All posts by webadmin

KV Prasad
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 6
India and Pakistan today broke ice through a meeting of the National Security Advisers in Bangkok, a move aimed at improving the atmosphere ahead of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan this week.
Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Lt General Naseer Khan Janjua (retd) in the Thai capital. The meeting was kept under wraps.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and three others were in the delegation that met the Pakistan team away from the media glare to take forward the brief meeting Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan had in Paris recently.
“Discussions were held in a candid, cordial and constructive atmosphere. They were guided by the vision of the two leaders for a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia. Discussions covered peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and other issues, including tranquility along the Line of Control. It was agreed to carry forward the constructive engagement,” a joint press release issued at the end of the meeting said.
By holding the talks at a neutral venue, both sides managed to keep it secret, away from the media glare and Pakistan could do without insisting on having a word with the Hurriyat, a move that became a spoiler on two earlier occasions.
In August 2014, India pulled out of the Foreign Secretary-level talks after Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit met separatist leaders.
Sources here suggested the discussions went on for about four hours and all issues of concern, including India’s accent on the need to tackle terror by Pakistan, figured.
Besides Doval and Jaishankar, the delegation included former IB chief Asif Ibrahim, currently Modi’s special envoy on counter-terrorism, joint secretaries in PMO Javed Ashraf and Vinay Kwatra.
This is the first meeting between the NSAs of India and Pakistan since the scheduled talks during August were called off after acrimonious war of words over the agenda with Islamabad insisting on taking up Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi preferring to go by the Ufa statement focusing on terror.
In August, it could have been Sartaj Aziz, then holding twin charge as Foreign Affairs and National Security Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. However, during October Pakistan appointed Lt General Janjua as the NSA.
After the Ufa meeting in July, both Prime Ministers agreed the two NSAs will meet and discuss terror to be followed by one between the Directors General of Military Operations and Heads of Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers. Of this, only the last engagement went as scheduled.
That the NSA talks happened ahead of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan for the Heart of Asia conference on Afghanistan being hosted there on Wednesday should also open the door for a meeting with Aziz.
BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the statement at Bangkok “clearly shows that it is continuum. Substantive issues of the spirit of Ufa statement are well reflected”, while former Union Minister Manish Tewari sought to know what changed between September and December for this meeting to take place.

Terror, J&K on agenda

The meeting between National Security Advisers Ajit Doval and Lt General Naseer Khan Janjua (retd) in Bangkok was kept under wraps
The two sides discussed peace and security, terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, besides tranquility along the LoC
The meeting follows discussions between PMs Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of climate talks in Paris on November 30
n The previous engagement between the NSAs in August was called off after Pakistan insisted on discussing J-K

Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 4

A soldier of the Army’s elite counter-insurgency unit and two unidentified militants were killed in a firefight in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district on Friday. The slain soldier has been identified as Naik Satish Kumar of Bhiwani, Haryana.
The firefight broke out in the Bawan Rajwar forest area in Handwara, nearly 90 km from here, after a joint party of the Army and the police were combing the thick forest area after information about the presence of four or five Lashkar-e-Toiba militants.
A search operation was jointly launched by 21 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Special Operations Group of the J&K Police and elite para commandos to track the group which had been on the run in the forest for the past nearly two weeks.
“As the combing was going on, militants this afternoon opened fire, which was retaliated by the forces. In the ensuing gunfight, two unidentified militants were killed and two soldiers of 21 Rashtriya Rifles were injured. One of the injured soldiers later succumbed to his injuries,” a police officer said.
Defence spokesman Col NN Joshi said: “The firefight has stopped, but the combing operation is underway. We have recovered two AK rifles, one under barrel grenade launcher, two radio sets and other war-like stores from the encounter site.”
Sources said the same group of militants had a brief contact with security forces on the evening of November 21 in the same area. The militants at that time, however, managed to escape. Today’s combing was an extension of the operation that was launched on November 21.
The firefight in Handwara forests comes at a time when a massive search operation continues in the adjoining Manigam forest of Kupwara for the past three weeks. In the Manigam operation, Commanding Officer of 21 Rashtriya Rifles Col Santosh Mahadik was killed and the second in Command of 160 Territorial Army Lt Col K S Natt was critically wounded and is battling for his life in a Delhi hospital.

Combing operation
A search operation was jointly launched by 21 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Special Operations Group of the J&K Police and elite para commandos to track the militant group which had been on the run in the Handwara forest for the past nearly two weeks.The firefight in Handwara forests comes at a time when a massive search operation continues in the adjoining Manigam forest of Kupwara for the past three weeks. In the Manigam operation, Commanding Officer of 21 Rashtriya Rifles Col Santosh Mahadik was killed

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 29
Changes at the apex level in the Army are in the offing with the imminent retirement of several top commanders and some other officers completing their tenures. Lt General Rajan Bakshi, General Officer commanding-in-Chief, Central Command, is hanging up his boots on Monday and the slot is expected to be filled by Lt General BS Negi.
An infantry officer of 1978 seniority, Lt General Negi had earlier commanded the Leh-based 14 Corps that is responsible for the Siachen Glacier and the Line of Actual Control with China.
He moved as Commandant of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun in August. The names of two Lt Generals are doing the rounds for being posted as the IMA Chief.
Lt General Bipin Rawat, also an infantry officer of 1978 seniority who is presently heading 3 Corps at Dimapur in the East, is tipped to take over the reigns of the Southern Command at Pune, while Lt General Sarath Chand, an officer of 1979 seniority who is the GOC 4 Corps, is tipped to take over South Western Command at Jaipur when the respective incumbent commanders retire shortly.
Lt General Ashok Ambre has been appointed as the GOC of 9 Corps based at Yol under the control of the Western Command.
He relieves Lt General Rajeev Tiwari, who has been posted as the GOC Bengal Area at Kolkata. Lt General Amarjit Singh, GOC of the Ambala-based 2 Corps is also completing his tenure and is expected to move to Army Headquarters as a Principal Staff Officer. An officer from the Mechanised Infantry is tipped to take over 2 Corps.
Three top officers — Lt General KJ Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt General DS Hooda, GOC-in-C, Northern Command Command, and Lt General MMS Rai, Vice Chief of Army Staff — would retire in the latter half of next year.
Already some names of prospective officers who could be elevated as Army Commanders to fill these appointments are doing the rounds in the military establishment.

Change of guard

Lt General Rajan Bakshi, GOC-in-Chief, Central Command, will retire on Monday and is expected to be replaced by Lieutenant General BS Negi
Lt General Bipin Rawat, who heads 3 Corps at Dimapur, is likely to take charge of Southern Command at Pune
Lt General Sarath Chand, GOC, 4 Corps, is tipped to take over South Western Command at Jaipur
Lt General Ashok Ambre has been appointed the GOC, 9 Corps, based at Yol under the control of the Western Command
Lt General Amarjit Singh, GOC, 2 Corps, is expected to move to Army Headquarters as Principal Staff Officer after completing his tenure

Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 26
The European Union (EU) parliamentarians have expressed concern over increasing Chinese presence in occupied Gilgit-Baltistan and the “kill and dump” policy of Pakistan in restive Baluchistan, which is seeking independence since 1947.
The negative impact on environment of the Chinese presence in occupied territories under Pakistan was also discussed at a seminar, “China in Pakistan: Growing Human Rights Concern”, attended by more than 120 participants from European Parliament, Civil Society and Baluch human rights activists. The seminar was organised jointly by International Human Rights Defenders (IHRD) and Members of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg.
Ryszard Czarnecki, Vice-President of European Parliament, spoke on how China was engaged in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in construction ranging from dams and highways.
He spoke about reports that there was resentment among locals in the region over the negative environmental impact and the utter disregard for environmental safety norms by the Chinese infrastructure developers. “Chinese construction projects literally trash the environment,” Czarnecki said.
Exposing the “kill and dump” policy of Pakistan in Baluchistan, Baluch human rights activist Javed Mohammad Khan expressed concern over atrocities of Army and Intelligence agencies in the strategic area.
“Baluch people are subjected to capital punishments without even going through courts as the local Army units and Pakistani Intelligence agency ISI issue orders for doing the same. 336 dead bodies were found in 2015 alone,” Khan claimed.
Alberto Cirio, Member of the European Parliament, spoke about Chinese increasing their military presence in PoK and Gilgit under the pretext of ensuring safety to their workers. He also mentioned that the Red Army has started to create divide among the Shia and Sunnis in the region, which is causing a direct threat.

Armed militants stormed an army camp in Indian-administered Kashmir Wednesday near the heavily militarized border that divides the disputed territory with Pakistan, police said.

Loud explosions were heard as the attackers entered the army camp throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons in Tangdhar, 140 kilometers northwest of the main city of Srinagar.

“Three to four suicide attackers entered an army unit headquarters,” superintendent of police, Aijaz Ahmed told AFP.

“In the ongoing exchange of fire one army man has been injured.”

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947.

Several armed groups have for decades been fighting Indian forces deployed in the region, seeking independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan.

The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians.

Upholding highest standard of forces

Capt Jasmine Kaushik was the all-India topper in the service selection board merit list (women’s technical entry) of the Indian Army in 2013. She was commissioned with ‘top 10’ order of merit after the training at Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, in 2014. She went on to be felicitated with the Northern Command army commander’s commendation card.
What did it take to be an achiever?
‘The game is not over until I win’ attitude has kept me going. Be sure about how you want to see yourself and then work towards that aim. Why not live
the best version of your life?
Who is your inspiration, and why?
I want to be the lead in my life story because a supporting role is such a waste of time. I draw my inspiration from the success of people in different spheres. I am a dedicated reader and for me books are a wealth of wisdom. My father has been my guru.What’s your next goal?
Goals are consequent results of sincere work at hand executed to quality outcomes with a sense of enthusiasm. I love what I do, I love where I am. I would say my next goal is to deliver my best to my organisation and uphold the highest standards of an Indian armed forces officer.
How can the youth be a change-maker?

The youth is the game changer and holds the key to influence change with the vision of experienced heads. Youth is not merely confined to a particular age-bracket. It is a mindset

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 20
The Army organised a four-day workshop on the development of leadership skills and team building for students and teachers of Army Goodwill Schools in north Kashmir.
A defence spokesman said over 90 students and 72 teachers attended the workshop.
“They gained valuable insight into the subject of leadership under guidance of a professional team of councillors from a reputed NGO, The Global Education and Leadership Foundation (TGELF),” he said.
The TGELF in consultation with the Dara Shikoh Trust has been engaged in developing leadership skills for students, teachers and corporate bodies.

By SSP KUPWARA, Kashmir
“I know colonel Santosh
As a person grounded to reality
He was passionate about social and political developments and like an intellect had deep insight
He would believe in the role of his institution in changing the outlook of society
He wanted to do something for changing the mindset of public towards the army and would indulge in certain activities strange to his institution
He organised trekking tours with youth and would often talk of integrating the army occupied scenic spots with those areas quite known on tourism map
He would see a great potential in tourism and believed army could lead in promoting tourism in border areas particularly those on LC
He had made a beautiful documentary on the scenic spots of Lolab valley
He had not only an eye for beauty but he had also a heart of a gentleman
He wanted to change the outlook of his forces and make them morale and humane
He would organise brainstorming sessions with troops and would invite general public to deliberate on the ills of society
A morally upright person he would bring people of expertise for interaction with troops and public
Sessions on attitudenal transformation would be organised and the result was a cordial relationship with the other agencies and public at large
He would believe in the process of change he felt was emerging in the society
He would offer a helping hand to the needy
A great Samaritan people would expect help from him and he would always acquiesce
As a soldier he would lead from front
He had great stamina and would walk uphill like on Plains
He had a carved out physique of Bruce lee yet he was soft in demeanour
He possessed a smiling countenance and mesmerising personality and
He would never look fatigued and give thums up to whatever assignment
A brave soldier and a great buddy he would always invite to his camp for meals and sight seeing
In the operation which consumed his life he never looked back
He pursued and pushed the militants
He wished to bring laurels to army and brought it with supreme sacrifice
I salute his personality
And wish him paradise
I have lost a brother
RIP Santosh”

Dear General Satbir sir,
No one is in better picture than you with regards to OROP, therfore I will restrain myself from review of the situation.
I submit the following for your consideration:-
1. Whatever has been achieved is from Jantar Mantar has been achieved. I see no point in continuation of our fight from JM in the existing form as it is not likely to yield any further results with the kind of sensitivity of our Govt. therefore we should call off the protest from JM. There is no point in frittering away our energy & resources.
2. We should file a petition in supreme Court in the wake of parliament’s passing it twice duly ratified by the President.
3. We should keep the issue alive by holding periodic press conf for the sake of Media. .
4. We should hold massive rallies of single day duration in Delhi once in every 4-8 weeks with a view to keep the torch burning amongst ESM & public. Similar action is recoomended in various states & Districts by respective Local ESM.

I have made these suggestions for immediate action. Long term strategy can be thought, deliberated & decided. You already have that in mind. But the Supreme Court Option is necessitated.

Not withstanding my suggestions whatever you decide, we will cooperate.
With this assurance & Regards

Brig Vijay Kumar
Dehradun