and harmony to the people of Kavil, Pinglish, Tasribug and Soyimuh villages.In yet another similar initiative in south Kashmir, the Army held several interactions with the elderly and youth of Mandikpal village. “During interaction, local shopkeepers were convinced to open their shops disregarding those who were forcing them not to do so. This confidence-building measure yielded results, with many shops opening in the area, which brought much-awaited relief to the people,” the Army said.

Army jawans carry the coffin of Lance Naik Chandrakant Shankar Galande who was martyred in Uri attack, during his cremation ceremony at Jashi Village in Satara, Maharashtra, on Tuesday. PTI

Mumbai, September 20

An emotional farewell was given to four valiant army jawans from Maharashtra, who lost their lives in the Uri attack, as their last rites were performed in their respective native villages with full military and state honours.Sandip Somnath Thok (24) from Nashik district, Chandrakant Shankar Galande from Satara, Vikas Janardhan Kulmethe (27) from Yavatmal district and Panjab alias Vikas Janrao Uike (26) from Amravati lost their lives in the terror attack on Sunday.

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Amid slogans in his praise by thousands of emotional villagers and family members, the mortal remains of Army jawan Sandip Thok were consigned to flames at his native Khadangli village in Nashik district.The body of Sandip, who is survived by parents, elder brother Yogesh and two married sisters, was yesterday brought to Ojhar Airport in Nashik district in an IAF plane from Srinagar and then taken to his native village last night.His parents, relatives and villagers broke down on seeing the valiant soldier’s body.A procession was also taken out in the village as state Rural Development Minister Dadaji Bhuse, District Collector Radhakrishnan B, Sub-Divisional Officer Mahesh Patil, Tehsildar Manoj Khairnar and others paid rich tributes to the martyr.The jawan was bid farewell amid chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Sandeep Thok amar rahein’ by grief-stricken villagers as his mortal remains were cremated late last night with full military honours.Galande’s body was brought to his native Jashi village in Satara this morning where his last rites were performed with full military honours.Thousands of villagers and teary-eyed family members gathered at the site to pay their last respects. A large procession was carried out by villagers.Satara Guardian Minister Vijay Shivtare, state Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Girish Bapat, and several others paid tributes to the jawan.Galande had joined the Army in 2004 as soon as he completed his education. He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents and two brothers.His parents, while talking to reporters yesterday, had demanded stern action against Pakistan.Meanwhile, bodies of Vikas Kulmethe and Vikas Uike were flown to Nagpur airport. While Kulmethe’s body was brought to Nagpur last night, Uike’s mortal remains were brought there this morning.After the Army officials paid homage to the two martyrs this morning, their bodies were taken to their native places.Kulmethe’s body reached his native Purad village in Wani at about 2.15 pm and was received by Union Minister Hansraj Ahir. The body was then kept at his house for the public to pay their last respects.An emotional farewell was given to Kulmethe, where thousands turned up. The entire tehsil observed bandh for the day.Vikas, who joined the army in 2008 and was transferred to the camp at Uri six months ago, got married two years back. He is survived by his wife Sneha (23), a four-month-old daughter, a younger brother and parents.Mortal remains of Vikas Uike from Nandgaon Khandeshwar town in Amravati district, were consigned to flames this afternoon. His family members and villagers could not hold back tears as his elder brother lit the funeral pyre amid the gun salute and full state honours.Before the body was brought to the town, residents burnt the effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in protest.When the van carrying Uike’s body reached the home town, his family members broke down, even as slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Shahid Vikas Amar Rahe’ rent the air.The market remained closed today while thousands lined the road to bid adieu to Uike.He had joined the Bihar Battalion of the army at Chandrapur in 2009, served at Assam and West Bengal, before being posted at Jammu and Kashmir three months ago. He left behind parents, a brother and a married sister.His father Janrao had earlier said that they were planning to marry him off soon. “We had planned to solemnise the engagement on Diwali but all our plans have been shattered,” he had said. — PTI

SRINAGAR: A deathly silence has engulfed the Kashmir Valley, particularly Srinagar, after the deadliest ever attack by fidayeen of Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) on the Army base in Uri in Baramulla district, close to the Line of Control on Sunday even as the security forces have been asked to remain vigilant  and not venture out alone, fearing lone wolf attacks, something intelligence agencies have been warning over the past few months.

With the fidayeen attack being seen as a move by Pakistan to further fuel unrest in the Valley, fear has gripped the locals who described it as a war-like situation, both within the Valley and along the Line of Control.

Already, tension was prevailing in the Valley due to the unrest triggered after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8, which left nearly 86 dead and thousands of civilians and security personnel injured.

The fact that Eid went off peacefully had given hope that normalcy may return soon but the Uri attack has led to more tense moments.

According to the intelligence alerts, security agencies say there is all possibility of lone wolf attacks in the Valley. “We have been told about it and all our men have been asked to move in groups. We are taking all precautions.

However, we are fully prepared to meet any sort of challenge,” said CRPF officials. Almost all localities across Srinagar were even more deserted since Sunday morning, hours after the encounter took place.

Security had been tightened in view of the visit of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief of Army staff Dalbir Singh Suhag.

Most locals stayed indoors and many anticipate “some strong action” from the security forces in the hours and days to come. Silence in the Valley is only interrupted by ‘Azaan’ or the call for prayers from mosques.

“The situation was already volatile and now, it seems like war. We are really scared for our lives,” says Inayatullah, a cab driver, residing in Batamaloo area.

Already struggling with curfews and ‘hartals’ called by the Hurriyat leaders, he says that people are finding it increasingly difficult to survive. “Now with this attack, we don’t know what will happen when. Between security forces and terrorists, we are caught in a very dicey situation,” he adds.

Over the last two months of turmoil in the Valley, Inayatullah and his family along with other residents of Batamaloo have been collecting ration and other essentials from each household and giving it to poorer families, who are finding it difficult to survive.

“With this attack, I feel that a tense atmosphere will prevail for several days more,” Inayatullah says.

On the other hand, some pockets in downtown Srinagar are understood to have “celebrated” the attack on the Indian Army and CRPF sources said crackers were burst at some places. The CRPF has also stepped up vigil in several areas.

The State government was making plans to reopen schools but sources said even that has been postponed now.

Highest casualty in single J&K strike in over 20 yrs; 4 JeM ultras shot dead

Smoke rises from the Army Brigade camp during a terror attack at Uri in the Kashmir valley on Sunday that ended after a more than five-hour gunbattle. PTI

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18

Four Jaish-e-Mohammed militants stormed an Army base barely 50 metres from the Brigade Headquarters in Uri sector, 6 km from the Line of Control (LoC), killing 17 soldiers and wounding 23, nine of them critically,  at 4.30 am today. It is the highest casualty suffered by the Army in a single attack in Kashmir in the past over two decades. The four fidayeen involved in the attack were killed.The terror attack took place despite state Intelligence officials forewarning the Army. The well-trained, heavily-armed militants are believed to have crossed the LoC hours before the attack. They breached the 7-foot-high rear wall by cutting the barbed wire at about 4.30 am and sneaked into the Army base that houses an infantry battalion of the 12th Brigade. As they lobbed grenades, opened fire and set ablaze the barracks and temporary shelters, there was utter chaos inside where 10 Dogra Regiment was in the process of moving out, making space for 6 Bihar Regiment. Of the 17 soldiers killed, 15 were from 6th battalion of the Bihar Regiment and two from 10 Dogra Regiment.It is suspected that the attackers knew about the operational handover though replacement of troops along the LoC is kept a guarded secret. “Most casualties were primarily because of tents and temporary shelters catching fire. At the initial stage, soldiers of both the regiments were asleep inside. At least 10 of them were killed,” an Army official said. He said the militants, who belonged to the Jaish group, carried items with  Pakistani marking.The 12th Brigade is one of two brigades guarding the LoC in Uri sector, which is heavily forested. Sources said the militants may have infiltrated through Sokar sector and made their way through the dense cover. The Army air-dropped special forces to zero in on the militants. After almost five hours of fierce fighting, all  of them were killed.  The Army had a tough time shifting the injured to the Army Base Hospital. The state government rushed doctors from the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences to the 92 Base Hospital in Badamibagh for assistance.Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who reached Srinagar following the strike, said he had asked Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh to take firm action against those responsible for the attack.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. — AFP file photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 12

Three days after the armed forces rejected the salary and emoluments offered by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday told the forces that what has been decided by the government has to be implemented and grievances, if any, can be taken up later.It is now for the three Services — the Army, the Indian Air Force and the Navy — to decide on the matter, top sources said while revealing the day’s developments.The MoD has now “lobbed the ball” back at the forces even as some friction seems to be building between the forces and government.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba today called upon Parrikar and explained that the existing pay commission’s notification done by the MoD on September 6 was inadequate and anomalies remain unresolved.The three Services, in separate letters to their formations, had conveyed that they have asked the government to hold “in abeyance” the implementation of the CPC in view of the “unresolved anomalies”.The Tribune had first reported on the matter on September 11.Sources in the MoD said Parrikar conveyed to the IAF and Navy chief that what all has been decided has to be implemented and “legitimate grievances” can be taken up latter.The government holds an opinion that all demands of all arms of the governments cannot be met in totality. The decision has to be implemented.The forces believe anomalies lower the status and pay parity of forces vis-à-vis their counterparts in the police and civilian administration.On September 9, the three forces issued separate letters — termed as a ‘signal’ in military parlance. This is to inform senior commanders and the troops about the decision of the top brass.(Read Edit: An unusual step — Restiveness among forces must be addressed)The ‘signal’ said “a few concerns have been addressed we have been constrained to request the government to hold implementation of 7th CPC award in abeyance in view of anomalies which need to be resolved.”The Services Headquarters in the ‘signal’ sent down to the formations have asked serving personnel to display maturity and patience and not get swayed by hearsay or speculative reports.The Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) which met on September 7 had taken the decision and the same has now been conveyed to the formations located all across the country, or sailing at high seas.The Chiefs of the three Services, who collectively command a strength of 1.7 million (17 lakh), are members on the CoSC.In March this year, the MoD had conveyed to an empowered committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary that the status, pay and allowances of the armed forces be kept above all other “fighting” arms of the government. Parrikar had also taken up the case that issues of status, pay and allowances for the forces have to be paramou

New Delhi, September 10

The $208 million jet deal with Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer during the UPA regime has kicked up a storm with US authorities going into alleged payment of kickbacks while India has sought information from the company within 15 days.After Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) receives information, further steps may be initiated, the Defence Ministry said today after reports emerged that the 2008 deal has come under the scanner of the US Justice Department which has been probing Embraer for alleged payment of bribes to secure contracts.“The DRDO has sought information from manufacture of Embraer aircraft within 15 days on media reports on aircraft deal signed in 2008,” Defence Ministry sources said.“On receipt of information by the DRDO, further steps may be initiated,” they said.The deal was signed in 2008 between Embraer and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems).The BJP attacked the Congress with Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad saying they thought the stories of Congress corruption would be less heard since change of power in 2014. However, every deal is giving signal of taint. “The past of UPA always keeps on appearing with alarming regularity,” he said at a press conference at the BJP office.The company has been under investigation by the US Justice Department since 2010 .

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has faced flak from opposition parties for what they term as his “flip-flop” policy vis-a-vis Pakistan. But sources in the foreign policy establishment here said on Thursday that it was Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s sudden metamorphosis from a dove to a hawk that has imperiled the resumption of bilateral talks.

There was a “great chemistry” between the two leaders until the Pakistani Premier took New Delhi by surprise, calling slain militant commander Burhan Wani as a martyr and freedom fighter last July. He allowed terror outfits in Pakistan to hold rallies and demonstrations against India. Sharif then dedicated Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day on August 14 to the freedom movement in Kashmir.

New Delhi is still trying to come to grips with a transformed Sharif. On May 31, Modi had called him up to enquire about his health ahead of his open heart surgery in London. Sources said that Sharif called up Modi later, saying, “I am heading to the operation theatre and I need your best wishes.” That was the last time they spoke.

“Nobody know what happened after Sharif went back to Islamabad. He was totally changed. Lihaj khatm, aakhon mein sharm khatm, jahar ugalna shuroo kar diya,” said a source involved in the bilateral dialogue process. The Indian establishment has been wondering about the reasons for this change: Was it to fend off pressure at home after Panama leaks revealed the offshore assets of his three children? Was it the pressure from the army? Was it the local election in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a fortnight after Wani’s killing? There are no easy answers.

What the foreign policy establishment seems convinced about is that Sharif made efforts to improve bilateral ties. Modi had invited him, along with other SAARC leaders, to attend his swearing in ceremony on May 26, 2014. “Bam dhamakon mein baat-cheet ki awaaz band ho jaati hai,” Modi told his Pakistani counterpart the next day. Sharif agreed and the two sides decided to hold foreign secretary level talks, which were called off after Pakistani high commissioner Abdul Basit met Hurriyat leaders.Modi and Sharif met at Ufa in Russia in July 2015 and agreed to resume talks. There was no mention of Kashmir in their statement, which created a storm in Islamabad forcing Sharif to back off. They had a brief meeting in Paris on December 1. The Pakistani premier urged Modi to send external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to Islamabad to attend Heart of Asia conference.

When the Indian PM expressed difficulties given the stalled dialogue process, it was Sharif who took the initiative that resulted in NSA level meeting in Bangkok, three days before Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad.

NEW DELHI: The government has finally cleared the names of Lt General Bipin Rawat as the new Army vice chief from September 1, while Lt Gen P M Hariz will replace him as the Southern Command chief. The force on Monday also got a new signal officer-in-chief in Lt Gen A R Prasad.

But the suspense over some other top-level crucial appointments continued despite the Chandimandir-based Western Army Command, which is the most critical formation on the western front with Pakistan, becoming headless after Lt Gen K J Singh’s retirement. Normally, chiefs of operational military commands are announced well in advance.

Sources said there was “some delay” since defence minister Manohar Parrikar had asked the Army for “the rationale and reasons” behind proposing certain names for the top posts. “The files have gone to and fro a couple of times. The appointments, of course, ultimately have to be cleared by the appointments committee of the cabinet chaired by the PM,” said a source.Though official announcements are awaited, sources say Lt Gen Surinder Singh is likely to be appointed the Western Command chief, while Lt Gen R R Nimbhorkar will be the new master general of ordnance. Lt Gen D R N Soni, in turn, could be appointed the chief of the tri-service integrated defence staff.