India stands militarily vulnerable today against any China-Pakistan Axis military adventurism targeting India as a result of the virtually criminal neglect of India’s war-preparedness during the ten years of the previous Government in a repeat of the pre-1962 Nehruvian syndrome.
The China-Pakistan Axis is a strategic and military reality in 2016 whose long term aim is the strategic diminution of the United States but whose immediate aim is to militarily shackle India’s powerful rise and pre-empt India forging a substantial strategic partnership with the United States which could adversely affect the balance of power against the China-Pakistan Axis.
India in 2016 is faced with a serious military challenge of having to cope with a ‘Two Front War’ foisted by the China-Pakistan Axis in the pursuance of their joint military objectives against India. Pakistan feels that with China’s full military backing it can hope to wrest control of Kashmir which it could not do so for the last six decades. China hopes that a militarily beleaguered India forced to fight a ‘Two Front War’ in Ladakh and Kashmir would make it easier for China to reclaim ‘Southern Tibet’, the Chinese euphemism for India’s Arunachal Pradesh.
The crucial question that arises from the above military aggression against India is whether India in 2016 is in terms of Indian Armed Forces war-preparedness ready and capable of coping with the joint China-India Axis military threat to India. Regrettably, ten years of war-preparedness neglect by the previous Government from 2004-2014 has left Indian Armed Forces crippled and handicapped by incomplete war inventories of military hardware, logistics and military logistics infrastructure on our Northern Borders.
Notably, both China and Pakistan have always maintained and in 2016 maintaining their Armed Forces at peak levels of combat readiness, ready for war at short notice as their Armed Forces are not hamstrung by bureaucratic lethargy, lackadaisical approaches to defence acquisitions and where utmost national priority is given to Armed Forces war-preparedness. Regrettably, in India the picture is just the opposite and in every war the Indian Armed Forces are forced to fight wars with whatever is available and not with the military wherewithal at optimum levels. There seems to be no attempt to make the Indian Defence Ministry “Accountable” for neglecting India’s war-preparedness.
It was not that the Indian Armed Forces military hierarchy was not sounding alarm bells on this score but these alarm bells fell on deaf political ears obsessed with pursuance of China-appeasement and Pakistan-appeasement policies. The disturbing outcome of the above is that with even with the dynamic approach of the Modi Government to catching-up on India’s war-preparedness deficits, it would take at least ten years just to fill-in the voids, leave alone the induction of next generation of advanced military hardware
The Indian Air Force will be required to play a major and crucial decisive role in ay ‘Two Front War’ foisted by the China-Pakistan Axis in terms of its Fighter Aircraft Squadrons. Against the government stipulated 42 fighter squadrons the Indian Air Force barely has 33 squadrons functional today. Successive outgoing Indian Air Chiefs have been sounding cautionary warnings in the last ten years but to no effect.
Media reports of March 11, 2016 quoting the Indian Air Force Vice-Chief‘s ringing the alarm bells on this score make disturbing reading. Air Marshal R S Dhanoa remarked in a press conference that “Our numbers are not adequate to fully execute an air campaign in a two-front scenario. Probability of a two-front scenario is an appreciation that you need to do. But are the numbers adequate? No. The squadrons are winding down.” Even in the remaining 33squarons more than one- third is composed of vintage fighter aircraft.
For years I have been recommending that the Indian Government should acquire these deficient squadrons in the ratio of at least three squadrons each from different sources like France, Russia and even the United States. India cannot afford the Indian Air Force to await the materialisation of ‘Make in India” fighter aircraft. That can be an add-on and supplementary step to meet deficiencies occurring in the next ten years. Till then a ‘fast-track’ acquisition is an inescapable imperative.
The Indian Army’s Mountain Strike Corps should have been placed on a ‘Fast track’ path simply because the fully-raised Mountain Strike Corps adds immense ‘conventional deterrence’ on China and by extension on Pakistan. The present Government for reasons it knows best has planned for a phased completion of its establishment over the next couple of years
Actually, with the China-Pakistan Axis a military reality, there is an urgent imperative for India to have two Mountain Strike Corps. India‘s war preparedness cannot be held hostage to financially wasteful social expenditures like MREGA etc. Similarly MPLAD grants to MPs should be frozen for a couple of years and those funds diverted for India’s two Mountain Strike Corps.
The India Army voids in its equipment inventories stand highlighted in media reports and not being repeated here. But these also critically affect the operational effectiveness of the Indian Army in facing a two-front war.
While the present Government is devoting focus on expansion of the Indian Navy but in terms of submarines we need to double our inventories in the next 3-5 years. As brought out in my recent book ‘China-India Military Confrontation: 21st Century Perspectives’ China can best be checkmated by India in the maritime expanses of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.
The only way India’s war-preparedness can be effectively managed is to delink defence acquisitions from the lethargic processes and indifferent obliviousness of the Indian Defence Ministry and place it directly under the Prime Minister’s control and directions assisted by a Minister of State for Defence Acquisitions.
India’s private sector in collaboration with foreign entities must be given more salience and prominence in terms of indigenous defence production.
In terms of challenges for the Modi Government in terms of India’s war preparedness the task is colossal. But so also colossal is the China-Pakistan Axis Threat to India’s national security which can be ill-ignored and nor can it be neutralised by Indian diplomacy or appeasement policies towards China and Pakistan. India’s enemies will not wait for India to complete the voids in India’s military hardware inventories, especially the Indian Air Force, before they plan any military misadventures.
On the contrary, China and Pakistan are aware of the havoc that has been played by the ten years of abject neglect of India’s war preparedness by the previous Government. For both China and Pakistan, India’s current military vulnerabilities offer a window of opportunity to be exploited.
Forestalling such an eventuality, Prime Minister Modi would require a deft interplay of geopolitical gamesmanship coupled with strong local military ripostes to probing provocations by China and Pakistan on the borders. Above all, the Indian Republic’s national security interests will be well-served if Indian political opposition parties do not politicise security issues and challenges.
India should not shy away any longer from forging military alliances with like-minded democracies to confront the exponential rise of Chinese military power which threatens both Asian security and global stability.
Concluding, it would be an under-statement to assert that overwhelming imperatives exist for India to build up the war-preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces at optimum levels to face the joint military threat of the China-Pakistan Axis.
Brig GS Randhawa,VSM joins SANJHA MORCHA
(EX-SERVICEMEN JOINT ACTION FRONT) AS
PRESIDENT AMRITSAR ZONE
Brig GS Randhawa,VSM
Commissioned in the Regt of Arty Dec 1975. Served in Army Avn in Siachen Glacier & NE .Graduate of DSSC & LDMC.
Commanded an Army Avn Flt, Med Regt & Arty Bde in CI ops. Retd in 2011.
SETTLED IN AMRITSAR
जम्मू-कश्मीर के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री नेशनल कानफ्रेंस के अध्यक्ष फारूक अब्दुल्ला ने भारतीय सेना के खिलाफ जेएनयू छात्र संगठन के अध्यक्ष कन्हैया कुमार के आरोप पर ऐतराज जताते हुए कहा है कि सेना के खिलाफ बयानबाजी करने वालों पर कार्रवाई की जानी चाहिए। ऊधमपुर के दौरे पर आये डाॅ. अब्दुल्ला ने कन्हैया के आरोपों से जुड़े सवाल पर संवाददाताओं से कहा कि जो भी भारतीय सेना के खिलाफ बोलता है वह ठीक आदमी नहीं है।
A summary general court martial (SGCM) at the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir has dismissed nine soldiers with four-year imprisonment and fired another with 18-month jail in a 2012 clash with officers at Nyoma near Leh in Jammu and Kashmir
OUR-YEAR JAIL FOR NINE, 18-MONTH TERM FOR ANOTHER; INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER RAPE BID ON OFFICER’S WIFE
CHANDIGARH: A summary general court martial (SGCM) at the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir has dismissed nine soldiers with four-year imprisonment and fired another with 18-month jail in a 2012 clash with officers at Nyoma near Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the court-martial proceedings that concluded on Wednesday night, nine soldiers — naik RK Sharma; lance naiks Devinder Singh and KR Jha; havildar Satish Kumar; and gunners Satinder Kumar, BB Katia, Srijit MV, Shibin K, and Sunil Kumar RK — were held guilty of destroying officers’ property under Section 55-A of the Army Act but not of mutiny under Section 37-A. Gunner MR Hansa, though also dismissed for destroying officers’ property, was given a shorter jail term because of smaller evidence against him. Capt Sanjay Chaudhary (retd) was prosecution counsel.
In the May 12, 2012, clash over rape attempt on an officer’s wife, the soldiers of 226 Field Regiment had destroyed officers’ belongings such as clothes, camera, uniform, and television set. Commanding officer colonel Prasad Kadam had sustained five fractures in the vital parts of his body.
The officers had to flee. The unit was then on field-firing exercise at Nyoma.
After the clash, the officers involved had pleaded guilty and were let off with forfeiture of service, while the jawans faced trial. The court of inquiry had indicted more than 150 soldiers and four officers. For the assault on the officer’s wife, an officer’s sahayak named Suman Kumar was sentenced to 10-year imprisonment and dismissed from service.
During the court martial at Chandimandir, captain Arun Balachandran identified the soldiers involved in the clash, which led to their conviction. Many senior officers, including former CO of the unit, had deposed.
PANCHKULA: At the silver jubilee function of The War Decorated India (TWDI) on Saturday, the city was lucky enough to host two livings legends of the Indian Air Force that have lived on to inspire an entire generation. Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Bhupindra Kumar Bishnoi (82) and wing commander (retd) Vinod Nebb (73) have the unique distinction of being awarded two Vir Chakra awards each for their role in 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Air vice-marshal Bhupindra Kumar Bishnoi ( retd), 82, is now based in Noida. In December 1971, he was a wing commander and in command of an operational fighter squadron of MiG 21 in the eastern sector.
He led the first two bombing missions over Tezgaon airfield and destroyed a large transport aircraft. During one of these bombing missions, his aircraft was hit by a heavy shell and sustained severe damage.
On December 14, 1971, he raided military targets in Dhaka and also led ten sorties against heavily-defended enemy positions in the Comilla Sector.
“Attacks on the Governor’s House in Dhaka led to the governor’s resignation,” he said.
DESTROYED TRAIN CARRYING AMMUNITION IN ’65 WAR
In the 1965 Indo-Pak war, when the enemy ran short of ammunition in the Kasur re gion, squadron leader Bishnoi with a formation of four aircraft destroyed a train carrying ammunition at Raiwing railway station.
The denial of supply was a major factor in causing the enemy to withdraw its armors.
“In other offensive sorties, he destroyed or damaged at least ten enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. Although his aircraft was hit on three occasions, he pressed on with the attacks,” says the citation. On the JNU issue, Bishnoi said, “Contrived and superfluous definitions of nationalism are being given. It is creating confusion. You cannot give any connotation to nationalism.”
HE BROUGHT DOWN TWO SABRE AIRCRAFT
Wing Commander Vinod Nebb, 73, is based in Gurgaon.
On September 6, 1965, Nebb, then a flying officer, was detailed as number 2 in a section of two aircraft to carry out a standing patrol over Halwara airfield.
Four Pakistani Sabre jets managed to sneak in and attacked the airfield.
“Flying officer Neb, though still under training and lacking experience, attacked the enemy formation and shot down one Sabre,” said his citation.
On 4 December, 1971, Nebb then a flying Lieutenant was number 3 of a formation of four aircraft on a mission to strike the airfield of Karmitova in the Dhaka complex. While the formation was near the target, it was intercepted by three sabres.
Nebb engaged an enemy aircraft and shot it down. Thereafter, he saw another sabre and although he was low on fuel, he manoeuvered his aircraft.
“He brought the aircraft safely to base in spite of engine trouble. Subsequently, he flew a number of ground strike missions in the Comilla sector. Along with his leader, he was responsible for destroying enemy bunkers and gun positions on hillocks overlooking our troops in Barkal, which enabled its capture,” the citation reads.
Recently, for One Rank One Pension (OROP), Nebb was at the forefront of the agitation at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
“We didn’t respond like Jats. We are armed forces. We are nationalists and we are not destructive,” he said.
Nebb had this take on the JNU issue, “It is a created one. You have made a leader for nothing. The controversy you ( the gover nment) did not deal with correctly is the OROP.”
Our Correspondent,Hamirpur, March 4
Ex-servicemen from Sujanpur organised a meeting at the residence of Rajinder Rana, Vice-Chairman of the Disaster Management Authority, yesterday.It was learnt that over 100 ex-servicemen had decided to join a protest being organised at Dharmasala if the match venue between India and Pakistan was not changed.Rajinder Rana said a delegation of one hundred ex-servicemen came to meet him. They demanded the cancellation of India-Pakistan match to be held on March 19.Sources said the ex-servicemen had urged Rana to convey their feelings to the Chief Minister.Rana said HPCA president Anurag Thakur should also reconsider the decision and change the venue.He said it was surprising that the BCCI and HPCA were not considering the sentiments of soldiers and their family members.
Family members of martyr Sanjeevan Rana at his home in Siyunh village
Lalit Mohan,Tribune News Service,Dharamsala, March 4
Arun Dhumal, younger brother of HPCA president and BCCI honorary secretary Anurag Thakur today met the family of martyr, Sanjeevan Rana. He met the wife of Sanjeevan Rana, Pinki Rana at her residence near Shahpur.The sources here, however, said the visit failed to cut ice with the family of the martyr over the issue of hosting the India-Pakistan cricket match at Dharamsala on March 19.When The Tribune team contacted Pinki Rana she said that Arun Dhumal did not talk directly about the match and maintained that he had come to convey his condolences. He, however, tried to explain that the dates of the India-Pakistan match had been finalized in advance and the venue cannot be changed now.“We are against the holding of match at Dharamsala. I have lost my husband who laid down his life for the country fighting Pak-sponsored terrorists just two months ago. I cannot tolerate Pakistan Zindabad slogans in the vicinity of house in such conditions,” Pinki Rana said.Pinki Rana further said, “Though we are against the match, I do not think the venue would be shifted from Dharamsala. Nobody values our opinion. Though the Chief Minister has said that the match should not be played at Dharamsala, he will not be able to stop it.”“Pakistan had never shown any eagerness to talk to India. It is India leaders who go after Pakistan seeking holding of talks. Whenever, Indian leaders take the initiate with Pakistan there is attack by terrorists and our soldiers have to lay down their lives to save the country”, she said.Arun Dhumal’s visit to the family is seen as a late effort to placate the hurt feeling of ex-servicemen.Members of strong Gorkha community also carried out a march in Dharamsala today to protest against the hosting of India-Pakistan match at Dharamsala. Gorkha community, most of whom are ex-servicemen, said that feelings of the families of martyrs should be respected and the match should not be held at Dharamsala.The sources here said the HPCA was resorting to intense lobbying to soften the opposition stand on the match. Senior officials of cricket body and their supporters have met Congress leaders who have announced their support for the agitation against the match.During his recent meeting with Anurag Thakur, the Chief Minister had clearly stated that though he was not against the match, the state would not use force against the families of martyrs protesting against the match.
Tribune News Service,Shimla, March 4
The Youth Congress today joined the chorus against the match as its state president Vikramaditya Singh said the match was an insult to the families of the martyrs.“The Youth Congress is against any engagement with Pakistan till the time the country stops supporting terror activities. We will oppose the match,” said Vikramaditya who also the son of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.He termed the meeting of HPCA president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur with Virbhadra Singh as a mere political stunt and requested the government to continue to oppose the match as a mark of respect to the martyrs and their families.“Holding of the match is purely a commercial activity and it will not have any impact on diplomatic ties between the two countries as is being projected by the BJP leaders,” he said.He added that if the match was not cancelled by the HPCA, his party, along with the families of the martyrs would take out a protest march from their houses to the Dharamsala stadium.He said the HP Youth Congress was against any kind of sporting engagement with Pakistan.“As per our resolution adopted during the HP Youth Congress Executive Committee meeting, we will continue to oppose the match,” he said.He demanded that the match should be cancelled, keeping in view the sentiments and feelings of the families of the martyred soldiers and the anger of the general public.
Chandigarh: The election for five Rajya Sabha seats of Punjab is likely to take place on March 21. A notification regarding this will be issued on Friday. The term of five Rajya Sabha members — Ashwani Kumar, Avinash Rai Khanna, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Manohar Singh Gill and Naresh Gujral — ends on April 4. The election will be held in two phases. In the first phase, polling will take place for the three seats represented by Ashwani, Khanna and Dhindsa. This will be followed by another election for the remaining two seats. The Akalis are likely to put up candidates for two seats and leave one for the BJP. Akali Dal’s Dhindsa and Gujral may be re-nominated. The Congress is likely to win two Rajya Sabha seats. The party had three Rajya Sabha MPs. Tns
Brig Prahlad Singh was commissioned into 3 DOGRA in1974 and commanded the same at SIACHEN GLACIER(NG) ,MASHKOH and PALLANWALA from 1994_97.He later commanded RR Sect in Valley was PD in SFC and Dy GOC In J&K..
After his retirement on Dec 2007 he served with CRPF as DIG for four and Trg Consultant for two year at Jammu.
SANJHA MORCHA welcome Brig Prahalad to the folds its family and looking forward for his valuable contribution towards the welfare of Ex-servicemen community and assist the veterans as and when required.He has taken over the appointment from Brig Manjit SIngh who is now the chairman of Sanjha Morcha
ROHTAK: As the city limbs back to normal after a tough, violent week during the Jat quota stir, the army on Saturday left with all its 10 columns, comprising 75-77 men each, giving charge to the city police once again.
HT FILEThe army left Rohtak with all its 10 columns on Saturday, giving the charge to the city police.The army had come in the city on February 20 when situation went out of control and city police failed to curb incidents of violence and robbery. Even when the administration declared curfew in Rohtak and army had ordered shoot and sight, cases of violence continued unabated, leaving the army clueless.
While talking to HT, army commander Brig Arun Yadav admitted that their operation in Rohtak had been tough. “The operation in Rohtak was a difficult as we reached the city on February 20 with minimum resources. We had no time to understand the situation. The moment we reached, we started the operation without any delay,” Yadav said.
On being asked whether the army had orders to shoot the agitators, he said: “The situation in Rohtak was not classical. It was not what you read in the books about protests. The moment the civil magistrate hands over the situation to the army, we get shooting orders. But we did not shoot anyone because when we reached, the shops were already burning and the crowd had already started dispersing. We did not witness anyone committing a crime or killing anyone as they were running away. If we had shot at that time, the chances of killing an innocent man would have increased.”
He said at times when they were patrolling, things got “dangerously closed” as they could not recognise who was doing what. “Shopkeepers had come to their shops and they were checking their things. At that time, it became difficult to analyse who was a perpetrator and who was genuine.”
On army drawing flak from the shopkeepers and residents, Yadav said: “If I were a shopkeeper whose shop was burned, I would have wanted to shoot everyone at that time. But as an army man, it was my duty to restore the much-needed peace rather than taking a chance and shooting at innocent public.”
About the reports of the differences between the police and the army, Yadav said their team received enough support from the police. However, he said he would not like to comment on why the situation turned ugly in the city.
Yadav said their mission was to stop the violence and not to shoot people, which he said was achieved. He said if they had used violence, more people would have had come out in different parts of the state, which could have created a bigger problem.
