Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 26

Almost a year after the Army carried out surgical strikes on militant launch pads along the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, militancy-related violence as well as infiltration attempts haven’t abated.After the surgical strikes on September 29 morning, 78 security men (including 58 this year) have been killed in militant attacks or ceasefire violations in the region. At least 175 militants (24 last year) have also been killed in Kashmir during the same period.On September 18, 2016, an Army base close to the LoC was stormed by a group of four fidayeen of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. The deadly attack, which claimed lives of 19 soldiers, was followed by the Army Special Forces launching surgical strikes on militant launch pads in PoK. After the strikes, the Army had claimed to have destroyed several launch pads of militants.However, these launch pads, sources said, had become active again. After the strikes, militants haven’t stopped coming from across. While the infiltration attempts have been more this year, the Army has been able to eliminate 56 militants along the LoC since January. Last year, in the three months after the surgical strikes at least six militants were killed along the LoC while attempting to sneak into the Valley.The intentions from across had become clear only days after the surgical strikes. On October 6, four militants were killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid in the Nowgam sector — wherefrom the strikes were carried out. It was the first infiltration bid after the strikes.The Army officers on the ground say that the surgical strikes were not aimed at finishing militancy, but it was aimed at conveying a strong message to Pakistan and to the world.“With surgical strikes we were able to achieve the aim at the geopolitical and strategic levels. A strong message was also conveyed to Pakistan. Yes, on a day-to-day basis probably it has not helped as the number of attempts from across to push militants has not reduced. It has also not deterred Pakistan on this front. But the other side has a clear message now that any action will have a reaction and that is what they had never thought,” said an Army officer, wishing not to be named.He said the number of fatalities was on rise as the security forces had been on an offensive after the last year’s unrest.“This year, policemen were targeted and with incidents like lynching in mind, they have hit back. With intelligence inputs, the police and forces have been jointly been able to kill a large number of militants, including top commanders,” he added.Another officer said there were high fatalities of the forces as operations against militants had been stepped up.A section of police officers on the ground maintain that nothing has changed after the strikes. “There is no change in the Pakistan policy on Kashmir. It continues to push in militants to keep the pot boiling in the Valley,” a police officer of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police said.‘A strong message for Pakistan’  

• Army officers on the ground say that the surgical strikes were not aimed at finishing militancy, but it was aimed at conveying a strong message to Pakistan and to the world
• “On a day-to-day basis probably it has not helped as the number of attempts from across to push militants has not reduced. But the other side has a clear message now that any action will have a reaction,” said an Army officer

After surgical strikes

Militants killed        175   (73 locals, 102 foreigners) 
Security men killed  78  (38 from Army 30 police, 7 CRPF, 2 BSF, 1 SSB)2016 (Before surgical strikes)
Security forces killed  62
Militants killed 103Entire 2016
Security men killed 88
Militants killed 1652015 
Security men killed 36
Militants killed 952014 
Security men killed 40
Militants killed 1012013 
Security men killed 53
Militants killed 672012 
Security men killed 17
Militants killed 84

Nirmala Sitharaman with James Mattis. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 26India on Tuesday made it clear that it would not send its troops to be based in Afghanistan. There would be no Indian boots on the ground, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while addressing a joint press conference with US Defence Secretary James Mattis in New Delhi.‘Boots on the ground’ in military parlance means putting troops on ground.In the last week of August, US President Donald Trump had announced a new Afghanistan policy that articulated Washington’s desire that New Delhi “does more for Kabul”. India welcomed the policy while underscoring its contribution in capacity-building of the war-torn country.

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Indian line of not sending troops to Afghanistan is consistent since 2001 when the US announced its war of terror post 9/11 strikes. Sitharaman was responding to a question posed by a US journalist accompanying Mattis.When asked, “The US is seeking more contribution from India. Do you rule out troops on the ground?” Sitharaman said, “We have built dams, hospitals and roads; that has been India’s contribution and that will continue.”Mattis’ is the first Cabinet-level visit from the US to India since Trump took over in January.From New Delhi’s perspective, India is already part of the Russia-led six-nation group on consultations on reconciliation with Taliban. At the military level, New Delhi has trained more than 4,000 Afghan army officers and provided helicopters, small arms and is also examining a long wish list, that includes artillery guns, short-range missiles, military support vehicles and even the Russian built T-90 tanks.Indian-built civilian projects include a large hydroelectric dam and a highway.Earlier, in the joint statement, both sides, without naming any country, spoke about freedom of navigation and resolution of disputes within the ‘rules-based global order’. This was an obvious reference to the South China Sea and the ongoing dispute with China.“We have very substantive forward-looking talks. I am confident that this will deepen cooperation with the US,” Sitharaman said, adding that she appreciated Secretary Mattis’s willingness to share technology that would help meet security challenges.When asked if India raised the issue of the US continuing its aid to Pakistan, Sitharaman said she had raised the matter with her US counterpart. “The same forces that find havens in Pakistan hit at New York and Mumbai. My request is that Secretary Mattis speaks out when he visits Pakistan.”

Brig Sandeep Vohra, Commander, Kharga Sappers, flags off a trekking expedition at Ambala Cantonment on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Ambala, September 20

To commemorate the 53rd Raising Day of the Sarvashresth Engineers Regiment, a trekking expedition was flagged off from Ambala Cantonment here today.Brig Sandeep Vohra, Commander, Kharga Sappers, who flagged off the event, said, “To infuse the sense of adventure among troops and encourage junior leadership, esprit de corps and camaraderie among all ranks, the regiment is undertaking an expedition. It will cover a total distance of 151 km from Ambala to Sangla and back via Dehradun–Dhaula–Rupin Pass–Chitkul–Shimla-Chandigarh within 25 days.”The team, comprising 12 members, will cross over Rupin Pass at a height of over 15,000 ft. The expedition members will interact with ex-servicemen as well as college/school students and organise lectures and talks with youth to educate and motivate them to join armed forces. — TNS

 GOG APPLICATION DATE EXTENED   TILL 19 SEP 2017::ESM FROM PUNJAB CAN APPLY

OBITUARY ARJAN SINGH — A MAN OF FEW WORDS AND A FEARLESS PILOT

A LEADER WHO RULED SKIES AND HEARTS

CAPTAIN DECLARES 3-DAY STATE MOURNING:ARJAN SINGH’S DEATH:

SPIRIT OF THE LEGENDARY MARSHAL LIVES ON

PRESIDENT KOVIND, PM MODI CONDOLE DEATH OF MARSHAL ARJAN SINGH

WHEN ARJAN SINGH SOLD OFF HIS FARM FOR IAF PERSONNEL

FAREWELL, MARSHAL IAF’S GRAND LEADER

SITHARAMAN VISITS WESTERN COMMAND

ARMY PREPARES TO FIGHT OUT WAR WITH CHINA AT HIGH ALTITUDE:PEACE TIME TRAINING

PM HAILS MARSHAL’S ROLE IN ’65 WAR

MARSHAL ARJAN SINGH DIES AT 98 FIRST 5-STAR RANK OFFICER OF INDIAN AIR FORCE, LED FLEDGLING IAF IN 1965 WAR AT AGE OF 46

OF NATIONALISM & ANTI-NATIONALISM BY MAJOR GENERAL MRINAL SUMAN

A TALE OF TWO UNIFORMS BY LT GENERAL BHOPINDER SINGH (RETD)

PHOTOS OF THE UPGRADED MIG-29 THAT RUSSIA JUST SENT TO SYRIA

TOGETHER WE CAN: Chandan K Anand and Sara Arfeen Khan

Brand endorsements and commercials are a big part of an actor’s career and what is more fun than doing these with your best co-star. Recently, Sara Arfeen Khan and Chandan K Anand shot for a commercial together and they can’t stop talking about the great equation they shared. “We did a digital advertisement together for Army officers’ insurance and it was an absolute pleasure working with Chandan. We got to know each other on the set. He is a very sweet person. Even when we were working overtime and got late, he made me comfortable,” says Sara.Chandan, too, has only good memories of working with Sara, “I have worked with Sara for the first time. She is an intelligent actress. I cherished the time we spent on the set.”

RK Kichlu

Batote, September 14

Following a spate of braid-chopping incidents and protests in the Gool tehsil of Ramban district, the administration has requested the Army to intensify patrolling outside the localities today.According to SDM Pankaj Bagotra, as many as four suspected cases of braid chopping had been reported recently in the Sangaldan area of Gool tehsil which resulted into protests by people and blocking of roads.The protests were held at Dhalwa and Kentha Mod following an alleged incident of braid chopping in Jabbad village last night.“The administration has asked the police to intensify patrolling, especially during night and school timings, and form village and ward-wise committees. We have also asked for setting up village defence committees which should include ten volunteers and two responsible and reliable persons of the village or hamlet. I have personally requested the Commanding Officer, Rashtriya Rifles, to intensify their patrolling outside the residential areas at Asthan Marg and Dashan,” said Subdivisional Police Officer, Gool, Mohammed Amin Bhat.

SARAGARHI DAY TODAY: PUNJAB GOVT DECLARES HOLIDAY:::12 SEP 2017

BRITISH OFFICERS SALUTE SIKH BRAVEHEARTS

SARAGARHI BATTLE FORGOTTEN VEDIOS ::

Day after Army chief Bipin Rawat said that India should be prepared for a two-front war, adding that the threat of conflict was real on both western and northern borders, and deterrence in form of nuclear bombs or military power may not actually stop it; Lt Gen D Ambu on Thursday said that the army is dealing with any infiltration bid in a very firm way and assured that the situation on line of control under control.

Lt Gen D Ambu also said that the Indian Army can strike across the border whenever necessary. “When we want to we will be able to breach it (LoC), go across & strike when we need. Subtle message we wanted to convey,” he said

Speaking to the media, Devraj Anbu GoC in C Northern Command, said that Army doesn’t expect Doklam type situation in Ladakh and if anything happens we are ready to deal the situation says Commander Northern Command.

He also said that India started about 10 to 15 later in infrastructure as compare to China on LAC in eastern Ladakh but now we are doing it and in progress.

“Situation of LoC is plunder control and we are ready to deal any kind of challenge ” We have a mechanism to deal with .. in hinterland we are dealing with military and killed more than 100 militant in Kashmir ” We take care of civilian casualties,” he said

He said the terrorists continue to try to infiltrate in the region, “We have been foiling their attempts to infiltrate into Kashmir valley and Jammu region,” he added.

The Martyrs’ Memorial at Hussainiwala. Tribune photo

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, September 26

Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, during his September 12 visit to the Martyrs’ Memorial in Hussainiwala, had promised to make efforts for according the national heritage status to the place.For city residents, the assurance was not new as Central and state governments — over the years — have been making “hollow” promises to accord importance to the memorial.“It took almost 37 years for the nation to construct the memorial, where Shaheed Bhagat Singh and his comrades were unceremoniously cremated by the British in 1931. When constructed, the memorial is struggling to get the attention it deserves,” said former IAS officer Kulbir Singh Sidhu, who was posted here as Commissioner.It rankles him that the authorities had been unable to grant national heritage status to the memorial. “I had taken up the matter with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to notify the memorial and other Anglo-Sikh War sites as monuments of national importance. But after my transfer from Ferozepur, no one evinced interest,” Sidhu said.Shaheed Bhagat Singh Society president Jaswinder Singh said, “All these years, pronouncements made by visiting dignitaries to develop the memorial have remained hollow.”During the previous SAD-BJP government, then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had announced Rs 13.5 crore for the development of the memorial. The announcement, however, never materialised.“Last year, Capt Amarinder Singh had written to Badal not to create new war memorials if the existing ones cannot be taken care of,” historian Rakesh Kumar said, adding it remained to be seen how much his government would make effort for it.