Monthly Archives: August 2018

To begin with, we must define what our aim is — do we want to deal a decisive, final blow to terrorism that comes from Pakistan or do we want to do the same to Pakistan?

Lt Gen Vinayak Patankar retd

Nearly two weeks after the horrific, targeted killing of defenceless tourists at Pahalgam, the dust has not yet settled to enable us to view the situation with clarity. The seething anger within our hearts is not abating. Though the single common emotion is revenge, its suggested method, modalities and manifestation vary. Public fora are full of views, opinions, recommendations, critiques, et al, depending upon the sources of their origin. But in the discussions, everyone seems to agree that the situation is more complex than what was perceived at first.

When faced with complex problems, it is a good idea to revisit the first principles and lessons of history. While principles bring to fore axioms, history can be a good reminder of events and lessons that ought to have been learnt from them.

Some of our fellow citizens see war clouds gathering, but the more informed minds look at many other options short of, or more effective than, war. It is often said that if one wants peace, one must prepare for war. It would do no harm, therefore, to see how some of the time-tested and proven principles of war could help us to see through the haze.

To begin with, we must define what our aim is — do we want to deal a decisive, final blow to terrorism that comes from Pakistan or do we want to do the same to Pakistan? This is vital as the measures to be taken for both would be quite different.

Offensive action could be physical or non-physical. Physical offensive must achieve surprise and it should be ensured that it is applied at the right time and at the right place. To that end, patience and level-headed planning and not knee-jerk reactions are the key. Non-physical actions, on the other hand, could be sustained over a long period and would generally be multi-pronged.

There is a need to apply sufficient force to ensure success, yet there is the principle of economy of effort to be kept in mind. To achieve the two seemingly contradictory requirements, concentrating the force at the point of decision is essential. That calls for mobility of assets and flexibility of plans. This is possible in both physical and non-physical offensive actions. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and the ban on mail and trade are two recent cases that exemplify the latter.

Sustainability of an offensive depends on several factors; principle among them is robust economy. Our economy is on an upward curve; nothing we undertake should hurt that progress. Keeping our economy secure could, therefore, be a term of reference for our planners.

Cooperation between all organs of the government is essential to achieve optimum results. Fortunately, given the state of high morale not only within all ranks of the armed forces but also among all our citizens, necessary cooperation would be readily forthcoming.

This is not the first time we are facing post-trauma complex challenges for decision-making at various levels and it most certainly would not be the last. In 1971, we faced not only an unbearable burden on our economy but also a grave national security concern arising from the influx of millions of refugees from the erstwhile east Pakistan. Acting on multiple fronts, like international diplomacy, political consensus and decisive military actions, we achieved a historic military victory over Pakistan. It was no hasty decision. The offensive was launched after waiting for many months of biding our time to select the right time and method and after full preparation.

We learn from our mistakes, too. Who can forget the episode when lapses in security, lack of coordination between departments and some questionable decision-making resulted in the hijack of an Indian Airlines flight to Kandahar and the release of jailed terrorists? We are now far better prepared against such threats.

Then, there have been the attacks on pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra, on Raghunath Temple, Akshardham and the Army camp at Kalu Chak and Pulwama. We have learnt and improved from each of them.

During the Kargil war, our leadership showed considerable statesmanship in keeping the conflict confined to a specified geographical area. In fact, the need to remain within our means and in control of the situation at all times brought about the concept of ‘limited war’.

In an adverse situation such as the one we have experienced recently, it is common to hear of ‘intelligence failure’. By holding someone or some agency accountable and placing the blame at its door, there is almost a sense of having nabbed the guilty. Before we indulge in any hasty blame game, we must remember two things. First, many such attacks are nipped in the bud by the security forces (SF) when ‘actionable intelligence’ is given to them by the intelligence apparatus. It is generally all in a day’s work for the SF and rarely, if ever, publicised. Next, the SF work round the clock, ready and hoping for action against terrorists. The terrorists, on the other hand, can select a time and place to strike — so they have to be lucky just once.

The jury is still out on the whys and wherefores of the Pahalgam attack. We are also not certain what the Pakistan army’s aim was in selecting an easy target in a cowardly, senseless attack. It could be to divert the attention of the Pakistan population from its recent failures in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Or, to hinder India’s economic progress, or to provoke us and lure us to walk into a trap — a massive ambush waiting to be sprung.

Till the truth is revealed, as it was in the case of the intrusions in Kargil in 1999, we need to keep our powder dry for action, keep a cool head, continue to apply economic squeeze and continue our ‘war by other means’, as Clausewitz would say!

Lt Gen Vinayak Patankar (retd) is ex-GOC, 15 Corps, Srinagar.

An uneasy calm prevailed in Ferozepur after security agencies conducted a blackout drill for half an hour in the border town on Sunday. At the sound of a siren, all lights were turned off as per an advisory issued by…

Anirudh Gupta

An uneasy calm prevailed in Ferozepur after security agencies conducted a blackout drill for half an hour in the border town on Sunday. At the sound of a siren, all lights were turned off as per an advisory issued by the Cantonment Board.

Residents were informed about the drill through a letter issued by the board. It had advised the residents to remain indoors and keep the lights out from 9 pm to 9.30 pm.

Issuing a press note, Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma had assured residents that there was no need to panic as today’s blackout was a routine drill in such conditions.

But everyone here is in “panic” mode, keeping themselves glued to the media channels and social media to get the latest updates, though outwardly things appear “normal”.

Earlier also, as it happened during the Kargil war and after the attack on Parliament, the contours of a “war-like” scenario can already be felt here. Old-timers are smelling some action on the ground and have been sharing their experiences of the 1965 and 1971 wars.

“My relatives have been calling me after instructions regarding the blackout drill went viral on social media,” said Sandeep Kumar, who belongs to Uttar Pradesh and has been working here for the past few years. He said even if the situation is normal here, the impression that the border district gives to outsiders is quite worrying.

“Whenever any subversive incident happens or terror attack takes place in the Kashmir Valley or be it in any part, like the recent Pahalgam massacre, the border folks have to bear the brunt. The trade disappears, investors become “shy” and the already wretched economic conditions further worsen,” said Anuj Mittal, president, Shopkeeper Welfare Association.

Mittal said that he was not sure whether a war would take place or not, but the business of the shopkeepers here has already gone down. “Due to panic, people have started hoarding ration in houses, that too on debt. Moreover, Army personnel have not been coming to the markets for the past several days, hitting local trade,” said another shopkeeper.

The security establishment is not taking any chances and is keeping a close eye on the evolving situation. All incoming vehicles are being checked at various entry points of this border district; gun-carrying security personnel are ascertaining the identity of every person, especially those going towards the border area; and security all around has been beefed up.

Even the Army has reportedly restricted the movement of its men outside the cantonment and the entry of civilians has been restrained in and around the cantonment area.

While the BSF has enhanced patrolling along the border, the Punjab Police has set up ‘nakas’ at all strategic points — all as a precautionary measure.

Harmanbir Gill, Deputy Inspector General, Ferozepur Range, said that the police were keeping a close watch on anti-social elements, smugglers and history-sheeters, besides increasing the overall vigil. As per the information available, toll barriers are being monitored so that any movement of vehicles is not shared with external elements. Social media is also being actively scanned.

Vishal Gupta, a teacher at Gatti Rajo ke village, said that his vehicle number was noted by armed guards near Hussainiwala barrage, adding that the IDs of everyone moving in the border belt were being checked even if they were regular visitors like him.

Two days after carrying out a de-silting operation in the reservoir of the Baglihar dam on the Chenab, the sluice gates of the reservoir have been shut to hold back the water, restricting the flow towards Pakistan — at least…

Arjun Sharma Ajay Banerjee

wo days after carrying out a de-silting operation in the reservoir of the Baglihar dam on the Chenab, the sluice gates of the reservoir have been shut to hold back the water, restricting the flow towards Pakistan — at least temporarily.

With the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) being held in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack, India need not inform its western neighbour about the opening and closing of the sluice gates. Earlier such activities used to be informed across the border through an established mechanism. Sources said during the de-silting process, the gates of the reservoir were thrown open two days ago, causing swelling of the Chenab in Pakistan.

Normally, the de-silting process used to take place during the peak monsoon season, specifically in August. This is not the first time that de-silting has been done or the gates have been closed for filling water in the reservoir.

Since the peak filling season for dams in North India is between May 20 and September 20 each year, the process of filling the Baglihar’s reservoir at this time of the year will take longer than what it takes in August.

The Baglihar reservoir can hold 475 million cubic metres of water. It has an installed power generation capacity of 900 megawatt — 450 MW across two phases. With high silt content, the power production drops and a periodical flush-out is needed.

Data from the Central Electricity Authority shows that last year, the Baglihar Phase one generated 2,707 gigawatt hour (GWh) power. That was 104 per cent of the laid-down target. The Phase two of the project generated 1,535 GWh of power (102 per cent of the target). These indicate the reservoir is filled up in routine to generate power through turbines.

Being a run-of-the-river project, Baglihar’s reservoir is small when compared with others like the Bhakra Dam, which is designed to hold 9.3 billion cubic metres of water. In comparison, the Baglihar is 20 times smaller than the Bhakra.

As per a study on the project by senior geologists from the University of Jammu, the field investigation of the reservoir area of Baglihar project showed that the sediment in the reservoir depends on fragile rock type like shale, sandstones, phyllites and slates. The area has steep hills that are prone to landslides. “The rocks are highly weathered, fissile and micaceous in nature and very sensitive to water absorption,” the study stated.

India is planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum river, a source said. The source familiar with the matter said these hydroelectric dams — Baglihar in Ramban in Jammu and Kishanganga in north Kashmir — offer India the ability to regulate the timing of water releases.

The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has governed the use of the Indus river and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960.

Security talks day after Navy Chief briefs Prime Minister on preparedness

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday and is understood to have discussed the security situation.

Heavy firing at LoC

Pakistani troops continued unprovoked firing in different sectors along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir late on Saturday night, prompting effective retaliation by the Army

This was the 10th consecutive night of unprovoked firing from across the border in J&K, amid heightened tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam

This comes just a day after Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi apprised the Prime Minister on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.

The meetings hold significance as the last major terror attack in Pulwama in February 2019 was met with a swift response from the IAF, which carried out airstrikes on Balakot in Pakistan. Since then, the IAF’s capabilities in long-range missiles and air defence have significantly strengthened. The Rafale jets, inducted after Balakot, are equipped with precision-guided missiles, while the Russian-made S-400 air defence system can track and target multiple threats simultaneously.

During his meetings with the IAF Chief and the Navy Chief, the Prime Minister is likely reviewing various strategic options India could consider in response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass, PM Modi on last Tuesday gave the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the response to the Pahalgam attack. Modi also emphasised the national resolve to deal a “crushing blow to terrorism”.

A day after the attack, India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties.

India also imposed a complete ban on imports of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect on the grounds of national security and public policy. New Delhi also suspended all postal services from Pakistan and banned entry of Pakistani-flagged ships at Indian ports.

Earlier this week, US Vice-President JD Vance, in an interview with Fox News, stated, “We hope that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a broader regional conflict.” He also advised Pakistan, saying, “Frankly, we also hope that Pakistan, to the extent it is responsible, cooperates with India to ensure that terrorists, who sometimes operate from its territory, are hunted down.”

Pak supplied artillery ammunition worth $364 million to Ukraine

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

Pakistan’s current artillery ammunition reserves are estimated to last only four days in a full-scale war scenario, largely due to significant exports to Ukraine, reveals Indian assessment. Artillery guns, capable of striking targets up to 40 km away, play a critical role in modern warfare.

Indian security agencies have informed the government that Pakistan’s artillery ammunition shortage was discussed during a high-level meeting held in Rawalpindi on May 2.

Pakistan had international commitments, which were financially beneficial as it supplied artillery ammunition worth $364 million to Ukraine. Despite maintaining public neutrality in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Pakistan has supplied substantial quantities of artillery ammunition to Ukraine. These exports were facilitated by the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah Cantt, which has emerged as a key supplier to Ukraine via covert channels.

In early 2023, between February and March, Pakistan shipped 42,000 122mm rockets and 60,000 155mm howitzer shells. It also signed agreements with two US companies for additional ammunition supplies which were then sent to Ukraine. Pakistan’s arms exports surged to $415 million in the fiscal year 2022–23.

The POF — originally designed to prioritise domestic military needs — has struggled to replenish stockpiles due to outdated production facilities and growing global demand. As per the Indian assessment, at present, Pakistan’s artillery reserves could sustain for only 96 hours of high-intensity conflict.

This situation reflects a key lesson from the Ukraine war, where continuous artillery fire depleted stocks in weeks, exposing the fragility of underprepared militaries. Pakistan’s military doctrine, which relies on rapid mobilisation to counter India’s numerical superiority, could be undermined by these shortfalls.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the state police has so far arrested 37 persons for defending Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. “Update on crackdown against traitors for defending Pakistan on Indian soil. A total of 37…

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said the state police has so far arrested 37 persons for defending Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Update on crackdown against traitors for defending Pakistan on Indian soil. A total of 37 anti-nationals put behind bars till now. All these anti-nationals will be dealt with firmly by the Assam Police,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

The latest arrest was made on May 2 from Dhubri where a man named Amar Ali was held.

Following the terror attack, the police in northeastern states — particularly Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya — have launched a sweeping crackdown against people who are sharing “inflammatory” social media posts.

A day after the attack, the Tripura Police issued an advisory, asking people not to share or circulate provocative messages.

“It has come to our notice that certain individuals are circulating provocative and misleading messages on social media. Please be aware that forwarding, sharing, or creating such content is an offence under the law. Stringent legal action will be taken against those involved in such activities,” the Tripura cops said.

Besides, the Nagaland Police warned that anti-national elements were using the Pahalgam attack to spread misinformation and unrest, particularly targeting the North-East.

They added that there is apprehension that many newly created accounts may soon emerge to propagate emotional and anti-national sentiments and to stir disaffection among communities. Many inflammatory posts, the advisory noted, originate from Pakistan-linked accounts and are later circulated by unsuspecting users. Authorities have appealed for calm, but made it clear: there will be zero tolerance for posts that threaten national unity.

THE Americans are back to doing what they do best, trying to walk the middle path on the Pahalgam massacre, on the one hand underlining that PM Modi “has our full support,” but at the same time careful of being overly critical of Pakistan

Jyoti Malhotra

Sources indicate that the CRPF’s Jammu and Kashmir Zone had recommended against granting the jawan’s request, citing national security concerns

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday sacked a jawan for marrying a Pakistani national without obtaining the mandatory departmental clearance — an act that has been viewed as a serious breach of laid protocols.

According to the CRPF, Constable Munir Ahmed, who was posted in the 41st Battalion, has been dismissed from the service with “immediate effect” for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national and “knowingly harbouring” her beyond the validity of her visa.

“His actions were found to be in violation of service conduct and detrimental to national security,” the CRPF said.

Notably, the jawan had submitted a request to marry his cousin Menal Khan, a Pakistani citizen residing in PoK. However, before the CRPF could issue a formal response or grant a no-objection certificate (NOC), the marriage was reportedly solemnised.

The matter was taken on added sensitivity in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. As part of heightened security measures, India had suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals and directed all Pakistani citizens in the country to exit before the expiration of their visas.

Sources indicate that the CRPF’s Jammu and Kashmir Zone had recommended against granting the jawan’s request, citing national security concerns. The matter was forwarded to higher authorities for a policy-level decision, given the sensitive nature of cross-border matrimonial cases.

An internal review was then undertaken, in which several procedural lapses, including the constable’s failure to inform the department that his spouse remained in India beyond the validity of her tourist visa, were flagged by the senior officers.

While the constable claimed that a long-term visa application had been filed, he did not formally notify the department of this development.

Officials said the constable’s conduct amounted to a violation of Rule 21(3) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which governs personal relationships with foreign nationals and requires prior government approval for such unions.

Following government instructions to enforce the exit of Pakistani nationals, the constable’s spouse was taken to the Wagah border for deportation. Parallelly, she also approached the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which granted a 10-day stay on her deportation on April 29, pending further legal proceedings.

Advocate Ankur Sharma, who represented the Pakistani woman before the high court, said the Home Ministry’s “Leave India” order had exempted two types of Pakistani nationals — those holding diplomatic visas and long-term visas. He said Minal had applied for an LTV and was interviewed. A positive recommendation has reportedly gone to the Home Ministry, he said.

“She was sent back after the court passed an interim order,” he said, adding that her deportation status would depend on the outcome of her visa application.

To mark two years of continued violence, a statewide shutdown brought Manipur to a standstill on Saturday. According to reports from Imphal, markets were shut, public vehicles remained off the roads, and private offices remained closed in both the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley and Kuki-majority hill districts.

Saturday (May 3) marked the second year of the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, which began on this date in 2023. The violence that broke out between the majority Meiteis and tribal Kukis shows no signs of abating despite the imposition of President’s rule on February 13.

To mark two years of continued violence, a statewide shutdown brought Manipur to a standstill on Saturday. According to reports from Imphal, markets were shut, public vehicles remained off the roads, and private offices remained closed in both the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley and Kuki-majority hill districts.

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, a Meitei civil society organisation, urged people to cease their work on May 3 to attend the public convention held to mark two years of violence, while the Zomi Students’ Federation and Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) in the hills also held similar processions.

While Imphal witnessed a candlelight vigil and a ‘People’s Convention’ at Khuman Lampak Stadium to honour the victims, the Kuki-Zo community observed a solemn ‘Day of Separation’ with memorial events at the Wall of Remembrance and Sehken Burial Site in Churachandpur.

In the national capital, the Kuki Students Organisation held protests at Jantar Mantar, marking the occasion as ‘Separation Day’. The Kukis have been seeking a separate union territory status in tribal majority areas of Manipur. The Meiteis on their part claim that there is no technical term as “Kukis” and have called it as unconstitutional, seeking the Centre’s intervention to get the term removed from Manipur’s list of tribals.

The Meiteis also seek urgent NRC update in Manipur and termination of Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki rebel groups. They have also sought free movement within the state. Violence in the state has claimed over 260 lives, injured more than 1,500, and displaced more than 70,000 people.

Attacks on villages and incidents of arson have been taking place on a regular basis across Manipur, despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah having claimed in Parliament on April 2 that no violence has been reported in Manipur in the past four months (referring to January-March period of 2025), and that the Home Ministry will soon convene a meeting of both the communities to find a lasting solution in the state.

However, Gampal and its hamlet Hayang in Kamjong district of Manipur were set on fire by unidentified arsonists on April 23.As a precautionary measure to prevent further escalation, the district administration had imposed a curfew in the entire jurisdiction.

On April 13, hundreds of Kuki-Zo community members gathered at the Thangjing Hill in Manipur’s Churachandpur district and staged demonstrations to prevent Meiteis from undertaking their annual pilgrimage to the “sacred site” situated on the hill. Violence had broken out after Meiteis had tried to climb the hill, as several Kuki protestors clashed with them.

The total duration of the flight, carried out from Sheopur Trial Site in Madhya Pradesh, was about 62 minutes

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out maiden flight trials of Stratospheric Airship Platform on Saturday evening.

Developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, Agra, the airship was launched carrying an instrumental payload at an altitude of around 56,000 feet.

Data from onboard sensors was received and would be utilised for development of high-quality fidelity simulation models for future high-altitude airship flights. 

Envelop pressure control and emergency deflation systems were deployed in flight for their performance evaluation. The trial team recovered the system for further investigation. 

The total duration of the flight, carried out from Sheopur Trial Site in Madhya Pradesh, was about 62 minutes.

The trial was carried out even as the IAF is seeking three unmanned high altitude platform systems, capable of operating at altitude of around 65,000 feet, for carrying out long duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated the DRDO for the successful maiden flight trial of the system. He said that this system would uniquely enhance India’s earth observation and Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, making the country one of the few countries in the world with such indigenous capabilities.

The Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, has also felicitated the DRDO team involved in the design, development and trial of the system. 

He said the prototype flight was a milestone towards the realisation of lighter-than-air high-altitude platform systems that could remain airborne for very long endurance at stratospheric heights.