Exserviceman Rally and Medical Camp being conducted at Lebong Race Course under the aegis of Striking Lion Division on 25 Mar 2018. Max Veterans & Veer Naris requested to attend. @PIB @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIn
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, March 16
Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in Uttarakhand on March 25. She will be distributing cash awards to students of the state, who have been recently selected by the Indian Military Academy and the National Defence Academy. The award ceremony nomenclatured Shaurya Diwas was aimed to encourage young generation in the state to take up career in defence forces. Uttarakhand State Minister for Higher Education Dhan Singh Rawat presided over a high-level meeting to make the award ceremony a success.A cash award of Rs 50,000 will be given to the student, who has been selected in the IMA or the NDA recently. In case of absence of a student during the ceremony, his parents will be accepting the award. The award scheme is an initiative of the Uttarakhand Education Department.
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, March 18
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today said they would soon open hostels for the wards of martyrs and serving and retired defence personnel in Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and other difficult geographical terrains. He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Garhwal Rifles Regiment War Memorial Boys and Girls Hostel at Danda Lakhond here. He expressed gratitude to the Uttarakhand Government, regimental officers, jawans and others, who, he said, had contributed generously towards the construction of the facility.Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat said children residing in far-flung areas could now avail the hostel facility and complete their higher education. He said another such hostel would come up in Haldwani. General Rawat said the state government had increased the grant provided to Sainik School, Gorakhal, from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore. The Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Sarath Chand, who is also Colonel of the Regiment Garhwal Rifles & Scouts, recalled how he conceptualised the hostel plan in Dehradun seven years ago.He said although he would be retiring shortly, he would continue to be connected to Uttarakhand through this hostel. He said an assistance of Rs 10 lakh was provided by the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre, Lansdowne, while each battalion of the Garhwal Rifles contributed Rs 3 lakh each. Maj Gen BC Khanduri (retd), BJP MP from Pauri Garhwal, was also present during the inauguration ceremony. BJP MLA from Mussoorie Ganesh Joshi and a large number of ex-servicemen were present.
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 8
The Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies seem to have learnt no lesson even after several terror attacks in and outside Jammu district. There is no random checking of vehicles on the highways connecting the district.The police have established checkposts on the Jammu-Pathankot, Jammu-Srinagar and the Jammu-Poonch national highways, but policemen do not check any vehicle.There is no enhanced security on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway, where terrorists have carried out several attacks leading to killings of soldiers and civilians. The highway is sensitive as it is close to the International Border. On several occasions, militants, after infiltrating from Pakistan, have launched attacks on security installations along the highway.Similarly, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been used by militants from time to time to move and launch attacks. Intelligence agencies were of the opinion that three militants involved in the February 10 Sunjuwan terror attack had reached Jammu via this highway.The Jammu-Poonch national highway also assumes importance as it is the only road link through which supplies are carried to the Army and other security forces guarding the Line of Control. Major Army installations along the Poonch highway have time and again been the target of militants.Jammu IGP SDS Jamwal refused to comment, saying that he is busy and will talk about the issue later.NH used by ultras to launch attacks earlier
Beijing, March 5
China today announced an 8.1 per cent hike in its defence budget in 2018 to a whopping $175 billion, over three times higher than that of India, as an increasingly assertive Beijing focused on the modernisation and reach of the country’s military, amidst simmering disputes with its neighbours.The announcement of China increasing its military spending comes as President Xi Jinping, the commander-in-chief of the country’s over 2-million-strong armed forces, focuses on cementing his status as the most powerful leader since Chairman Mao Zedong.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The 8.1 per cent increase unveiled today is higher than last year’s budget allocation, when China upped military spending by 7 per cent over the previous year.According to a budget report to be submitted to the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s parliament, the defence budget in 2018 will be 1.11 trillion yuan ($175 billion). China last year increased the defence budget to $150.5 billion. China is the second largest spender on defence after the US. The Pentagon has requested a budget of $686 billion in 2019, up $80 billion from 2017.The increase of China’s defence budget by 8.1 per cent this year is three times higher than India’s latest defence budget of about $46 billion.China will “advance all aspects of military training and war preparedness, and firmly and resolvedly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests,” Premier Li Keqiang told the opening session of the NPC.“Faced with profound changes in the national security environment, the absolute leadership of the military by the ruling Communist Party must be observed, and the unity between the government and the military, and the people and the military must always be strong as stone, he said.The armed forces will firmly and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, Li said. — PTI
Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 28
India’s ambition of setting up a joint military base in the remote coral Assumption (Assomption) Islands has suffered a major jolt. Giving in to Opposition protests, Seychelles President Danny Faure has reportedly shelved plans to present an amended agreement for ratification in parliament in April.Faure, who was recently in India at the inaugural summit of the International Solar Alliance, was quoted by local media as saying: “It is not proper for me to send the agreement to the Speaker when the Leader of the Opposition, who is in majority in the Assembly, has signalled he will not ratify it.”Under the agreement struck in 2015 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, India is to invest $550 million in building the base to be shared by militaries of both countries for up to 30 years. New Delhi wants to ensure safety of its vessels in southern Indian Ocean and increase strategic presence in waters with an aggressive China expanding its maritime footprint. Seychelles government agreed the deal would help coastguards to patrol its 1.3 million square kilometres Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).Assumption has strategic importance for monitoring shipping of international vessels through Mozambique Channel. After consistent protests by locals, even some ruling party members and the political opposition on grounds of sovereignty and environmental concerns, the deal was revised this year to clarify issues such as prohibition of any nuclear use of the island as well as India not be allowed to use the base in war.Indian-origin leader of opposition Wavel Ramkalawan was invited in January to attend the Global PIO Parliamentary Conference in Delhi. Despite India’s attempts at engaging Ramkalawan, he was quoted as saying: “I hope I have made it clear that this is the end of the Assumption agreement and that I don’t expect to see it on any agenda between President Faure and the Opposition.”
Daughter of martyr policeman Deepak Thushoo who died in militant encounter in Kashmir, wailing near the body before last rites at Jagti township in Nagrota outskirts of Jammu on Thursday.Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 22
The Army and J&K Police paid floral tributes to the five security personnel killed in a fierce gunfight in the frontier Kupwara district on Wednesday.The Army held a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh cantonment, where Lt Gen AK Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander, and all ranks paid homage to the three soldiers killed in the gunfight on behalf of the nation. “In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs,” Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said.Havildar Jorabar Singh, Naik Ranjeet Khalkho and Naik Mohammad Ashraf Rather were killed in an anti-militancy operation in Halmatpora, Kupwara .Jorabar Singh, 45, had joined the Army in 1993 and hailed from Rait village in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his wife and three children.Ranjeet Khalkho, 33, hailed from Dudhakhuti village in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and had joined the Army in 2001. He is survived by his parents, a brother and three sisters.Mohommad Ashraf Rather, 35, had joined the Army in 2004. He belonged to Reshigund village of Kralpora in Kupwara, Kashmir, and is survived by his wife and a daughter.Floral tributes were also paid to the two policemen — Senior Grade Constable Deepak Thusoo of Nagrota and Special Police Officer Mohammad Yousuf of Kachhama in Kupwara — killed in the Kupwara gunfight.Member of Parliament Fayaz Ahmad Mir led the police and security forces personnel in paying tributes to the two slain policemen in Kupwara. In Srinagar, Inspector General of Police Swayam Prakash Pani led the police and security forces officers in the wreath-laying ceremony for the two policemen.Deepak Thusoo is survived by his aged parents, wife, 12-year-old son, 7-year-old daughter and an unmarried sister, a police spokesman said.Mohammad Yousuf is survived by his aged parents, three sons and two minor daughters, the youngest being five years old.
Ajay Banerjee
TRibune News Service
New Delhi, March 7
In what reflects a ‘lack of interest’ by foreign companies in the Indian defence manufacturing sector, there has been a mere Rs 1.17 crore foreign direct investment (FDI) since May 2014. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Touting FDI in defence as a major shift in policy, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had okayed up to 49 per cent stake for foreign companies partnering Indian companies. As per the MoD figures given in Parliament, the defence industry received FDI worth Rs 1.17 crore from April 2014 to December 2017, a mere shadow of the overall FDI inflow into the country during 2016-17 fiscal which stands at Rs 3,86,885 crore. In 2016, a revised FDI policy on defence was announced, allowing FDI up to 49 per cent under the automatic route and beyond that through the government route, “wherever it was likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded”.The government had also come out with a “Security Manual for Licensed Defence Industries”, prescribing guidelines on physical, information, documentation, cyber and personnel security aspects. The defence manufacturing sector needs significant capital investment and infusion of technology for which foreign investment can play a critical role.
Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi March 7
Amidst continuing bloodshed along the Line of Control, India and Pakistan today acceded to humanitarian proposals. Islamabad accepted three humanitarian gestures proposed by India on the issue of civilian prisoners on both sides. In a formal statement, Pakistan said Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has accepted proposals that include exchange of three categories of prisoners — women, mentally challenged or with special needs and those above 70 years of age. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Pakistan has also said yes to revival of the Joint Judicial Committee mechanism that looks into issues of fishermen and prisoners in each other’s custody. The panel last met in October 2013 in India. Also, the proposal to facilitate visit of medical experts from both sides to meet and examine the mentally-challenged prisoners for their repatriation, has been cleared by Islamabad. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had discussed these proposals with Pakistani envoy Sohail Mahmood on October 17 last year. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said,“The officials on both sides would be working on the modalities to implement the understanding reached on the humanitarian issues.”Additionally, Pakistan has proposed the exchange of prisoners above 60 years and below 18 years of age, which is expected to be accepted soon by India, as per sources. “Through such initiatives, Pakistan and India would embark on the road to a comprehensive dialogue, and make a conscious effort to de-escalate the situation on the LoC,” said the Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement. The two neighbours have witnessed much hostility in ties over the past year after the meeting between Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav lodged in Pakistani jail and his mother and wife in Islamabad on December 25 last year.
No signs of formal talksAmid signs of thaw in India-Pakistan ties, there is no sign yet of formal talks, with India awaiting a response to the invitation to Muhammad Pervaiz Malik, Pakistan’s Commerce and Textile Minister, to attend an informal WTO (World Trade Organisation) ministerial meeting in Delhi on March19 and 20. TNS
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 7
The authorities in Kashmir today foiled attempts by senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to lead protest marches to Shopian by imposing restrictions in parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir areas.While Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained outside his Nigeen residence by a contingent of the police after he attempted to take out a protest march this morning, Syed Ali Geelani was not able to move beyond a point outside his residence this afternoon as the police had barricaded the area around his Hyderpora residence besides placing concertina wires in the alleys leading to his residence.Before being detained outside his residence, Mirwaiz told the media that the “killing of innocent civilians is unacceptable” while also holding the state government “directly responsible” for the killings. He said “till the time black laws like AFSPA are not revoked and forces are not made accountable, the blood of innocent Kashmiri will continue to be spilled”.A spokesman of the hardline Hurriyat said Geelani came out of his residence-cum-office at 12:15 pm, but the police and CRPF didn’t allow him to visit Shopian as the whole area had been barricaded.The joint resistance leadership (JRL) comprising Geelani, Mirwaiz Farooq and Yasin Malik had called for ‘Shopian Chalo’ march today to “express solidarity” with the families of the youth who were killed in Army firing in Shopian on March 4 evening.A majority of the shops and business establishments in Srinagar city and other major towns were closed while public transport on major city roads and inter-district highways also remained suspended today.Fearing law and order problem, the authorities as a “precautionary measure” had also suspended the railways services between Banihal and Baramulla today. The schools and colleges are already closed in the region after the government on Monday extended the winter vacation by three days as tension spiralled over the Shopian shootout in which six persons, including four civilians and two militants, were killed.
Schools to remain shut till March 9 Srinagar: The government has ordered closure of schools and degree colleges on March 8 and 9. The decision has been taken as a “precautionary measure to avoid law and order situation in Valley”. “The classwork will remain suspended on Thursday and Friday in all schools and colleges across Kashmir,” an official said. He said the classwork would resume on Saturday. “In south Kashmir, the classwork will resume from Monday,” the official said. TNSSeveral injured as clashes continueAnantnag: Several people were injured as clashes continued in Shopian district for the second consecutive day on Wednesday following the killing of two militants and four civilians in Army firing on Sunday evening. A complete shutdown was observed across south Kashmir for the third day on Wednesday as the separatist amalgam joint resistance leadership had called for a “Shopian chalo” march. Local sources said vehicles remained off road completely and commercial establishments were closed for the day. In Shopian, violent clashes between locals and security forces erupted at four places, including Bonne Bazar, Meemandar, mini secretariat area and Sofan Aman. Security forces used tearsmoke shells and pellet guns to disperse local stone-throwers. Sources said over a dozen people were injured in the clashes, which continued throughout the day. Protesting youth also assembled in Pahnoo and threw stones at the nearby Army camp. Army personnel, however, chose not to respond. oc
