Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

Rewari, July 9

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Deepak Aggarwal on Monday sentenced an ex-serviceman to life imprisonment after holding him guilty of killing a minor boy at Dharuhera town in the district in 2016.The court also slapped a penalty of Rs 12,000 on the convict, Jai Kishan, alias Sethi, of the district’s Jorashi village.The boy suffered bullet injuries at Sethi’s flat at Dwarikadheesh Society in Dharuhera on November 10, 2016.He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment in Rajasthan.The police then registered a case of murder against Sethi on the complaint of the deceased’s father, a police spokesman said.

Our Correspondent

Rajouri, July 8

On the complaint of the Commanding Officer (CO) of Field Veterinary Hospital in Sunderabi town of Rajouri district that a soldier is missing from the unit since Friday, the police have registered a missing report on Saturday and started investigations.The police said according to the complaint, Sepoy Wagh Baba Saheb on Friday left the unit for Sunderbani town reportedly to get money either from bank.When he didn’t return till late evening, a search was conducted by his colleagues in Sunderbani and its adjoining areas but to no avail.On Saturday, the CO in a written complaint, informed the Sunderbani police about the missing soldier.“The police have registered a missing person complaint and started investigations. He was untraced till Sunday evening. Unit officers have been asked to contact his family members in Maharashtra to know if he has left for home,” said Inspector Tilak Raj, SHO, Sunderbani.

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 2

Northern Army chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Monday visited the forward areas in the Akhnoor sector along the Line of Control (LoC) and interacted with the troops deployed there.During his visit, the Army chief lauded all ranks for their unwavering dedication and high morale while guarding the LoC.

After months of deliberations, the Defence Ministry has approved a list of items which will have to be purchased by each soldier from an annual clothing allowance of Rs 10,000, official sources said.

After months of deliberations, the Defence Ministry has approved a list of items which will have to be purchased by each soldier from an annual clothing allowance of Rs 10,000, official sources said. The clothing allowance was recommended by the Seventh Pay Commission in lieu of personnel clothing which was earlier being provided through ordnance factories, they said.

Soldiers and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) will now be required to procure clothing items, including summer uniform, shirt angola, woollen jersey, mufti dress and accoutrements like lanyard, belt, badges, ribbons, chevron and formation sign using the clothing allowance, Army and Defence Ministry sources said.

Yesterday, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman finally approved the list of items that will now have to be purchased by each soldier from the clothing allowance now sanctioned, they said. All other clothing items, including combat dress, physical fitness training kit as also the newly-introduced improved physical training (PT) shoes, will continue to be issued to all soldiers from the military stores as authorised items, the sources said.

Recruits will also continue to get additional dresses during recruitment training as before. The items which will be supplied to the soldiers from military stores also include blankets, ground sheets, raincoats, mosquito nets etc.

http://

Special clothing items that are authorised to soldiers when deployed at Siachen, super high-altitude and extreme cold climate areas will be issued as per present procedures, the sources said. “Dress allowance caters to meet the long-due aspiration of soldiers who wanted well-stitched and well-fitted uniforms,” said an Army official.

The Seventh Pay Commission had recommended the clothing allowance based on the feedback from soldiers regarding quality and inappropriate fitting of dresses provided to them. It was, hence, decided that provision of dress material and allowing soldiers to get it stitched as per their individual fitment would be a better option, the sources said.

Both CAG and Parliament should closely examine the processes of decision-making; should they fail in this regard, it would be open to public-spirited citizens to file a petition in the courts

The Rafale fighter jet deal controversy is unlikely to die down in the run up to the general elections. The Opposition has already questioned the price of the deal and the secrecy clause, and made charges of crony capitalism. There is an oblique suggestion of kickbacks involved.

Normally such allegations would be par for the course in any lively democracy. So would the privilege motion moved in the Lok Sabha by the Congress party against the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence. However, the defence minister’s over-the-top reaction during the no-confidence debate prompted …

he defence ministry on Monday announced it had approved ‘implementation guidelines for the strategic partnership model’.

The ‘strategic partner’ (SP) model of defence procurement, which was promulgated in outline in May 2017, provides a policy framework for

Indian firms to manufacture specified defence platforms in India based on technology transferred by a selected foreign vendor.

The SP policy initially aims at building four categories of weaponry — fighters, helicopters, submarines, and armoured vehicles.

But while the policy framework had been drawn up, and retrospectively included as a chapter in the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016 (DPP 2016), there was a need for separate selection criteria for each of the four equipment categories.

ALSO READ: Defence ministry plans standard price lists for public sector undertakings

“In an endeavour to convert policy into implementable directions and to kick-start the process, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) also approved platform-specific guidelines for procurement of naval utility helicopters,” said a defence ministry release on Monday.

That clears the decks for initiating the Rs 217.38 billion procurement of 111 helicopters for the navy.

“The amplifying guidelines lay emphasis on incentivisation of transfer of niche technology and higher indigenous content. Global majors who in collaboration with Indian partners are ready to make India a regional/global manufacturing hub for the platform will also be incentivised,” said the defence ministry release.

ALSO READ: The real defence scandal lies in massive delay in making military purchases

“All procurements under the SP model would be executed by specially constituted empowered project committees to provide focused attention and ensure timely execution,” stated the ministry.

In the SP pipeline are 110 medium fighters for the air force, 123 naval multi-role helicopters, 111 naval utility helicopters, and six conventional submarines under Project 75-I.

The DAC also accorded approval on Monday for buying eight fast patrol vessels for the Coast Guard under the ‘Buy lndian – lndian Designed Developed and Manufactured’ category for approximately Rs 8 billion. “These vessels will be indigenously designed and manufactured and would strengthen maritime security by undertaking day/night patrolling and policing of (India’s maritime zones),” said the defence ministry.

I had the privilege to be part of the Bomber Force crew in the 1971 War. We were to 8,000 pounds of bombs over the Sargodha airbase in West Pakistan, which we did with precision

Air Commodore  Prashant Dikshit  (retd)I was fortunate to be one of the crews of No. 106 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron of the Indian Air Force during the 1971 War with Pakistan. In the annals of the Indian military aviation, the exploits of the squadron largely remained away from the public gaze, primarily due to the secrecy surrounding its activities. It operated the unarmed Canberra PR 7 combat aircraft to gather photo intelligence about strategic targets.The 1971 War arrived at my door with a bit of a challenge. On December 4, 1971, in the late evening, the Commanding Officer (CO) broke the news that the Bomber Force was looking for one set of crews for a bombing sortie and he wanted volunteers. All of us, including me, raised the right hand, although it was more than three years, let alone flying a bomber, since I had even taken a peek inside it. In routine circumstances, it would have been through a period of refresher orientation, but here only 20 minutes of preflight inspection were available.The CO had promptly nominated Flt Lt MS Sandhu as the pilot and me as the navigator. We were to drop 8,000 pounds of bombs over the Sargodha airbase in West Pakistan in a midnight raid, which we did accurately and precisely. But the bomber doors would not close after that. This is an emergency condition over enemy territory as it places severe limits on the speed of the aircraft whilst increasing fuel consumption in multiples. For nearly 15 minutes we endured and, in the course of which, we had to descend into the barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The other choice was to remain high and be a sitting duck for air interception. We climbed eventually in the friendly territory to nearly 45,000 feet to save fuel and get benefits from westerly jet streams. But we lost one engine on the landing run due to no fuel.For our photo mission on December 8 and 9 in 1971, when we reached the launching airfield in Guwahati, there was hardly any time to refuel. It was critical to reach our first target at Cox Bazaar at 1400 hrs to coincide with the action of the Indian Navy. We entered the mission at the topmost speed which the aircraft could safely withstand to maintain time. The machine guzzles fuel in those flying conditions.We were to enter East Pakistan at Aizawl from the east to align with our photo run. When we were pulling up for the photo run, there was a potent anti-aircraft fire. We then dived again to the ground quite unmindful of the ground fire and proceeded to Chittagong harbour where a similar photo run had to be executed. Short of the airfield, we climbed through thick smoke billowing from the ships which were perhaps struck a little earlier. Ultimately, we were critically low on fuel.  The photo mission on December 13, 1971 was truly adventurous. We lost a lot of time in rectifying the cause of fire which had erupted in the battery compartment of the aircraft. We were airborne just to be in time to avail of adequate sunlight whilst we covered the Dacca complex. There was great pressure and we were required to proceed directly to Delhi. It was already twilight in Dacca and full darkness as we closed in to Delhi. But, most seriously, our ground speed reduced to 1/3rd compared to what it was during the onward journey to Dacca. It was one of the most noteworthy experiences of westerly jet streams, which are known to have recorded speed up to 180 Kts (over 300 km/hour) in this terrain-induced wind funnel south of the Himalayas. As a result, we arrived at Palam well beyond the planned flight plan and were declared a hostile aircraft in our own country.— The writer was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry during the 1971 War

1. MARTYRS, FAUJIS AND GARDENS IN FULL BLOOM
2. EX-SERVICEMAN GUNS DOWN WIFE USED HIS LICENSED GUN 
3. GOVERNOR, NAVAL CHIEF DISCUSS SECURITY
4. SELF-SUFFICIENCY BEFORE THEATRE COMMANDS BY AIR MARSHAL NARAYAN MENON (RETD)
5. ISI MEDDLING IN SHARIF CASE: JUDGE
6. CAPFS TO HIRE 54,000 JAWANS NEW BATTALIONS TO BE RAISED | 47,307 VACANCIES FOR MEN | 7,646 FOR WOMEN
7. AIRING GRIEVANCES: KEEP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND INTACT BY BRIG INDRAJEET S GAKHAL RETD
8. THE FEMININE FACE OF INDIAN INSURGENCY
9. MILITANTS ATTACK SECURITY FORCES IN ANANTNAG, KULGAM DISTRICTS
10. GOVT OKAYS 3-FOLD INCREASE IN AREA FOR EX-SERVICEMEN CLINICS
11. AFT UPHOLDS WOMAN OFFICER’S CONVICTION
12. THESE #KARGILHEROES ARE INDIAN ARMY’S ONLY 2 SERVING PARAM VIR CHAKRA AWARDEES!
13. INDIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT 2018: ONLINE APPLICATION OPEN FOR 14 SHORT SERVICE COMMISSION POSTS, 
14. FROM NEXT YEAR, NATIONAL DATABASE FOR GUN LICENCE HOLDERS ARMS LICENCES TO HAVE UNIQUE ID FROM APRIL 2019

Army gives compensation to families of three porters

Srinagar, July 18

The Army has distributed compensation of Rs 35 lakh to the next of kin of three porters who died while rendering their services in Kupwara district.The porters are Jafar Ahmed Sheikh of Dardpora, Karalpora; Gulam Mohamad Kasana of Quil Maqum, Bandipora; and Gulam Mohammad Khan of Sidi Kilsai, Bandipora. They laid down their lives while serving the Army in the Keran sector and the Gurez valley.Another porter Ajaz Ahmed Khoja, resident of Pharkian, Karalpora, who sustained serious injuries leading to disability, was also given due compensation, an Army spokesman said here.The cheques were distributed by the GOC, Vajra Division, to the next of kin at Kupwara on Tuesday. The GOC highlighted that the porters working for the Army were part of the extended family and the Army would always look after the families of the deceased and disabled porters. —TNS

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 17

In what could change the 200-year-old British-established military rank structure, an Indian Army internal note says the minimum rank for officers at the time of retirement should be Major General. It suggests the number of regular commissioned officers be reduced, the rank of Brigadier be done away with while quicker promotions be given to all officers.A nine-page note has been submitted to the cadre review committee headed by the Military Secretary, a Lt General-rank officer. Sources said these were only proposals and suggestions, and that the committee would take a call after due deliberations.It’s the first review of the 39,000-strong Army’s officer cadre since 1984. On June 18, the Army ordered a study to restructure the force and a report has to be submitted by November-end. The Tribune was the first to publish this in its edition dated June 23.At present, the minimum retirement rank is Colonel, which is a selection post. Those who fail to make it during the first selection done after 15-17 years of service are promoted after 26 years. There are about 4,100 Colonel-rank and 280 Major General-rank posts in the Army.“It is essential that every regular Army officer is able to reach SAG (senior administrative grade) posts,” says the note. “At present, the IPS has over 26 per cent officers in SAG and above (that is higher administrative grade) while the Army has only about 1 per cent.”While Major General is a SAG-level post, those of Brigadier and Colonel aren’t. There about 1,050 Brigadier-level posts, a step between Colonel and Major General. “It is advisable the rank of Brigadier be dropped. The command of a brigade (some 4,500 strong) and division (some 14,000-15,000 strong) both be assigned to a Major General,” the note says.