Army soldiers near the site of suicide bomb attack in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Thursday, February 14, 2019. PTI

New Delhi, February 14

The Government of India has condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on security forces in Pulwama.

“This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based and supported terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries. This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity,” Ministry of External Affairs said in a release.

The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security. “We are equally resolved to fight against the menace of terrorism. We demand that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from their territory and dismantle the infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits to launch attacks in other countries,” it added.

The MEA said, “We strongly reiterate our appeal to all members of the international community to support the proposal to list terrorists, including JeM chief Masood Azhar, as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan.”

“We express our sincere condolences to the family members of our fearless security personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice.” — Agencies

Washington, February 15

The White House asked Pakistan to immediately end “support” and “safe haven” to all terror groups as it strongly condemned the Pulwama terrorist attack.

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday that left at least 37 personnel dead and many critically wounded.

“The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late night statement on Thursday.

“This attack only strengthens our resolve to bolster counterterrorism cooperation and coordination between the United States and India,” she said in a strongly-worded statement issued by the White House. PTI

The MiG-27 upgrade is a very potent air to ground strike aircraft, which is capable of carrying a variety of armament loads comprising of bombs, rockets & front guns.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-27 will showcase its ground attack capabilities at the Vayushakti 2019 exercise on February 16.

The MiG-27 upgrade is a very potent air to ground strike aircraft, which is capable of carrying a variety of armament loads comprising of bombs, rockets & front guns. This aircraft can operate over a wide range of speeds due to its swing-wing design.

View image on Twitter

The MiG-27 was originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union but is now produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur (“Valiant”).

Though this aircraft is based on the MiG-23 fighter aircraft, it is optimized for air-to-ground attack. The MiG-27 is currently used by Indian, Kazakh and Sri Lankan Air Forces in the ground attack role.

IAF’s Vayushakti 2019 is scheduled to be held on February 16 at Pokhran Air to Ground Armament range near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The exercise will be used by the IAF for the demonstration of its firepower and showcase the ever-increasing potential of IAF’s combat platforms.

”Many Air Forces around the world display their might and aerial firepower through such demonstrations. Indian Air Force also conducts the demonstration to showcase the ever-increasing potential of its combat platforms over the years and to assure the citizens, its ability to safeguard India’s national interests,” the IAF said in the Facebook post.

The IAF post further stated, ”These exercises are also vital for operators, planners, and the leadership. It provides an opportunity for forces to operate in near realistic scenarios.”

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 10

While the ‘Birdh’ and dried-up ‘Sarovar’ is crying for attention of the Pakistan government and authorities, the main building of Gurdwara Bal Leela Sahib in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan has been thrown open for pilgrims and visitors following completion of a 10-year-long renovation and reconstruction process.

Gurdwara Bala Leela Sahib holds great importance. It was the place where Guru Nanak Dev used to play during his childhood in an open field along with his childhood friends. It was where the Guru — who was born in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan) on April 15 in 1469 — used to bestow his friends with enlightenment about the Almighty in his infancy.

Gurdwara Bal Leela was situated about 300 meters south-east of world-famed Gurdwara Janam Asthan. The Nanaksar sarovar (holy pond) on the gurdwara premises was originally built by Rai Bular — the ruler of Rai-Bhoe-Ki-Talwandi (presently known as Nankana Sahib after being named after Guru Nanak. The gurdwara management was with the ‘Nirmala Sikhs’ prior to the ‘Saka of 1921’.

Between 1921 and 1947, Panthic forces or Sikhs managed its affairs. After the Partition, the management of this holy shrine had got transferred to the Evacuee Trust Property Board of Pakistan (ETPB).

The dilapidated and unsafe main building of the gurdwara was virtually closed down for visitors about 15 years ago.

“Now, the Gurdwara has once again been opened for pilgrims after the completion of the ‘Kar Sewa’ of the holy place with the joint efforts of the the UK-based ‘Jatha Guru Ka Bagh’, Baba Jagtar Singh ‘Kar Sewa Wale’ of Tarn Taran, the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC),” said Bhai Sukhbir Singh Maan, head granthi-cum-caretaker of the gurdwara while talking to The Tribune from Nankana Sahib over the phone.

The langar hall, the ‘Parkash Asthan’ and ‘Sukhaasan Sthan’ have been renovated, he said.

The ‘Birdh’ (Old) ‘Sarovar’ situated adjacent to the Gurdwara is still lying dried up and is badly in need of renovation. “The gurdwara is open all times for pilgrims and visitors now,” said Sukhbir Singh Maan.

Guru Hargobind, it was said, had also visited the town and had got the shrine premises enlarged. Similarly, Dewan Kaura Mal—A Hindu noble—had got the holy pond renovated and brick-lined after his victory over Multan in 1748. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was behind renovation of the holy shrine building and enlargement of the ‘Sarovar’ in early 1800.

The last renovation of the gurdwara was said have been held under the supervision of Sant Gurmukh Singh ‘Sewa Wale’ between 1930 and 1940.

They are the women who don the khaki uniform. They are the custodians of Constitutional values. On Republic Day, here’s catching up with some women police officers from tricity

SSP Nilambari Jagadale,ASP Ashwini Gotyal,DSP Harjit Kaur,ASP Niharika Bhatt

Mona

As we, the people of India, celebrate our 70th Republic Day with a resolve to constitute our country into a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic, our forces carry on with their duties. We talk to tricity cops and know their thoughts on donning the vardi.

Big responsibility

Senior Superintendent of Police, UT, Chandigarh, Nilambari Jagadale, picked up this field due to the huge exposure it offers; an opportunity to deal with each strata of society — poor, middle class, upper class, elites. “Every strata has different problems and we get to solve them. Such exposure and opportunities are not possible except in government job. Challenges are that we need to have vision and foresee future problems. Then solve them,” says the cop, who enjoys being in uniform. It gives her a distinct identity. But at the same time, she finds it a constant reminder of serious responsibilities towards the law of the land and citizens. “The kind of opportunity police service offers, none other does.”

Dream job

“As the shine on the shoulders increases, the responsibility grows,” ASP Ashwini Gotyal puts it straight. Happy taking the typical South-Indian, middle-class family route, she had her engineering degree and IT job when her father inspired her for a bigger dream — to don the uniform. “This uniform literally takes your sweat and blood,” says the ASP with three shining stars on her shoulders. Vividly remembering her first day at National Police Academy, she avers, “They literally sculpt you to befit this uniform.” As she dons it day after day with pride, its courage and responsibility that becomes her armour. “Also you are just an officer in it; one gender neutral position,” she says.

High spirits

Donning a uniform was Niharika Bhatt’s childhood dream. ASP,  South Sub-division, Chandigarh, who would also be leading the parade this Republic Day, she recalls her rigorous training, “Goes without saying that the National Police Academy training is challenging, I value it because it made me mentally stronger to tackle any challenge on field.” A pride, an identity is what her vardi stands for her, “Seeing a lady officer in uniform, people approach with their problems and solving them is a responsibility, a duty I cherish.” While all government servants are serving according to our Constitution, Republic Day for her stands for a day that celebrates our country’s spirit.

Total faith

‘Mera vajood, meri pahchan meri uniform hai,” says DSP Harjit Kaur. In service from 1989, she has donned the khaki and fulfilled the responsibility that comes with this power all these years. A person in problem may repose more faith in a woman cop and she feels even more responsible to live up to that trust. Republic remains an important day for our country and the citizens; she says, “While rights we know, fundamental duties too should be known; only then can India become a country unparalleled in the world.”

With the arrest of five persons, the district police claim to have busted a statewide Army recruitment racket being run in Punjab for the past more than five years.

Those arrested have been identified as Amit Kumar and Manoj Kumar of Ferozepur Cantonment area, Manjit Singh and Sunil of Jind in Haryana and Yogesh Kumar of Ludhiana.

SSP Swapan Sharma said 29 Aadhaar cards, fake document sets of 48 individuals and Rs 8 lakh in cash were recovered. Sixtyeight attestation stamps, including of the designation of SHO, tehsildar and municipal councillor, were seized too.

“The gang had secured the recruitment of at least 26 persons in the Sikh, JAK and Artillery regiments on the basis of fake caste and domicile certificates. They would charge between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh from every recruit,” the SSP said.

The police official said clerical staff at the Army recruitment centres in Patiala, Ferozepur and Ludhiana were allegedly hand in glove with the accused. Initial investigations revealed that Yogesh of Salem Tabri in Ludhiana was the kingpin of the gang, which had so far prepared fake documents for 150 persons, mostly from Haryana.

The police said Manjit and Sunil would allegedly make youths from Haryana appear in recruitment drives in Punjab, where the competition was “less”. Manoj and Amit would allegedly hunt for aspirants in Fazilka, Moga, Faridkot and Ferozepur.

The SSP said the names of several non-commissioned officers posted in Ludhiana, Gwalior, Ferozepur and Bhubaneswar too had figured in the scam. — TNS

Would charge Rs 5 lakh

The recruitment gang charged Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from every successful job aspirant

Gang had secured ‘at least 26 recruitments in Sikh, JAK and Artillery regiments’

On basis of fake documents, Haryana youths were made to appear in job drives in Punjab where competition was less

Jammu, January 15

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) died on Tuesday apparently after suffering a massive heart attack while performing his duty near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The JCO was on duty at a post in Sonawali Gali in Mankote sector when he suddenly fell unconscious on Tuesday morning, they said.

The officer was shifted to the hospital where he was declared brought dead, he said, adding that the body was handed over to his unit after legal formalities. PTI

After successfully leading ‘Operation All Out’ against militants in Kashmir, general officer commanding 15 Corps Lt. Gen A.K. Bhatt will hand over command to Lt. Gen. KVS Dhillon.

Bhatt is credited for presiding over one of the most successful anti-militancy operations in a decade during which 248 militants were killed and five others surrendered. He had taken over the command of 15 Corps, also called Chinar Corps, in February 2018.

Army sources in 15 Corps told THE WEEK that Bhatt will be placed as a military secretary in army headquarters in Delhi. The new posting is seen as an acknowledgment of his excellent leadership in combating militancy in Kashmir, especially in the restive south Kashmir.

Under his command, the army also observed NICO (non-initiation of combat operations) against militants in the month of Ramzan in 2018. He also supervised the killing of 17 most wanted commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Lashkar-e-Toiba, including those from Pakistan.

Sources told THE WEEK that Dhillon’s name has been cleared by the authorities concerned for the posting. He has served in Kashmir before in different capacities. He has commanded 7 Sector RR (Rashtriya Rifles) which is the lead anti-militancy force of the army in Kashmir and northeast.

According to sources, Dhillon’s appointment was made in view of his grasp of Kashmir situation and leadership qualities. His appointment comes ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly polls and the proposed US withdrawal in Afghanistan.

Security agencies in Kashmir fear that the US withdrawal in Afghanistan could impact the situation in Kashmir. There is fear that militant groups could receive greater help from Pakistan and possibly the Taliban if the US pulls out of Afghanistan. Militant groups like Jaish could also rope in some of their contacts in Afghanistan for help in Kashmir. The army, however, is aware of the challenge as it has effectively thwarted repeated attempts by militants to intrude into Kashmir.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently told Rajya Sabha that the Centre was ready to hold assembly elections in the state after which the security forces, especially army, have increased vigil on the LoC.

The decision to handover 15 Corps’ command to Dhillon comes two months after the state administrative council, led by Governor Satya Pal Malik, cleared Dilbag Singh as the full-time police chief of J&K.