Sanjha Morcha

Sanjha Morcha wishes all its readers Happy Diwali and”Bandi Chhor” Diwas

diwali (English: /dɪˈwɑːliː/Deepavali (IASTdīpāvalī) or Divali) is a Hindu religious festival of lights and is one of the most important festivals within Hinduism. The festival usually lasts five days, or six in some regions of India, and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.Furthermore, it is a celebration of the day Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon Ravana in Lanka and serving 14 years of exile

ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਰੌਸ਼ਨੀ ਦਾ ਇੱਕ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਤਿਉਹਾਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਕੁਝ ਖੇਤਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜ ਦਿਨ ਜਾਂ ਛੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਚਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਲੁਨੀਸੋਲਰ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਕਾਰਤਿਕ (ਮੱਧ-ਅਕਤੂਬਰ ਅਤੇ ਮੱਧ-ਨਵੰਬਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ) ਦੌਰਾਨ ਮਨਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹਿੰਦੂ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਪ੍ਰਸਿੱਧ ਤਿਉਹਾਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ, ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਰੂਹਾਨੀ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ “ਹਨੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਚਾਨਣ ਦੀ ਜਿੱਤ, ਬੁਰਾਈ ਉੱਤੇ ਚੰਗਿਆਈ, ਅਤੇ ਅਗਿਆਨਤਾ ਉੱਤੇ ਗਿਆਨ ਦੀ ਜਿੱਤ” ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕ ਹੈ। ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਵਿਆਪਕ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ ਜੁੜਿਆ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ, ਇਹ ਉਸ ਦਿਨ ਦਾ ਜਸ਼ਨ ਹੈ ਜਦੋਂ ਰਾਮ ਲੰਕਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੂਤ ਰਾਵਣ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਾਉਣ ਅਤੇ 14 ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਜਲਾਵਤਨੀ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਸੀਤਾ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਭਰਾ ਲਕਸ਼ਮਣ ਨਾਲ ਅਯੁੱਧਿਆ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਰਾਜ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਾਪਸ ਆਇਆ ਸੀ।

Bandhi Chhor Diwas

As the country celebrates Diwali, the festival that symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, the day holds special significance for Sikhs as it marks the release of the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Singh, from Gwalior Fort.

It was on this day in 1619 A D when Guru ji was freed along with 52 Hindu kings. The day is known as “Bandi Chhor” Diwas (Prisoner Liberation Day ) across Punjab. Bandhi Chhor Diwas literally translates as Prisoner Release Day. “Bandi” means “imprisoned”, “Chhor” means “release” and “Divas” means “day”

Guru Hargobind Sahib’s father Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth guru of Sikhs, was arrested under the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Historians consider it as no more than religious bigotry as was asked to convert to Islam. The Mughal ruler was threatened by the rising popularity of the Sikh religion.

His refusal led to his torture and execution in 1606 CE. Arjan Singh’s death became a defining moment in the history of India and Sikhs. On June 1606, Guru Hargobind, succeeded his father as the next Guru of Sikhs. At his succession ceremony, he put on two swords: one indicated his resolve to maintain spiritual authority (piri) and the other, his temporal authority (miri).

Guru Hargobind was against the oppression of the Mughal rule and advised Sikhs and Hindus to arm and fight.

In 1612, Guru Hargobind too was arrested and there are different versions on how the Sikh Guru was imprisoned at Gwalior Fort by Jahangir.

Few historians believe that when Murtaja Khan, Nawab of Lahore, noticed that the Guru had constructed the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, ‘The Throne of the Almighty’, at Amritsar, and was also strengthening his army, he informed the Mughal Emperor Jahangir about this, thus leading to Hargobind’s arrest.

Others believe that Sikh Guru was making preparations to avenge his father’s death. When Jahangir heard about this he at once sent Wazir Khan and Guncha Beg to Amritsar to arrest Guru Hargobind. Bandi Chhor Divas was celebrated when Guru Hargobind sahib ji was released from Gwalior prison. He also secured the release of 52 kings and princes.

The Sikh guru is hailed for releasing all 52 innocent rulers to safety without any signs of war or battle

ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੀਵਾਲੀ ਮਨਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਹਨੇਰੇ ‘ਤੇ ਰੌਸ਼ਨੀ ਦੀ ਜਿੱਤ, ਬੁਰਾਈ ‘ਤੇ ਚੰਗਿਆਈ ਦੀ ਜਿੱਤ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕ ਹੈ, ਇਹ ਦਿਨ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਲਈ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਮਹੱਤਵ ਰੱਖਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਇਹ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਛੇਵੇਂ ਗੁਰੂ, ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਗਵਾਲੀਅਰ ਦੇ ਕਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਤੋਂ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਦਾ ਚਿੰਨ੍ਹ ਹੈ।

ਅੱਜ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ 1619 ਈ: ਵਿਚ ਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ 52 ਹਿੰਦੂ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਸਮੇਤ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਹੋਏ ਸਨ। ਇਸ ਦਿਨ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਭਰ ਵਿੱਚ “ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ” ਵਜੋਂ ਜਾਣਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਾਬਦਿਕ ਅਰਥ ਕੈਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਦਿਵਸ ਹੈ। “ਬੰਦੀ” ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ “ਕੈਦ”, “ਛੋੜ” ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ “ਰਿਹਾਈ” ਅਤੇ “ਦਿਵਸ” ਦਾ ਅਰਥ ਹੈ “ਦਿਨ”

ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਅਰਜਨ ਦੇਵ, ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਪੰਜਵੇਂ ਗੁਰੂ, ਨੂੰ ਮੁਗਲ ਸਮਰਾਟ ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਅਧੀਨ ਗ੍ਰਿਫਤਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕਾਰ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਕੱਟੜਤਾ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਕੁਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਮੰਨਦੇ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਕਿ ਇਸਲਾਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਦਲਣ ਲਈ ਕਿਹਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਮੁਗਲ ਹਾਕਮ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖ ਧਰਮ ਦੀ ਵਧਦੀ ਲੋਕਪ੍ਰਿਯਤਾ ਤੋਂ ਖ਼ਤਰਾ ਸੀ।

ਉਸ ਦੇ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਕਾਰਨ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ੧੬੦੬ ਈਸਵੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਸੀਹੇ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਗਏ ਅਤੇ ਫਾਂਸੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਗਈ। ਅਰਜਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਭਾਰਤ ਅਤੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਪਰਿਭਾਸ਼ਤ ਪਲ ਬਣ ਗਈ। ਜੂਨ 1606 ਨੂੰ, ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਅਗਲੇ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ ਸਫਲ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ। ਆਪਣੇ ਉਤਰਾਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਸਮਾਰੋਹ ਵਿੱਚ, ਉਸ ਨੇ ਦੋ ਤਲਵਾਰਾਂ ਪਾਈਆਂ: ਇੱਕ ਨੇ ਰੂਹਾਨੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ (ਪੀਰੀ) ਨੂੰ ਬਣਾਈ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਕਲਪ ਨੂੰ ਦਰਸਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਦੂਜਾ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦੁਨਿਆਵੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰ (ਮੀਰੀ)।

ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਮੁਗਲ ਹਕੂਮਤ ਦੇ ਜ਼ੁਲਮ ਦੇ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਸਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਥਿਆਰਬੰਦ ਹੋਣ ਅਤੇ ਲੜਨ ਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਸੀ

1612 ਵਿੱਚ, ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਫਤਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਸੰਸਕਰਣ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੂੰ ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਗਵਾਲੀਅਰ ਦੇ ਕਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੈਦ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ।

ਕੁਝ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕਾਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੰਨਣਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਜਦੋਂ ਲਾਹੌਰ ਦੇ ਨਵਾਬ ਮੁਰਤਜਾ ਖਾਨ ਨੇ ਦੇਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੇ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਵਿਖੇ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ‘ਸਰਬ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਮਾਨ ਦਾ ਤਖਤ’ ਦੀ ਉਸਾਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ, ਅਤੇ ਆਪਣੀ ਫੌਜ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ, ਤਾਂ ਉਸਨੇ ਮੁਗਲ ਸਮਰਾਟ ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਸੂਚਿਤ ਕੀਤਾ, ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਦੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਫਤਾਰੀ ਹੋਈ।

ਦੂਸਰੇ ਮੰਨਦੇ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਦਾ ਬਦਲਾ ਲੈਣ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰੀਆਂ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ। ਜਦੋਂ ਜਹਾਂਗੀਰ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਸੁਣਿਆ ਤਾਂ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਤੁਰੰਤ ਵਜ਼ੀਰ ਖਾਨ ਅਤੇ ਗੁੰਚਾ ਬੇਗ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਨੂੰ ਗ੍ਰਿਫਤਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਭੇਜਿਆ। ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ਉਸ ਸਮੇਂ ਮਨਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਜਦੋਂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹਰਿਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਗਵਾਲੀਅਰ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਰਿਹਾਅ ਹੋਏ। ਉਸਨੇ ੫੨ ਰਾਜਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਜਕੁਮਾਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਵੀ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਕੀਤੀ।

ਸਿੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਰੇ 52 ਨਿਰਦੋਸ਼ ਸ਼ਾਸਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਯੁੱਧ ਜਾਂ ਲੜਾਈ ਦੇ ਸੰਕੇਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਰਿਹਾਅ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ੰਸਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ

बंदी छोड़” दिवस (कैदी मुक्ति दिवस

अंधेरे पर प्रकाश, बुराई पर अच्छाई की जीत का प्रतीक दिवाली मनाते हुए यह दिन सिखों के लिए विशेष महत्व रखता है क्योंकि यह ग्वालियर किले से सिखों के छठे गुरु गुरु हरगोबिंद सिंह की रिहाई का प्रतीक है।

आज ही के दिन 1619 ई. में गुरु जी को 52 हिंदू राजाओं के साथ मुक्त कराया गया था। इस दिन को पूरे पंजाब में “बंदी छोड़” दिवस (कैदी मुक्ति दिवस) के रूप में जाना जाता है। बंधी छोड़ दिवस का शाब्दिक अर्थ कैदी रिहाई दिवस के रूप में होता है। “बंदी” का अर्थ है “कैद”, “छोड़” का अर्थ है “रिहाई” और “दिवस” का अर्थ है “दिन”

सिखों के पांचवें गुरु गुरु हरगोबिंद साहिब के पिता गुरु अर्जन देव को मुगल बादशाह जहांगीर के आदेश पर गिरफ्तार किया गया था। इतिहासकार इसे धार्मिक कट्टरता से ज्यादा कुछ नहीं मानते हैं जैसा कि इस्लाम में परिवर्तित होने के लिए कहा गया था। सिख धर्म की बढ़ती लोकप्रियता से मुगल शासक को खतरा था।

उनके इनकार ने 1606 सीई में उनकी यातना और निष्पादन का नेतृत्व किया। अर्जन सिंह की मृत्यु भारत और सिखों के इतिहास में एक निर्णायक क्षण बन गई। जून 1606 को, गुरु हरगोबिंद, सिखों के अगले गुरु के रूप में अपने पिता के उत्तराधिकारी बने। अपने उत्तराधिकार समारोह में, उन्होंने दो तलवारें रखीं: एक ने आध्यात्मिक अधिकार (पिरी) बनाए रखने के अपने संकल्प का संकेत दिया और दूसरा, उनके अस्थायी अधिकार (मिरी)।

गुरु हरगोबिंद मुगल शासन के दमन के खिलाफ थे और उन्होंने सिखों और हिंदुओं को हथियार और लड़ने की सलाह दी थी 1612 में, गुरु हरगोबिंद को भी गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया था और सिख गुरु को जहांगीर द्वारा ग्वालियर किले में कैद करने के तरीके पर अलग-अलग संस्करण हैं। दूसरों का मानना है कि सिख गुरु अपने पिता की मौत का बदला लेने की तैयारी कर रहे थे। जब जहांगीर ने इस बारे में सुना तो उसने तुरंत गुरु हरगोबिंद को गिरफ्तार करने के लिए वजीर खान और गुनचा बेग को अमृतसर भेजा। ग्वालियर जेल से गुरु हरगोविंद साहिब जी के रिहा होने पर बंदी छोड़दिवस मनाया गया। उन्होंने 52 राजाओं और राजकुमारों की रिहाई भी हासिल की।

युद्ध या लड़ाई के किसी भी संकेत के बिना सभी 52 निर्दोष शासकों को सुरक्षा के लिए रिहा करने के लिए सिख गुरु की सराहना की जाती है

कुछ इतिहासकारों का मानना है कि जब लाहौर के नवाब मुर्तजा खान ने देखा कि गुरु ने अमृतसर में श्री अकाल तख्त साहिब, ‘सर्वशक्तिमान का सिंहासन’ का निर्माण किया था, और अपनी सेना को भी मजबूत कर रहे थे, तो उन्होंने मुगल सम्राट जहांगीर को इस बारे में सूचित किया, इस प्रकार हरगोबिंद की गिरफ्तारी हुई।


All 300 ALH copters to undergo check

Decision comes after 5 Army personnel killed in Arunachal crash

All 300 ALH copters to undergo check
(L-R) Maj Vikas Bhambhu, Maj Mustafa Bohara, Nk Rohitashva Kumar, Havildar Biresh Sinha, Technician Aswin KV

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, October 22

All advanced light helicopters (ALH) with the three armed forces will undergo a one-time check, the decision coming a day after five Army personnel died in a crash near Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.

There are some 300 ALHs across the Indian Air Force, Navy and the Army Aviation, besides a few with the Coast Guard. “One-time preventive check has been ordered on the entire fleet,” sources across the tri-services confirmed to The Tribune.

Had flagged technical fault

Army copter that crashed near Tuting sent out a Mayday’ call, suggested technical failure
‘Mayday’ is an emergency call pilots make over radio in case of major issue with the aircraft
About the ALHs

Advanced light helicopters or ALHs are stationed in the Himalayas and at key locations in peninsular India
The ALH category has four variants: ALH Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3 and ALH-WSI
The copter that crashed in Arunachal was ALH-WSI, which is the latest version
The ALHs are deployed across the country, stationed in the Himalayas from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh and at key locations in peninsular India. Checks will be conducted by helicopter maintenance and repair units stationed with the squadrons of the respective forces. Some of the helicopters are learnt to have been cleared following checks over the past 24 hours. The entire fleet of 300 is expected to be inspected over the next two days.

Sources said the check was for mechanical and technical “stress points” on the copter, including its engines, rotor-blades and the ‘collective’ (component that controls power from engine to both rotors, one on top and other at tail). The check has been necessitated as the Army Aviation helicopter that crashed near Tuting did send out a “Mayday” stress call. “Prior to the crash, the Air Traffic Control had received a ‘Mayday’ call suggesting a technical or mechanical failure,” Army officials in Delhi said. “Mayday” is an emergency call pilots make over radio in case of any major issue with the aircraft.

The weather at Tuting was good for flying operations. The pilots had more than 600 combined flying hours on the ALH and over 1,800 flying hours between them. Both the facets would form the focus of a court of inquiry, which was constituted to investigate the cause of the accident, an official said. The copter with five on board crashed at 10.45 am. The Army said all five bodies had been found. The dead include Maj Vikas Bhambhu, Maj Mustafa Bohara, Naik Rohitashva Kumar, Technician Aswin KV and Havildar Biresh Sinha.

The ALH has four variants—ALH Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3 and ALH-WSI (weapons systems integrated). All the four variants are twin-engine machines. Across these four variants, two types of engines are used. The ones in the Mark 3 and ALH-WSI versions have more powerful engine, called Shakti, co-developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran of France. The copter that crashed yesterday was ALH-WSI, the latest version. It was inducted into service in June 2015. The newly inducted light combat aircraft (LCH) also uses Shakti engine.


If invalided out, disability deemed to be for life and not lesser period fixed by medical board, rules Armed Forces Tribunal

If invalided out, disability deemed to be for life and not lesser period fixed by medical board, rules Armed Forces Tribunal

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, October 23

Granting disability benefits to a soldier 38 years after discharge from service, the Armed Forces Tribunal has held that if a person has invalided out of service on medical grounds, the disability will deemed to be for life and not for a lesser period as recommended by the medical board.

An Army havildar had been invalided out of service in February 1984 for suffering from epilepsy, after having served for 16 years and four months. An invalidation medical board assessed his disability at 40 per cent for two years and attributed it to have been aggravated by military service.

The Principal Controller of Defence accounts (Pensions), however, rejected his disability claim stating that it did not fulfill the necessary conditions. An appeal filed by him was also dismissed in 1992.

It was finally in 2017 that he was able to obtain the relevant documents pertaining to his case under the Right to Information Act, and thereafter moved the Armed Forces Tribunal, seeking grant of disability pension along with arrears

In his petition, he had also contended that if his disability was only meant for two years, the Army should have retained him in service in low medical category in a sheltered appointment and permitted him to complete his term of engagement.

The Tribunal’s bench comprising Justice Rajendra Menon and Lt Gen PM Hariz observed that Pension Regulations for the Army state that a low medical category person who is retired or discharged  from service for want of alternative employment compatible with his condition shall also be eligible for invalid pension or invalid gratuity.

Also the scale of invalid pension admissible to personnel below officer rank who have completed 15 years or more of service is equal to the service pension as admissible under normal rules, the bench said.


Military think tank: Russia
withdraws officers from Kherson

In this photo posted by the mayor of Mykolaiv on his Telegram channel, a residential building is seen damaged following night shelling in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. A nearby 10-story residential building was also damaged. The windows a

Russia’s military leadership has withdrawn its officers in the Russian-annexed city of Kherson across the Dnieper River in anticipation of an advance of Ukrainian troops, the Institute for the Study of War think tank said Sunday. To delay the Ukrainian counteroffensive as the Russians complete their retreat, Moscow has left newly mobilized, inexperienced forces on the other side of the wide river, it added. The troop movements come as the Ukrainian military said its forces have continued their counteroffensives in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. On Saturday, Russianinstalled authorities in Ukraine told all Kherson residents to leave immediately ahead of the expected action by Ukrainian troops to take back the city. Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-backed regional administration in Kherson, said Sunday that over 20,000 civilians had evacuated to the left bank of the Dnieper River. He said that while Ukrainian forces were trying to push their offensive on the right bank, Russian defensive lines “have been reinforced and the situation has remained stable.” Kherson has been in Russian hands since the early days of the eight-monthlong war in Ukraine. The city is the capital of a region of the same name, one of four that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed last month and put under Russian martial law on Thursday. On Friday, Ukrainian forces bombarded Russian positions across the province, targeting proKremlin forces’ resupply routes across the river and preparing for a final push to reclaim the city. The ISW think tank also said Sunday that Russia’s latest war strategy of targeting power plants in recent days appears to be aimed at diminishing Ukrainians’ will to fight and forcing Ukraine’s government to spend additional resources to protect civilians and energy infrastructure. AP


Defence MoS reviews security

Defence MoS reviews security

PTI

Udhampur/Jammu, October 22

Asserting that the morale of the Army was very high, Minister of State (Defence) Ajay Bhatt on Saturday said the soldiers were always ready to tackle any situation at any given point of time. He said troops always gave a befitting reply in troubled situations.

The minister visited the Northern Command headquarters at Udhampur where he was briefed on the security and operational situation, a defence spokesman said.

He commended the Northern Command for always being in combat while securing the borders and keeping the internal security situation stable in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

He interacted with senior officers and deliberated on various defence-related issues. Earlier, he laid a wreath at the Dhruva War Memorial at Northern Command, paying homage to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the nation

Bhatt also flagged off the ‘Shaurya Diwas (Infantry day) motorcycle rally’ in presence of Northern Command chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi. The Bike rally has been organised to commemorate 75 years of historic landings at Srinagar during the 1947-48 war. The rally will culminate at the National War Memorial here on October 27. The minister later interacted with NCC girl cadets.

Meanwhile, the Union minister handed over appointment letters to 25 youths recruited in the Northern Railway at an event in Udhampur as part of the Rozgar Mela launched by PM Narendra Modi on Saturday. Officials said the railway selection process had been simplified and tech enabled to expedite recruitments.


Search on to locate black box of Army helicopter that crashed in Arunachal

Search on to locate black box of Army helicopter that crashed in Arunachal

PTI

Itanagar, October 23

The Army has launched a search operation to find out the black box of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) that crashed in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday killing five personnel, officials said.

The black box is an instrument that records all flight information which could help ascertain the reason for the crash.

Personnel of 21 Para (Special Force) from Jorhat in Assam, were airdropped at the crash site near Migging, around 35 kilometres from the border with China, on Saturday to recover the Black Box.

“The area is thickly wooded which is creating hindrances in searching for the Black Box,” an official said on Sunday.

The ALH, carrying five Army personnel including two pilots, was on regular sorties when it crashed at 10.43 am on Friday.

The bodies of four personnel were recovered on Friday evening from the crash site in a densely wooded mountainous area, while the fifth body was found the next day.

Prior to the crash, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) had received a mayday call from the pilots of the ALH suggesting a technical or mechanical failure, defence spokesperson Lt Col A S Walia said

‘Mayday’ is the word used across the world to make a distress call over radio communication in case of emergency, usually on a ship or aircraft.

The Army headquarters ordered a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the crash.

According to officials, the weather was good for flying operations on Friday and the two pilots had a combined experience of flying for more than 1,800 hours.

The Army helicopter, also known as HAL Rudra, had taken off from Likabali in Lower Siang district.

The HAL Rudra is an attack helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Army. It is a weapon system integrated (WSI) Mk-IV variant of the Dhruv ALH and is the first armed helicopter produced indigenously in India.

This is the second accident involving an Army helicopter in Arunachal Pradesh this month.

A Cheetah helicopter crashed in Tawang district on October 5 and claimed the life of one of its two pilots.

According to official records, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed 13 crashes since 1995, and 47 people were killed in them.


Drone activity along India-Pak border in Punjab poses big challenge to security agencies

Chandigarh, October 23

Movement of drones for airdropping drugs, arms and ammunition continues to pose a big challenge to security agencies with over 150 such activities noticed this year so far at several points along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, said officials.

They said the use of drones for the smuggling narcotics, arms and ammunition first came to notice in 2019 in Punjab.

The Border Security Force, which is guarding the 553 km stretch of border with Pakistan, has this year shot down 10 drones—three in the last week—besides thwarting intrusion of many unmanned aerial vehicles, the officials said.

“More than 150 drone activities have been spotted so far,” said a senior official of the BSF (Punjab Frontier).

One drone was shot down near the Shahpur border outpost in Amritsar on October 14, two were gunned down on October 16 and 17 in the Amritsar sector, said the officials.

The officials said smugglers backed by Pakistan’s spy agency ISI are using sophisticated and high-end Chinese drones, with minimum sound and capable of flying at higher level.

A drone which was shot down on October 14 was a quadcopter (DJI Matrice) and a holding and releasing mechanism also found with this drone.https://c15ffeb1ed94962fd0a8da94574ff2e9.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Most drone activities have been concentrated in areas along the international border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, said the officials.

However, drone movements have also been spotted in Ferozepur and Gurdaspur areas, they added.

The BSF had coordinated with the Punjab Police in busting a gang involved in smuggling of narcotics and weapons from across the border in Tarn Taran area this year, said the senior BSF official.

Last month, the BSF had decided to shoot Indian smugglers who come to collect narcotics and weapons, smuggled from Pakistan, near the international border.

“If a smuggler comes to receive the consignment or attacks, the law permits us to fire at the smuggler,” said the BSF official.

The BSF has also decided to reward its personnel who gun down a drone sneaking into Indian territory.

In April this year, the BSF had announced to give Rs 1 lakh reward to a person who provides information leading to the arrest of persons using drones for smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition from Pakistan.


150 ultras waiting along LoC to infiltrate: Intel

150 ultras waiting along LoC to infiltrate: Intel

New Delhi, October 22

Various intelligence agencies have reported that the number of terrorists at terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has increased, with around 150 of them waiting at the launch pads adjacent to the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into India ahead of winter snow.

Surveillance raised

  • There are continuous efforts by terror outfits to infiltrate terrorists from across the LoC
  • In face of strict surveillance, they are constantly changing their strategies, sources say

Sources said according to a latest report of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), agencies have received inputs that a number of trained terrorists have shifted near the LoC. “Around 150 of them are waiting to enter into India before the onset of winter,” a source said. There have been continuous efforts on part of terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen to infiltrate terrorists from across the LoC, but in the face of strict surveillance on the borders, they are constantly changing their strategies, the sources said.

Central security agencies are keeping a close watch along the LoC and international border with Pakistan as they suspect that terrorists are also trying to infiltrate using tunnels, the sources said, adding a few months ago, the BSF had detected a similar tunnel along the border in Jammu.

The sources said in a recent report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the security agencies had informed that drone activities along the Pakistan border had doubled as compared to last year.

While 109 drones were seen last year, by September this year, this number has increased to 214, the report revealed. This year, the BSF has shot down nine drones breaching the Indian border from the Pakistani side in Punjab.


Prominent Bengal Sapper: veteran Brig Sahib Singh Virdi is No More among Us

Nek Chand had a creative and committed approach to his work ...
Sahib Singh Virdi - YouTube

Sahib Singh Virdi recalls an incident when his father defended himself with a basic double-bore gun ammunition against Muslims on horseback while migrating from Pakistan enroute Dera Baba Nanak in India. The family then had to move was made to move towards the Jammu and Kashmir border instead of heading straight for their destination in order to avoid mobs and narrowly escaped being killed a number of times during their journey.


Troops ready to tackle any situation:
Union Minister Ajay Bhatt

Troops ready to tackle any situation: Union minister Ajay Bhatt

UDHAMPUR, OCTOBER 22 Asserting that the morale of the Indian Army is very high, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt on Saturday said our soldiers are always ready to tackle any situation at any given point of time. He said Indian troops always gave a befitting reply in troubled situations. “Today, the morale of our soldiers is very high. We are always ready to tackle any situation at any time”, Bhatt said while addressing troops after laying a wreath at the Dhruva War Memorial at Northern Command and paying homage to the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the nation. He said that whenever the country faced any situation of trouble or during calamities, troops gave a befitting response. Bhatt said that the situation in the country has changed today. Negative thoughts have turned into positive thoughts in terms of development, he said. He commended the Northern Command for always being in combat while securing the borders and keeping the internal security situation stable in the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Union minister visited headquarters Northern Command at Udhampur, where he was briefed on the security and operational situation, a defence spokesman said. He interacted with senior officers and deliberated on various defence related issues. Bhatt also flagged off the ‘Shaurya diwas (Infantry day) motorcycle rally’ in presence of Northern Command chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi. The Bike Rally has been organised to commemorate 75 years of historic landings at Srinagar in the 1947-48 War. The rally will culminate at National War Memorial here on October 27. The minister later interacted with NCC girl cadets. PTI