Monthly Archives: October 2022

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, March 17

In the backdrop of a controversy being kicked up over the move to introduce ballistic helmets for Sikh troops, the Central Government on Friday stated that all pilots of fighter aircraft /combat helicopters and soldiers deployed in the areas where enemy attacks are anticipated or defending important installations are to wear the full protective gear for personal safety.

“Sikh troops battling terrorism have been wearing bullet proof patka over cloth patka while maintaining their religious identity. Tank crew of armoured regiments also wear padded communication head gear,” the Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt said in the Lok Sabha today.

He was responding to a question by Preneet Kaur, Member of Parliament from Patiala, on whether the government proposes to make wearing of tactical helmets by Sikh soldiers compulsory.

A modern-day soldier needs to have all-round protection from the newer and emerging threat of warfare. Indian soldiers are provided the requisite protection to include bullet proof jackets and bullet proof helmets to operate in challenging environments. Safety of soldiers who are deployed on security duties is considered paramount, Bhatt said.

Tactical helmets are an integral part of flying gear for combat aircraft operations and protective gear of soldiers against enemy gunfire. Fighter pilots and helicopter pilots of the Indian defence forces have always been wearing helmets over their religious headgear for heads up display and communication, he further added.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence had issued a request for proposal to procure ballistic helmets specially designed for Sikh troops. This had generated a debate amongst in religious as well as defence circles

A section of the Sikh religious and political leaders had opposed the move, contending that wearing a helmet instead of the traditional turban was against the tenets of Sikhism and would affect the identity of Sikhs. That had also appealed to the Prime Minister not to introduce such helmets.

Several defence and historical experts, on the other hand, had pointed out that Sikh soldiers had been wearing helmets in the bygone era. They had also cited the example of personal equipment used by Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army.

VIEWS OF SIKH VETERAN

PTI

Samba/Jammu, March 22

A search operation was launched on Wednesday after the Border Security Force (BSF) fired at a Pakistani drone along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

The BSF troops manning the Chamliyal border post in Ramgarh sub-sector picked up a blinking red light in the air, believed to be a drone, from Pakistan at around 2.30am and fired over two dozen rounds to bring it down, they said.

They said the suspected drone returned to the Pakistani side, adding a massive search operation was launched in the forward villages adjoining Chamliyal, Sapwal and Narayanpur border outposts to ensure that there was no dropping of any weapons or narcotics.

The open fields in Dug, Channi-Sapwal and Asampur villages are also being searched by the BSF personnel who were deployed in strength for the operation, they said. 

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DEENCE NEWS 15 MARCH 2003

PTI

New Delhi, March 22

The capital budget of the Indian Army should be increased to facilitate enhancing its deterrent capacity to ward off challenges from the two “hostile” neighbours, a parliamentary panel has said in an apparent reference to Pakistan and China.

The committee appreciated the efforts made by the Defence Ministry towards the indigenisation of military platforms and hoped that the country would see “100 per cent contract value” going to Indian vendors in the years ahead.

Referring to the challenges before the Army, the parliamentary standing committee cited proxy wars, in an apparent reference to Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The committee was of the view that funds slated for modernisation of the armed forces should always be incremental.

“The committee also desired that there should be a separate allocation for committed liabilities and new schemes under the modernisation/capital budget,” it said.

The report of the panel was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

“Our expenditure should be in proportion to the increase in defence spending of our neighbours. Therefore, the committee recommended that the capital budget of the Army should be increased to have a deterrent capacity to ward off at least two hostile neighbours,” it said, in an indirect reference to Pakistan and China.

Lt Harleen Kaur Kahlon was 28 years old with 5 months pregnancy when her husband Major KPS Kahlon from Artillery Regiment (SATA) , Surveillance and Target Acquisition , Marytred (2019) hailed from Ludhiana , Punjab , took unexpected turn of her life

Her husband didn’t saw his son , when she cleared OTA & wore the Olive Green Uniform , she remembered her husband . Her parents & in-laws supported her to achieve her destination .

She was a chemistry teacher in an International school , never did she imagined that a day she would join the OTA & will worn Olive Green , separated from her son , pass out from the accedmy & will serve the Nation

The Passing Out Parade saw 186 Indian Cadets and another 36 cadets who graduated & were sent to serve their countries

The foreign cadets include 30 from Bhutan , 4 from Maldives & 2 from Nigeria

Blessed all ……

Congratulations to All

Salute the Brave Veer Nari
Lt Harleen Kaur Kahlon

Jai hind जय हिंद
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

South Korea says North Korea has test-launched multiple cruise missiles towards the North’s eastern waters.

The launches on Wednesday are the North’s fourth weapons tests since the US and South Korean militaries began large-scale military drills last week. North Korea views the drill as a preparation to attack it.

The US-South Korean military drills are to end on Thursday.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea fired “several” cruise missiles from its north-eastern coastal town of Hamhung.   

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, March 17

Many of us still remembers the beautiful rendition of the ‘Mile Sur Mera Tunmhara’ in different Indian languages, which was often played on Doordarshan in the 90s and the viewers had learnt it by heart. It displayed the unique unity in diversity of our country and also exhibited its rich cultural heritage.

In a similar vein, a Sikh man has recently sung ‘Kesariya’ song from the movie ‘Brahmastra’ in 5 different languages. The song is sung in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. The clip posted by one Satbir Singh is receiving a lot of attention online and even earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“Came across this amazing rendition by the talented @SnehdeepSK. In addition to the melody, it is a great manifestation of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’ Superb!” the PM wrote.

The singer, identified as Snehdeep Singh Kalsi, has also managed to grab the attention of industrialist Anand Mahindra. The Mahindra Group chairman shared the video on Twitter on March 17.  

Satbir Singh’s caption read, “A Punjabi lad singing Kesariya in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. I don’t know how well as I don’t know southern languages but sounds fabulous. Learning more languages is a beautiful thing. Anyone knows who is he? #IncredibleIndia.”

“Just beautiful. This is what an UNBREAKABLE, united India sounds like…” Anand Mahindra wrote in the tweet.

Reacting to Mahindra sharing his video on Twitter, Kalsi wrote, “Thank you so much sir ! This means a lot coming from you.”

PTI

Gurugram, March 21

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Tuesday said India would continue to face terrorism and internal security challenges in the future and the security forces of the country would “unitedly” tackle these.

Areas of concern

Terrorism and internal security situation is affecting our country in different ways. We are facing these challenges unitedly. — Manoj Pande, Army Chief

He was speaking after inaugurating the All-India Police Commando Competition organised by the National Security Guard (NSG) at its garrison in Manesar here.

General Pande said the new-age technology had enabled the enemy to perpetrate its activities using drones, Internet, cyberspace and social media.

“You all know that terrorism and internal security situation is affecting our country in different ways. We are facing these challenges unitedly. Due to this, the (security) situation is improving in various states.

“These challenges will continue in the future too. Some of these challenges will be there for a long time, some will be present indirectly while some will remain secretly,” he said.

General Pande said the “possibility” of terrorist attacks taking place in the country could not be ignored as he praised intelligence and security forces for foiling and thwarting a number of such designs and networks.

He praised the NSG, a federal counter-terrorist force, for developing special skills in bomb detection and disposal, sniping, countering drones as well as effectively coordinating with other security agencies.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1908061

he details of total number of ex-servicemen personnel receiving pension from Government, State/UT-wise including Karnataka are as under:

         There is no provision for the rank wise compilation of the pensionary awards paid to the ex-servicemen. The pensionary awards paid to the commissioned officers & PBOR (for all ranks) including defence civilians of Army, Navy & Air Force are compiled in the same code head of pensionary awards of the respective wings. However, details of expenditure on pension and other retirement benefits for the last five years are as under: 

The details of steps taken by the Government for welfare of ex-servicemen in the country are as under:

1. Benefits given from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund:

2. Modified Scooter Grant: Rs 1,00,000/- is provided to those ESM, who are disabled after service with a disability of 50% or more and who are not covered under the scheme of AG’s Branch of IHQ (Army, Navy & Air Force).

3. Serious diseases Grant from AFFD Fund to Non Pensioners ESM of all Ranks:

4.      Subsidy on Home Loan on Rs. 1,00,000/-(Max): Kendriya Sainik Board reimburses 50% of interest by way of subsidy on home loan from Bank/Public Sector institutions for construction of house to war bereaved, war disabled and attributable peace time casualties.

5.      Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme:  For financially supporting degree level professional education for the wards of War widows (all ranks) and ESM (PBOR) including ex Coast Guard personnel.  Total 5500 scholarships are provided to eligible wards based on merit for the entire duration of the courses.  Priority is given to the wards of War widows/War disabled Soldiers. The rates of Scholarship are as follows: –

1. Rs. 2500/- per month for boys.
2. Rs. 3000/- per month for girls.

6.      Financial support to institutions involved in rehabilitation of ESM:

7.     Reservation of seats in Medical/Dental Colleges for wards of Defence Personnel as Govt. of India Nominee. A total of 42 MBBS seats and 3 seats in BDS courses are allotted by Ministry of Health Family Welfare to KSB for wards of defence personnel as a Govt. of India nominee.

Details of various resettlement schemes implemented by Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) are as follows:

1. Upgrading their skills by imparting necessary training to prepare them to take on new assignments/jobs and assisting ESM in finding re-employment.
2. Constant endeavour to provide employment opportunities in Government/Quasi Government/Public Sector Organizations.
3. Pro-active action to facilitate re-employment of ESM in the Corporate Sector.
4. Providing Jobs through the following Schemes for self-employment:

• Placement Assistance through on-line registration at DGR.  
• DGR Sponsored Security Agency Scheme
• ESM Coal Loading and Transportation Scheme.
• Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme.
• Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled Soldiers. 
• Management of IGL/ MNGL CNG Stations by ESM in NCR/Pune.
• Management of Company Owned Company Operated Retail Outlets. 
• Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of LPG/Retail Outlet (Petrol/Diesel) Distributorship advertised by Oil Marketing Companies against 8% Reservation Quota.  
• Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Fruit & Vegetable (Safal) Shops in NCR.   
• DGR Technical Service Scheme. 
• Resettlement Training/ Skill Development Courses. 

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Annasaheb Shankar Jolle and others in  Lok Sabha today.

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Read this release in: Urdu

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 21

The White House has refused to comment on a media report which claimed that India was able to repel a Chinese military incursion in Tawang sector on December 9 last year due to “unprecedented intelligence-sharing” with the US military.

US provided Satellite imagery

• US provided real-time details to India of Chinese positions ahead of the PLA incursion
• Info included actionable satellite imagery & was given more quickly than ever before

The US government for the first time provided real-time details to India of the Chinese positions and force strength in advance of a PLA incursion. The information included actionable satellite imagery and was more detailed and delivered more quickly than anything the US had previously shared with the Indian military, claimed the report.

The act caught the PLA off guard, enraged Beijing and appears to have forced the Chinese Communist Party to reconsider its approach to land grabs along its borders, said the report in US News.

The basis for the new intelligence-sharing arrangement stems from the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) signed between India and the US in 2020. It was the fourth military agreement that secured new levels of integration between the two powers in military, logistics, compatibility and security information exchanges.

The clash involving hundreds of troops wielding spiked clubs and Tasers was limited and, more important, a Chinese retreat.

“They (the Indians) were waiting. And that’s because the US had given India everything to be fully prepared for this. It demonstrates a test case of the success of how the two militaries are now cooperating and sharing intelligence,” the report quoted a source as stating.