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Pakistan given locations called by Jaish militants
BURDEN OF PROOF
Details given by India include types of car Jaish men used
NEW DELHI: Investigations into the Pathankot airbase attack have revealed that the terrorists called up phones located in Bahawalpur, Lahore and Karachi, speaking to handlers linked to the top leadership of the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The five Pakistan numbers that were contacted by terrorists during the attack have been conveyed by New Delhi to Islamabad for further investigation even though these numbers fell silent the day after the attackers were neutralised.
GURPREET SINGH / HTArmymen stand guard at Attari in Amritsar. Security has been stepped up in the border area following the Pathankot strike.
India has also handed over to Pakistan concrete evidence regarding the terrorists being moved from Sialkot to the IndoPak border on December 31. The terrorists were dropped in a Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Land Cruiser, and were accompanied to the drop zone by a senior Jaish leader whose identity is known.
Top government sources said technical analysis reveals that three out of five numbers have been identified. One is linked to the Jaish-operated Al-Rahmat Trust, another to the top Jaish leadership and one to Dera Ismail Khan in Bahawalpur. One of the terrorists was in touch with a senior Jaish leader in Karachi, while the Bahawalpur number was used by one of the terrorists named Nasir to communicate with his mother Nusrat at 9.22am on January 1.
The owners of the two mobile numbers have also been identified. Help has now been sought from Pakistan through back channels to identify the remaining two numbers.
Analysis of mobiles phones of Gurdaspur Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh’s friend Rajesh Verma has revealed that three Pakistani numbers were contacted between 3am and 9.22am on January 1, with one of these numbers also present in the mobile phone of dead taxi driver Ikagar Singh. The taxi driver’s phone reveals contacts of two other Pakistani mobile numbers.
Material recovery from the bodies of terrorists clearly shows the Islamabad link with pain-killer injections and chocolate wrappers all manufactured in Pakistan.
While three of the recovered AK-47 guns are normal assault rifles, one has an attachment for launching grenades. There has been no recovery of any global positioning device or mobile phone from the encounter site.
Pak must avoid 26/11-like case
CAUTION Repeat of Mumbai stand-off would expose Pakistan to ridicule and ignominy, says a former Pakistani envoy
NEW DELHI: The US and NATO members believe the Pathankot attack was probably supervised from Pakistan and a repeat of the standoff that followed the Mumbai attacks would expose Islamabad to “ridicule and ignominy”, a former Pakistani envoy has said.
Though army chief Gen Raheel Sharif participated in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to consider information provided by India regarding the assault on Pathankot airbase, this does not mean “the military appreciates the Prime Minister’s attempts to wrest exclusive control over Pakistan’s India policy”, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi wrote in an article in the Dawn newspaper on Tuesday.
The Pathankot incident has cast a shadow on the fragile reengagement between the two neighbours following back-toback visits to Pakistan by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In the article titled “Pathankot and power plays”, Qazi wrote that a number of NATO countries “consider the intelligence supplied (including mobile phone conversations between the attackers and suspected handlers in Pakistan, a Jaishe-Mohammad letter, DNA samples of the attackers, their voice record samples, etc) to be credible leads if not conclusive evidence”.
“A repeat of the Mumbai standoff would expose Pakistan to ridicule and ignominy. Pakistan could come under immense international pressure, including the threat of sanctions, if it is seen not to be cooperating with India in the hunt for possible suspects,” he wrote.
“Along with India, the US and NATO countries lean to the view that the attack probably was planned and supervised from Pakistan by elements with a history of association with the intelligence establishment, whether with or without its direct or indirect connivance,” he added.
Reports from Pakistan have suggested an unspecified number of suspects were detained after Prime Minister Sharif ordered the formation of a joint investigation team to probe the Pathankot attack. However, there is no clarity on whether these suspects are members of JeM or linked to the attack in any way.
“Pakistan’s international legal obligations require it to follow up on these leads to determine whether or not some elements based in Pakistan were involved in the attack,” Qazi wrote.
“Otherwise, the worst assumptions about Pakistan’s international conduct will continue to be made by the international community.”
Joint interrogation for SP
NIA to jointly interrogate Salwinder with his helper and dargah caretaker
FEDERAL ANTI-TERROR AGENCY TO CONFRONT THEM WITH EACH OTHER
From page 1 NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has decided to jointly interrogate Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh along with his cook-cumhelper and the caretaker of Dargah Panjir, the shrine they visited before being ‘abducted’ by the Pathankot attackers on the night of December 31, sources said.
“Investigators still don’t know whether Salwinder is stating the truth or not. Now his version of events will be compared with what Madan Gopal and Dargah Panjpir’s caretaker Som have stated. The federal anti-terror agency will confront them with each other in a joint interrogation session, which is likely to take place on Wednesday,” a senior home ministry official said, requesting anonymity.
The official added that Madan Gopal and Som had been summoned to Delhi.
Salwinder on Tuesday was questioned by NIA sleuths for the second day in a row, his interrogation lasting more than seven hours. He was questioned for around eight hours on Monday.
As of now, Salwinder has been summoned under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which is normally used for summoning witnesses. “But NIA sleuths are still not satisfied with the answers given. Once his questioning gets over, investigators will take a call on whether he will be an accused in the case or a witness,” said the official.
Salwinder had told his superiors that he and his two companions — Gopal and jeweller Rajesh Verma — were abducted by the terrorists who attacked the Pathankot airbase.
Counter-terror officials say Salwinder is being questioned about the involvement of drug cartels in the attack as it is suspected that terrorists’ weapons were brought into the country as part of a consignment of drugs.
Pak probe panel eyewash: Capt
QADIAN (GURDASPUR): Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Captain Amarinder Singh termed the joint investigation team (JIT) formed by Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif to look into the terror attack on the Pathankot airbase an eyewash.
“It’s ironic that the Pakistan spy agency ISI — that controls the terror outfit Jaish-eMohammed that is believed to behind the deadly strike — is a part of the JIT,” Amarinder told reporters at former PPCC chief Partap Singh Bajwa’s house in Qadian in Gurdaspur district.
“The Shakargarh tehsil in Pakistan that was a part of Gurdaspur district before Partition provided Pakistani intruders an easy way to sneak into India,” he claimed.
Replying to a query, the PPCC chief said Punjab Police had given information to the Centre about the presence of Pakistani ultras in the area 48 hours before they launched the attack.
CONG LEADERS ATTEND MARTYRS’ ‘BHOG’
Amarinder attended the bhog ceremonies of Gurdaspur martyrs Fateh Singh and Kulwant Singh, who laid down their lives fighting terrorists during the Pathankot attack.
Amarinder was accompanied by Punjab Congress campaign committee chairperson Ambika Soni, general secretary and incharge of Punjab affairs Shakeel Ahmad, AICC secretary Harish Chaudhary, Congress Legislative Party leader Charanjit Singh Channi, former PCC president Partap Singh Bajwa and other senior leaders.
In his tribute, Amarinder said soldiers from Gurdaspur are known for their gallantry. He also promised the families of the two martyrs all help.
‘Pakistan military officers behind consulate attack’
We saw with our own eyes and I can say 99% that those attackers were from Pakistani military and used special tactics while conducting their operation… The attackers were military personnel. They were educated and well prepared and had intelligence. SAYED KAMAL SADAT, police chief of Balkh province
1 NEW DELHI: Pakistani military officers were behind an attack on the Indian consulate in Mazar-eSharif last week, a top Afghan police official said on Tuesday.
One Afghan policeman was killed and nine others, including three civilians, were wounded in the attack on January 4 that coincided with an assault by militants on an Indian airbase in Pathankot.
Sayed Kamal Sadat, the police chief of Balkh province, said the attackers in Mazar-e-Sharif were well-trained military men “from across the border” who fought Afghan security forces during a 25-hour siege. All three attackers were killed by the Afghan troops.
“We saw with our own eyes and I can say 99% that those attackers were from Pakistani military and used special tactics while conducting their operation,” Sadat was quoted as saying by Tolo News channel.
“The attackers were military personnel. They were educated and well prepared and had intelligence. They fought us and only by Allah’s grace were we able to control them and eliminate them.”
Sadat said efforts are underway to track down, identify and detain those who assisted the attackers to gain access to a building located opposite the Indian consulate in Mazar-eSharif, the capital of Balkh.
“We are jointly working with the NDS (National Directorate of Security) director and have spoken about this – especially as they came here not able to speak in Dari or Pashtu but speaking in Urdu. It means obviously there is someone who guided those attackers and helped the attackers,” he said.
The attackers stormed a multistory building and began firing at the Indian consulate with automatic weapons and rocket launchers. Afghan forces eventually gunned down the attackers, who had holed up on the fourth floor.
The attackers scribbled a message in blood on the walls of a room that said the assault was carried out to avenge Afzal Guru, who was hanged for his role in the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament.
The attackers in Pathankot too spoke of attacking the airbase as revenge for the execution of Afzal Guru.
Indian authorities have blamed the Pathankot attack on Pakistan-based Jaish-eMohammed.
Three arrested for ramming bike into Air Force base gate
INTERROGATED FOR FIVE HOURS TO GET DETAILS OF THEIR ANTECEDENTS; CAME TO SEE AIR-FORCE BASE UNDER 12TH WING AT BEHLANA IN SEC 31, CLAIMS YOUTHS
From page 1 CHANDIGARH: Panic gripped the Air Force base in Behlana village here on Monday evening after three youth, including a minor, tried to forcibly enter the premises. The trio rammed their motorbike into the gate after they saw an official approaching the gate.
The three were held after police was informed of the incident. The youths have stated to police that they came to see the Air Force base here under 12th wing at Behlana, Sector 31, Chandigarh.
According to police, TS Thakur, Assistant Security Officer, 12th Wing, Chandigarh alleged that Mohamed Ajim, a minor and Imran Ahmed all three natives of Bijnore, UP, tried to gain entry into Behlana Gate.
Mohamed Ajim is a resident of Baltana village while the other two are residents of Manimajra, Chandigarh.
The complainant stated to the police that three youths came on a motor cycle (CH-01-AG-1185) on Monday night and when an official of air force saw them approaching towards the gate, the youths stopped and then came speedily on the motorcycle and banged it on the gate of the station.
Meanwhile, the three have been apprehended under section 448 (punishment for house-trespass), 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) Indian Penal Code in Police Station Sector-31, Chandigarh. They were laterbailed out.
5-HOUR INTERROGATION
In the wake of the recent Pathankot terror attack on air base, the officials are leaving nothing to chance. The trio was bailed but were summoned on Tuesday where they were interrogated for five hours to ascertain their motive behind trying to gain entry.
The local police, along with IB officials, grilled them and were also verifying their antecedents along with the details of their relatives.
A senior police official said that they were getting details of their native residence and now they would cross confirm the details from Uttar Pradesh (UP).
Taking no chances, BSF beefs up security in Attari sector
LESSON LEARNT Other than strengthening the security at sensitive locations, including integrated check post, frisking of visitors, too, has been increased
AMRITSAR: Following the terror attack in which Pakistani terrorists stormed into the Pathankot Air Base on January 2, the Border Security Force (BSF) has given further fillip to the security measures in the Attari sector, especially outside the integrated check post (ICP) and the area where the retreat ceremony takes place.
GURPREET SINGH/HTArmy jawans deployed outside the Attari border in Amritsar on Tuesday.As soon as one reaches outside the integrated check post, which is about a kilometre from the zero line that separates India and Pakistan; a sudden increase in security is very much visible. The combat vehicle fitted with weapons, barbed wires and deep-rooted barricades, all indicate about the beefed-up security.
The BSF, already under scanner after the suspected infiltration of the Pakistani terrorists through the Bamial Sector to strike on the Pathankot Air Base, it now seems is leaving no stone unturned in guarding the strategically important Attari region.
Notably, the Attari sector is highly sensitive as thousands of tourists reach this place every evening to witness the “Beating the Retreat Ceremony”.
Other than strengthening the security at sensitive locations, it is learnt that frisking of visitors has been increased and even a three-tier security system has been put in place to ensure that nothing suspicious is being carried. It must be mentioned that the BSF, recently, had faced an embarrassment in this sector when a man in a SUV crossed all barricades to hit on the gates on the zero line.
Talking to HT, DIG BSF Sumer Singh said, “We are already on alert as this area is very sensitive. We have strengthened the security at sensitive locations. No compromise is being made with the security.”
“Strong barricades are being set up outside the ICP. Even a heavy vehicle cannot tumble them. Other than this, surveillance equipments such as alarms and sensors are being put in place to further strengthen the security system,” he added.
Keeping in view the fog and the alert, the BSF has also intensified the vigil along the fence. The BSF is using electronic gadgets to heighten the vigil. “We have ensured that all floodlights on the fence are in workable condition and if there was any sort of damage in barbed wire, it has been repaired. We are maintaining a high vigil and no chances are being taken,” he added.
IAF BASE ATTACKED Govt gives clean chit to SP, says no delay in terror alert
Ruchika M Khanna,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 7
Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh has been given a clean chit by the Punjab government in the report prepared by it for the Union Home Ministry on the terror strike at the Air Force Station in Pathankot.The state government has also denied that there was any delay on its part in responding to the initial sighting of the terrorists.Having drawn flak for its delay in responding to the initial terror alert, it now seems that the Punjab government is covering its tracks.The Union Home Ministry had asked the state government to submit a report on how the terror strike unfolded and the state government’s initial response, after the terrorists were first sighted by the police officer.The role of the SP, who was transferred from Gurdaspur to Jalandhar as Commandant of PAP, following a complaint, only a few days before the terror strike, was questionable.His theory that he was going to pay obeisance at a dera on December 31 night and that too without a gunman has several loopholes.Besides, the fact that he was let off by the terrorists along with his cook, Madan Gopal, while their third co-traveller, jeweler Rajesh Verma, was grievously injured before being thrown out has raised many questions over the SP’s role. However, the state government’s report sent to the Government of India absolves the police officer of any wrongdoing.The initial timeline of the sequence of events, as revealed earlier this week, had said the police official after being let off had called then Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, at 3.23 am on January 1, informing him of the incident.The district Police Chief, in spite of an alert sent on December 29, saying 16 militants might have entered the border district, refused to believe Salwinder Singh.This was initially also corroborated by Salwinder Singh himself, who had then claimed that the officer did not take him seriously and asked him to call the police control room. Initially, Salwinder had said nobody responded to his calls in the police control room till 6 am and only a DSP finally came to help him.By this time, injured Verma too was found and it was only then that the police started acting on their complaint of four “Urdu-speaking” armed terrorists having carjacked them.However, the report sent to the Home Ministry now says that there was no delay in the police response to the carjacking by terrorists.It says that the police acted immediately and even the top police brass in Chandigarh had been alerted early in the morning, within minutes of the SP’s call to the Gurdaspur SSP.”By 7 am, ADGP, Law and Order, Hardeep Singh Dhillon had already been dispatched and the police worked on parallel tracts to trace the culprits,” says the report.Interestingly, amid rumours that the police had ordered an internal investigation against four of its officers for delay in responding to the SP’s terror alert, Director General of Police Suresh Arora said no internal inquiry against any police officer had been ordered.”There was no delay on any police officers’ part and immediate search operations to trace the terrorists were launched,” he said.Admitting that the terrorists could have local handlers in the area, Arora, however, said the police was still in the process to identify the local handlers, but the search had so far been inconclusive.
CONTRADICTORY STATMENTS:What report to Home Ministry says
- The state government’s report sent to the Government of India absolves the police officer of any wrongdoing
- The report says there was no delay in the police response to the carjacking by terrorists
- It says the police acted immediately and even the top police brass in Chandigarh was alerted early in the morning, within minutes of the SP’s call to the Gurdaspur SSP
- By 7 am, ADGP, Law and Order, Hardeep Singh Dhillon had already been dispatched and the police worked on parallel tracts to trace the culprits
What SP SalwinderSingh said
- The SP’s theory that he was going to pay obeisance at a dera on Dec 31 and that too without a gunman has several loopholes
- The SP after being let off had called then SSP, Gurdaspur, at 3.23 am on Jan 1, informing him of the incident, but he refused to believe him and asked him to call PCR
- He had said nobody responded to his calls in the PCR till 6 am and a DSP finally came to help him
- By this time, injured Verma was found and it was only then that the police started acting on their complaint of four armed terrorists
Tanda woman accuses Salwinder of bigamy
Seeks rights for ‘their’ son, demands DNA test
Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi,Hoshiarpur, January 7
Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh has landed in yet another soup after a woman from Tanda, Urmur, claiming to be his second wife, has opened a front against him seeking her son’s rights.Karanpreet Kaur has claimed that Salwinder Singh married her in April 1994 when he was an ASI in the Amritsar police.”He didn’t allow us to have the marriage photographed from a professional photographer. Instead he got it photographed from a young man accompanying him to whom he introduced as his cousin but we never saw those photographs. He told us that his mother was not well and he would inform her later. After the marriage I repeatedly asked him to take me to his home in Amritsar, but every time he made an excuse and later started quarrelling over the issue,” Karanpreet said.She claimed that she had been residing with him in capacity of his wife at various places of his postings. She had been there with him at Dera Baba Nanak, Amritsar, and other places and he used to stay with her at her parental house till September 1999 when her son was born.She alleged, “After our son was born, he started staying away from me and left us when our son was eight-month old and never looked back.”She added that when he ignored her, she filed a complaint too. “My complaints were heard and statements were recorded but nothing happened after that ever. Once a DIG-level inquiry was also conducted but that too was of no use. I was told to see the DGP, but I could not go as my son was very small,” she added.Her 16-year-old son, Angin Sahilpreet Singh, had also filed a complaint in this regard, which is still pending. Both Sahilpreet and his mother Karanpreet demanded that a DNA test of the SP should be got done to confirm their claim.”Action should be taken against him. Besides, my son should be given all rights,” she said.
Yet another controversy
- Karanpreet Kaur claims that SP Salwinder Singh married her in April 1994 when he was an ASI in the Amritsar police
- She claimed that she stayed with him at various places of his postings and he used to stay with her at her parental house till September 1999 when her son was born
- She alleged he left her when their son was eight months’ old
Parrikar visits martyrs’ kin, promises aid
Tribune News Service,Gurdaspur, January 5
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today visited the families of Havildar Kulwant Singh and Subedar Major Fateh Singh, both of whom lost their lives in the Pathankot anti-terror operation.The minister flew in from Pathankot in a helicopter this evening. He was accompanied by officials of the civil and police administration. He first went to Chak Sharif, the native village of Kulwant Singh and then Jhanda Gujran village where Fateh Singh lived.Interacting with the media, Parrikar said Gurdeep Rana, the elder son of Fateh Singh, who was at present posted with the 15th Dogra regiment at Sikkim, would be transferred to Tibri cantonment area, near the village. He also promised that his daughter would be given a job in the defence services.It’s business as usual, but Pathankot residents still waryPathankot: “Is the operation over?” This was a question on everyone’s mind as life went on as usual in this town on Tuesday. On Monday as firing continued at the Air Force station, children were seen flying kites on the terrace of their houses in a colony near the airbase. They were not bothered about the gunshots and presence of a large number of security personnel and media OB vans. Other than few closed shops along the Air Force station’s main gate, there was business as usual in the town. Raju, a two-wheeler mechanic, chose to open his shop this evening. He said: “We have suffered enough loss of income. How long could we afford to keep our business shut?” He asked: “The media has more information. The operation has been declared to be over, but are there reports of more terrorists in the area?” Buses, trucks and other vehicles plied as usual on the national highway. The only semblance of the terror attack was the number of police barricades on the way. The markets were open well past 9 pm. Even the policemen seemed restless. “We are stuck here for three days,” said a policeman deployed at the entry of Pathankot. At a naka near Garshankar, policemen said: “We heard in the morning that the operation is over. But TV channels were giving conflicting reports. We are still wary of the developments.”Free meal for copsA number of social workers served food round-the-clock to scores of mediapersons. Villagers supplied food to policemen deployed along the roads leading to the town. A large crowd gathered outside the Air Force station main gate. People appeared amused as TV anchors speak through their microphones. Police, media kept at bayThe Punjab Police and the media are kept at bay by the armed forces even as an anti-terror operation has been on inside the IAF airbase for the past three days. Officers of the armed forces have even admitted to be comfortable in handling the operation without the help of the police and the press. Despite the top brass of the state police making the city its base camp in view of the attack, the Army commanders relegated the police force to the sidelines. The IAF commandoes manning the main gate of the base have strict instructions not to allow anybody inside. They have also been told to remain tight-lipped about the operation. Similar is the case with the media. Starved of any concrete information, both electronic and print media are reporting the matter based on speculation, conjecture and assumptions. For the first 48 hours, not even a single piece of information trickled out of the station. It was only on the third day that a press conference was organised. — Jupinderjit Singh & Ravi Dhaliwal
How 6 entered base a mystery
Unanswered questions about why terrorists went undetected
Ruchika M Khanna,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 5
How the six terrorists entered the Air Force Station at Pathankot remains a mystery, even as the operation ended today with the killing of all of them.No tell-tale signs of a breach in the 26-km boundary wall of the air base have been found, it is learnt. The wall all along, except near the air strip, is several feet high and cannot be easily scaled. “The height of the boundary wall is lower near the air strip. But the distance between the air strip and non-technical area, where the fidayeen were spotted and where the entire gunbattle took place, is several hundred feet. It seems unlikely that they could have managed to travel that distance without drawing attention on January 1,” a source said.Investigation is being conducted to ascertain whether the wire that is used for fencing even over the small drains that run out of the Air Force Station had been stretched beyond its normal size, so as to allow entry. So far, nothing concrete has been established.The investigation has so far been pointing towards the fact that the terrorists were hiding in the forest area near the Air Force Station before they entered, since mobile phone signals had been detected from the area.Though it was cordoned off, the security forces were waiting for the break of dawn to enter this area and engage the terrorists. How this cordon was breached is another question that seeks answers.Official sources maintain that they were in a state of preparedness and had specific inputs of a strike at the air base. They maintain that the Air Force station had been asked to increase patrolling and activate its Quick Reaction Teams by around 4 pm. Even the barracks of the Defence Services Corps (DSC) had been vacated at night. However, the patrolling does not seem to have achieved its purpose.Officials are now banking on the NIA probe to fill in these gaps in the sequence of events.
SP: I averted major strike
Ravi Dhaliwal,Tribune News Service,Gurdaspur, January 5
Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh on Tuesday claimed that had it not been for his revelations about terrorists, there would have been a major strike in the area. He, however, refused to comment as to why the police did not take him seriously. The officer was abducted along with his friend Rajesh Verma, a Gurdaspur-based jeweller, and his cook Madan Gopal. Salwinder said his captors called up some people from his mobile phone and talked to them for a few minutes in Urdu before dumping him. He said he had spoken to several senior officers, including DGP Suresh Arora, after he was freed. Salwinder replied in the affirmative when asked whether intelligence agencies had questioned him. “The IB and state police officers have been questioning me regularly. I have been repeatedly asked to recount the sequence of events. I was sure that the men were terrorists after I saw their bags containing arms and ammunition,” he said. “After I was freed, I rang up the control room and my seniors and informed them about my abduction. My information has prevented a major terror attack,” he claimed.
IAF BASE ATTACKED On road where terrorists went unnoticed
Heightened checking now on Dinanagar-Kathua road, but laxity did prove very costly
Jupinderjit Singh & Vijay Mohan,Tribune News Service,Kohlian, January 5
The Dinanagar-Kathua road, which is a route to riches for many who transport sand and gravel from the Ravi to other parts of the state, has seen much action in the past few days.Teams of state police, Intelligence Bureau, BSF, Army, NSG and NIA are often seen tracing the route followed by terrorists on this stretch from where one section leads to about 8 km away to Bamial village on the Indo-Pak border and another to Kathua via Narot Jaimal Singh (about 6 km).The Tribune team, in a bid to trace the series of events which led to the abduction of SP Salwinder Singh and his associates, travelled on the route. Amid zero visibility on the potholed road and scary surroundings of the 2,200-acre Raipur-Kathlore forest spread across Punjab and Jammu areas, our car was stopped by an ASI and his team of six.They entered our names, phone numbers and vehicle registration number in a register. They allowed us to proceed only after authenticating our identity.Only four days ago, a police team on this and at least three other such barriers let a Mahindra XUV pass without checking or making an entry in the register, thinking the vehicle belonged to a senior police official.They even saluted the XUV occupants with no clue that the persons inside were terrorists and the SP was in their captivity.At Kathlor bridge barrier, the same thing happened. The XUV zoomed past. “We were alerted by our colleagues on other nakas that SP Salwinder Singh was travelling on an SUV probably to check barriers at night,” said a head constable at the bridge naka, admitting he was so wrong.The SP and his two companions were reportedly returning from Khwaja Peer shrine in Taloor on December 31 when they were abducted by the ultras.Taxi driver Ikaagar Singh too was confronted by terrorists while he was on his way to Kohlian. Ikaagar was found dead near banks of the Ravi at Kohlian village.At a third barrier in the middle of nowhere bright torch lights suddenly erupted with three policemen signalling us to stop. Once again they took time to verify our antecedents. They seemed over-suspicious. As one of the team members entered details in a register, more policemen appeared and insisted on checking the car’s boot again. “Our strategy is that only three persons remain visible to an approaching vehicle while another three-four remain out of sight to provide cover in case of any exigency,” a policeman said.On learning about our destination, which was still about 8 km away from that point, the policemen advised us against going further, saying that the area was not only unsafe but finding the way would be difficult at midnight with no sign boards or anyone to ask for directions.Despite having a local guide with us, we took a couple of wrong turns and had to retrace our steps. The terrorists, on the other hand, managed to find their way to the Air Force station in the dark.Rs 25 lakh, job for martyrs’ kinGurdaspur: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh and a government job each for the next of kin of Subedar Major Fateh Singh and Havildar Kulwant Singh, who were killed in the Pathankot attack. Interacting with the media during his Sangat Darshan in Qadian, the CM said it was a modest effort by the state to pay tributes to the brave hearts who had made the supreme sacrifice for the country. — TNSPak must act against rogue elements: CaptAmritsar: State Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh said while the talks between India and Pakistan should continue, Pakistan must make it a point to initiate action against the rogue elements who have owned up the responsibility for attack on the Pathankot airbase. The Amritsar MP also said instead of putting the NSG in charge of the operations in Pathankot, it should have been handled by the Army. — TNSSecurity up at Amritsar jail Amritsar: The Amritsar Central Jail authorities have beefed up security on the premises as a number of hardcore convicts are lodged there. There are 74 foreign inmates. Of these, 13 are undertrials, 21 convicts and 40 interns. Since the jail is located near the Indo-Pak border, the authorities have shot off letters to the Police Commissioner, PAP and the Punjab Home Guards to enhance the security of the jail. — TNS
Funeral today at house that hosted his wedding in Nov
TRAGIC Martyr Gursewak Singh, Garuda commando, had got married on November 18 last year; he had gone to his Ambala home to drop his wife Jaspreet Kaur only last week
CHANDIGARH: Garuda (Indian Air Force) commando Gursewak Singh, 25, had got married on November 18 last year. The family, which lives in Garnala village of Ambala district, could not believe the news when they were informed by the air force personnel in the morning that Gursewak had died in the terror attack at Pathankot. Now, the house that hosted a wedding just two months back is waiting to host his funeral.
R KHANA/HTThe grieving family of Garuda commando Gursewak Singh at Garnala village in Ambala on Sunday; and (below) the martyr and his wife Jaspreet.Gursewak had joined the Indian Air Force six years ago as an airman. Even when the news of Pathankot attack flashed on television screens, the family was not alerted as Gursewak was deployed at Adampur. It was only later that he was asked to join the security forces thwarting the attack at the air base.
Last Sunday, Gursewak had visited the home to drop his newlywed wife, Jaspreet Kaur. Presently, she is at her parents’ home. The martyr’s father, Sucha Singh, said: “I am proud of my son. He sacrificed his life for the nation. He was fearless. He always wanted to join the air force.”
Mother Amrik Kaur, meanwhile, was inconsolable. Gursewak’s brother Hardeep Singh is also in the army. As soon as the news of Gursewak’s death spread in the village, people gathered at the house to offer condolences. Haryana health minister Anil Vij, too, visited the family to offer his tributes. “It is a loss that cannot be compensated. The whole nation will remember their sacrifice.” Gursewak’s body arrived at his home at night and the cremation will be held at 11am on Monday.
`20-LAKH RELIEF FOR KIN
Meanwhile, Haryan CM Manohar Lal Khattar expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and announced `20 lakh as financial assistance to them.
Himachal proud of its two heroes
DHARAMSHALA: Two Himachal soldiers were among the seven bravehearts, who laid down their lives fighting the Pakistani terrorists in Pathankot on Saturday. Another Indian Air Force (IAF) jawan from the state was injured.
Havildar in the Defence Security Corps (DSC) Sanjeevan Singh Rana, 50, of Siyunh village in Shahpur of Kangra district, died after he was injured critically.
Sanjeevan had retired from the Dogra Regiment in 2007 and joined the DSC. He was transferred to the Pathankot air base from Jammu two years ago. The DSC is a specialised unit that provides security at the defence ministry sites. Sanjeevan is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
Another casualty was Havildar Jagdish Chand (48), hailing from Gola village of Sihunta tehsil in Chamba district. Jagdish also retired from the Dogra regiment in 2009 and joined the DSC and was transferred from Leh to Pathankot a few months ago.
He had come to his village on a 10-day leave and returned to join duty only a day before the attack.
The martyr is survived by his wife a son and two daughters.
Bodies of the two martyrs would be brought to their native villages on Monday.
The villagers rushed to the houses of the two martyrs as soon as the reports of their supreme sacrifice poured in and expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.
Deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Kangra, Hitesh Lakhanpal, and sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Shravan Manta also visited Sanjeevan’s family.
Meanwhile, Shahpur Congress leader and vice-president of Himachal Pradesh Forest Corporation Kewal Singh Pathania expressed grief over the death of two soldiers and assured all possible help from the state government to the families.
Martyr Fateh’s son too wants to don olive green
GURDASPUR: The mortal remains of Honorary Capt Fateh Singh Thakur, a Defence Security Corps (DSC) personnel, who died fighting Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists inside the Pathankot airbase on Saturday, will be consigned to flames with full honours on Monday.
HT PHOTOWomen mourning the death of honorary captain Fateh Singh Thakur (inset) at Jhanda Gujjaran village in Gurdaspur.Fateh, an ace internationallevel shooter who won many medals for the country, was a resident of Jhande Gujjaran village in Kahnuwan block of Gurdaspur district.
After retiring from the 15 Dogra Regiment in 2011, Fateh started living with his family at Mahu in Madhya Pradesh. A few months later, he joined the defence security corps — a specialised unit that provides security to defence ministry sites. He was shifted to the Pathankot airbase in 2014.
Fateh’s family members said he always wanted to serve the nation. “He was so passionate about the army that he got his eldest son Gurdeep Singh Deepu enlisted in the same regiment (15 Dogras) from where he had retired,” martyr’s cousin Kuldip Singh told Hindustan Times.
Fateh, who was honoured by then Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, was popular with the villagers for his good nature. Fateh is survived by his wife Madhu Bala and two sons. His younger son Nitin Thakur,who is studying in class 9,s also wants to follow in the footsteps of his father and elder brother and join the army.
KULWANT VISITED FAMILY ONLY LAST WEEK
Another DSC personnel, who laid down his life fighting terrorists on Saturday, also hails from Gurdaspur. Havildar Kulwant Singh, 48, will be cremated with full honours at his native village —Chak Sharif village — on Monday.
Kulwant, who retired from the army in 2004, joined the DSC in 2006. He is survived by his wife Harbhajan Kaur and two sons — Surinder Singh, a Class 12 student and Gursharan Singh, who studies in Class 6. He was transferred from Odisha to Pathankot air force station just two months ago.
Surinder said his father had come home last week to spend time with the family and had joined back on Tuesday.
Kulwant’s uncle Kuldip Singh told HT that he was proud of his nephew. He said Kulwant’s salary and pension was the only source of income for the family.
They sprayed bullets as soon as they saw us’
PATHANKOT: As the Air Force base here continues to be under attack by the Pakistani terrorists even after 40 hours, Defence Security Corps (DSC) personnel Karnail Singh, who was inside the air base, on Sunday said the entire base was put on high alert following the input that terrorists were likely to target it.
Karnail, who reached Gurdaspur on Sunday, to mourn the death of his DSC colleagues Kulwant Singh and Fateh Singh, said, “The terrorists were heavily armed and sprayed bullets as soon as they spotted our men near the mess. I can’t say about their exact number but the way they fired, they were definitely more than four.
When asked about the point from where they must have moved into the base, Karnail said they might have entered the base from the rear side.
Five DSC personnel have been killed in the operation. Karnail said the security forces had guarded the hangar area where fighter planes were parked.
Russia selects HAL as partner for Kamov choppers
Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, December 29
The public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been preferred over the private sector to partner Russian helicopter giant Kamov in producing military helicopters in India. This will be another major defence project with Russian help in India after the MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets, T-90 tanks and Brahmos missiles.HAL-Kamov will produce 200 copters at a cost of nearly Rs 6,500 crore or Rs 32 crore per copter. It will be an inter-governmental deal like the ones earlier for the Russian Sukhoi-30-MKI fighter jets in India or the T-90 tanks. The HAL is owned by the Ministry of Defence and has previous experience at making copters.Earlier, there was talk of a private sector company walking away with the Russian co-production offer. Sources said HAL pipped other private sector aspirants because of its ongoing partnership with French engine-maker Turbomeca for its indigenously developed copter, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), called the Dhruv. The Kamov 226-T is also fitted with Turbomeca engines, but a different variant. Past experience also weighed in its favour.HAL in the past has licensed-produced the French origin Cheetah/Chetak Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).The twin-engined Kamov 226-T will replace the single-engine Cheetah/Chetak, usually deployed for surveillance, dropping small loads and for rescue, including of troops posted at forbidding heights such as the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region.The twin-rotor Kamov 226-T light will also be used for armed reconnaissance, to direct artillery fire on enemy positions and fly in quick reaction teams for special missions. It has a flight ceiling of 18,700 feet — covering almost the entire Siachen Glacier and has a superior carrying capacity.The three services and the Coast Guard currently have 430 Cheetah/Chetaks helicopters. They are based on the 1950s’ designed Alouette Aérospatiale 315B Lama of France and lack modern avionics like instrument landing and omni-directional and ranging systems.The forces need some 800 LUHs over the next decade. The gap will be filled by Kamov 226-T and HAL’sDhruv. The Kamov-HAL joint venture will have an annual production capacity of 30-40 helicopters.Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had in February announced a two-pronged plan to ramp up chopper production in India. Speaking at the Aero-India show, he said the first part was to ramp up capacity at HAL and, the second, to invite foreign participation to collaborate with Indian companies.The first part of expansion of HAL will kick off this Sunday — January 3 —when Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone for HAL’s new helicopter manufacturing facility at Tumkuru, 100 kms from Bengaluru. HAL currently produces just 20 ALH copters every year against the requirement of 100-120 annually. The second part of plan will take off after Kamov-HAL starts producing the LUH.
ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਬਣਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ ‘ਸੁਹਾਗ’ ਨੇ ਸਾਂਝਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਦਿਲ ਦਾ ਦਰਦ (ਤਸਵੀ
ਰੋਹਤਕ— ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਬਣਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਰਮੀ ਚੀਫ ਜਨਰਲ ਦਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੁਹਾਗ ਸ਼ਨੀਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਨਾਲ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਬਿਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ। ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਿਲ ਵਿਚ ਕਈ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਕ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਸੀ, ਜੋ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਸਾਰਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਂਝਾ ਕੀਤਾ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਕਈ ਅਫਸਰ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਬਿਸਾਨ ‘ਚ ਅਜੇ ਤਕ ਕੋਈ ਧੀ ਫੌਜ ‘ਚ ਅਫਸਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਬਣੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਕਿ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਦੀਆਂ ਧੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਅਫਸਰ ਬਣਨ ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਗੱਲ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਰਹੇਗੀ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਕਿਹੜੀ ਧੀ ਕਰੇਗੀ।
ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਬਣਨ ਤੋਂ ਹਰਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਬਿਸਾਨ ਸਥਿਤ ਆਪਣੇ ਜੱਦੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ ਸੁਹਾਗ ਨੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕਈ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਸਾਂਝੀਆਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸਕੂਲ ਵਿਚ ਪਿੱਪਲ ਅਤੇ ਕਿੱਕਰ ਦੇ ਦਰੱਖਤ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਮੈਂ ਜਨਰਲ ਦੇ ਅਹੁਦੇ ਤਕ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਤਾਂ ਫਿਰ ਅੱਜ ਤਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹਾਈ ਲਈ ਕਈ ਸਹੂਲਤਾਵਾਂ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ ਇਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਕਿ 100 ਫੌਜ ਮੁਖੀ ਪੈਦਾ ਹੋਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਜੋਸ਼ੀਲੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਫੌਜ ‘ਚ ਲਿਆਉਣ ਲਈ ਉਹ ਭਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ਕਰਨਗੇ। ਹਰ ਉਸ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਭਰਤੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਜੋਸ਼ ਹੈ। ਤਕਰੀਬਨ 3000 ਦੀ ਆਬਾਦੀ ਵਾਲੇ ਬਿਸਾਨ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ 130 ਲੋਕ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਫੌਜ ਵਿਚ ਬਨ, ਜਦਕਿ ਪਿੰਡ ਵਿਚ 250 ਰਿਟਾਇਰਡ ਫੌਜੀ ਵੀ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਛੋਟਾ ਜਿਹਾ ਪਿੰਡ ਮਿਸਾਲ ਵਾਂਗ ਹੈ। ਸੁਹਾਗ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਉਡੀਕ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਆਰਮੀ ਚੀਫ ਬਣ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਆਵੇ। ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਖੁਸ਼ ਹਾਂ।
SURPRISE BY MODI
3,500 cops, 40 CCTV cameras for Jor Mela:: 26 DEC 1705 DAY TO REMEMBER
Tribune News Service
The Mughal forces, Hilly Rajas’ forces had laid seize to Anandgarh Fort, Anandpur Sahib for about 8 months, in 1704. The Mughals and Hilly Rajas wanted Guru Gobind Singh to leave the fort they swore on Gita and Quran to give a safe passage to Guru. The Guru decided to leave the fort. Guru Sahib, four Sahibzadas, Mata Gujri, Guru’s Mahil (wives), five Panj Piaras and a few hundred Sikhs left Anandpur Sahib on the chilly night of 20 December 1704 towards Ropar. In the intervening night of 20–21 December, the rnemy breached the vows and attacked Guru’s entourage at a site on Sarsa rivulet some 25 km from Anandpur Sahib. Guru’s family separated. This spot is now known as Parwar Vichhora. Mata Gujri with two younger grandsons, accompanied Guru family cook, Gangoo, a Brahamin, to his village, Saheri near Morinda. Guru’s Mahil left with Bhai Mani Singh, towards Delhi. Guru Gobind Singh with two elder Sahibzadas, 5 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs proceeded towards Chamkaur and reached there, in the afternoon of 21 December. Both are in Ropar Distt.(Pb.). The famous Chamkaur battle, took place on 22 and 23 December 1704, where two elder Sahibzadas, 3 Panj Piaras and 40 Sikhs laid down their lives. Mata Gujri and two younger Sahibzadas were arrested by Morinda Police at Saheri village. From there, they were handed over to Suba Sirhind. They were imprisoned, in the Thanda Burj (Cold Tower). A farcical Trial began, in the Kacheri, (Court) of Suba Sirhind. It lasted for three days. On 27 December 1704, a heinous and cold-blooded crime was committed in the Sarzameen of Sirhind. Guru Gobind Singh’s two younger sons, Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh aged 7 and 9 years were bricked alive and later killed in the presence of the Assembly of Shaitans, presided over by Suba Sirhind, Wazir Khan. Two younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri were cremated by a devout Sikh, Diwan Todar Mal, at a spot, know known as Joyti Saroop Gurudwara.
Samat Bikrmi dates and year: Leaving of Anandpur Sahib,5 Poh 1761, Battle of Chamkaur 6, 7 and 8 Poh 1761, Saka Sirhind 11,12 and 13 Poh 1761.
Chhotte Sahibzade (Punjabi: ਛੋਟੇ ਸਾਹਿਬਜ਼ਾਦੇ) of Guru Gobind Singh attained martyrdom on 26 December 1705 at a very young age. This is known as Saka Sirhind. Every year on 26 December, Shaheedi Jor Mela is organised at Fatehgarh Sahib, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice at the place of their martyrdom.
Following are series of events related to Saka Sirhind:
- Eviction of Mata Gujri, Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh from Anandpur Sahib siege.
- Arrest of above three at Morinda and hearing at Sirhind.
- Arguments at Sirhind Court.
- Sher Muhammad Khan defended young Sahibzadas.
- Declaration of Innocence of Sahibzadas, by Qazis and other officials.
- Provocative arguments by Diwan Sucha Nand Brahmin and young Sahibzadas to support prosecution.
- Found guilty of keeping ideology rebellious to Mughal Government and religions.
- Punishment – Bricked alive
- Aftermath
Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25Keeping in view the huge rush at the historic Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara during the Jor Mela from December 26, the district police have decided to install 40 CCTV cameras to keep a tab on anti-social elements during the fair.About 3,500 police personnel would be deployed in town as more than 3,510 lakh devotees are expected to pay obeisance during the three-day Shaheedi Jor Mel to be organised to commemorate the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who were bricked alive in Fatehgarh Sahib.Senior Superintendent of Police Jatinder Singh Khaira said the town had been divided into five sectors and each sector would be headed by an SP-rank official. He said 10 check barriers, 51 nakas and 19 free parking lots have been set up for the smooth conduct of the fair. He said 12 Superintendents of Police, 28 DSPs and 89 Inspectors would be deputed for the security of devotees during the three-day fair.
SOME OF YOU TUBE SONGS IN HONOR OF SAHIBZADA: THOS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO LISTEN: HOMAGE TO SAHIBZADAS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqVwCej9lhI
Dasi Kalgi Waleyan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxfl_CARps&list=RDO2zJv6u8bPs&index=3
Miss Pooja – Putt Gobind Singh De – Proud On Sikh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3QzSVN8e6k
