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Ferozepur, January 16

Two persons were killed and another injured when the rickshaw they were riding on was allegedly hit by one of the military trucks in a cavalcade that was passing through the railway crossing near Government College at Mohkam Khan Wala village on the Ferozepur-Zira road today.The deceased have been identified as Barkat Singh of Mohkam Khan Wala and his nephew Aakash, while Sohan Singh has been admitted to a hospital with serious injuries.Police officials, including DSP Jaspal Singh and SHO (Ferozepur Cantt) Navin Sharma, reached the spot and took stock of the situation. The Army truck was impounded and a case was registered at the Ferozepur Cantt police station.

NEARLY 34 years after the 1984 riots, the Supreme Court’s order to reinvestigate 186 cases of violence against Sikhs following the assassination of Indira Gandhi comes with a renewed hope of justice. Over the years, powerful instigators and perpetrators of the riots getting clean chits fed the angst of the victims, who had not only lost their loved ones, but also their businesses and homes. They suffered as many of the accused continued to flourish — notably Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and HKL Bhagat. The victims have, despite being down and under and hitting the wall time and again, steadfastly braved the rounds of courts and they did not give up their quest. The political parties’ efforts to appease the wounded community by setting up commissions to look into the cases in which over 3,000 Sikhs were slaughtered, purportedly in complicity with the administration of the day, have failed. Too few convictions, and grossly under-proportional sentences, showed such commissions to be mere vote-garnering exercises. The new SIT, entrusted with prising open the old cases, holds promise. It has been set up by the Supreme Court and the judge named for the exercise, Justice SN Dhingra, has a track record of bold judgments and scathing strictures while dealing with such cases. He will be on familiar territory. During the 1990s, as Sessions Judge in the Karkardooma Court in Delhi, he incarcerated senior Congress minister Bhagat in an anti-Sikh riot instance. Then, he castigated the Delhi Police for their chaotic manner of prosecution of hundreds of cases spread all over Delhi. As a result, 100 cases were clubbed together and the trial streamlined. Again, it was Dhingra who convicted and sentenced Kishori Lal, dubbed the “butcher of Trilokpuri”, and the other accused of a grisly massacre of 1984.This SIT has two months to present its status report to the SC. There is hope, but also the ever-present fear of politicians using the reopening of the cases for political shenanigans. Justice has been inordinately delayed; it must be delivered so that the victims’ families get a sense of closure.

“China is a powerful country but we are not a weak nation… Both sides have increased patrol intensity so the contacts (troops coming face to face) are increasing… Whenever an intrusion takes place, we will defend” — General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 12

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today accepted that China was exerting pressure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but said India would defend every such intrusion.There is no settled border between the neighbours and the 3,488-km LAC is the de facto boundary. Addressing a press conference ahead of Army Day, he said: “China is a powerful country but we are not a weak nation.”When asked if the media reports indicating increased activity by the Chinese along the LAC were correct, he said: “Both sides have increased patrol intensity so the contacts (troops coming face to face) are increasing. The varying perception of the LAC is causing overlapping claims but we have mechanism to counter the same.”(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“Whenever an intrusion takes place, we will defend,” he said, citing the recent incident at Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh where India confiscated Chinese road-building equipment. “There are other areas where we are vulnerable due to lack of infrastructure. We have allocated troops which will take care.” He said a hotline was coming up at the DGMO level between India and China that could sort out the increased number of intrusions.“At the military level, our focus has to shift to the northern borders. For too long we have focused on western border,” Gen Rawat said. “To say that it will be an attrition battle and to think that China will come rolling down the hills, it may not happen,” he added.‘China sits on north Doklam’General Rawat said up to June 2016 it was an innocuous activity, but in June 2017 it became serious, so they intervened. The de-escalation has happened.“They may come back here after winter or somewhere else. Should they come again, we will see what to do. In the west of Torsa nullah called northern Doklam, the People’s Liberation Army of China has occupied the area. At the actual spot the two sides have disengaged. The tanks and guns that had moved in are gone. The tents remain. The observation posts remain. This is a territory disputed between Bhutan and China,” he said.‘Will call Pak’s nuke bluff’Gen Rawat said: “If Pakistan raises a nuclear bogey, we will have to call their bluff. We cannot say that we will not cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will have to call their bluff.”On the US admonition to Pakistan, he said it would be premature to say that everything is going to be in our favour and the US will do our job what we are expected to do vis-a-vis Pakistan. We have to do our own job. On being asked about the preparation of a simultaneous two-front war with Pakistan and China, he said: “We are ready for this contingency. We have plans to deal with this.”Capping fee for disabled’s kidsOn the issue of capping tuition fees for children of disabled soldiers and those killed in the line of duty, General Rawat said the Army would set up premier educational institutions to educate them. He said that as some people were misusing the facility, the government decided to impose a cap of Rs10,000 a year for a student. However, as some genuine students were being affected by this, Army proposed a new framework to continue the policy.

The Modi Government appears to be escaping some searching questions on its Pakistan policy. For three years now, it has held Pakistan at arm’s length; New Delhi spends significant energy in naming and shaming Pakistan for abetting cross-border terrorism. There have been moments, such as after a particularly fulfilling peroration against Pakistan in the UN, when South Block has patted itself for ensuring its “diplomatic isolation”, as if to justify its strategy of refusing to break bread till Islamabad abandons using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. In particular two self-styled imams, widely considered as proxies of the Pakistan army, are in New Delhi’s cross sights. The naming of Masood Azhar as a UN-designated terrorist has been frontloaded on the Sino-India bilateral agenda, never mind that the other Imam, Hafiz Saeed does not appear to be worse-off despite a US bounty on his head.India’s ire at Pakistan’s cosseting of the two Imams is sound and reasonable: both Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed have considerable Indian blood on their hands. There is no harm in sustaining a policy of sullen coldness to make Pakistan mend its ways; India even threw a fit when the Palestine’s Pakistan envoy briefly shared the stage with Hafiz Saeed and forced his recall. However, it now appears that India’s security czar Ajit Doval secretly met his Pakistani counterpart in Bangkok. There must have been exceptionally compelling reasons for the Indian NSA to confabulate with a Pakistani a day after South Block fulminated over Islamabad’s ill-treatment of the wife and mother of imprisoned Indian Kulbhushan Jadhav.An impression appears to be gaining ground that the desh bhakts are playing both sides of the coin: regularly chastising Pakistan for all challenges and tribulations, real or invented, while holding secret consultations on the side. A responsible public figure is yet to explain this double-play when the downside of a muddled approach is evident: over 100 security personnel killed last year in Kashmir because of an unremitting tense situation. The Government owes an explanation for its approach on Pakistan that seems to wax and wane, almost on whim.

VIJAY DIWAS WAS CELEBRATED WITH

GREAT ENTHUSIASM AND FAN FARE

Celebrtions of Vijay Diwas was a treat to watch. In a colourful ceremony, the residents of Noida paid tribute to 38 martyrs who laid down their lives for the glory of the country .The function was carried out with military precision with tri service guard, buglers & band in attendance. The choir of Students of Army Public School gave a scintillating performance, which was applauded by everyone.
The Chief Guest, Lt General Sarath Chand, UYSM,AVSM, VSM, Vice Chief of Army Staff was received by the chairman ,Lt General GL Bakshi, PVSM and Lt General Gorakh Nath, PVSM, AVSM. The chief guest paid homage followed by Rear Admiral Vishwanathan and AVM DK Patnaik, representing Indi Navy and Indian Air Force respectively.

Next of kin of 38 gallant martyrs, Chairman of Sanstha, civil dignitaries, IAS and IPS officers, defence personnel, veterans, Principles and students of schools; heads of Arun Vihar and Jalvayu Vihar institutions; and common citizens laid wreath/ paid floral tributes.

The chairman welcome the Chief guest and expressed his gratitude on the behalf of Sanstha for being the chief guest. In his speech, General appreciated the high standard of the function and congratulated the dedicated tem of Sanstha. He declared tyht it is one of the best homage ceremony he has witnessed. He added that he would attempt to follow the same procedure for other memorials in the country. He patted Sanstha members for maintaining such a high standard. He added that Noida Shaheed Smarak is the first and only Tri-Services Memorial in the country raised by Noida to honour its war dead.‘Glimpses of Events’ docket was be released by the chief guest and gifts were distributed to NOK’s of martyrs. Army band played marshal tunes.

A closer look at the history of events behind the current Rafale defence-deal controversy

The Indian government’s deal to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets, first announced during a 2015 state visit to France, is now in the headlines thanks to allegations of overpricing and crony capitalism.

The controversy began with the selection of the Rafale fighter jets by the Congress government in 2012 to meet the IAF’s requirement for 123 combat aircraft. As the deal hit a deadlock, the Modi government scrapped the process to purchase 36 Rafale fighters. Now, the Congress has raised questions on the cost of each jet and alleged that industrialist Anil Ambani was unduly favoured in the deal.

ThePrint looks closely at the series of events in the now controversial defence deal:

1996: India’s last fighter jet deal

In one of the costliest defence deals, India signs a deal with Russia for Russian Su-30 MKI fighter jets to be procured in five batches. The deal costs India approximately 1.46 billion USD. The Sukhois are the last fighter jets to be bought by India till date.

2001: India’s jet fails to inspire hope

On 4 January 2001, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’ completes its first flight, but it’s clear that the project is nowhere near completion. (The jet is finally inducted in the air force only in 2016). Meanwhile, the ageing MiG 21 fleet’s shelf life is drawing closer and the IAF begins its search for a new multi-role fighter.

2007: Two jets make the cut

Tenders for 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) fighters are issued by India in 2007.  The competition is between the French Rafale, Russia’s MIG-35, the Swedish Saab JAS-39 Gripen, American Lockheed Martin’s F-16, the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Only the Rafale and Typhoon make the cut.

2012: A winner emerges

Five years after the tenders were issued, Dassault emerges as lowest bidder. Of the 126 jets required, 18 fighters are to be imported “in a fly-away condition”(i.e. having readied completion). Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will manufacture the remaining 108 jets with technological assistance from Dassault.

However, India and France are unable to decide on a price for the jets.

2014: The deal stalls 

The workshare agreement between HAL and Dassault Aviation is signed on 13 March, 2014. But with the BJP-led NDA government coming to power, clarity on the progress of the deal remains unclear.

New Defence Minister Arun Jaitley says that a ‘considered decision’ will be taken. Dassault’s competitor Eurofighter Typhoon makes a last ditch attempt by offering a 20 per cent cut in price.

2015: A new deal is signed

Narendra Modi visits Paris in April 2015, and India announces its decision to buy 36 Rafale fighters via a government-to-government deal.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar says the previous 126 fighter jet deal is dead, and now 36 fighters will be bought after negotiations.

2016: The deal is sealed

French President François Hollande visits India in January, a memorandum of understanding on the purchase of Rafale jets is signed for $7.8 billion.

2017: Congress claims to smells a rat

Alleging a “huge scam is brewing”, the Congress and media reports raise doubts about the deal. The main claims that have since emerged are:

• The PM announcing the purchase of 36 jets without the defence minister’s presence and an inter-governmental agreement, is stated as being against Defence Procurement Procedure

• The UPA government inked its deal worth $10.2 billion with a transfer of technology agreement but critics argue the new Rafale aircraft is now worth $8.7 billion. It is claimed the 126 Rafale jets would have cost $30.45 billion (without transfer of technology) as per the price arrived at by the Modi government.

• Since Dassault is no longer obliged to share technology with HAL, and Reliance Defence Ltd has emerged as a key alliance player, the Congress alleges it is a move to “promote the interests of one industrial group”

THE ‘DO-MORE’ CHORUS BY US FOR PAK BY LT-GEN BHOPINDER SINGH (RETD)

SPECIAL TRAINS FOR PATNA SAHIB FROM PUNJAB

VIJAY DIWAS : A FINE REMINDER OF NATIONAL COMMITMENT BY LT GEN SYED ATA HASNAIN

CHINA’S TROOPS AT DOKLAM THIS WINTER IS JUST STRATEGIC MESSAGING BY LTY GEN SYED ATA HASNAIN

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE RECRUITMENT 2017 2018: VACANCIES ANNOUNCED FOR 818 LDC, STENOGRAPHER, TRADESMAN POSTS

POWS IN PAKISTAN

GUREZ AVALANCHE: BODY OF THIRD SOLDIER FOUND

FLAG DAY: GUV LAUDS ARMED FORCES’ ROLE

PAK 360-FT FLAG NEAR BORDER RAISES SECURITY CONCERN

LOK SABHA PASSES IMMOVABLE PROPERTY (AMENDMENT) BILL

LASER FENCE ALONG NEPAL, BHUTAN BORDERS SOON

2 YRS ,75 PROPOSALS OF DEFENCE PANEL, ONLY ONE IMPLEMENTED

SUBMIT PROPOSAL FOR 83 MORE TEJAS, HAL TOLD

TRUMP, MODI IN SAME BOAT BY KC SINGH

AFT: RAISE RETIREMENT AGE OF COL BY 2 YRS

COCKINESS ALONE WON’T DO BY SANDEEP DIKSHIT

KARGIL FREEZES AT -14.5°C AS COLD WAVE CONTINUES IN J&K

NAVY’S RED LETTER DAY BY CMDRE MUKUND KUNTE (RETD)

HOW ARMY PRO AIDED ’71 VICTORY

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 20

The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) today directed the Centre and the Army to consider raising the retirement age of Army officers of the rank of Colonel by two years  to bring them on a par with similarly placed officers in the Navy.Disposing of a bunch of 70 petitions by officers from various arms and services, the tribunal Bench comprising Justice VK Shali and Lt Gen SK Singh asked the Army to review its earlier order fixing the retirement age of Colonel at 54 years.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“We had sought that the retirement age of Colonel be increased by three years to 57 years,” Jyoti Singh, counsel for some of the petitioners said. “The Army, however, had been adamant on keeping the retirement age for Colonel at 54,” she added. The retirement age for Colonel in arms and services, barring minor corps, is 54 years. Officers holding the rank of Commodore/Captain in the Navy retire at 56, while those in the Navy’s education branch retire at 57 years. In the IAF, the retirement age for Group Captain (select) is 54 years in the flying branch and 57 years in some other branches.Family pensionThe MoD has extended the benefit of Liberalised Family Pension to the next of kin of soldiers who die in harness during deployment along LAC and the border with China