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Army backs soldiers, says no altercation took place

A WOMAN HAD ALLEGED THAT COLONEL GAIKWAD ALONG WITH ARMY JAWANS PLOUGHED THE DISPUTED LAND AND DAMAGED CROPS

PUNE:The army’s Southern Command on Tuesday denied that any “altercation” between soldiers and villagers had taken place at Gulani in Maharashtra’s Nasik district three days earlier.

It said a “few affluent people” of Gulani involved in a land dispute with colonel Kedar Vijay Gaikwad’s family had lodged a First Information Report in this regard.A woman had filed a police complaint alleging that Col Gaikwad brought 30-40 Army jawans in military trucks to the disputed land on June 22 and ploughed it with a tractor and damaged crops. Police had said that the woman is a relative of one Sunil Bharne, who is involved in a sub-judice dispute over the disputed plot with the Gaikwad ‘s brother. “No altercation took place between the villagers and army personnel, and the party of army personnel had halted for lunch at colonel Kedar Vijay Gaikwad’s house while heading to Nashik,” the Southern Command said in a statement on Tuesday. It added that an ammunition collection party comprising one JCO and 13 other ranks along with four army vehicles proceeded to Dehu Road for collection of ammunition on June 18.

“The same party was to move from Dehu Road to Devlali field firing range in Nashik for training activity,” it said.

“On June 22, after collection of ammunition, while on the move from Dehu Road to Nashik, the party halted for lunch at the house of the Commanding Officer Colonel Kedar Gaikwad, who was on leave, in Gulani village,” the statement said. It added as per the standard procedure, the ammunition collection party had an armed escort, which continued to stand near the ammunition loaded vehicles and the remaining party moved for lunch to the house of the army officer, which was 500 metres away. “After lunch, the party left for Nashik. No altercation or interaction reportedly took place between the villagers and the army personnel,” said the statement.


Ammo dump blast: Lt Col’s widow moves HC

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 13

Almost three years after 19 persons had lost their lives in a massive fire that had broken out at the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD), Pulgaon, it has now emerged that the Army had made multiple requests to the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for removing defective anti-tank mines from the depot but no action was taken on the requests.

A petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court by the widow of Lt Col RS Pawar, herself an Army officer hailing from Rohtak, has averred that the Army had in strong terms put on record that the matter was being “delayed deliberately” and “dragged unendingly,” thereby posing a serious threat to safety and security of personnel and endangering the establishment.

No effective action whatsoever was taken by the OFB, ultimately leading to the tragic blast in depot, one of the largest in Asia, on May 31, 2016 because of defective mines. Two officers, including Lt Col Pawar, who was posthumously decorated for gallantry, and 17 others were killed and a huge stockpile of ammunition was destroyed.

Taking cognisance of the petition filed by Maj Reenu Ohlan, the High Court has issued notices to the Department of Defence Production (DDP) and the OFB. Besides seeking compensation “as the court may deem fit” from these two establishments, she has also sought action on the directions passed by the Defence Minster for fixing accountability and culpability in the incident and also for ensuring time-bound removal of all defective ammunition to prevent any such catastrophe in the future.

It was the mandate of technical experts from the OFB and the Quality Assurance directorate to remove the mines categorised as defective. The Army, which controls the CAD, is not authorised to handle such ammunition. In fact, there was another blast at CAD, Pulgaon in 2018, in which six persons were killed.

Pointing out that the though the Army and the Department of Defence (DoD) in the MoD are supporting her, she has averred that there has been total apathy, negligence and indifference on part of the DDP and OFB.


Mohali: Newly commissioned NDA cadets and officers honoured at AFPI

Brothers in arms pay a fond tribute to the place that made them; the ceremony included dance, songs and speeches from the students.

afpi mohali, National Defence Academy, nda mohali, mohali news, chandigarh news, india news, indian express

Written by Maheep Dhanoa

“I might forget my name, but not the memories,” said one of the officers during a brief speech, while another spoke of the times he was reprimanded for sleeping too much and how he learned from those mistakes.

All of their speeches had the common theme of the friendships they forged and how the institute groomed them for what was to come next.

“AFPI is perhaps the only reason why I’ve become an officer. So whatever I am today, it is only because of AFPI, the training that has been imparted here and the people who helped me, like Maj Gen BS Grewal (Director). This is the one day that we have always dreamed of, to come back as commissioned officers after 4 years of training, it is surely the best moment in our lives.” says Lt. Jasmeet Singh Mamra. He describe the institute “as heaven on earth, the best place one can come to.”

A proud parent of one of the officers said, “Aapne humare patthar ko taraash ke heera bana diya (You turned our stone into a diamond).’’

Cadet Govind Gupta, 16, who secured 4th rank in All India Merit List, said, “AFPI has transformed us and made us more confident; now we have views on everything. Initially, I was not very good at the interview part, but with coaching, I ended up doing well in both.” Recalling an incident that played a pivotal role in his progress, he replied, “I had once gotten late for the morning muster(first parade of the day). That was the day I realised that if you start the day in a shambles, you’ll keep getting late the whole day and time is very important.” Govind’s father is an engineer and mother a teacher in Patiala.

Cadet Kaushal Sharma, who secured 11th rank, says, “There are 46 boys in my batch and we are brothers.” Kaushal says he learnt not to sham when he walked instead of ran a 5 kilometre run, got caught and faced serious action. This youngster says he decided to join the army when he visited the Amritsar cantt, saw a tank and thought, “One day I will command that tank and the men under me as I don the uniform.”

Major Gen Grewal advised the young officers to first be good human beings because rank will come second. He said, “Bite the bullet as early as possible and volunteer for the hard work as there is no shortcut to success. Maintain the Afpian brotherhood and be responsible with your finances.”


2 militants killed as gunfight breaks out in Shopian district of J&K

2 militants killed as gunfight breaks out in Shopian district of J&K

Following specific information about militants’ presence the security forces started a cordon and search operation at Gahand village. Tribune file

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, April 13

Two militants were killed as a gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in Shopian district on Saturday.

Following specific information about militants’ presence the security forces started a cordon and search operation at Gahand village and as they tightened the cordon, the hiding militants fired triggering the encounter.

The two slain militants were affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad and were identified as Abid Wagay of Rawalpora Shopian and Shahjahan Mir a resident of Amshepora Shopian.

“They were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities,” a police spokesman in Srinagar said. With IANS 


Militant gunned down in Baramulla encounter Zoom

SRINAGAR : A Jaish-e-Mohammed militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday.

ANI■ Security personnel take up position during an encounter in Baramulla on Saturday.

THE JAISH MILITANT WAS KILLED IN URI SECTOR ALONG THE LOC; WEAPONS AND WARLIKE STORES SEIZED FROM THE SITE OF ENCOUNTER

A cordon and search operation was launched by security forces in Boniyar area in the early hours after movement of militants was detected in the area which is close to the Line of Control.

During the search operation, the militants opened fire towards security forces who retaliated, army spokesperson said.

“In the exchange of fire, one unidentified ultra was killed at Bujthala in Boniyar Uri,” he said, adding the identity and group affiliation of the slain militant was being ascertained.

Weapons and warlike stores were seized from the site of encounter.

“Searches are still going on in the area although firing exchanges have stopped now,” police sources said.

Sources, however, said the militant killed in the operation was a foreigner and it remains unclear as to what he was doing in that area.

In the past, the area, which is close to the Line of Control, has been used by militants for infiltration and exfiltration. In the first five months, army and police claimed to have killed more than 100 militants in different parts of Kashmir.

In the second week of June, four youths were arrested by army in the Uri sector while they were trying to cross the Line of Control.

They were handed over to police after counselling.

The youths said they were trying to reach Pakistan Occupied Kashmir for arms training, however, were arrested midway near Boniyar.


Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh assumes charge as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area

Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh assumes charge as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area

New Delhi: Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh NM on Saturday assumed charge as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) at a ceremonial parade at Karwar. Details and pictures from the ceremony have been shared on the official Twitter account of the Spokesperson of the Indian Navy.

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@indiannavy

Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh, NM assumes charge as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) at a ceremonial parade at Karwar.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the in Jan 1987 & is a Navigation & Direction specialist 1/n

His notable sea appointments include commissioning crew of INS Akshay and Jyoti, Executive Officer of Frigate Tabar and Command of missile vessel INS Nirghat during Op Vijay, MCGS Vigilante whilst on deputation to Government of Mauritius and the LPD INS Jalashwa 2/n

View image on Twitter

His staff assignments include tenures as Joint Director at the Directorate of Naval Operations and and Principal Director at Directorate of Personnel. He has also headed the Navigation and Direction School at Kochi and the Maritime Warfare Centre at Visakhapatnam 3/3 pic.twitter.com/T6QWnIwwHL

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Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987 and is a Navigation and Direction specialist.

He has commissioned the crew of INS Akshay and Jyoti and also served as the Executive Officer of Frigate Tabar and Command of missile vessel INS Nirghat during Operation Vijay, MCGS Vigilante while on deputation to Government of Mauritius and the LPD INS Jalashwa.


Ex-servicemen, Veer Naris felicitated

Rajouri, June 16

Sector Headquarters Rashtriya Rifles (RR), under the aegis of Counter Insurgency Romeo Force, on Sunday organised a function at Manjakot in Rajouri district to felicitate former servicemen and Veer Naris. A medical camp was also organised on the occasion.

Maj Gen PS Bajwa, GOC, Romeo Force, inaugurated the event. Brig Akhilesh Kumar, Commander, 13 Sector Headquarters, was also present at the function.

A spokesman for the Romeo Force said about 286 ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and dependents of the martyrs attended the function. About 308 persons, including locals, were provided treatment at the medical camp, organised at the venue by 43 Rashtriya Rifles Battalion. — OC


Army man crushed under truck; villagers block road

Army man crushed under truck; villagers block road

A cop tries to pacify protesting residents of Tigra village in Yamunanagar district on Wednesday. tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, March 27

Residents of Tigra village blocked traffic on the Yamunanagar bypass, part of the Yamunanagar-Panchkula national highway, near Karera village on Wednesday after an Army man was crushed to death by a truck.

The protesters blamed police officials deputed at a police post situated near the Karera chowk for the death of Naseeb Singh (25) of Tigra village, who was a sepoy in 72 Engineer Regiment of the Army.

They alleged the accident occurred due to the negligence of police officials, who tried to stop him to check his motorcycle documents. He had come home on leave.

Shiv Kumar, a family member of the deceased, lodged a police complaint, demanding action against police officials responsible for his death.

The complainant said Naseeb Singh was going to Jathlana village. When he reached near Karera chowk, two traffic cops and Home Guard personnel were checking overloaded trucks.

“When policemen and Home Guard personnel tried to stop Naseeb Singh, he lost control over the motorcycle, fell down and was crushed under a truck,” said the complainant.

The accident took place around 12.30 pm. As soon as the information of the accident reached deceased’s village, his family and other villagers reached the spot.

They allegedly created ruckus and demanded action against the police and the truck driver. Later, they blocked the national highway.

After getting information of the blockade, officials and Radaur MLA Shyam Singh Rana reached the spot and persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade. However, they lifted the blockade in the evening when the body reached the village after the post-mortem.

DSP Kushal Pal said the matter would be investigated and action would be taken against those responsible.

 


Pulwama eyewash Pakistan probe findings on expected lines

Pulwama eyewash

Playing an all-too-familiar tape, Pakistan has claimed that no terror camps exist on 22 ‘pin locations’ shared by India. A month after India handed over a dossier with details of Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM’s) complicity in the Pulwama attack and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in the neighbouring country, Pakistan says it has found no evidence to prosecute 50-odd persons who were detained in connection with the February 14 terror strike. For the record, these suspects had included JeM chief Masood Azhar’s son and brother. After having denied access to the media to the area where the Balakot airstrikes took place on February 26, Pakistan has finally expressed willingness to allow visits — on request — to the locations. These spots have in all probability been duly ‘sanitised’ over the past month. Indian investigators are not likely to find even a shred of credible proof there, as sought by the wily neighbour.

Though these are ‘preliminary’ findings, India can’t expect the outcome to change once the investigation is complete. If Pakistan is sincere about taking its purported counter-terror operations to their logical conclusion, it should throw open the doors of its seminaries, some of which are notorious as breeding grounds for terrorists. This should have been done right after the Pulwama outrage. The reluctance has undone Pakistan’s efforts, already half-hearted, to convince the international community about its intentions to tackle terror.

Amid the jingoistic din raised by a section of the media, credible journalists with an unbiased approach could have shown the true picture to the world, but they were denied the opportunity. Creating a smokescreen has laid bare Pakistan’s agenda to shield the perpetrators of the Pulwama attack, for which the JeM had promptly claimed responsibility. India can go on providing evidence to Pakistan, but it will all be like water off a duck’s back. The fact that Pakistan has laughably identified ‘social media content’ as the basis for India’s documents makes it obvious that this probe is being stage-managed by the deep state.


Once Rafale jets come, Pakistan won’t come near LoC or border: IAF chief Dhanoa

B S Dhanoa,Rafale jets,Balakot airstrikes

Indian Air Force (IAF) chief BS Dhanoa on Monday said that Rafale jets will the best combat aircraft in the Indian sub-continent and once these are inducted, Pakistan won’t dare to come near the Line of Control (LoC) or the international border.

In an exclusive talk with ANI on Rafale’s air-to air capability in a combat situation, Dhanoa said, “When the Rafale comes in, it will ensure that the deterrence of our air defence will increase manifold and they (Pakistan) will not come anywhere near our Line of Control or border. That kind of capability we will possess for which presently they (Pakistan) don’t have an answer.”On the sidelines of a function organised in Chandigarh for the induction of four US-made Chinook helicopters, he was asked about the situation on February 27 when Pakistani F-16 jets tried to attack Indian military positions, a day after the IAF strikes in Balakot in Pakistan in response to the Pulwama terror attack.

The first Rafale aircraft under a 36-plane deal with France is scheduled to be delivered in September to the IAF.

In military circles, there has been a talk that if Rafales were in the IAF, these would have not have allowed the Pakistan planes to come close to the LoC. The Rafales will be armed with Meteor air-to-air missiles which have the capability of shooting down enemy planes at strikes ranges upto 150 kms.

Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa asserted that at present, it is going to be the best aircraft in terms of the weapons capability in the Indian sub-continent and would be also the best in comparison with what China and Pakistan have.

“We are going to get Rafale in the month of September. Rafale will give a tremendous jump to our capability and it is superior to all the aircraft in the inventory of both our adversaries,” he said.

He also outlined the salient features of the Chinook helicopters and said that these aircraft will be very useful for the IAF in high-altitude regions.

“Ability to transfer heavy loads and acclimatise troops from high altitude into another valley is a game-changing capability. If the enemy surprises us in any such valley, we can move troops immediately to such spots to get into battle. Our ability to do this is now enhanced for day and night with this helicopter,” he said.

Dhanoa, while asserting that inter-valley troop transfer will be helpful for the Indian military along borders with Pakistan and China, outlined that “the high-altitude game is more with China than Pakistan”.

Meanwhile, in response to a question on Pakistan’s claim that Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan flew a JF-17 and led from the front on its National Day, Chief Marshal Dhanoa took a dig at him saying he should be asked where was flying the fighter plane, in the rear cockpit?

Addressing the media during his visit to the Air Force Station at Jodhpur last year, he had said, “Rafale is always a need for the Air Force. It (fighter jets) took a long time to come. Others have upgraded their squadrons.”

The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. Congress has alleged irregularities in the deal for 36 aircraft and claimed that the Narendra Modi government is buying them at a price much higher than the one that was being negotiated by the previous government.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.)

First Published: Mar 25, 2019 13:50 IST