Goel had blamed black sheep in Police Department for rampant drug menace in state

Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 19

Even as the recent speech of Ferozepur SSP Sandeep Goel on drug menace and involvement of cops caused embarrassment to the state, Congress Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh today endorsed the officer, saying, “it was a practical and straight talk by him”.

On the sidelines of a function held on the shifting of Kapurthala DC office to a new location yesterday, Rana Gurjeet Singh said, “The SSP has said only what he was confronting daily. Now, that he has attempted to make the society aware about the disease, he has also started making attempts to treat it. You have already seen that the process to identify and punish black sheep has already started in the Police Department.”

The ex-minister, however, added, “It is not for the first time that a problem has erupted in the system. We cannot blame the Capt Amarinder government for this.”

Later when asked about his statement, Rana Gurjeet Singh said, “I have not said anything wrong. I stand by the Ferozepur SSP as he has not only criticised the police, but only admitted to the shortcomings, which he wants to rectify. I commend such daring officials.”

Rana maintained, “The SSP’s statement has not caused any embarrassment to the government. It has only made the corrupt police officials worried. The credit for the same goes to this SSP because of whom the clean-up exercise has begun in a big way. No police officer ever did the kind of marking in staff which he has started. I think all other SSPs must emulate Goel.”

” He has attempted to make society aware about the disease (drugs). He has also started making attempts to treat it. The process to identify and punish black sheep has started in the Police Dept.” — Rana Gurje

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Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, June 8

Cutting open a carton of juice to reveal a block of orange ice, and breaking open eggs with a hammer! Soldiers on the Siachen Glacier have given a demonstration of life on the frozen military outpost in a video that is going viral.

Three soldiers can be seen explaining how they need to boil any food item, cooked or raw, before it can be cut or consumed in any manner.

So you see a juice pack being opened with a knife, eggs and tomatoes resisting blows from a hammer, onion and potato being broken apart when chopped with a khukhri, the versatile weapon and tool that is part of a Gorkha soldier’s gear.

Even as they attempt to convey the cold conditions on the remote glacier, clad in heavy jackets, their spirit and ‘josh’ seem high as they giggle away at their antics and seem to be having fun.

The warmth and high spirit in the video comes out especially at the end when they close it with the greeting“Tagra raho!”, a greeting of the Assam Regiment.

Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh. PTI

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 5

Making a change from the past, newly-appointed Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh Nijjer has issued a set of instructions that ban ‘quasi religious’ functions in the Navy, puts a lid of ostentatious events and bans red-carpet welcomes.

Besides, the order puts an end to opening of car doors for VVIPs. Most importantly, officers and sailors at all functions will be served same drinks and food by using same cutlery and crockery.

Within the forces, personnel attending official functions often are served different food and use separate varieties of cutlery – all depending upon their ranks.

The Admiral took over on Friday, May 31, and his first full working day was Monday, June 3. The instructions shall override all other existing instructions. These shall come into force immediately.

In the list of 26 instructions issued on Tuesday evening, the Navy Chief says, “Lighting of lamp/functions of quasi religious nature/fawning gestures, garlanding and showering flower petals, on guests, invitees, dignitaries to be avoided.” The order also called for doing away with the practice of lining up women and children to welcome and see off dignitaries at naval events.

As of now, wives of younger officers are often called upon to welcome the wife of a visiting senior officer, very often they line up for a welcome which is essentially not their job. Some of the wives of younger officers are full-time working professionals and don’t find time from their schedules.

Also, no flower bouquets will be presented to officers and their spouse on a visit. The Navy Chief also called for ending the practice of having flower pots and red carpets on-board ships, when dignitaries come visiting.

The Chief says in his order, “As a modern fighting force, it is important that the Navy imbibes contemporary social and ceremonial procedures towards optimal utilisation of manpower and resources.”

The Admiral starts with himself and has instructed that there be no ‘standby’ cars for the Chief and only sailors – and no officers—be detailed for ‘liaison duties’ on visits.

Seeking more openness, the new Chief has asked senior officials to ensure that their juniors are respectful but not subservient. Sources said this is probably aimed at ending the ‘yes sir’ culture bred by sycophancy.

Full titles of the officers need not be mentioned in speeches. Only the rank and the name is needed. “No ostentatious snacks and drinks at functions”, say the instructions and add that all ranks—officers and sailors – have to eat same food and from same crockery

Tribune News Service
Jammu, June 4

To create opportunities in personality development and education for people of far-flung areas, the Army on Tuesday flagged off a capacity-building tour for 20 youths to Dehradun, Delhi and Chandigarh till June 15. The youths belong to Gool, Samote and Bagga areas.

The aim is to provide an insight into the cultural heritage and diversity of the country. The youths are scheduled to witness a passing-out parade of gentleman cadets at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on June 6. They will visit the Dehradun Military Station and interact with senior military officials.

They will also interact with Chief of the Army Staff in Delhi, followed by a visit to the National War Memorial, National Rail Museum and Nehru Planetarium, which will exhort them to join the Indian armed forces.

In Chandigarh, the participants will visit the Government Museum and Art Gallery and Rock Garden.

Our Correspondent

UNA, JUNE 18

Mortal remains of Rifleman Anil Jaswal, who laid down his life fighting terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir this morning, will be brought to his native village Saroh in Bangana sub division tomorrow.

The soldier, serving in the 13 Jammu and Kashmir (JAK) Rifles, was martyred in Bijbehara area of Anantnag during an encounter, which left two militants dead. The soldiers were on a search operation on the basis of an intelligence input that some militants were hiding there. Two more army personnel were injured in the encounter.

Bangana Sub Divisional Magistrate Sanjeev Kumar said he was in touch with the Army headquarters and the martyr’s body was expected to reach his village tomorrow morning. He said that the slain soldier’s family members have been informed.

Anil leaves behind his wife, a five-month-old son and parents. His father Ashok Kumar, who is also an ex-serviceman, was in tears on hearing the news about his son’s death, while his mother and wife went speechless. His father said Anil had got recruitment in the Army about six years ago. He married Shweta two years ago.

The couple has a five-month-old son. The martyr was at his ancestral village along with his family in May and had rejoined his duty just about a fortnight ago. “Just two days we all celebrated Anil’s birthday”, said the sobbing father.

Meanwhile, Kutlehar MLA and Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar has condoled the death of Anil Kumar, who, he said, had made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. Kanwar said the state government was with the aggrieved family in this hour of distress and assured them all help.

Army pays tributes to IED blast victims

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 18

The Army on Tuesday paid tributes to three of its soldiers who were killed in two separate incidents in Kashmir Valley. At a ceremony in the Badamibagh cantonment here, Lt-Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps Commander, and all ranks paid homage to the three soldiers.

The three soldiers included havildar Amarjeet Kumar and naik Ajit Kumar Saboo, who were injured in the yesterday’s IED blast in Pulwama and later succumbed to their injuries.

Havildar Kumar, 35, had joined the Army in 2005 and hailed from Dighawlia village in Siwan district of Bihar. Naik Sahoo, 27, hailed from Badasuanalo village in Dhenknal district of Odisha. He had joined the Army in 2015.

The third soldier was rifleman Anil Kumar Jaswal, who had sustained a bullet injury in a counter-insurgency operation conducted in Marahom village of Anantnag district in which two militants were killed. He belonged to Saroh village of Una district of Himachal Pradesh.

Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 8

Amritpal Singh, a graduate in Electrical Engineering from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNDEC), has created a history by becoming the first turbaned Sikh officer in Royal Australian Navy (RAN) cadets.

Amrit was formally inducted recently. He is presently staying in Experance, Australia. He made his first public appearance with the Esperance Navy Cadets this ANZAC Day as a probationary instructor after officially joining in January.

The group first caught Singh’s interest with a display at the Esperance and Districts Agricultural Show. Giving details Amritpal said: “I’m already a part of the Esperance Volunteer Marine Rescue Service and SES, so I like having some fun at sea. This is something that is in my blood. The meaning of a Sikh is a saint or a soldier. The principle is that you need to be spiritually inclined and be brave and strong like a soldier. Being in the navy means you must be disciplined, while safeguarding the nation and 

the community.”

His role as an instructor included training and assisting with activities and drills. He hopes to rise through the ranks over time, after gaining more experience. He said: “It’s really crucial to motivate young people to participate at an early age. We have cadets from varying backgrounds and family situations, but they all come together and they’re all just cadets. There’s no distinction, there’s no special treatment, and everyone is equal. I love serving my community, that’s why I keep involved in lots of other stuff around town as well.”

Guwahati, June 8

Kargil war veteran Md Sanaullah, who was declared a “foreigner” by a tribunal in Assam last month, walked out of a detention centre today, a day after the Gauhati High Court granted him bail.

After his release, Sanaullah was taken to the office of the Kamrup SP at Amingaon to complete formalities, as per directions of the court, a senior official said. Later in the day, his family members and well-wishers escorted him to his home in the Boko area of the district, the official said. The Foreigners’ Tribunal at Boko had declared Sanaullah a “foreigner” on May 23 and sent him to the detention centre. — PTI

Jammu, June 4

Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and exhorted troops to remain vigilant against the nefarious designs of anti-national elements.

General Rawat had accompanied Rajnath Singh on his first official visit as the Union Defence Minister to the Siachen glacier on Monday. The Army Chief visited the White Knight Corps headquarters along with Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh to review the operational preparedness of the forces in the Corps Zone, an official said.

He visited operational formations in Kishtwar and Reasi sectors wherein he was briefed on actions being undertaken to ensure peace and stability.

General Rawat also interacted at length with soldiers who are deployed on the Line of Control and obtained ground feedback on operations. — PTI

Pays obeisance at Vaishno Devi shrine 

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday paid obeisance at the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra. The Army Chief was accompanied by officers and Simrandeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

Brig Khushal Thakur (retd)

Ill-equipped and ill-informed, the country sent troops to fight Pakistani intruders in Dras sector. The victory came at a heavy cost, but paved the way for constant surveillance and technical improvement

Pratibha Chauhan in shimla

The  capture of Tiger Hill during the Kargil aggression was termed as the “Mother of all battles” and it ultimately proved to be the turning point in the operation. The task was fearlessly executed by 18 Grenadiers, led by Col Khushal Thakur, and was honoured with 52 gallantry awards — the highest ever in a single military operation.

“The victory came at a very heavy cost — I lost 34 of my men in the capture of Tololing and Tiger Hill. So, it was a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow,” says Brig Thakur (then Colonel and since retired) as he prepares to travel to the very lofty heights where he and his men had waged a battle for almost 50 days. It was the summer of 1999 and the country is today celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Kargil operation.

India had been caught unawares, barely 300 to 400 m away from the well-fortified and equipped Pakistani troops perched at a dominating height. There came a stage when the bosses went to the extent of doubting the bravery of Brig Thakur and his men, who they felt were taking long to handle just a handful of militant intruders.

“On the one hand, there was pressure from the seniors and on the other hand, the morale of my troops was low because of heavy casualties. It was a very difficult and pressing period,” says Brig Thakur.

Had you realised then that the task of capturing Tololing Hill was not a mean one?

Though I was posted in the counter-insurgency grade in the Kashmir valley in Bandipora and Ganderwal area those days, I was on leave in Delhi. My second-in-command called me up on May 16, 1999, and told me that our unit, 18 Grenadiers, had been asked to move to Dras sector in view of intrusion by militants. They suspected infiltration by a few militants in the Dras, Kargil and Batalik sectors in February-March 1999. Being the closest, our unit was asked to move in. I thought it was not that tough a task and believed that coming from the thick of militancy in the Valley, my men would accomplish it easily.

When did you actually realise that the Army had failed to assess the gravity of the situation?

I was in Dras two days later and was told that there was heavy shelling and bombardment on the national highway connecting Srinara-Zojila-Kargil- Leh. Brig Surinder Singh briefed me that the Pakistan troops had the advantage of dominating heights and penetration was too close to the highway. I sought time for the acclimatisation of troops at the height of 15,000-16,000 feet and was given two days.

Having failed to assess the actual gravity of the situation, there was complete chaos and confusion. There was absence of detailed planning to the extent that we did not even have proper boots or equipment. I carried out the recce, planning and coordination and made Bimbat our administrative base. After two failed attempts and having lost Maj Rajesh Adhikari, who was martyred while capturing the third bunker, I decided to seek aerial support. It came, but the intruders shot down the helicopter, killing all four crew members. It was painful to be able to see the body of Maj Adhikari but being unable to retrieve it. Worse still, the casualties were mounting.

Havaldar Virender was hit by a sniper on the forehead while he was showing us the location of the intruders, who would hurl the choicest of abuses in chaste Punjabi on us. This shook our boys and I too was worried. We had no choice but to put up a brave front.

It was on a cloudy night at 8 pm on June 1 amid a drizzle that we embarked on the assault, only to realise that we had practically been pinned down. Lt Col R Vishwanathan and I were caught in heavy artillery and machine gun firing, such that we could not move an inch. Within no time, our radio operator Ram Kumar, who was behind me, and Subedar Randhir Singh, ahead of me, were killed. Soon I got news that Lt Col Vishwanathan had been injured. I ordered that he be pulled back, but, he had been seriously injured and we could not give him medical help. He breathed his last in my lap.

When did things turn in your favour?

It was with the arrival of logistics, including Bofors and 2 Rajputana Rifles. Bofors arrived around June 5 and we started bombarding the infiltrators. By June 12-13, we had captured Tololing. Our unit was then asked to capture Tiger Hill. We were better prepared for that with great help from 8 Sikh Regiment.

What thoughts came to your mind when you saw the tricolour aflutter at the Tiger and Tololing Hills?

Undoubtedly, it was a proud moment for all of us that we had accomplished the task assigned to us. It was, however, a mixed feeling of joy and sorrow as victory came at a very high cost. In all, I had lost 34 of my men, who were my family. Even today, the memory of Vishu (Lt Col Vishwanathan) breathing his last is so vivid that it makes me sad. I had decided to lead the assault in our third attempt to capture Tololing on the intervening night of June 1 and 2, and Lt Col Vishwanathan said: “Sir, how can I be far behind when you will be leading our men?” Despite telling him not to accompany me, he insisted and I lost him forever.

Do you ever feel things could have been handled differently?

If we had been given a little more time to prepare and had our logistics in place, so many casualties could have been prevented. Since the Pakistan army had already crossed the LoC and intruded almost 130 km into our territory, I feel there should not have been such a tearing hurry to launch the attack when we were not fully prepared.

But we all can think differently and wisely in hindsight. At that point, there was utter confusion as we thought it was an intrusion by some militants holed up in winter-vacated posts by our men. This was a routine phenomenon and both Indian and Pakistani forces would move down due to the harsh winters. It was only after feeling the heat of heavy fire of artillery, machine guns, automatic weapons and snipers that we sensed the enormity of the challenge. We had not come prepared accordingly.

Do you feel the Army has learnt its lessons?

There can be no denying that the inadequacy of surveillance and large gaps in defence had resulted in such heavy intrusion deep inside our territory. Having learnt our lessons, there now is constant surveillance and far more technically improved. The density of troops along the LoC has been enhanced tremendously and, most importantly, we are equipped with the latest equipment.

At the helm 

Brig Khushal Thakur (retd) | Commanding Officer, 18 Grenadiers

Brig Thakur has participated in many operations and has a vast experience in the spectrum of conflict. It is under his leadership that 18 Grenadiers recaptured Tiger and Tololing during the Kargil War, evicting the well-entrenched enemy from the icy heights of the Dras region. He was honoured with Yudh Seva Medal. The valour of the unit made 18 Grenadiers the most decorated unit of the Kargil War. It was awarded one Param Vir Chakra, two Maha Vir Chakras and six Vir Chakras. The unit also got the Chief of Army Staff Citation and Theatre Honour.