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Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 30

After China denied visa in 2010 to then Northern Command chief Lt Gen BS Jaswal, Lt Gen DS Hooda will be the first Northern Command chief to visit Beijing in mid- December this year.
Lt Gen Hooda will be meeting his Chinese counterpart. In August 2010, India had cancelled defence exchanges with China after Beijing refused to allow the visit of Lt Gen Jaswal because he was responsible for Jammu and Kashmir, a state that China maintained was disputed.
“The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda is likely to visit China in mid-December. The exact date of his visit will be intimated later,” said defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami.
After the denial of visa to Lt Gen Jaswal, New Delhi had refused permission to two Chinese defence officials to come to India for a course at National Defence College. A subsequent visit by Indian military officials to China was also cancelled by India.
Taking a tough posture, New Delhi had told Beijing that the unexpected decision to block Lt Gen Jaswal’s visit to China was reason behind India’s reactionary decisions.
While both armies regularly hold border personnel meetings on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region, Lt Gen Hooda’s visit to China will definitely ensure more synergy and understanding between the two sides, said Army sources.
During Lt Gen Hooda’s visit, the talks will be held on maintaining tranquillity on the LAC in order to avoid stand-offs, the sources added.
“Though we have had stand-offs on the LAC but notably not even a single bullet was fired between us because of various
border mechanisms in place to avoid any skirmishes. It also shows the resolve of both countries to maintain peace and tranquillity on the LAC,” said a source.

In August 2010, India had cancelled defence exchanges with China after Beijing refused to allow the visit of then Northern Command chief Lt Gen Jaswal because he was responsible for J&K, a state that China maintained was disputed
Lt Gen Hooda will now be holding talks with his Chinese counterpart on maintaining tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control

FAROOQ ADDS TO PoK REMARK CONTROVERSY

The only solution is talks (with Pakistan), but it will not happen because of terrorists, who may kill me for saying it but I am not afraid of death and will continue to say so.
FAROOQ ABDULLAH, National Conference president
AMMU: A day after drawing criticism for saying that Pakistanoccupied Kashmir (PoK) will remain with Pakistan, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah went a step further on Saturday to say that even if all of India’s armed forces were deployed in the state, they still could not stop terrorism.
Addressing a function here, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, “The only solution is talks (with Pakistan), but it will not happen because of terrorists, who may kill me for saying it but I am not afraid of death and will continue to say so.”
Abdullah recollected how terrorists tried to derail the peace process initiated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by killing 20 Hindus in Rajouri district a day before he was to embark on a bus trip to Lahore in 1999.
He said the real power in Pakistan was vested in its army and not Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who could be disposed of in minutes if the army so desired.
“The Pakistan army continues to tell its people that it alone could save them from Hindu India,” he added.
Abdullah also took the opportunity to defend his comment on PoK remaining with Pakistan.
“A lot has been made out of my remarks, saying it’s against the resolution made in the Parliament. How many UN resolutions have been made about J&K, what happened to them? Things cannot improve unless Pakistan realises and understands that it can’t take away this part (Indian part) of J&K,” he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, reacted sharply to his comment.

“He should not make such remarks and we demand that he take back his statement. PoK is a part of India and is in the illegal clutches of Pakistan… He is insulting India and the Parliament,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

‘INDIA’S FAUJ CAN’T STOP TERROR’

The only solution is talks (with Pakistan), but it will not happen because of terrorists, who may kill me for saying it but I am not afraid of death and will continue to say so.
FAROOQ ABDULLAH, National Conference president
JAMMU: A day after drawing criticism for saying that Pakistanoccupied Kashmir (PoK) will remain with Pakistan, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah went a step further on Saturday to say that even if all of India’s armed forces were deployed in the state, they still could not stop terrorism.
Addressing a function here, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, “The only solution is talks (with Pakistan), but it will not happen because of terrorists, who may kill me for saying it but I am not afraid of death and will continue to say so.”
Abdullah recollected how terrorists tried to derail the peace process initiated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by killing 20 Hindus in Rajouri district a day before he was to embark on a bus trip to Lahore in 1999.
He said the real power in Pakistan was vested in its army and not Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who could be disposed of in minutes if the army so desired.
“The Pakistan army continues to tell its people that it alone could save them from Hindu India,” he added.
Abdullah also took the opportunity to defend his comment on PoK remaining with Pakistan.
“A lot has been made out of my remarks, saying it’s against the resolution made in the Parliament. How many UN resolutions have been made about J&K, what happened to them? Things cannot improve unless Pakistan realises and understands that it can’t take away this part (Indian part) of J&K,” he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, reacted sharply to his comment.

“He should not make such remarks and we demand that he take back his statement. PoK is a part of India and is in the illegal clutches of Pakistan… He is insulting India and the Parliament,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

JAMMU: New and advanced weaponry will be deployed along the Line of Control once they are tested, a senior Army commander today said here.

“At the moment, they (new and modern weapons) are in the nascent stage… there are various upgradation and whether you call them remotely controlled (guns) or you can say upgradation of various technologies, they are in the nascent stage.

“We are trying them and if they are successful we will deploy them,” General officer Commanding of the 16 corps of the army Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar said during a function in Akhnoor today.

“See, on the LoC, we have to be always evolving. There is no one methodology and equipments we put on the LoC. (Whenever) We find it needs to be changed, (we change it). We do innovation and that is the ongoing process,” Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said.

He was replying to a question about the Army’s plan to deploy remote-controlled guns on the LoC to check infiltration from the Pakistani side.

“So, in this process, there are things which we have thought off– which we are practicing and when they are fully functional then we will deploy them,” he added.

He said that the militants were present in various training camps across the border and they were waiting for an opportunity to sneak in.

“There is no doubt that they are there. They are in various camps and obliviously if they are there, they are there to come to this side so they will try to infiltrate.

“Now, where will they infiltrate, that one cannot say. What is in our hand is to be alert and foil their plans for any infiltration,” he said.

Asked about the non-availability of the firing ranges for the army in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that it was an issue of concern for the army.

Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said that the need of the firing range “is there so we are facing problems”.

“However, this issue has been addressed by the civil government and they are quite helpful in their attitude towards us and I think this problem will be sorted out,” he said.

On the martyrdom of Col Santosh Mahadik who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting militants in the forests of Kupwara in North Kashmir, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said that to lead from the front was the ethos of the army.

“I knew Col Santosh personally, he was one of the best officers I have ever seen, always willing to do anything for the motherland and he was very fond of his troops.

“I am quite certain that when he had gone and carried out the operation himself as Commanding Officer of the unit he led troops from the front and doing his duty he attained martyrdom,” he said.

Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, November 23

The existing memorials in this border town are in a sorry state even though Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is granting handsome grants to build new memorials.
Last week, the CM announced Rs 76 crore for Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur in Jalandhar, War Memorial and Bhagwan Balmiki Memorial in Amritsar. Two days ago, the CM announced another Rs 25 crores for the construction of three memorials in Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Kartarpur.
The move has not gone down well with the Congress party that alleges that the SAD is spending tax payers’ money to woo voters for the upcoming Assembly elections.
“Instead of focusing on the upkeep of the existing memorials, the government is planning to set up many more similar structures,” said Parminder Singh, Congress MLA.
Local residents alleged the government had also failed to develop various historical sites, including the National Martyrs Memorial, Hussaniwala, Anglo Sikh War Memorial, the secret hideout of Bhagat Singh, in the town.
A few months ago, the Chief Minister announced to release Rs 13.5 crore for the development of the Hussainiwala Memorial, but the project is stuck in red tape. Under the plan, the government was to build an auditorium and install a light and sound system.
Residents allege instead of allocating these funds, another museum had been announced in the memory of Bhai Mardana. Nearly 0.72 acres of prime commercial land had been allocated for the project.
Even the historic Anglo-Sikh War Museum constructed in memory of valiant Sikh soldiers, who died during the Anglo-Sikh Wars of 1845-46 continues to remain neglected in the absence of adequate manpower and resources. This memorial is located on the banks of twin canals on NH-95, where the two Anglo-Sikh wars were fought in nearby villages of Sabraon, Mudki and Ferozeshah.
During her visit a few months ago, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi had also complained about the poor upkeep of this memorial which was dedicated to the nation by her late husband Sanjay Gandhi in 1976. The other Anglo-Sikh War memorials in Mudki, Ferozshah, Mishriwala and Sabraon are also dilapidated.
Moreover, the secret hideout of Shahid Bhagat Singh and his comrades in the city has not been granted heritage status so far. Residents demand that the structure be converted into a memorial.

Tribune News Service
Patiala, November 14

Local residents bid a tearful adieu to Captain Ashwani Kumar (26), who died in an avalanche on Siachen glacier yesterday. The body was brought to Ashwani’s residence in Shanti Nagar in Patiala today. People from all walks of life attended his funeral at the Veerji Cremation Ground. Army officials escorted Singh’s coffin to the ground and gave a rifle salute during the ceremony. The officer’s parents were inconsolable as they had also lost their eldest son to a disease a few years ago.
Born on August 27, 1989, Capt Ashwani Kumar did his MBBS from Government Medical College, Patiala, and was commissioned into the Army on January 6. He was serving with 3 Ladakh Scouts.
Col BS Virk, District Sainik Welfare Officer, Patiala, said the accident occurred when Captain Ashwani, along with his unit, was marching near Manjeet post.

During his recent visit to Russia, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is reported to have discussed the lease of an Akula class nuclear submarine to India. Meanwhile, the Kalvari submarine started harbour trials in Mumbai this month. Suddenly, there seems to be a lot of movement on the submarine front.
Submarines are of two types: conventional and nuclear. Conventional submarines (SSK) use a diesel-electric engine as their power source, and have to surface daily to get oxygen for fuel combustion. Nuclear submarines are powered by a nuclear reactor, and they can continue to function submerged for months without having to surface.
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The nuclear powered attack submarines (SSN) are different from those that carry ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads (SSBN) — the latter have a bigger size and more stealth features. Capable of staying underwater undetected for long periods, SSBNs are supposed to be the best guarantor of a second strike capability in a nuclear exchange.But the SSKs score over the SSNs and SSBNs in littoral waters where effectiveness in relatively shallow water is a critical requirement. SSKs are optimised for stealth, and their weapons and sensors provide for effective operations close to the shore, both in offensive and defensive roles. A navy thus needs a mix of SSKs, SSNs and SSBNs in its fleet. A force level of three to five SSBNs, six SSNs and 20 SSKs is required for the Indian Navy to fulfill its mandate of a blue water navy. The guiding principle of submarines is to have one on patrol, one on transit to patrol and one in harbour for maintenance. For adequate strategic deterrence, one SSBN should be underwater at any given time, needing a minimum of three SSBNs in the fleet. The three aircraft carrier battle groups, as envisaged for potent force projection and expeditionary capacity, will need two SSNs each. Assuming a 60 per cent operational availability, 12 out of 20 SSKs will be available for both the coasts, the minimum required for India to maintain a credible tactical and operational presence in the littoral. The Navy currently has no SSBNs — under construction INS Arihant is undergoing sea trials — and one SSN, a Russian Akula class submarine taken on lease in 2012 for 10 years. The Navy has only 13 SSKs: nine Sindhughosh class (Russian Kilo class) and four Shishumar class (German Type 209) submarines. The first eight Sindhughosh class SSKs were acquired from the Soviet Union between 1986 and 1991, while the ninth and tenth were acquired from Russia in 1999 and 2000 respectively. The tenth submarine, INS Sindhushastra was the first Indian submarine to be fitted with the Torpedo Tube launched anti-ship Klub missile. The ninth submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, was lost in an accident in Mumbai in 2013. The first two of the four Shishumar class submarines were acquired from HDW in Germany in 1986. The remaining two were built in India under licence at Mazagon Docks Ltd, Mumbai: INS Shalki in 1992 and INS Shankul in 1994. The saga of India’s submarine acquisition has been one of fits and starts, resulting in the waxing and waning of capability. In 1957, the Defence Minister requested Lord Mountbatten, then the First Sea Lord, to provide India a target submarine which could be the oldest and cheapest available. It didn’t materialize. In 1959, the Navy asked the UK for three operational submarines, but it refused the soft credit terms sought by India.

The Navy’s submarine arm finally came into being on 8 December 1967 with the commissioning of INS Kalvari, a Foxtrot class (Type 641) submarine, at Riga in the Soviet Union. Eight submarines were acquired from the Soviet Union between 1967 and 1974 — four till 1969, which participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. All of them have been decommissioned now. The Navy first gained experience in operating technologically complex nuclear submarines when it leased a Charlie-I class SSN from the Soviet Union between 1988 and 1991. In 2006, India and Russia signed an MoU for the lease of two Akula class SSNs for a period of 10 years. India got the first one in 2012, and if Parrikar’s negotiations succeed, the second one could reach India by 2017. India’s indigenously built SSBN, INS Arihant is undergoing sea trials, following which it will be inducted into service. Two other SSBNs, S-3 and S-4, are under construction now, and plans for a much bigger S-5 submarine have also been approved. When it comes to conventional submarines, the Navy’s problems are not due to lack of a plan. A ‘30-Year Plan for Indigenous Submarine Construction’ was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in early 1999. This plan envisaged the development of two production lines on which six submarines apiece — christened Project 75 and Project 75 (I) — would be built in collaboration with two separate foreign submarine builders. The Navy would, in the meantime, develop an indigenous submarine design which would then produce 12 SSKs on these two production lines. By 2030, the Navy would then have about 24 modern SSKs. The six Scorpene submarines being made at MDL are under Project 75 — INS Kalvari which went for harbour trials recently is the first one, and will be inducted by 2017. The balance five will then be inducted by 2021. No contracts were issued under Project 75 (I), which was amended in 2010 by the DAC to allow two SSKs to be purchased on outright basis, and four to be made in India. This was done under pressure from the then Navy chief, considering the alarming state of SSKs. Late last year, the DAC chaired by Parrikar reverted to the original plan with all six 75(I) being produced under Make in India. A committee formed to examine the existing shipyards and shortlist them submitted its report in eight weeks but no decision has been taken so far. Furthermore, the 12 indigenous SSKs to be produced under the second phase of the 30 year plan have been amended to six SSKs and six SSNs in a decision taken this year by the DAC. With only 13 SSKs in its fleet, and 10 of them of pre-1990 vintage, the government has decided to go for a refit of four Sindhughosh and two Shishumar submarines to extend their life. Even with extended life, the SSKs will suffer from performance degradation during operations. India’s maritime neighbourhood has navies with increasing submarine and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. China currently has 5 SSNs, 4 SSBNs and 53 SSKs, while Pakistan is acquiring 8 submarines from China. – See more at:

Jalandhar, November 10
112 Infantry Battalion (TA) Dogra will organise a recruitment rally for Soldier General Duty and Clerk (Staff Duty) at Dogra Ground, Jalandhar Cantonment, from November 25-30.
This rally is being held on large scale in Jalandhar as candidates from various parts from North India will take part. The Army spokesperson said candidates from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh will take part in this rally. He said, “The candidates from Punjab will be screened on November 25 while the candidates from Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh will be screened on November 26. Candidates from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir will be screened on November 27.” He said, “The preference will be given to good shooters, computer literate, vehicle mechanic, sportsmen and musicians.”—TNS

Defence minister

THE CORE ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. THE COMMISSION WILL LOOK INTO PROBLEMS IF ANY. THIS IS A DEMOCRACY, EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DEMAND. WE HAVE FULFILLED THE MAIN DEMAND, BUT WE CAN’T SATISFY EVERYONE… THEIR MAIN DEMAND FOR SAME PENSION FOR SAME RANK HAS BEEN GIVEN. REST IS EVERYTHING THAT WE HAD DECLARED [ON SEPTEMBER 5].

The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for the over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country, which was rejected by the protesting ex-servicemen. – See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/protesting-against-govts-orop-provisions-defence-veterans-to-start-returning-medals/#sthash.pqZ6ER8Z.dpuf
War veterans will start returning their medals from tomorrow to protest the government notification on implementation of ‘one rank-one pension’, which they have rejected, and hit back at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for his comments that not all their demands can be met. “We have one and only demand and that is OROP. It was the government who inserted provisions that has made the issue complicated. We want OROP as per the definition. No junior should get more pension than his senior.
“In protest against the government notification, we will start returning our medals from tomorrow. On November 10-11, ex-servicemen across the country will start returning their medals. They have already informed the District Magistrates about this,” Group Captain V K Gandhi (retd), general secretary of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM), said. The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for the over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country, which was rejected by the protesting ex-servicemen. Parrikar had said earlier in the day that everyone has the right to make a demand in democracy but not all demands can be fulfilled. He said “maximum” demands of the veterans have been fulfilled and that the judicial commission to be set up by the government will look into their “problems”. In Delhi, the medals will be returned outside Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) tomorrow, Gandhi said, adding selecting crowded places for the purpose was meant to educate the common man about the issue. The protesting ex-servicemen also met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and briefed him about the OROP notification. “He called us today and asked us to brief him about the government notification. He has said in coming days he will take up the issue, address press conference and also visit the protesting ex-servicemen at Jantar Mantar,” Gandhi said after meeting Kejriwal. – See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/protesting-against-govts-orop-provisions-defence-veterans-to-start-returning-medals/#sthash.pqZ6ER8Z.dpuf

SOLDIER’S CORNER
Lt Gen Harwant Singh (Retd)

LT Gen Hanut Singh retired more than two decades ago and moved into an ashram in Dehradun. He had cut himself from the world and spent his time in deep meditation. It is said that it was in a state of meditation that he gave up life.
I first came to know him when he was an instructor in the gunnery wing of the Armoured Corps School and I was in a gunnery course. He displayed complete mastery over the subject and in his lectures there was conviction, motivation and deep understanding of the power of the tank gun. There was nothing in tank gunnery worth knowing other than what he knew and would so convincingly put across.
The next I came in close contact with him was when he was commanding 14 Independent Armoured Brigade, where I was one of the unit commanders.
Earlier, he had taken part in the 1971 war and had made a name for himself in the famous battle of Basantar. He had put into practice what he had been so convincingly and forcefully advocating as Commander of the School of Armoured Warfare. The more remarkable part of his play was taking his regiment across a deep minefield to be with the infantry, which had already crossed the obstacle system and was nervously awaiting the onslaught of the enemy counter-attack.
Being deeply spiritual, and completely fearless, he had pushed his regiment through that deep enemy minefield without waiting for a safe lane to be cleared by the engineers. Since time was at a premium, he took the decision to wade through the minefield. It was indeed a miracle that no mine came in his way. Maybe, on that fateful night, the Lord was his charioteer as He was of Arjuna at Kurukshetra. When the enemy counter-attack materialised on the bridgehead, he was there to take it on and bring about its complete destruction. While he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, he earned from the enemy the sobriquet “Fakhr-e-Hind” for his regiment.
He had the moral courage to say what he thought was right, regardless of the fallout. An illustrious commander, he possessed the taste and feeling of the heritage of the human mind. At the root of his unimpeachable character and the courage of conviction was his self-realisation through long hours of meditation and religious beliefs. His sense of discipline and martial spirit had been passed down by his forefathers.
Lt Gen Hanut Singh was gentle of manner and stood by his officers and men. While he meditated for long hours, this spiritual digression never came in the way of his duties. He had an acutely discerning mind and few were the people that he misjudged. He led a simple soldier’s life, free from frills and follies. He exhibited all that goes into the making of a saint-soldier.
The writer resides in Chandigarh