New York, August 7

A US Navy veteran, who shot and killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injured two others at a suburban Kansas City bar in 2017, was on Tuesday sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.Adam Purinton of Olathe shot and killed Kuchibhotla, and wounded two others — Indian national Alok Madasani and Kansas resident Ian Grillot — at Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas, in February 2017.Purinton was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement.Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty in federal court to hate crime and firearm offenses arising out of the shooting.At his federal guilty-plea hearing, Purinton admitted in open court that he targeted and shot Kuchibhotla and Madasani because of their race, colour, and national origin, and that he shot Grillot during an attempt to flee the scene of the crime.Purinton has also pleaded guilty in state court to charges of murder and attempted murder, and has been sentenced to a term of life imprisonment in state prison.“The crimes at issue in this case are detestable,” Sessions said.“The defendant acted with clear premeditation in murdering one man, and attempting to murder a second man, simply because of their race, religion, and national origin. As a result, a promising young life has been tragically cut short, and other lives have been filled with suffering.”Sessions said in the statement that while the “irreparable harm” that Purinton has done cannot be undone, “some measure of justice for the victims’ families has been achieved.” — PTI

The gun battle took place in the morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-Naxal operations) Sundarraj P said.

Raipur, August 6

At least 15 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in a dense forest in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday, the police said.

This was one of the biggest anti-Naxal operations in the history of Chhattisgarh, where 15 bodies of rebels were recovered in a single incident, state’s Special Director General of Police (anti-Naxal operations) D M Awasthi told reporters here.

Two Naxals, including a woman who was injured the gun battle, were also arrested from the encounter site.

Based on intelligence inputs about locations of Naxal camps in south Sukma, two teams of security forces were sent into the forest from different directions last evening, Awasthi said.

The teams included personnel of the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).

One of the patrolling teams, comprising around 200 personnel of the STF and the DRG, spotted a Maoist camp this morning at the forest in Nalkatong village, located around 500 km from here, following which it started encircling the place, Awasthi said.

A gun battle took place between Naxals and the patrolling team for about half-an-hour, he said.

After guns fell silent, bodies of 15 Maoists and 16 weapons, including 315 bore and 12 bore guns, were recovered from the spot, Awasthi said.

Besides, an area committee member and an injured woman Naxal were arrested from the spot, he said.

The killed rebels were from three separate militia formations of Maoists active in the tri-junction forest of Konta, Golapalli and Bhejji areas in south Sukma, he said.

Militia platoon commander Vanjam Hunga was among the killed Naxals, Awasthi said, adding that identities of the other 14 cadres were yet to be ascertained.

The injured Naxal was taken to a hospital.

Another patrolling team that had launched the operation from Bhejji area was still inside the forest and conducting its task, he said.

Intensive search operations were underway in the nearby forest areas, he said.

Awasthi said that bodies of 86 Maoists have been recovered in the state so far this year.

On July 19, eight Naxals, including six women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the state’s Bijapur district. PTI

An affidavit by a serving Colonel’s wife has alleged systemic killing of suspected insurgents in the North-East. The Supreme Court’s monitoring should restore trust in the rule of law and clear the fog around the killings.

Pradip Phanjoubam

Editor, Imphal Free Press

In the manner of a ghost, the alleged systematic custodial killings during 2009-2012 by an Army unit of the Dimapur based 3-Corps Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (3-CISU) is returning repeatedly to haunt this formation. It is difficult not to be reminded of Lady Macbeth’s exclamations, wracked by guilt, trying to rid her hands of imaginary blood stains: “Out, damned spot, I say!” The 3-Corps is a formation with a large spread of land area under its command, stretching across Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, therefore touching three international borders. It is also one which has thrown up a very large number of Army chiefs, including the last three.The tipping point of some consciences within the 3-Corp establishment apparently came after an alleged spree of cold-blooded killings, in particular of three Manipuri men, Phijam Naobi, R.K. Ranel and Th. Prem, reportedly picked up from Dimapur town in Nagaland in 2010. Their bodies were recovered from a jungle just across the Nagaland border in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, with tell-tale signs of severe torture on their bodies, including nails driven into their skulls.An elder brother of one of the three men lodged an FIR with the Dimapur police. When the police did not show much interest, the brother approached the Guwahati High Court, which asked a special investigation team of the Nagaland Police headed by a Superintendent of Police to pursue the case. But even this probe dragged its feet inordinately.The Army all along has been claiming no knowledge of the three murdered persons. However, on August 1, a copy of a letter from the Army archives came in the possession of a veteran journalist-activist Yambem Laba. The letter, signed by Col. Shrikumar of the 3-CISU, dated June 30, 2010, is a citation recommending a Captain, Capt. Rabina Kaur Keer, for a Sena Medal for busting a terrorist ring, apprehending and killing three of them. Unfortunately, the three bear the same names as the three whose bodies were recovered from the Karbi Anglong jungle.A few weeks earlier, nervous unease within the 3-Corp establishment again become apparent when Lt. Col. Dharamvir Singh of the 1st Para Regiment, who was also attached to the 3-CISU, was “arrested” by the Army on July 1 from his quarters within the Army’s M-Sector outpost in the heart of Imphal, right next to Imphal’s Zero-mile milestone. Col. Singh had in September 2016 written a letter to the Corp commander inquiring about the progress of the Karbi Anglong bodies case but was reportedly made to withdraw the letter on the assurance that the matter would be brought to its logical conclusion.When nothing was heard from or of her husband after his arrest, Col. Singh’s wife Ranju Singh took the help of some local women to hold a press conference on July 3 at the Manipur Press Club to make her husband’s disappearance public. The Army promptly issued a rebuttal, claiming the officer was only being escorted back to his original post at Dimapur as his temporary assignment at Imphal had ended. The rebuttal also charged that the officer had brought his family along to his post without prior permission from his superiors.When her husband still did not show up, Ranju Singh filed a Habeas Corpus writ with the Manipur High Court, and upon the court’s directions, Col. Singh was produced on July 11. Accompanying him were, again upon the direction of the court, the officers who “arrested” him without warrant, Lt. Col. Nanda and Maj. Rathod, against whom an FIR had been earlier lodged with the Imphal West Police by Col. Singh’s wife. She later also said her husband was tortured during detention. The officers were subsequently charged for wrongful confinement, kidnapping and concealing with criminal conspiracy by using arms.” The Army denied this and reiterated that Col. Singh was only being escorted back to his original post.However, just as Lady Macbeth exclaimed “Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him,” the 3-Corps case too turned even messier. On July 28, the affidavit filed by Col. Singh’s wife on behalf of her husband to the High Court was flashed by the English daily Imphal Free Press. The affidavit charged a lot more blood was spilled than those of the three bodies in Karbi Anglong. The affidavit claimed systematic arrests, tortures, extra-judicial executions and extortions, perpetrated by a 3-CISU team. Apart from the three men killed and dumped in the jungle, there was also the mention of a Manipuri insurgent leader, G. Jiteshwar alias Gypsy, picked up from Dimapur, killed and buried behind the unit’s mess. Another Manipuri boy, Thangjam Satish, a student, who was reported missing since February 5, 2010, the affidavit says was picked up from his rented accommodation in Shillong and killed along with an unnamed companion by the same team. It also mentions a lady and child who were picked up from Dimapur town but released on the payment of a ransom.The affidavit also called for all officers associated with the 3-CISU from 2009 to 2010 to be questioned and paraded before surviving victims for identification. This horrifying picture of brutality and inhumanity, if established, is probably another warning of what power without accountability that draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, (AFSPA), under which the military in Northeast and Kashmir functions, can do to the souls of men and women given it. This must be the “Heart of Darkness” that Kurtz stared into before going mad.

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 31

To review the operation preparedness and the prevailing security situation, Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Tuesday visited the counterinsurgency force — Delta — at Dharmund in Ramban district.Lt General Ranbir Singh was accompanied by General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh.General Officer Commanding, Delta Force, Maj Gen Rajiv Nanda briefed the Northern Command chief about the prevailing security situation and the preparedness of the force.Defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said Lt General Ranbir Singh also reviewed the security arrangements for the Amarnath yatra.The defence spokesperson said the Northern Command chief also visited various posts where he was briefed in detail on the actions being undertaken to ensure a robust counterterrorism grid.“He interacted with soldiers and exhorted them to continue to remain vigilant,” the spokesperson said.During the interaction, Lt General Ranbir Singh complimented the formation for its untiring efforts and reiterated the need to remain vigilant to counter the nefarious designs of the anti-national elements, the spokesperson.

41 security men killed in militant attacks this year

Jammu, July 30

In all, 41 security personnel, including 20 policemen, were killed and 907 others injured in militancy-related and stone-throwing incidents in the Kashmir valley this year, officials said on Monday.Giving details, the officials said 39 security personnel, including 17 Army personnel, 20 policemen and two CRPF personnel, were killed and 96 others injured in militancy-related incidents in the first six months of the year.Of these, 28 Army personnel, 31 CRPF personnel and 37 policemen were injured in militancy-related incidents, they said.In stone-throwing incidents, two CRPF personnel were killed and 811 others injured during the same period.Of these, 592 policemen and 219 CRPF personnel were injured in 734 incidents of stone-throwing in the Kashmir valley.According to officials, 32 civilians were killed and 117 others injured in militancy-related and stone-throwing incidents. —PTI

Jaipur, August 30

A judicial inquiry has been ordered into the alleged custodial death of a 60-year-old former serviceman in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district last week, an official said on Thursday.

Naik (retd) Prahlad Singh was detained at Kumher police station for allegedly creating nuisance in a drunken state. Singh apparently hanged himself from one of the bars using a blanket provided in cells, District Inspector General Malini Agarwal had said.

However, the Army’s administrative commandant in Bharatpur had written to the district collector on Monday, alleging that Singh died due to severe beating and third-degree torture.

Denying that the judicial enquiry was ordered after Army intervention, District Collector Sandesh Nayak told PTI such inquiry was a protocol and the same was followed immediately after Singh’s death.

Army sources said today that they had received the copy of the Monday’s order from the district administration.

Refusing to comment on the issue, Station House Officer Brijesh Meena said he was posted at the Kumher police station a day after the incident and would not like to comment as a judicial inquiry was pending.

Singh’s family members had also lodged a complaint with the police, stating that it was not a case of suicide. — PTI

IN an interview with The Tribune’s Smita Sharma, Pakistan former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri recalls Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s impact on ties. Excerpts:Your view on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s contribution to India-Pakistan ties?I knew Vajpayee not just as Foreign Minister, but also as Member of Parliament. When he visited Lahore on his bus yatra, I was present at the government house where he made a very moving speech. He came across as a man of peace. He made an interesting remark which left a positive impact on those of us present. When I was Foreign Minister, SAARC, as usual, was hostage to India-Pak relations. The summit was held in January 2004 and we were not sure if any substantive talks between the two countries would take place. We thought there would only be a courtesy call. It was decided that Vajpayee and Musharraf should meet and modalities were settled one day earlier by two Foreign Ministers Yashwant Sinha and me. Next day, the meeting took place at the President’s House. We were very happy that President Musharraf and PM Vajpayee arrived at a solution in the January 6 joint declaration. That set into motion possibly the most successful peace process since 1947 although it did not substantially materialise during Vajpayee’s time. What do you see as the India-Pak future given non-state actors to wheels within wheels remain?War is not possible. We have been near nine war situations. The two countries realise that whether it is nuclear, conventional or sub-conventional level, they have reached almost parity. Not an inch of territory can pass from one to another… everything has been tried. When you talk about non-state actors, Pakistan complains about Indian activities in Balochistan that was mentioned in Sharmal Sheikh declaration. PM Manmohan Singh faced flak for it in India. This was akin to what Nawaz Sharif faced because of lack of Kashmir in the Ufa declaration. You cannot duck anymore… we have to face facts about what India alleges and you cannot just live with the situation in Kashmir.Can PMs Imran Khan and Narendra Modi make a difference? Is the Pakistan army on board?The beginnings have not been bad. Imran Khan has a good reputation as a popular figure in India also. The fact that PM Modi rang him was well received in Pakistan. The cricket bat sent through the High Commissioner sends a message. It will be unfortunate if we have to wait till 2019 Indian elections to find solutions. Solution on Kashmir framework would be impossible without Pakistan army and ISI supporting it. Pakistan military is not averse to peace but wants a just, negotiated settlement on honourable terms.Will SAARC summit be revived?I believe strongly in regional cooperation. Now we are ready to meet each other in SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) but not in SAARC which is our home ground. We don’t want to kill SAARC which has a lot of hidden advantages.

War is not possible. We have been near nine war situations. The two countries realise that whether it is nuclear, conventional or sub-conventional level, they have reached almost parity. Not an inch of territory can pass from one to another.Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Pakistan Former foreign minister

300 Army personnel move SC against prosecution – Today’s Paper – The Hindu

300 Army personnel move SC against prosecution – Today’s Paper – The Hindu

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 7

Four soldiers, including a gallantry award winning Major, were killed in a fierce encounter with infiltrators close to the Line of Control in Gurez sector of north Kashmir’s Bandipore district on Tuesday. Two unidentified militants were also killed.This is the first major infiltration bid and encounter along the LoC in Kashmir after the conclusion of parliamentary elections in Pakistan and comes just days ahead of Imran Khan being sworn in as Prime Minister.While the massive counter-infiltration operation is still under way at Bakhtoor, Gurez, 170 km from Srinagar, the Army suspects more militants may be hiding in the area. It has pressed into service a team of specialised forces to search for militants in the dense forest area. The Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed its men were involved.The slain soldiers were identified as Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane, 29, of Thane, Maharashtra; Grenadier Vikramjeet Singh, 25, of Ambala, Haryana; Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawat, 26, of Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, and Rifleman Hameer Singh, 28, of Dunda, Uttarakhand.Major Rane, who was attached with 36 RR, was recently promoted and awarded the Sena Medal in May 2017 for his role in the same sector.Vikramjeet Singh, a resident of Ambala’s Tepla village, had tied the knot a few months ago. The gunfight began around 1 am when an Army patrol noticed the movement of at least eight heavily-armed militants and challenged them near Army’s Panth post at Bakhtoor.“They fired at the soldiers and in the intense gunfight, a Major and three soldiers of 36 RR were killed,” a source said, adding that two militants were also shot dead in the gunfight.Sources said at least four militants managed to return to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “However, we suspect two militants are still hiding in the area and the operation is under way,” the source said.Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the infiltration bid was foiled in Gurez by the Army. Gurez is among the toughest routes to sneak into the Valley along the 350-km-long LoC in the region. In the past, militants have waded through the Kishanganga river to infiltrate into Gurez.In May, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 330-MW Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project in Gurez. Pakistan had objected to the project.

133 crossover bids

• 133 infiltration bids up to June this year, 69 successful
• Six militants killed in Gurez sector in three different operations last year
• Three militants killed in lastoperation in Gurez on July 27