Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an acknowledged nonpareil in focusing attention solely on his message. His effective use of inventive acronyms and choreographed gestures ensure that each of his public appearances makes it to the front pages of newspapers and prime time TV. In Udhampur on Sunday, he continued with his use of homophones by asking the Valley’s youth to choose between two Ts: terrorism and tourism. No one can have a gripe with a universal statement like that — or the ones that followed such as “this game of blood has failed to benefit anyone in 40 years.” Narendra Modi was at his persuasive and conciliatory best — offering funds, projects, business and employment to tamp down the unending cycle of violent conflict in Kashmir.As history has shown, the Prime Minister may be on the right path. An infusion of massive funds accompanied by the heavy hand of the military has helped end chronic insurgency in many parts of the world. But such recipes presuppose that Kashmir is not a political problem but a terrorist one that has to be solved militarily. This approach may be in sync with muscular nationalism on show in mainland India. But it doesn’t account for the various narratives of identity politics that have led to hardly a day passing in the last 28 years when some part of Kashmir was not up in flames.After spending the Diwali night in Srinagar in 2014, Modi would know that this route is unworkable. It is not only because Islamabad-backed minders are inimically influencing Kashmiri youth with visions of independence or merger with Pakistan. The BJP’s consolidation of the Hindu vote and its conscious “othering” of Muslims in mainland India have reduced the credibility of the PM’s exhortation of forgetting the past and making a new beginning. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti may have sensed the absence of political content in the PM’s peace offering when she requested him to visit the Valley. This was a clear hint to New Delhi to address the deeper reasons for the disquiet.
Pakistan Rangers today resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in the Arnia sector of Jammu on the International Border by targeting a Borer Security Force (BSF) team on Friday morning.The BSF retaliated to the firing appropriately and there was no loss of life on the Indian side. However, aBSF man suffered minor bullet injury on his leg.Giving details, the BSF PRO said Pakistan Rangers targeted the BSF domination party in the Arnia sector. “Today, at about 6.30 am, when a BSF operational and area maintenance party was dominating our area ahead of the border fencing in the Arnia area, Pakistan Rangers without any reason, fired at the BSF team. A bullet hit the tractor being used by the BSF in a field and a minor scratch was sustained by the driver,” the PRO said.The BSF gave swift and befitting reply to Pakistani troops, he said. “However, Pak Rangers further tried to vitiate the situation by targeting our duty points with mortar fire, which was also responded in controlled and accurate manner by the alert BSF troops. Intermittent fire continued from the both sides till 8.40 am,” he added.The BSF said soon a strong protest would be lodged with Rangers. “The BSF is on high alert and fully committed to ensure sanctity of the International Border. It will not allow any activities under garb of such misadventure,” the PRO added.BSF sources said so far they had not received information of any loss of life or injury to Pakistan Rangers but they were keeping a close watch on their movement.This year, there have been 24 ceasefire violations by Pakistan Rangers on the International Border. On the Line Control, truce violations by Pak army have become a routine affair.
J&K: Tense Encounters Of The Unwanted Kind by Lt Gen syed Ata Hasnain
Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain breaks down the nature of the beast confronting India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Director General of Police of Jammu and Kashmir Shesh Paul Vaid is absolutely correct. The trend of flash mobs being concentrated at encounter sites in the valley is now witnessing a virtual suicidal tendency on the part of many local Kashmiri youths. Suicide terror has never been associated with local terrorists. Actions of the so-called fidayeen have seen the involvement of local terrorists, but these are essentially ‘resist unto death’ type of actions, not the classic suicide-bombing activities seen in sub-conventional conflicts in parts of the Islamic world.
Chest-baring young men are now daring the security forces to fire at them. The dilemma for the state and its institutions is usually intense whenever such violence has to be dealt with. Punitive actions by the security forces in typical law-and-order situations are calibrated to detract people from taking the law into their hands; these situations are temporary and overcome by turning the screw just a bit. However, what is being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir is not a law-and-order problem but one involving serious public disorder with threats to national integrity. In the rest of India, there are negative passions galore, recommending extreme steps by law enforcement authorities with advisories not to soft-pedal such brazen anti-national acts. This is not the first time that we see serious challenges to state authority in Jammu and Kashmir. Anger seen outside the state is legitimate, as brazen resistance against law enforcement cannot go on with impunity. Yet, enforcement authorities are also not expected to abide by public advisories, which may be ridden with passion and irrationality. What is definitely expected is that these situations are to be seriously war-gamed and solutions found. The problem is not local but national. It, therefore, cannot be left to the state authorities alone. The stamp of application of experience needs to be nationwide. Personally, I am confronted by ordinary people almost every day who ask why the situation is not being handled more professionally.
We need to be clear about what exactly is happening in Jammu and Kashmir and how things pan out in the events being witnessed. Let me explain from experience and observation. For many years, one has been aware of just how well the separatists have been structured. District, Tehsil and block-wise hierarchy exist with ‘specialists’ assigned responsibilities. Their virtual intelligence arm is well-embedded. There are rabble-rousers ready to respond in quick time. Outreach to media is instantaneous to get their point of view home. Care is taken to ensure that there is no over-exposure of this level of leadership. One of the known ways of preventing intelligence from being effective is to bring stone-pelters and flash mobs from neighbouring towns and villages so that they are not easily identifiable to the local troops and police. Leadership at the local level is faceless and diffused with power concentrated in the hands of many rather than a few. This prevents compromise and identification. The faces in front are projected to be that of juveniles so that there is reluctance on the part of security forces to arrest and prosecute.
Social media groups employing mobile technology are very active. Many of them are controlled from across the Line of Control with a constant flow of instructions from handlers who have the benefit of analysis of data being fed to them on a daily basis. The entire mechanism is professional and designed to irritate and instigate the Indian public, government officials and security forces personnel. Passionate responses from the rest of India such as “exterminate them all” are exactly what the separatists and their handlers wish to see. These angry responses are exploited on social media to spread greater anti-India sentiment. More the outpouring of negative emotion, more successful are those instigating this response from people.
In the face of this situation, how does one define national interest? Is it the appeasement of public or the attainment of a professional aim arrived at through gaming, ideation and discussion to overcome a situation in favour of the state’s interest? I can recall a few examples of responses to such threats in the past. In 2003, the then chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, the general officer commanding, 15 Corps, and the director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police undertook a mission of regularly speaking together at different places, taking questions and offering explanations. It was perhaps the high mark of cooperation and coordination with a civil-military interface. It was also the best use of the Unified Command concept. The challenges then were different, but effectiveness was high considering the threats of that time. It was regular meetings between the core group and Unified Command in 2010 which delineated responsibilities and identified the vulnerabilities of the security forces to eventually overcome the challenge that year.
The situation today is admittedly far worse, necessitating a more comprehensive response which must first rest on defining the meaning of ‘engagement and outreach’. These are terms being loosely used in the media. It is unfair to expect from the political leadership bold and meaningful initiatives in the midst of serious, violent situations, notwithstanding the fact that initiatives should have come long ago. If anything, the initiative has to happen quietly and behind the scenes, and the outreach has to be directed to the right quarters. While it may be partially right to assume that mainstream separatist leaders have lost their significance, the inability to identify the new executive leadership is putting the authorities in a quandary. This leadership is diffused and has remained under wraps, probably under the guidance of men from across the Line of Control. Interrogation reports of detained rabble-rousers have not been made public, but from these, the intelligence authorities would probably have a fair idea of where the brain trust lies. This is the intelligence problem which needs immediate action.
The issue of ‘outreach’, which is always recommended to the political leadership by the intelligentsia and the lack of which is inevitably rued by intellectuals, needs a measure of explanation. Even in times of stability, outreach has not been easy. In these challenging times, it may be even more difficult. With vigilantism of the young, less-educated and reasonably mindless, it is difficult to organise public meetings without expecting trouble. No one wishes to create negative situations. So outreach has got to be first to personalities – and these can be from all walks of life and different towns and villages. The clergy has an important role to play and must be taken on board.
Outreach is primarily an exercise in listening, something most important people are not comfortable doing. It is about confidence-building all over again, with the ability to listen and withstand venom spewed against the state, against the leaders and against institutions. Small gestures and concessions which can make a difference to the public can be made in such meetings. This spirals higher as confidence enhances along with public curiosity. This is not the blueprint for a solution to the intense problem which has gripped the valley. It is only suggestive of ways and means by which better understanding can prevail. Regarding harsher measures, if the situation deteriorates, the authorities will probably consider a full blanket ban on internet and mobile services, like in 2016. It is to India’s credit that the media remains free even in as challenging a situation as was witnessed in 2016 or could potentially come to the fore in 2017. This is our national strength, and that is how it must remain.
In dealing with separatist machinery, while principally we have been acting against the visible faces of Hurriyat leaders – detaining them and placing them under house arrest, the seriousness of tackling the infrastructure at their command appears limited. That seems to be mostly intact, considering the ease with which public ire is aroused. Perhaps the focus needs to shift even as the eyes remain on the visible face of leadership. The police and intelligence set-up are competent to do this when it decides to act. There have been preventive detentions and arrests made in the past. The police know how to take this a step further; it would, however, need full political backing.
The vulnerability of the local police personnel has also come into question. In 2016, the targeting of police families demoralised the personnel. The situation was overcome fairly early, but it appears that the adversaries continue to identify this as a major vulnerability. There is a need for astute leadership to overcome the problem. It cannot be left to the police hierarchy alone and would need political cooperation between all parties. Police stations are the core institutions whose sanctity cannot be compromised. They must remain strengthened with Central Reserve Police Force reinforcement and stand-by arrangements for army’s response. Local police personnel need recognition and empathy, which must come in droves.
Lastly, the one thing that such situations do not need is unprofessional advice and instigation of security forces against the public. The situation is admittedly bad, but India, its security forces, intelligentsia and political leadership have faced worse times before. The nation will not bend despite malicious attempts to pressurise it, even as it responds with the right blend of head and heart. A country of India’s reputation will always do that.
KAPURTHALA: Train passengers on the Delhi-Chandigarh section will soon enjoy a comfortable ride at a speed of 160 kmph as the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala is set to roll out the first rake of 19 coaches in a couple of days.
HT PHOTOSThe newly designed coaches are capable of running at a speed of 200 kmph, but due to constraints related to rail tracks these coaches will run at a speed of 160 kmph, said RCF general manager RP Nibaria said on Thursday.
RCF general managerNibaria said he expects that the Tejas Express, in which some of these coaches will be fitted, will run by the end of May though a decision will be taken by the railway board.
FIRST RAKE READY BUT AWAITS SECURITY
He said that the first rake, comprising 19 coaches including 16 non-executive and two executive chair cars besides one power coach, will be handed over to the Northern Railway by May 15.
The first rake is ready for rollout but the RCF has demanded security guards from Northern Railway as costly gadgets have been fitted in the new coaches.
Their arrival is expected in three days.
Initially, the Railway Board had decided to run the first high speed train Tejas Express on the Mumbai-Goa section but now the allotment has been made to Northern Railway, the general manager said.
AUTOMATIC PLUG DOOR, LCDS AND USB CHARGING
He said that it is for the first time in the history of Indian railways that an automatic entrance plug door has been introduced which provides better sound and heat insulation.
Doors installed in the entire rake will be controlled by a guard panel.
He said that the luxury chair car is fitted with nine-inch LCD screen with touch screen control on the back of every seat and a personalised infotainment system besides USB charging facility is fitted on every seat.
The other features include highly comfortable and adjustable e-leather upholstery, redesigned arm rest and adequate leg support.
NEW BRAKING SYSTEM, WI-FI AND BIO TOILETS
The new coach is fitted with improved couplers that will provide jerk-free comfortable ride even at high speeds and coaches are fitted with new braking system.
Facilities like wi-fi and a mechanism where passengers can call attendants by using the bell attached to a panel will be provided.
Tejas coaches also have improved lavatory and bio toilets with airlines such as vacuum evacuation besides sensor taps and soap dispenser.
NEXT TWO RAKES IN MARCH 2018
He said that the cost of each coach is ₹3.25 crore and a coach is manufactured in six months.
The next two rakes of these high-speed coaches will be rolled out by March next year.
The railways will run the Tejas Express on the MumbaiGoa, Delhi-Chandigarh and Surat-Mumbai sections.
The remarks in the Chinese daily came after Gen Bipin Rawat last week said India must have close ties with Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan considering the security matrix. File photo
Beijing, May 8
India should not “overly interpret” Beijing’s military development or exaggerate concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a state-run Chinese daily said on Monday, days after the Indian Army chief suggested New Delhi carry out counter-encirclement of its “future adversaries”. The article in Global Times, a publication of the ruling Communist Party, said India worries that China was intentionally meddling in India-Pakistan disputes, “utilising the CPEC (which runs through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) to grant legitimacy to Islamabad’s control over the disputed region.” “India is viewing Beijing and Islamabad as potential threats and is suspicious of Beijing’s One Belt and One Road initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” it said, adding that “India is exaggerating the situation”.“Beijing respects New Delhi’s sovereignty concerns, and is willing to mediate in India-Pakistan disputes, on the condition that it accords to the wishes of both India and Pakistan,” it said.The remarks in the Chinese daily came after Gen Bipin Rawat last week said India must have close ties with Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan considering the security matrix.He said such a strategy will create a two-pronged dilemma for Pakistan, and also help tackle issues with the other difficult neighbour China, suggesting New Delhi should “carry out counter-encirclement for our future adversaries.”Referring to his remarks, the article said China advocates peaceful development and it has and will “never seek hegemony in the region.”China’s defence budget will rise by about 7 per cent this year, the lowest since 2010 and Beijing’s military development is “part of its national construction, and New Delhi should not overly interpret it,” it said.The Indian media suggests that China’s military expenditure for 2017, about 1.3 per cent of the GDP, is three times higher than that of India.“Frankly speaking, even if New Delhi’s military spending is boosted to the same level, India still lags behind its northern neighbour in its military capability. For instance, India’s development of aircraft carrier is very slow despite its early start,” it said.China has one refurbished aircraft carrier and recently launched a homemade carrier, which was expected to take a few years to operationalise. A third carrier is reportedly under construction. — PTI
Security personnel take position during a search operation after militants ambushed an Army convoy in Srinagar on Saturday. PTI
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, April 1
Just a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to J&K, militants today surfaced in Srinagar and ambushed an Army convoy on the outskirts of Srinagar city, injuring at least three jawans.The ambush by militants, believed to be two to three in number, at the Bemina bypass along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, took place in the afternoon when an Army convoy was on its way from border town of Uri in Baramulla to Srinagar.“Militants armed with assault rifles fired at the Army vehicles near a hospital on the Parimpora-Panthachowk bypass road which was retaliated. Three soldiers were injured in the ambush. The attackers managed to escape,” sources said, adding that the shootout created panic in the area.The attack took place despite the highway being secured by the Army and CRPF under the Road Opening Procedure (ROP), a daily drill to protect security vehicles that ply on the road.Soon after the attack, the police and CRPF cordoned off the locality and carried out searches to trace the militants involved in the attack.Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said three injured soldiers were evacuated to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital.“The firing took place in the overcrowded area and the Army showed maximum restraint,” Col Kalia said.Militant group Hizbul Mujahideen in a statement to a Srinagar-based news agency claimed responsibility for the attack.The attack took place amid heightened security in the wake of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the state. Modi will inaugurate the Chenani-Nashri tunnel, India’s longest highway tunnel, on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Sunday.Even as many ambushes on forces on the national highway in south Kashmir took place last year, today’s ambush was the first attack on the Army on the 14-km Parimpora-Panthachowk bypass in the past nearly four years. In 2013, Lashkar-e-Toiba militants had ambushed an Army convoy at Hyderpora, Srinagar, in which eight jawans were killed and over a dozen injured.Minutes before the ambush on the Army convoy at Bemina, panic spread in the city centre of Lal Chowk after gunshots were heard in the locality. Sources said a mentally challenged man entered a hotel in the Lal Chowk and the security men took him as a militant. However, the person was detained from the hotel by the police. As he was being taken away, locals feared that a militant had been arrested by the police and they threw stones on forces. The forces fired a few gunshots.SP (East) Sheikh Faisal said a boy tried to enter the hotel. “I think he is mentally deranged. He is with us and we are ascertaining his identity,” Faisal said.Following the incident, there were massive clashes in the city centre for at least an hour. The police also fired teargas shells to disperse the mob.Soldier killed in explosion on LoCJammu: A junior commissioned officer of the Army was killed on Saturday in an explosion near LoC in Poonch district, the police said. Police sources said the incident occurred in the Degwar sector in Poonch. “The exact cause of the explosion is being ascertained,” the sources said. —IANSMajor attacks since 2016February 20-22, 2016: Three elite para commandoes, including two Captains, two CRPF men, three militants and a civilian were killed in a gunfight in Sempora, Pampore, on the Srinagar Jammu highway. The militants took shelter in the EDI building after carrying out an attack on a CRPF convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highwayJune 3: Three BSF jawans were killed and seven others were injured after militants ambush their convoy on the busy Srinagar-Jammu highway at Bijbehara in south KashmirJune 25: Militants intercepted a convoy of the CRPF and killed eight security personnel and injured 22 personnelAugust 17: Two Army jawans and a policeman were killed as militants ambushed a convoy of the Army in Baramulla districtDecember 17: Three soldiers were killed and two others injured in a militant attack on an Army convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Pampore in Pulwama districtFebruary 23, 2017: Three Army jawans were killed and five others, including two officers, were injured in a militant attack in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. A woman was also killed in the firing
New Delhi, March 29Five Indian hydropower projects being built on tributaries of the Indus, over which Pakistan has raised objections, are at various stages of implementation in the Indus river basin, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.Minister of State for External Affairs Singh V K Singh made a statement in this connection, days after media in Pakistan claimed that India had agreed to halt work on Miyar Nallah during Permanent Indus Commission’s meeting held in Lahore earlier this month.”…projects such as Miyar Nallah, Lower Kalnai, Pakal Dul, Kishenganga and Ratle are at different stages of implementation,” Singh told the Lower House.Work on two other hydroelectricity projects – Bhakra Nangal (on Sutlej river) and Pong Dam (Beas river) has been successfully executed, he added.The minister reiterated Centre’s position that it remains committed to fully utilise water of rivers in the basin, both eastern (Beas, Ravi and Sutlej) and western (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab), in accordance with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960.Pakistan has been flagging concerns over designs of Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kishenganga (330 MW), Miyar (120 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW), contending these violate the treaty.India though has maintained that the designs of the projects do not violate the water distribution pact.Pakal Dul, Ratle, Kishenganga and Lower Kalnai are being built in Jammu and Kashmir while Miyar Nallah is being constructed on a tributary of Chenab in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district. — PTI
Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday cleared the name of Maj Gen SPS Grewal (retd) as the chairman-cum-managing director of the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO). A formal order is expected soon. Maj Gen Grewal is from the Corps of Signals. In his last appointment as Chief Signals Officer, Western Command, Chandimandir, he oversaw the Army’s mobile and static communication network in the region. He is also the vice-chairman of the Guardians of Governance scheme, Capt Amarinder’s initiative to involve ex-servicemen in keeping a watch on the implementation of government schemes. The post had been lying vacant since February when the term of the then chairman, Lt Gen Kulip Singh (retd), had finished. PESCO’s mandate is to make efforts for the welfare and economic uplift of the ex-servicemen. TNS
Maj Gen SPS Grewal with Capt Amrinder on way to Governor to submit memorandum about 7th Pay Commission. Maj Amardeep in centre and Col CJS Khera on Left
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