NEW DELHI: An Indian warship that tipped over at a Mumbai dockyard last December has been salvaged to its upright position at a cost of ₹20 crore. The freak accident left two sailors dead and 14 injured.

HT FILEINS Betwa, a Brahmaputra­class guided missile frigate, slipped on the dock blocks during a refit on December 5.

INS Betwa, a Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate, slipped on the dock blocks during a refit on December 5, with many fearing that the 3,850tonne frigate would be written off. Betwa is on an even keel now, navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma said.

Two days after the frigate overturned in Mumbai, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said “miscalculation of balance” may have been a reason it keeled over.

He said a warship’s balance could get disturbed during a refit as a lot of machinery and fixtures were removed. The navy sought the help of foreign experts to salvage the warship as it does not have a crane big enough to lift a ship of Betwa’s size.

The contract was awarded to the Indian arm of US-based Resolve Marine Group to bring the ship to level position, paving the way for its refit to continue at Duncan/Hughes dock in Mumbai.

A board of inquiry to ascertain what went wrong has been completed and is being examined by the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command.

The investigation was headed by Rear Admiral Deepak Bali, flag officer offshore defence advisory group.

The 126-metre vessel tipped over while it was being undocked and its mast hit the ground.

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File Photo

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 21

The India-Pakistan narrative is slowly edging back to a state of normalcy, considering the indications coming from some quarters.After the acrimonious exchange of words on the Indus Water Treaty, sources said a meeting was likely to take place soon on the Permanent Indus Commission. Talks scheduled for the commission that were to be held last year were suspended after the Uri attacks.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)It is learnt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen on restarting the bilateral dialogue. At a meeting the PM had last week with a visiting delegation from the UK, the PM, people present in the meeting told The Tribune, recalled with positivity the trip he made to Lahore in December 2015.He also pointed out that the attacks took place soon after as there were forces in Pakistan that did not want peace in the region. But he also felt there were positive forces in Pakistan. Modi spoke about the menace of terrorism and of Pakistan’s role in it. But, he also expressed optimism that talks should resume and said India was ready to compromise wherever India felt was in its best interest. The PM, sources said, wanted to extend a hand of peace towards Pakistan, and cited the example where an international court decided against India in a maritime dispute with Bangladesh and India accepted the verdict. The PM was referring to the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) dispute regarding the delimitation of the maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh that was delivered in 2014. The tribunal awarded Bangladesh 19,467 sq km of the 25,602 sq km sea area of the Bay of Bengal and India abided by the verdict.India and Pakistan are all set to become permanent members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this year when the meet is held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June.Both Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are expected to travel to Astana for the SCO meet. Indications from both sides are this will serve as an ideal opportunity for the two leaders to meet on the sidelines and break the ice. But some groundwork needs to be done before that and the Indus Water Commission meet and the PM’s own comments are the first steps in that direction.

Jats to regulate traffic; alternative route plans issued

Women take part in the ‘Jat Nyay Dharna’ at Jassia village in Rohtak on Saturday. Photo: Manoj Dhaka

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Jassia (Rohtak), February 18

Elaborate arrangements have been made in Rohtak and other sensitive districts in anticipation of huge turnout at ‘Jat Nyay Dharnas’ in view of the ‘balidan divas’ observance slated for tomorrow. People from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring states are likely to participate in tomorrow’s event.While the All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) aims at having a gathering of 5 lakh persons at the main dharna site in Jassia village of Rohtak district, intelligence agencies put the expected number at 40,000.In view of the sensitive and volatile situation, seven more companies of paramilitary forces have been called to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident. Army authorities have also been kept in the loop so as to keep their personnel on standby.Five companies of the CRPF and two of the RAF are already deployed in Rohtak. Another company of police personnel has arrived on the DGP’s orders. As per police sources, reserve companies of the DGP have been deployed in eight sensitive districts, including Rohtak.The local administration and police have given out new route plans in view of tomorrow’s event. People have been advised to commute between Rohtak and Gohana via Khakhauda or Lakhan Majra instead of taking NH 71-A, which passes through Jassia.The AIJASS said its volunteers would regulate traffic and make other arrangements at the dharna site for peaceful conduct of the event.

Relief for injured

A total of 27 innocent persons who had been injured during the Jat stir in February last year were awarded compensation today. An amount of Rs 18 lakh was given to the victims.

COMPARE INDIAN ARMY CONSTRAINS WITH FREE HAND FOR PAK ARMY

BENGALURU: French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation on Wednesday said the Indian order for 36 Rafale fighters was a “bit small,” hoping it would swell to around 200 warplanes over the next decade. The firm has factored in an upcoming naval aviation programme to arrive at the figure.

PTI PHOTOReliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani climbs into the cockpit of a Rafale fighter jet at Aero India 2017 in Yelahanka Air base, Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said a bigger order would ensure that transfer of technology was meatier and would position the country as a high-end manufacturing hub under the Make in India initiative. “Thirty six is a good number to start with but we need to build on that foundation. It is not big enough for transfer of technology,” Trappier told a select group of journalists at Aero India-2017. “We are pushing for more orders. We are aware of the Indian military’s requirements and additional orders could come,” he added.

India and France signed the $8.7-billion Rafale deal on September 23, 2016. The jets, equipped with latest weapons and tailored for Indian needs, will be delivered between 2019 and 2022. IAF fighter pilots and technicians will head to France in 2018 to train on the Rafale. The IAF has also cautioned that the 36 fighters are not enough to check the erosion of its strength.

Trappier said Rafale was a strong competitor for an Indian programme to build twin-engine fighters in the country. He said Dassault would also compete for an order to supply 57 carrierborne fighters to Indian Navy. “It makes better sense to equip the IAF and the navy with the same platform as it means good logistics, maintenance and industrial support,” he said. US giant Boeing will also compete for the naval programme with its F-18 Super Hornet.

The IAF’s Rafale fighters will be equipped with European missile maker MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual range missiles. MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier told HT the missile’s no-escape zone was three to four times greater than other missiles. MBDA has formed a joint venture with Larsen & Toubro to take part in upcoming missile programmes under the Make in India plan. “This is MBDA’s first JV outside Europe. We are willing to transfer most sensitive missile technologies,” Bouvier said. Dassault Aviation has forged a joint venture with billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence for carrying out its offset obligations bundled with the Rafale deal. Ambani flew in a Rafale fighter at the airshow, pulling 6G during the 35-minute sortie.

India launches 104 satellites, beats Russia

RIHARIKOTA (ANDHRA PRADESH): India on Wednesday created a world record by successfully putting into orbit 104 satellites, including the country’s own Cartosat-2earth observation satellite, in a single mission.

ISRO.GOV.INThe PSLV­XL variant rocket standing 44.4 m tall and weighing 320 tonnes blasted through the skies on Wednesday

With the launch, ISRO surpassed the 37 satellite launch record set by a Russian rocket on June 19, 2014.

The co-passenger satellites comprised 101 nano satellites, one each from Israel, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UAE and 96 from the US, as well as two nano satellites from India.

The total weight of all the satellites carried on-board is about 1,378 kg. Multiple satellite launches with a PSLV rocket is not new for ISRO, having launched 20 satellites on June 22, 2016.

“One hundred and four satellites have been put into orbit,” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman AS Kiran Kumar said soon after the launch, congratulating the space agency’s team on its success.

Exactly at 9.28 am the PSLV-XL variant rocket standing 44.4 metres tall and weighing 320 tonnes tore into the morning skies with fierce orange flames at its tail. Gathering speed every second, the rocket raced towards the heavens amid the cheers of the ISRO officials and the media team assembled at the rocket port here.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi congratulated ISRO on the success. Science and Technology minister Harsh also congratulated the ISRO.

At the rocket mission control room, ISRO scientists were glued to their computer screens watching the rocket escaping the earth’s gravitational pull.

Around 28 minutes into the flight, the rocket completed its birth ‘karma’ slinging all the 104 satellites into their intended orbits as per the scheduled sequence.

Islamabad, February 14

Pakistan called the India’s Deputy High Commissioner on Tuesday to denounce “unprovoked” truce violations by Indian forces on the Line of Control — an incident it claims that killed three Pakistani soldiers.

Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria claimed India opened fire at Thub area in Bhimber Sector in Pakistan.

“The Director General (South Asia & SAARC), Dr. Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, J P Singh, today and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Indian occupation forces,” Zakaria said, accusing India of targeting civilians and soldiers alike, which he went against “human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws”.

India has been asked to investigate the incidents and instruct its troops to “respect” the 2003 truce agreement signed by the two countries, the statement said.

This was the second time Singh was called over “truce violations” in this past week.  — PTI

Even if the cold start strategy sounds intimidating and there is indeed a gap between the two powers’ military might, it does not mean that India can easily win a landslide victory against Pakistan. Pakistan has considerable strength to safeguard its sovereignty. ZHAO GANCHENG, director of Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies

BEIJING: Despite India’s “cold start” military doctrine, nucleararmed Pakistan is strong enough to defend its sovereignty and it will not be a one-sided victory as assumed by New Delhi, a top Chinese strategic analyst has told the state media.

AFP FILEA scene from Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad.

The “cold start” doctrine is an Indian armed forces’ manoeuvre developed to swiftly seize Pakistani territory and end the war before it escalates into a nuclear conflict. Army chief General Bipin Rawat made a rare mention of it in a recent interview, seemingly putting a stamp of confirmation about its existence

Zhao Gancheng, director of Centre for Asia-Pacific Studies at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the nationalistic tabloid Global Times that comments like the one Rawat made will increase India-Pakistan tension – especially because of the uncertainty in the US foreign policy after President Donald Trump took over.

“Against this backdrop, any remark that might threaten the delicate peace between the two nations from the Indian military authority will undoubtedly trigger a strong reaction in Pakistan,” Zhao said.

Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initial overtures to Pakistan, Zhao blamed India for derailing the peace process between the two countries by accusing Pakistan of harbouring terrorists. “Due to a number of other factors, such as India accusing Islamabad of terror attacks in Kashmir and New Delhi’s bid to add Pakistan-based organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Masood Azhar to the UN Security Council’s terror list, India-Pakistan ties worsened,” Zhao said.

But India, he said, should remember that even if there is a gap militarily between the two countries, Pakistan is strong enough to defend itself.

“However, both India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed countries. Even if the cold start strategy sounds intimidating and there is indeed a gap between the two powers’ military might, it does not mean that New Delhi can easily win a landslide victory against Islamabad. The truth is, Pakistan has considerable strength to safeguard its sovereignty and its nuclear weapons should not be ignored,” Zhao said. He added the US’s role in India-Pakistan ties will be crucial and Trump’s policy could be different from predecessor Barack Obama. “Trump called Pakistani prime minister first after winning the election, which may be a crucial signal – he would take a more balanced strategy between New Delhi and Islamabad.”

 

A candidate gets his arm stamped. Photo Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 6

As compared to last year a rise of nearly 10,000 applications was recorded in the online registration for recruitment in the Army from this region, said Brig Jaidev Singh Samyal, Deputy Director General Recruitment for Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The Army recruitment rally, which began today, is being conducted at Khasa Military station. It will go on till February 24 under the Army Recruiting Office, Amritsar.The screening is being done for soldier (general duty), soldier (technical), soldier (clerk) and soldier (tradesmen). A rally for education havildar will be conducted on February 15.Brig Samyal said there was nearly 30 per cent increase in the online registration from the last year. Online registration for recruitment was introduced in 2016 in which as many as 46,000 applications were received from the region. This year, the number of online applicants reached 55,437.While giving details Brig Samyal said, “This is the highest registration in the entire zone of Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.” As many as 17,668 applicants registered online from the Gurdaspur district, which is the highest, followed by 15,569 candidates from the Amritsar district.There was no restriction on number of persons to be recruited in the ensuing rally, he added. He said all deserving candidates, who come in merit, would be absorbed in the Army. “A candidate will have to clear physical stamina, physical measurement, medical and finally written common entrance Examination stages to join the Army,” he added.Brig Samyal said, recruitment rally for youth from the Kashmir Valley would be organised in Srinagar in April. So far, as many as 7,000 online applications had been received for recruitment, he added.

Photo for representational purpose only. Photo courtesy: http://crpf.nic.in

New Delhi, February 6In an unusual case of ‘mass bunking’ being confronted by the CRPF, 59 trainee commandos of its elite jungle warfare and counter-Naxal squad CoBRA have gone missing from a train just before they were to report for duty in the Left wing Extremism-hit theatre of Bihar as part of their first deployment.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The incident occurred on Friday at the Mughalsarai station when the commandos, on way from their training centre in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar after their 5-week basic training, apparently decided to abandon their forward journey and leave en masse to go to their homes or some undisclosed location.Officials said the jawans also did not inform their contingent commander on board the train as they made their daring escape bid in the night.Shocked by the utter disregard to rules by these constable-rank jawans recruited in the country’s largest paramilitary in 2011, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has ordered for a Court of Inquiry into the incident, termed as a case of “unauthorised absence” by the force.Senior officials of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and CRPF said the jawans were scheduled to report at the headquarters of the 205th CoBRA unit in Gaya in Bihar today for their onward deployment for conducting special anti-Naxal operations in Bihar.”A full Inquiry has been ordered by the force headquarters in Delhi. The trainers and the havildar who was accompanying these commandos have got in touch with some of those who vanished from the train without informing seniors.Some have promised to report by tomorrow,” senior officials told PTI.It is to be ascertained as to how all of the men decided to make the slip en masse, they said, adding the jawans were “not armed”.They added that maximum of the commandos who undertook this ‘mass bunk’ hail from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.The CoBRA was raised in 2009 by the Central government under CRPF to act as a special guerrilla combat wing for tackling violence perpetrated by naxalites as well as insurgents in the northeast with the aid of specific intelligence inputs. —PTI