Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 21

The Army on Thursday paid tributes to Rifleman Rajesh Khatri, who was killed in a ceasefire violation on Wednesday along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Keran sector.“Lt Gen JS Sandhu, commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, and all ranks paid homage to the soldier on behalf of the nation,” the Army said in a statement.“In a show of solidarity, representatives and officials from the state government and other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyr,” the Army said.The rifleman had sustained bullet injuries “due to enemy fire while he was deployed at a forward post in the Keran sector,” the Army said.“He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated from the post but, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries,” it said.The 27-year-old soldier had joined the Army in 2011 and hailed from Torayan village in Dailekh, Nepal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the family of Marshal Arjan Singh in New Delhi on Saturday. pti

New Delhi, September 16

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today mourned the death of Marshal Arjan Singh and said India will never forget his excellent leadership in the 1965 India-Pakistan war when the Indian Air Force saw substantial action.”India mourns the unfortunate demise of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. We remember his outstanding service to the nation,” he tweeted. Modi said the determined focus of Singh, who was promoted to the five-star rank of Marshal of the Air Force in 2002, on capacity building in the IAF added great strength to India’s defence capabilities. “India will never forget the excellent leadership of Arjan Singh in 1965, when the IAF saw substantial action,” the PM said in a series of tweets. Modi recalled how the ageing war hero stood up to salute him despite his ill health.”Sometime back I met him, who despite his ill health tried to get up to salute even though I said no. Such was his soldier discipline,” he said.

J&K Guv mourns death

J&K Governor NN Vohra condoled the Marshal’s death. Vohra recollected how since the time he was posted as Defence Secretary (1990-1993) he had been interacting with the Marshal on several issues of importance and national security. Vohra is a 1959-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer. — TNS/PTI

He won nation’s gratitude: PrezPresident Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday condoled the demise of war hero Marshal Arjan Singh, saying he won the nation’s gratitude for his military leadership in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. “Sad at demise of a great air warrior & Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh. Condolences to his family & IAF community. Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh was a WW II hero & won our nation’s gratitude for his military leadership in 1965 war,” Kovind said in a series of tweets. PTI‘Outstanding soldier & diplomat’Arjan Singh was an outstanding soldier and a diplomat who led from the front. He will be particularly remembered for his successful operation tenure on the Burma front during World War II. He was a jewel in the throne of our armed forces and his extraordinary contribution as an air warrior would always be a source of inspiration to us.— Sonia Gandhi, Congress President‘Great loss to country’The kinds of aircraft he has flown, the positions he held, the awards he has received and number of years of service. It is very rare for any country to have a soldier of that kind of potential. It is a great loss to the country.— Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister

Members of a delegation from British Royal Army during an event organised to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi at Nirvana Club in Ludhiana on Monday. Photos: Ashwani Dhiman

Gurvinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 11

British army officers paid tributes to the martyrs of the epic battle of Saragarhi, when the contingent of mere Sikh soldiers overcame the might of 10,000 Afghan soldiers. Despite losing their lives, they brought with them the best displaying extraordinary courage and valour on September 12, 1897.In an event organised to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Battle of Saragarhi, a delegation from British High Commission having several officers of the British army and representatives from different organisations saluted the Sikh brave hearts at Nirvana Club.The event began at Guru Ram Das Academy, where students of the school presented gatka and cultural programme, from where the delegation went to the Nirvana Club nearby.The delegation comprised members from England, including Major Gen Duncan Francis, Col John Richard Kindall and others. Speaking on the occasion,Col Kindall said it was a hugely inspiring story of not only courage, but loyalty for fellow soldiers, for their regiment, the army and the country.“This is the story of two nations — the British and the Sikhs, who first met in the battle field and left as friends. The Sikhs in the British army carry on that tradition of valour,” he said.They were bestowed with gallantry award — Indian Order of Merit. A retired army officer present on the occasion, said: “Generally individuals are given gallantry awards, but it is very rare that the entire unit is bestowed with a gallantry award.”Major Sartaj Singh Gogna, who is part of the British Royal Army, said he was two, when his family migrated to Britain from India. He studied pharmacy, but realised his true calling and joined the British Royal Army at the age of 21.He said the Battle of Saragarhi has been an inspiration and so has been the participation of Sikhs and Indian Regiments during World War I and World War II. There are around 187 Sikhs, who are part of the British Army, he said.Ranvir Singh, who is serving the British army, said they were following Sikh values and ethos in the British Army.

About the battle…

• The battle was fought before the Tirah Campaign on September 12, 1897, between Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen in the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.
• The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikhs (now the 4th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment), who were stationed at an army post attacked by around 10,000 Afghans. The Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to fight to the death, in what is considered by some military historians as one of history’s greatest last-stands. The post was recaptured two days later by another British Indian contingent.
• Sikh military personnel commemorate the battle every year on September 12, as Saragarhi
• 

Lt Gen Devraj Anbu, GOC-in-C of the Northern Command, with the awardees at the investiture ceremony in Udhampur on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Udhampur, September 7

An investiture ceremony of the Northern Command of the Army was held here today and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Devraj Anbu presented the gallantry and distinguished service awards to 108 officers and other ranks.The Army Commander presented a Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, two Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 76 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 10 Sena Medals (Distinguished Service) and 17 Vishisht Seva Medals to the recipients, which were bestowed upon them for their act of valour and distinguished services.Meanwhile, 14 civilians were also given the certificate of appreciation and cash awards by the Army Commander for their yeoman service. Unit appreciation to 31 units for their outstanding performance in the Command Theatre in 2016 was also awarded.The Army Commander also honoured four personnel of the J&K Police for their act of gallantry and devotion.Lt General Anbu commended all ranks of the Northern Command for their dedication and devotion to duty. He exhorted them to rededicate themselves to the cause of the nation.He congratulated those who were decorated for bravery and distinguished service.During the event, the regional president family welfare organisation, Northern Command, also interacted and presented gifts to the next of kin of the posthumous awardees.

Qayoom Najar

Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 26

The longest-surviving militant commander, who once led a major revolt against the Pakistan-based militant leadership and founded a radical group Lashkar-e-Islam, was killed on Tuesday while he was infiltrating back into Kashmir valley, police said.Qayoom Najar, 45, was killed close to the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, immediately after infiltrating back into the Valley, two senior police officials said.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The security forces initially suspected that an unidentified foreign militant was killed in a routine infiltration attempt, but subsequent investigations found that the slain militant was Najar.Inspector General of Police Kashmir Muneer Khan told The Tribune that Najar was returning to Kashmir to take over the command of Hizbul Mujahideen, whose top commanders in the region were killed in recent months and which is facing an ideological challenge from its former commander Zakir Musa, who now leads Qaida-linked Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Islam.Najar, a resident of north Kashmir’s Sopore town, had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in the early part of 1990s and had topped the security forces’ list of most wanted militants in the region for almost a decade.Najar, whose appearance remained anonymous for his entire militant life, carried a bounty of Rs 12.5 lakh and had fluctuating and fractured relations with his parent organisation Hizbul Mujahideen.In October 2014, Najar had compiled a hit-list of alleged informers working for security forces, which included two high-profile members of the separatist group led by Syed Ali Geelani. The list was rejected by Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin, which caused friction between the two commanders.Months later, in the summer of 2015, Najar led a major revolt against Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pakistan- based leadership and formed a radical new group called Lashkar-e-Islam. Salahuddin and Geelani initially claimed Lashkar-e-Islam was a creation of Indian intelligence agencies, but later Najar was publicly suspended from the membership of Hizbul Mujahideen.During its revolt, Najar’s Lashkar-e-Islam had carried out attacks on the telecom sector as it blamed the widespread use of mobile phone communication for leaking information about the movement of militants.His splinter group had also killed six individuals on accusations of working as informers for security agencies, which included former militants and members of Geelani’s group. Najar along with his Lashkar-e-Islam deputy commander Tariq Mir had also barged into Geelani’s Srinagar residence and threatened him for interfering in militant operations.Najar had reportedly reconciled with Hizbul, according to police sources, and had ex-filtrated to Pakistan from where he was returning to Kashmir valley

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 21

In line with their contract obligations, French major Dassault Aviation has said it was coordinating between French suppliers and Indian companies to manufacture Rafale fighter jets in India.Rafale International comprising Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales has met over 100 French Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Paris. Indian and French Defence Ministry officials, too, were at these meetings. The French Aerospace Industries Association is the nodal agency producing systems and sub-systems for Rafale.   (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)
French SMEs were being encouraged to set up production activities in India alongside Dassault Aviation, Safran and Thales as part of the Rafale programme to help the company meet its obligations, said a Rafale spokesperson in India. The move comes two days after a US business chamber expressed its concerns over sharing hi-end technology with Indian companies. “Encouraging French SMEs to come to India is a key condition to participate in the ‘Make in India’ initiative of PM Narendra Modi and will benefit both French and Indian industries,” the spokesperson said. Rafale is looking towards creating opportunities for establishing a full-fledged aero-defence manufacturing eco-system in India, said Eric Trappier, Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO and GIFAS chairman. The GIFAS is a trade body of 382 members ranging from major prime contractors and system suppliers to small specialist companies. 

A file photo of Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh. PTI

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 16

On August 15, 1947, the first flypast over the Red Fort in New Delhi that roared overhead in perfect formation and with perfect timing was led by Marshal of the Air Force, Arjan Singh. “In those days we had no radar or navigation aids and yet we flew in with pin point accuracy. Everything depended upon the formation leader’s judgement and he pulled off a perfect feat. This was the man,” recalled Air Marshal Randhir Singh (retd), a city resident who retired as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, South Western Air Command, and had flown as the Marshal’s wingman during the flypast.The IAF’s grand old man is no more, but he has left strong and cherished memories behind of life well lived. Many IAF officers who had served with him or under him reside in the city.Air Marshal Randhir Singh recalled that he had first met the Marshal at Kohat in the North West Frontier Province. The Marshal was then serving with No.1 Squadron while Randhir Singh joined No.3 Squadron.“We used to meet informally in the officers’ mess. He was helpful and a good human being,” Randhir Singh said. “He was an excellent swimmer and held the university colours in the sport. Every Sunday, officers would have a swimming competition, but he never used to participate because he knew that he could easily beat all of us,” he recalled.Officers recalled him as a great leader, both in the air as well as on the ground, who had a great understanding of varied operational and administrative aspects and was also quick to convert on different types of aircraft.“The Marshal was the type in whom others would have full faith,” recalled Air Marshal MM Singh, a former AOC-in-C, Western Air Command, who retired in 1988. “He was a perfect soldier who led from the front.” Air Marshal MM Singh commanded the same squadron, No.15 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the same outfit which the Marshal had commanded earlier. “Even after I retired we used to meet frequently as we were both members of the Dashmesh Academy Trust at Anandpur Sahib.” MM Singh said.Marshal Singh had attended two official IAF events in Chandigarh in recent years after he was elevated at Marshal of the Air Force. In 2007, he attended the President’s Fleet Review at the Chandigarh Air Force Station when AJP Abdul Kalam was the Supreme Commander. In 2013, he was by the then president, Pranab Mukherjee, presented Colours to No.3 Base Repair Depot. On both occasions, was seen dressed in immaculate ceremonials with a soldierly bearing keeping in step with the present generation of men in blue despite his age.

Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh (1919-2017). PTI

New Delhi, September 16

War hero Marshal Arjan Singh, who led the Indian Air Force during the 1965 India-Pakistan conflict, died tonight at the age of 98. Marshal Arjan Singh, the only officer of the IAF to be promoted to a five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal in the Army, was admitted to Army’s Research and Referral Hospital this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest. He is survived by a son and a daughter. His wife passed away in 2011.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The government announced his death at 9:03 pm through a press release, saying “a glorious era has come to an end”. Gen VK Singh (retd) tweeted about the demise at 8:28 pm. Before that at 5:26 pm, the former Army Chief condoled the death and then deleted the tweet. Sources close to the family began informing people about the demise at 3:30 pm.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the three Service Chiefs — Gen Bipin Rawat, Admiral Sunil Lanba and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa — visited Arjan Singh at the hospital. Punjab CM Captain Amarinder condoled the Marshal’s death and declared a three-day state mourning to pay tribute to him. Arjan Singh, who had flown more than 60 different types of aircraft, led a fledgling IAF in the 1965 war when he was just 46 years old. As Pakistan launched its Operation Grand Slam with an armoured thrust targeted at the vital town of Akhnoor in J&K, he was summoned into the Defence Minister’s office with a request for air support.Asked how quickly the IAF will be ready for operations, he replied with his characteristic nonchalance, “…in an hour”. And true to his word, the Air Force struck the Pakistani offensive in an hour. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership during the 1965 war.Born on April 15, 1919, in Lyallpur, Punjab (undivided India), his father, grandfather and great grandfather had served in the cavalry. Educated at Montgomery, British India (now in Pakistan), he  joined the RAF College, Cranwell, in 1938 and was commissioned as Pilot Officer in December the following year. Arjan Singh led an IAF squadron into combat during the 1944 Arakan Campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was the Air Force Chief from August 1, 1964, till July 15, 1969. After retirement, Arjan Singh was made Ambassador to Switzerland in 1971 and concurrently served as Ambassador to the Vatican. He was made Marshal of the IAF in January 2002. — TNS/PTI