The whereabouts of rare manuscripts and holy scriptures of the Sikh Reference Library allegedly seized by the Army after Operation Blue Star in 1984 has been taken up by the SGPC executive committee members in Opposition. SGPC executive member and Panthic Akali Lehar activist Gurpreet Singh Randhawe Walian has written to the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami demanding to show the Sikh holy scriptures, literary treasure and historical manuscripts which the SGPC had claimed to be in its possession.
Referring to the claims of former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh, he said in the Sikh Reference Library, there were religious literature, including 205 rare manuscripts of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, ancient golden book, original manuscripts of Janam Saakhis, original 28 edicts and two holy books of Dasam Granth.
Indian Air Force chief receives first C-295 transport aircraft made for India by Airbus
C-295 is capable of performing special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties
AF Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik after receiving the first Airbus C295 aircraft at Seville in Spain. PTI Photo
PTI
Seville (Spain), September 13
The Airbus Defence and Space on Wednesday handed over to the Indian Air Force the first of the 56 C295 transport aircraft kick-starting the delivery of the planes under a Rs 21,935-crore project that was sealed two year’s back as part of an overall aim to modernise India’s air assets.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari received the aircraft at the aerospace major’s production facility in the southern Spanish city of Seville.
Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
In October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the manufacturing facility for 295 planes in Vadodara. It will be the first military aircraft to be manufactured in India by a private consortium.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is procuring the C295 aircraft to replace its fleet of ageing Avro-748 planes that entered the service over six decades back.
The global C295 programme comprises a total of 280 orders from 39 operators, making it an unmatched aircraft in its weight and mission class, the plane maker said.
The C295 is known to be a superior aircraft used for tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers, and for logistic operations to locations that are not accessible to current heavier aircraft.
The aircraft can airdrop paratroops and loads, and also be used for casualty or medical evacuation.
The aircraft is capable of performing special missions as well as disaster response and maritime patrol duties.
After the mega deal was finalised last year, Airbus said the C295 programme will see the company bring its complete bouquet of world-class aircraft manufacturing and servicing to India in collaboration with its industrial partners.
In May, the first C295 aircraft built for India successfully completed its maiden flight in Seville. The second one is in the final assembly at the Seville facility and is scheduled to be delivered to the IAF in May next year.
After the mega deal was finalised, Airbus said the C295 programme will see the company bring its complete bouquet of world-class aircraft manufacturing and servicing to India in collaboration with its industrial partners.
Six pilots from the IAF and 20 technicians have already undergone extensive training at the Seville facility.
The final assembly line for the C295 aircraft in Vadodara is set to be operational in November next year.
Officials said the IAF will be the world’s largest operator of the C295.
Pak trying hard to send terrorists: General Dwivedi
Arjun Sharma
Jammu, September 13
Another terrorist from Pakistan, who was hiding in the forest area after opening fire on security personnel, was gunned down in Narla area of Rajouri district on Wednesday. The encounter had begun on Tuesday when a terrorist was shot dead. An Army dog, Kent, and a rifleman, Ravi Kumar, were also martyred.
After eliminating the second militant, security personnel found a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK series rifles, along with cold drinks, juice and Pakistan-made medicines.
Officers said the slain terrorists had possibly infiltrated into Rajouri from Pakistan-occupied J&K (PoJK) and had been hiding in the forest area when they were spotted by local residents who informed security personnel.
Brigadier Soumeet Patnaik of the 14 Sector, Rashtriya Rifles, said, “We received the information regarding these two terrorists carrying bags on September 7 after which forces were mobilised in the area in a planned manner.”
Meanwhile, Lt General Upendra Dwivedi of the Northern Command, during an interaction with media at an event in Jammu, said while most of the terrorists were being stopped and eliminated at the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch, some were entering from other areas. “Some of them also come by road from Punjab and Nepal to disrupt peace in J&K,” he added.
AK rifles seized
Arms and ammunition, including two AK series rifles, along with cold drinks, juice and medicines with markings of Pakistan have been seized.
The encounter began on Tuesday when a militant was shot dead while an Army dog and a soldier attained martyrdom in Narla area of Rajouri district.
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar with Bangladesh’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Nazmul Hassan in New Delhi on Wednesday. ANI Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 13
India and Bangladesh today discussed possibilities of cooperation in operations at sea. Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Chief of the Bangladesh Navy who is on a five-day visit to India, called on Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar at the South Block.
They discussed issues related to the enhancement of cooperation in the field of operations, training and information exchange.
The dignitary is scheduled to meet the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary during the visit.
At the bilateral, deliberation are likely to be held on coordinated patrol along the international maritime boundary line, bilateral exercises, naval training and reciprocal visits of delegations, the Ministry of Defence said.
Indian Air Force receives first of 56 C-295 aircraft in Spain
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari today said India’s force projection depended on “our ability to take off from short and austere airfields to moving forces to frontline when required”.
He was speaking to reporters at Seville, Spain, where he received the first Airbus C-295 plane at a company facility.
“It is a momentous day for us, for the Indian Air Force in particular and a nation as a whole to receive the first aircraft, which marks the beginning of a new era, wherein we will be manufacturing 40 of these aircraft in India,” he said.
The plane can accommodate 40 paratroopers or 71 passengers. It can land and take off from short runways and even unprepared runways.
India has procured 56 C-295 transport aircraft under the Rs 21,935-crore agreement sealed two years ago.
Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its assembly line in Spain by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled at Vadodara by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
The second aircraft is due to be delivered in May 2024 and the next 14 will be rolled out every month until August 2025. The electronic warfare suite is being designed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and will be fitted into all 56 planes. Equipped with contemporary technology, the plane has a 5-10 tonne capacity that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the IAF. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and paradropping of troops and cargo.
A large number of parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of the aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India.
Airbus, in a statement, said the production of components of 40 make-in-India aircraft had already started at the main constituent assembly facility in Hyderabad. These parts will be shipped to Vadodara, where the facility is expected to be operational by November 2024. “The first make-in-India C-295 will roll out of Vadodara in September 2026,” said Airbus, adding the final aircraft was expected to be delivered to the IAF by August 2031.
Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik said the plane would significantly impact the bilateral relations as well as the economic ties between India and Spain. Jean-Brice Dumont, Airbus’ head of military air systems, said, “This is the beginning of an exciting and long-term journey with the IAF.”
To replace ageing Avro fleet
Under the Rs 21,935-crore deal, the IAF intends to replace its ageing Avro fleet
Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain, by 2025
Subsequently, 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems in India
While the first aircraft was rolled out from Spain, the 17th aircraft will be assembled at the final assembly line in Vadodara in 2026
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri specially came to G Bangla Sahib with General Chowdhry and Major General Harbaksh Singh to thanks the Sikhs for their Heroic bravery contribution during 1965 war
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri specially came to G Bangla Sahib with General Chowdhry and Major General Harbaksh Singh to thanks the Sikhs for their Heroic bravery contribution during 1965 war . Jathedar Santokh Singh honoured them and requested Shashtri ji to get back the historic Shashtras of Guru Gobind Singh ji from England 🏴 which British government was refusing. Shastri ji committed and with one month these valuable Shashtras were brought to India 🇮🇳 on special Plane ✈. Lal Bahadur Shashtri along with Jathedar Santokh Singh, Advocate Bakshi Gurcharan Singh,Jathedar Avtar Singh Kohli ,Sardar Bahadur Ujjal Singh Governor and other Dignitaries received them personally at Then Palam Airport please watch the historical and rare footage which I got from the Archives .
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi War Memorial during a state-level function organised to mark the 126th anniversary of the historic battle of Saragarhi that took place on September 12, 1897, near Samana (now in Pakistan).
Addressing a gathering, the CM said there would be no “cap” on funds for the construction of this memorial, adding that the work on it would be completed within six months. He said December, during which the Sahibzade and Mata Gujri were martyred, is the month of mourning for the humanity.
He had directed officers to ensure that no function was celebrated at government level during the month. This would be a tribute to the Sahibzade and Mata Gujri.
Ferozepur MLAs Ranbir Singh Bhullar and Rajnish Dahiya, MLA, Guruharsahai, Fauja Singh Sarari, MLA, Jalalabad, Jagdeep Kamboj, Commissioner, Ferozepur Division, Daljit Mangat, DC Rajesh Dhiman and DIG Ranjit Singh Dhillon were present.
Mohali’s Natalya Mangat becomes fourth generation Army officer
The passing out parade on September9 at theOfficers Training Academy at Chennai saw a fourth generation officer pass out.
Lt Natalya Mangat, commissioned from OTA Chennai,is a proud fourth-generation Army officer.
The family hails from Mohali and she is an alumnus of Loreto Convent, Tara Hall, Shimla.
Having passed out from the school in 2017, she had attained first position in Himachal Pradesh in the humanities stream and went on to join Lady Sriram College, New Delhi, and graduated in Political Science Honours.
Being an Army child, she was inclined towards joining the Army and her desire got stronger when she saw her elder brother join her father’s unit.
Her great-grandfather Deva Singh had fought in the First World War in France and Belgium.
Her grandfather fought the Goa operations and the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Lt Mangat’s father is a serving army officer. Currently she, her father and brother are serving in the Army.
Lt Mangat also commanded the paradeof her company ‘Phillora’.
A multifaceted woman officer, she has joined the Intelligence Corps.
Army officer’s extramarital affair with Nepali woman ends in murder
An army officer allegedly killed a 30-year-old woman with whom he was in an extramarital relationship after she started pressing him to marry her, police said on Monday.
Ramendu Upadhyay, a lieutenant colonel in the Army, was arrested on Monday for the murder of the woman whose body with injury marks on the head was found on the outskirts of the city on Sunday, SP (City) Sarita Dobhal said.
Upadhyay who was posted in Clement Town here had alcohol with the woman, identified as Shreya Sharma, in a restaurant on Saturday night and offered to take her on a long drive to which she agreed.
However, after reaching a desolate place on the outskirts of the city he parked the car and hit the woman repeatedly on the head with a hammer until she died, Dobhal said.
After killing Shreya, Upadhyay dumped her body along the roadside and drove away, the SP said, adding that the army officer was already married and was under pressure from the woman to marry her.
The army officer has confessed to the crime, she said.
The murder weapon, the car used for the crime and the clothes Upadhyay was wearing at the time of committing the crime had been recovered, the SP said.
The army officer in his 40s had been transferred recently to Dehradun from Siliguri where he met Shreya, a woman of Nepali origin, for the first time in a dance bar.
Their friendship soon grew into a relationship, police said.
Upadhyay told police that after being transferred to Dehradun, he had rented a separate flat for Shreya here.
They used to meet at her flat and she would often complain that he was not giving her the status of a wife, police said.
