All posts by webadmin

Deals include purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the agreement exchange ceremony in Benaulim, Goa. — PTI

Benaulim (Goa), October 15

India and Russia on Saturday sealed a number of big-ticket defence deals, including purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters, besides deciding to deepen cooperation in a range of crucial sectors even as the two close allies resolved to fight terrorism unitedly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held wide-ranging talks covering the entire expanse of bilateral engagement following which the two sides signed a total of 16 MoUs and made three announcements to boost ties in sectors like trade and investment, hydrocarbons, space and smart cities.

The two leaders also dedicated the unit two of Kudankulum nuclear power plant and witnessed foundation laying of its Unit 3 and 4.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The defence deals included India buying the ‘gamechanger’ S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence systems from Russia at a cost of over $5 billion. The two countries will also collaborate in making four state-of-art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters.

Reading out a statement to the media in the presence of Putin, the Prime Minister appreciated Russia’s understanding and support of India’s actions to fight cross-border terrorism, an oblique reference to India’s surgical strike across the LoC targeting terror launch pads.

“Russia’s clear stand on the need to combat terrorism mirrors our own. We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism that threatens our entire region.

“We both affirmed the need for zero tolerance in dealing with terrorists and their supporters,” Modi said.

Putin, on his part, said both countries have close cooperation in fighting terrorism.

Modi said the “highly productive” outcomes of the meeting clearly establish the special and privileged nature of strategic partnership between the two countries.

“They also lay the foundations for deeper defence and economic ties in years ahead. The agreements on manufacturing of Kamov 226T helicopters, constructions of frigates, and acquisition and building of other defence platforms are in synergy with India’s technology and security priorities,” he said.

The two sides signed an Inter Governmental Agreement for the purchase of S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile system which has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.

Another important deal is for four Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356) guided-missile stealth frigates.

Modi said they have agreed to work on an annual military industrial conference that will allow stakeholders on both sides to institute and push collaboration.

“These projects are new chapters in a long history of strong and diverse defence partnership that both sides can take much pride in,” he said.

He said, “We are working to model a partnership that befits our common ambition and meets our shared goals for the twenty-first (21^st) century.

“Our close friendship has given clear direction, fresh impulse, stronger momentum and rich content to our ties. In the emerging regional and global landscape, it has been a source of strength and substance, a driver of peace and a factor of stability.”

On cooperation in atomic sector, he said the dedication of Kudankulum 2 and laying of foundation concrete of Kundankulum 3 and 4 were examples of tangible results of India-Russia cooperation in the field.

“And, with proposed construction of another eight reactors, our wide ranging cooperation in nuclear energy is set to bring rich dividends for both of us. It also fits in with our needs of energy security, access to high technology and greater localization and manufacturing in India,” said the Prime Minister.

Talking about India’s expanding presence in Russia’s hydrocarbon sector, he said in last four months alone, Indian companies have invested close to $5.5 billion in that country’s Oil and Gas sector.

“And, with President Putin’s support, we are ready and willing to expand the scope of our engagement further. We are also undertaking a joint study of a gas pipeline route between our two countries.

“A combination of robust civil nuclear cooperation, LNG sourcing, partnership in the Oil and Gas sector, and engagement in renewables can construct a promising ‘Energy Bridge’ between our two countries,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the two countries also agreed to set up a Science and Technology Commission.

“Through this our societies will reap the benefits of joint development, transfer and sharing of cutting edge technologies in different fields,” he said.

On trade ties, Modi said both countries continue to expand, diversify and deepen economic engagement.

“Businesses and industry between our two countries are connected more deeply today. Trade and investment ties are on the upswing.

“And, with President Putin’s backing, we hope to fast track India’s association with Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement,” he said.

Modi added that efforts by the two sides for early setting up of the Investment Fund of USD 1 billion between National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will help advance infrastructure partnership.

The Prime Minister said success of the Summit “shines a spotlight on the abiding strength of India-Russia strategic partnership.

“It also highlights our strong convergence of views and positions on pressing international and regional issues,” he said.

Modi said both he and Putin noted the similarity of views on the situation in Afghanistan and turmoil in West Asia.

“We also agreed to work closely to respond to the challenges posed by the unsettled nature of the global economic and financial markets. Our close collaboration at the United Nations, BRICS, East Asia Summit, G-20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organization makes our partnership truly global, both in its scope and coverage,” he said. — PTI

Lt Gen Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal, PVSM, AVSM, VSM.

Ex Colonel of The Dogra Regt        & Dogra Scouts.
Ex Director General Infantry       & Chief of Staff Northern Command. 

DSSC, SC, HC, NDC. DEFENCE ATAĆHE Myanmar.
Instructor, Cdo, Platoon Weapons.   ADC to President.
DS~Junior Comd & Senior Command.

ਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੌਲੀ
ਜਲੰਧਰ, 8 ਅਕਤੂਬਰ
ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਹੱਕਾਂ ਲਈ ‘ਹਰ ਲੜਾਈ’ ਲੜਨ ਦਾ ਐਲਾਨ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਅੱਜ ਇਥੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ  ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਬਣਨ ’ਤੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲ ਪੇਸ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਣ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ।
ਇਥੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਭਗਤ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਹਾਲ ’ਚ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫ਼ੌਜੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਠਾਏ ਮੁੱਦਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੰਭੀਰਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਣਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਆਗੂ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਹੁਣ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ 2017 ਨੂੰ ਫਤਹਿ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਮੋਰਚੇ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਲੈਣ ਤੇ ਸੱਤਾ ਵਿਚ ਆਉਣ ’ਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਮੰਗ ਪੂਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਇਹ ਵਾਅਦਾ ਵੀ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿ ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਮੰਗਾਂ ਸੂਬਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੀਆਂ ਹੋਣਗੀਆਂ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਬਣਦੇ ਸਾਰ ਹੀ ਲਾਗੂ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ਤੇ ਜਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਮੰਗਾਂ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਹਨ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਲਾਗੂ ਕਰਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਪੂਰੀ ਵਾਹ ਲਾਉਣਗੇ।
ਖਡੂਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਤੋਂ ਆਏ ਇਕ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀ ਨੇ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਕੋਲ ਦੋਸ਼ ਲਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਸੱਤਾਧਾਰੀ ਧਿਰ ਨੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਥਿਤ ਝੂਠੇ ਕੇਸ ਵਿਚ ਫਸਾ ਕੇ 22 ਦਿਨ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਤੇ ਦਬਾਅ ਪਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਕੇ ਸਿਰੋਪਾ ਪਵਾ ਲਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਕੇਸ ਰਫਾ-ਦਫਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਜਾਣਗੇ। ਇਸ ਫੌਜੀ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਹਾਕਮ ਧਿਰ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਸ ਵਿਚ ਲੜਾ ਕੇ ਕਥਿਤ ਰਾਜਸੀ ਖੁੰਦਕਾਂ ਕੱਢ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।
ਫੌਜ ਦੀ ਰੈਜੀਮੈਂਟ ਸਿੱਖ ਲਾਈਟ ਇਨਫੈਂਟਰੀ (ਸਿੱਖ ਐਲਾਆਈ) ਵਿਚ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਰਹੇ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅੱਗੇ ਸਵਾਲ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਕਿ ਸਿੱਖ ਐਲਾਆਈ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਕੋਈ ਲੇਖਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਿਖ ਰਿਹਾ, ਤਾਂ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਵਾਅਦਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਰੈਜੀਮੈਂਟ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਖ਼ੁਦ ਲਿਖਣਗੇ। ਜਿਵੇਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਰਾਗੜ੍ਹੀ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਹੈ। ਕਰਨਲ ਰਘਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਸੈਨਿਕ ਬੋਰਡਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਕੋਈ ਸੁਣਵਾਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਰਹੀ। ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀ ਫੁੰਮਣ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਇਲਾਜ ਲਈ ਬਣਾਏ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਸੈਂਟਰ ਨੇੜੇ-ਨੇੜੇ ਬਣਾਏ ਜਾਣ ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਫ਼ੌਜੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਹੂਲਤ ਹੋ ਸਕੇ। ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਮਸਲਾ ਵੀ ਉਠਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੋਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਰਤੀ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਵਿਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਔਖ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, ਫੌਜੀ ਦਾਦੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੋਤੇ ਨੂੰ ਭਰਤੀ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਲੱਗਿਆਂ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਖ਼ੂਨ ਦੇ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ ਦੀ ਛੋਟ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲਦੀ। ਇਹ ਮੰਗ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਠਾਏ ਜਾਣ ’ਤੇ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਇਕ ਵਾਰ ਤਾਂ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਹੀ ਦੰਗ ਰਹਿ ਗਏ ਸਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਜਲਦੀ ਹੀ ਇਸ ਮੰਗ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਕੋਲ ਉਠਾਉਣਗੇ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਕੌਮੀ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਭਾਗ ਸਿੰਘ, ਲੈਫਟੀਨੈਂਟ ਜਨਰਲ ਟੀ.ਐਸ. ਸ਼ੇਰਗਿੱਲ, ਲੈਫਟੀਨੈਂਟ ਜਨਰਲ ਜਸਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਧਾਲੀਵਾਲ, ਮੇਜਰ ਜਨਰਲ ਐਸ.ਪੀ.ਐਸ. ਗਰੇਵਾਲ, ਕੈਪਟਨ ਹਰਮਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਵੀ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਸਨ।

Syed Ata Hasnain

India’s surgical strikes in PoK against terror bases, hotly denied by the Pakistani establishment, were bound to evoke a response. Such a response, in fact, can be treated as confirmation of the strikes and their success. Pakistan’s deep state chose Baramulla as the response target and launched a sneak action against the co-located camps of the BSF and the HQ of 46 Rashtriya Rifles (RR).

There is tremendous misinformation in the public perception about the security of camps of all security forces. This must be corrected with an informed analysis of what we should now expect to unfold in the Valley theatre. The sneak action is just a subset of the overall response that should be expected from the deep state.

At the outset, to term these actions by terror groups as attacks is to give military legitimacy to them. These actions are mere sneak attempts by suicide attackers who are willing to die in the course of their action. Predictability is low and the aim is to create a splash with whatever can be achieved.

Baramulla can be classified as a knee jerk response with poor planning so as to cause casualties, divert attention, impose caution and thereby seek time for a more professionally planned and executed set of events which are likely to follow. It needs to be known that preventing a sneak attempt is always difficult because every part of the perimeter is not manned. If a penetration does occur damage control must be swift.

The unfortunate thing is that India quickly forgets its past experience. This is exactly what happened in 1999 in the wake of the Kargil operations and the forced retreat of the Pakistan army to the PoK side of the LoC. A small team of Pakistani terrorists (rarely, if ever, are local Kashmiris involved) staked out various camps, identified their weaknesses and routine and then attempted a forced or sneak entry.

Dressed in fatigues as they are, it is always difficult to identify friend or foe. They awaited an opportunity and then unleashed heavy fire, holding out till as late as possible until they were neutralised but not without having inflicted a couple of casualties. In many cases they were eliminated at the entry point itself, their deception having failed.

Who were these terrorists at that point of time? Many were death row convicts from the jails of Western Punjab and many simply HIV patients. They were tempted with fat sums of money for their families and motivated to do something for the faith and for the families as they were anyway on the path of doom.

A common modus operandi was to steal a car or better still an official government vehicle and use it as a decoy. In one case they almost made a successful entry into Srinagar airport by using a forest department vehicle and placing it behind a minister’s motorcade.

‘Fedayeen’, the term incorrectly used for them by the local media, made a tactical point without achieving victory. They imposed immense caution on all the security forces, forced a complete revamp of intelligence and camp security and led to more being deployed on defensive rather than offensive counterinsurgency operations.

Now with strength of foreign terrorists at the lowest in the Valley and the streets in turbulence the deep state has resorted to a return to the tactics of 1999. Its intent appears to be threefold. First, avenge the trans-LoC surgical strikes; second, force the security forces, especially the army, to defend itself; and third, create motivation for the youth not to succumb to the moral domination operations of the army which is backing the J&K police and CRPF.

In choosing to do the above the deep state can muster resources from within PoK for strikes at the LoC and its vicinity as in the case of Poonch, Tangdhar and Uri, because they lie in the shallow infiltration zone. To execute these acts deep inside the hinterland as in Baramulla, less than two days ago, it has to rely not on sleeper cells as much as active terrorists in the Sopore, Handwara and Rafiabad belt. By succumbing to the temptation of using its scarce resources in North Kashmir to make an impact, the deep state has jeopardised its balance if it had one at all.

Suicide attacks erode human resources and the counter-infiltration grid being robust will not permit making up numbers. If the army manages to keep up the good work at the counter-infiltration grid, the result will be more attempts at the LoC and its vicinity, including repeat attempts. The temptation of the hinterland may yet seize the deep state because of deeper connect with the people; the LoC zone population is not supportive of Pakistan.

What we can expect in the next few weeks is most likely an odd attempt of a Border Action Team at the LoC, offset in time with attempts on army installations in the LoC zone and a certain attempt at a high profile act in the hinterland.

We need to thwart them all. This will have a salutary effect too on the campaign to stabilise the streets in the Valley.

The temporary coagulation of political unity soon after the Indian army conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan has fractured. The two sides of the political coin are now locked in a sterile debate over the existence of the videos of the army’s strikes. This is symptomatic of the political leadership mixing up the means with the ends. The continuing slugfest over releasing the tapes hardly promises what the social media and ruling party politicians have primed the citizenry to expect — a teeth-grinding fight to the finish with Pakistan over terrorism. An alternative narrative suggests that the four-hour operation has chastened Pakistan into dumping terrorism as a geopolitical tool.Pakistan withstood 15 years of American diplomatic pressure and drone killings of top Taliban leaders. And now Kabul has been forced to accommodate the “butcher of Kabul” and ISI asset Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Mercifully, the attack on the army camp in Baramula was unsuccessful. What if militants strike again with a large body count as in Uri? A repeat of the cross-border raid is ruled out. The only option for the government to hang on to its aura of machismo and sustain public expectations may be a full-blown war. Are we ready to pay the ensuing consequences of domestic economic distress and international isolation?  Talking of war, there are lakhs of inconvenienced civilians on Pakistan’s border with Punjab and J&K. The political accord between the Akali Dal, the Congress and AAP has dissipated amidst questioning about the purpose of their dislocation. Having taken a leap in the unknown, the onus is on the Modi Government to land on its feet. For this, the government needs an alternative plan to retain public support. If the Modi government opts for talks, it would begin to look like a soaped-up version of the Manmohan Singh government. The only difference was the UPA undertook covert cross-border forays that set the stage for dialogue while this government banks on over-the-top media exposure. Meanwhile, the nation stands diverted while both sides succumb to the lure of extracting political mileage.

Nawaz Sharif. — AFP file

Islamabad, October 5

Asserting that his country wants peace and not war, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan has done everything to bring India to the dialogue table but New Delhi did not let that happen.Addressing a joint session of Parliament, he also spoke about the ‘surgical strikes’ carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control (LoC).(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

“On September 28, India’s ceasefire violation resulted in the death of our two soldiers. It was befittingly responded and was conveyed that Pakistan Army is fully capable to respond to any aggression.”Apparently responding to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that both nations should battle to eradicate poverty, Sharif said if New Delhi wants Islamabad to fight them to end poverty then the Asian neighbour should realise that “poverty cannot be ended by driving tanks on farmlands”.Sharif said within hours of the terrorist attack on the Indian Army camp in Uri, India started blaming Pakistan for it without carrying out any investigation.Sharif said Pakistan has a firm commitment to continue its support to “Kashmiris for their legitimate” struggle.The UN resolutions on Kashmir are still on the agenda of the UN Security Council and the international community should take immediate steps for implementation on these resolutions, Radio Pakistan reported Sharif as saying.Kashmir is “burning continuously like a volcano and a convoy of Hurriyat is on its way to achieve the objectives”, Sharif said.”Indian forces cannot suppress the struggle of Kashmiris for right to self-determination.”Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that it would boycott Wednesday’s joint parliamentary session on the Kashmir issue, with party chairman Imran Khan saying his party would no longer endorse this Parliament.”We fully back Kashmiris’ right to self-determination,” said Imran, adding there wasn’t much left for discussion in the joint session of Parliament.He said that Nawaz Sharif had lost the moral authority to stay as the Prime Minister and that Tehreek-i-Insaf would no longer endorse this parliament. — Agencies

PUNE: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday India might start getting Rafale fighter aircraft from France earlier than the agreed upon 36-month period.

“As per terms of the deal it is 36 months (during which the delivery has to start), but it may come slightly earlier. We have requested them to (deliver it) as fast as possible,” he said.

On September 23, India and France signed the much-delayed 7.87-billion euro (`59,000 crore approximately) deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets that will come equipped with latest missiles and weapon systems besides multiple India-specific modifications that will give the IAF greater “potency” over arch rival Pakistan.

The “vanilla price”, or the price of the aircraft lone, will be about 91 million euros for a single-seater and about 94 million euros for a two-seater.

Parrikar also said a 12-member committee to suggest structural changes in the military on cutting down flab and reducing revenue (maintenance) expenditure would soon submit its report.

The deal is crucial for the IAF that is grappling with a drawdown of its fighter fleet. The IAF has 33 fighter squadrons, each consisting of 18 fighter planes. It requires 45 combat units to counter a combined threat from China and Pakistan.

The delivery of the jets will begin in 36 months and will be completed in 66 months from the date the contract is inked.

The Centre had initially planned to purchase 126 fighter planes but later opted for just 36 jets in fly-away condition with PM Narendra Modi announcing the revised deal in Paris last year.

The General arrives in Udhampur

Udhampur/Chandigarh, October 1

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Saturday visited the Northern and Western Commands to review India’s “operational preparedness” along the border with Pakistan in the wake of heightened tension between the two countries following the surgical strike at terror camps across the LoC.

The Army Chief was briefed by top commanders in both the crucial commands about the prevailing situation and their overall preparedness and contingency plans.

At the Udhampur headquarters of the Northern Command, which planned and executed the surgical strike, General Singh interacted with special forces personnel who successfully carried out the operation.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

He was briefed by Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC-in-C Northern Command on the overall security situation in the Command theatre.

“The Army Chief interacted with the Corps Commanders and took a first-hand assessment of the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness,” a top Army official in the Northern Command said.

He said General Singh also interacted with the troops who participated in the surgical strike operation and conveyed his appreciation for the successful operation.

Singh personally complimented officers and men who “successfully” targeted seven terror launch pads located in Leepa, Tattapani, Kel and Bhimbar.

“The Army Chief was briefed on the operational matters by GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh,” a defence spokesman said in Chandigarh.

“The Army Chief interacted with senior formation commanders and exhorted them to continue to maintain the highest vigil and alertness on the western borders,” he said.

Sources had said the decision on the surgical strike was taken soon after the attack on the Uri Army base on September 18. They said India was ready with contingency plans considering the possibilities that Pakistan may retaliate in the wake of the surgical strike.

It has been estimated that the number of casualties was at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation.

The Army has also trashed reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of the special forces received minor injury while returning but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action. — PTI

With its soldiers crossing the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday night, India has paid back Pakistan with the same strategy of sub-conventional warfare it has followed with impunity for over two decades. India has conducted cross-LoC operations in the past to subdue a pesky Pakistan army post or haul in militants about to enter the Kashmir Valley. This operation stood out for the panache with which it was handled. Two officers, one a General and the other a seasoned diplomat, came up with a carefully measured account of India’s first public admission of a cross-border operation into Pakistan. There was none of the disorderliness associated with last year’s strike across the eastern border when blustering politicians nearly messed up India’s bilateral ties with Myanmar.India’s upfront admission of the strike-back was in stark contrast to the sneak attack in Uri on sleeping soldiers. An Indian Army officer called up the Pakistan army to own up the operation unlike the perpetual denials from the other side even when the signatures are visible to all.  Worse, the much-vaunted Pakistan army stood exposed. Despite having been put on notice by Modi and Rajnath Singh, it allowed an eight-hour operation that inflicted heavy casualties. The Pakistan army then closed its options to respond or try to influence international public opinion by denying that there was a cross-border operation at all.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has definitely retrieved the political capital he lost after not responding to several terrorist outrages. America’s advice to Pakistan to mothball UN-indicted militant outfits indirectly rationalises the operation. Having played the game adroitly, the ruling party must resist the temptation of turning a professional military strike into political theatre. Social media is already ablaze and the politician could be seduced into riding the feel-good wave by deriding Pakistan. Such an attitude can trigger an escalation and economies don’t take kindly to upheavals. The stock markets have already tanked. As India is isolating Pakistan by other means, a prudent politician should put the war drums in storage and wait for this strategy to bring the desired results.

Was speaking to reporters

New Delhi, September 30All attempts are being made to secure the release of the Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.Singh said the government had taken note of the reports which stated that an Indian soldier is in Pakistan’s captivity.“All attempts are being made to secure his release,” he told reporters here.The Home Minister said New Delhi would take up the matter with Islamabad for his early release.Indian Army sources had said on Thursday that “one soldier from 37 RR with a weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline”.Sources had said that his crossing-over was not related to the surgical strikes.“Such inadvertent crossing-over by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,” they had said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Indian Army on Thursday had rejected as “false and baseless” reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire.Indian Army sources said, “As regards (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistani media, the report is completely false and baseless.”The Army’s reaction had came after Pakistan’s Dawn News reported that Pakistani military had claimed that it had killed eight Indian soldiers and captured one while retaliating to India’s firing at the first line of defence at the Line of Control (LoC) at Tatta Pani.India had carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting “significant casualties” on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK. PTI