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A statue of a martyr at Ramgarh village in Samba district. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh

Sumit Hakhoo

tribune news service

Jammu, September 19

As the terrorist attack on an Army camp in Uri, close to Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district, on Sunday added another chapter to the 27-year-long insurgency in J&K, it’s also a brutal reminder of the sacrifices of hundreds of soldiers from the Jammu region who fought and died in the proxy war since 1989-90.While local lore revolves around tales of war and valour about soldiers who were martyred in the line of duty to defeat terrorism supported by Pakistan and its proxy radical Islamic groups operating from across the Line of Control (LoC) dividing J&K, hundreds of families have lost their sons and fathers due to indecisive approach of successive governments towards militants and their supporters in the state. Agriculture has been the main occupation, but dusty hamlets have produced brave soldiers.Moving along the highway and interior villages in Rajouri, RS Pura, Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua, Vijaypur and Hiranagar, the countryside is dotted with memorials (shaheedi samaraks) for the fallen soldiers, price being paid by ordinary people to fight terrorism.Though villages have tried to outwit each other while building war memorials by installing the statues of martyrs or creating huge gates depicting the pictures of soldiers at the entrance of their hamlets, but resentment against the government is growing for not doing enough to strike on terror sponsors.“My brother is serving in the Army and destruction caused by Pakistan during shelling on our village was the main motivation for him to join armed forces. Every village has a martyr in this belt,” said Shamsher Singh from RS Pura, close to the international border.It had been a tradition of a sort for villagers as families have served the armed forces for generations. Right from the time of Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the J&K state, plains of Jammu have been the breeding ground of warriors who fought in Hunza, Gilgit and Tibet to consolidate the Dogra rule in J&K and other war theatres during WW I and WW II. Since 1947, when Pakistan imposed a war on India to occupy Kashmir, people of Jammu have thwarted its efforts.“Valour and honour is in our blood, but sacrifices of our youth should not go vain. How much sacrifice the country’s leadership want before they wake up and take a decisive action?” said Gurdeep Singh, a farmer from Samba, whose son is serving in the Army.During the last two decades, people living along the international border and LoC have suffered heavily due to cross-border shelling and militants who infiltrate from Pakistan. However peasants have become part of the Village Defence Committees to track the movement of terrorists and have successfully succeeded in killing several groups of militants on several occasions. People act as eyes and ears for security forces in the hinterland.

 

Troops assemble at the Army Brigade headquarters after the terror attack in Uri on Sunday. Tribune Photo: Amin War

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 18

The number of casualties in the Uri attack could have been prevented as two buildings at the same military station were vacant, but the advance party of the Bihar Regiment was staying in tents pitched in the open, that too just 6 km from the volatile Line of Control (LoC).Fourteen of the 17 soldiers were killed as grenades lobbed by four Pakistan-trained terrorists led to fire in tents. Twelve bodies were burnt badly and four of them couldn’t even be recognised forcing a DNA test, sources said. Troops of the 6 Bihar Regiment were to replace the 10 Dogra Regiment at Uri just outside the headquarters of the 12 Brigade of the Army.Sources confirmed that the advance party (30-35 persons, including a Major) of the Bihar Regiment arrived on September 16 to start the administrative work before the rest of the regiment could arrive. Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said, “The tents located in the complex were to house additional troops inducted due to routine turnover of units. There have been a total of 17 Army fatal casualties. Of these, 14 casualties have been due to these tents/shelters having caught fire.”It is being suspected that terrorists managed to hide themselves for a few hours inside the military camp during the night before launching the attack around 5.30 am and they were aware of the troops living in tents.The terrorists hiding inside the camp or at the edge of it caught the troops by total surprise as most of them were asleep inside the tents.It was a full-moon night, therefore not dark, which is not an ideal condition for an attack. Yet the terrorists mounted the attack, which suggests they had prior information of the change of regiments and took the risk of crossing the LoC to target the troops staying in tents.Terrorists on their own would have no prior intimation of a regiment getting relieved and some men living in tents. However, Pakistan-based military commanders keep an eye using satellite imagery and ground-based human intelligence, hence the Pakistan military link.But as recently retired Western Command chief Lt Gen KJ Singh puts it: “It is too early for a postmortem of the attack. The Army has a mechanism to deal with all such issues.” Defence Minister, Army Chief review security in Kashmir  Srinagar: In view of the Uri attack, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Sunday took stock of the ongoing operations and reviewed the overall security situation in Kashmir. Parrikar rushed to Srinagar this evening and General Suhag reached earlier on Sunday to review the situation. An Army spokesman said they were briefed by the Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda and Chinar Corps commander Lt Gen Satish Dua in Srinagar on the Uri attack. The Defence Minister was briefed about the security grid along the Line of Control and the hinterland. tnsUS with India in anti-terror fight  Washington: The US is committed to building a “strong partnership” with India to combat terrorism, the White House said on Sunday as it condemned the Uri attack. “The US strongly condemns the terrorist attack,” State Department Spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma also condemned the attack. “We condemn the attack in Uri. Our thoughts are with the families of the soldiers who lost their lives #UriAttack,” Verma tweeted in Delhi. PTIPak scoffs at ‘unfounded’ chargeIslamabad: Pakistan on Sunday refuted as “unfounded and premature” India’s charge that it was behind the terrorist attack in Uri, with its army demanding “actionable intelligence” to support New Delhi’s accusation. Pakistan army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said following the attack Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) of the two countries discussed the situation along the LoC through hotline. “Refuting the allegation, Pakistani DGMO asked his counterpart to share any actionable intelligence,” Radio Pakistan reported citing an Inter-Services Public Relations release. Bajwa said no infiltration was allowed from the Pakistani soil because of “water-tight arrangements” in place on both sides of the LoC. PTIJitendra warns of befitting responseNew Delhi: Blaming Pakistan for the Uri attack, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said those trying to test India’s security and confidence would be given a befitting response. “We have known long enough who are behind sponsoring terrorism against India particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. I think time has come to call their bluff and give them a befitting reply,” the Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office told reporters. PTi Union Home Secy to visit todayNew Delhi: Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi will visit Srinagar on Monday to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Following a directive of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Mehrishi will visit Srinagar and attend a series of meetings with officials of the state government, Army, police and paramilitary force and take stock of the situation in the state, official sources said. He is expected to meet Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti over the situation in J&K. PTI

Governor speaks to Generals

Srinagar: After the fidayeen attack at an Army camp in Uri, Governor NN Vohra on Sunday called Lt Gen DS Hooda, Northern Command chief, and Lt Gen Satish Dua, GOC 15 Corps, and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies on the loss of lives of brave soldiers. He saluted the martyrs and wished early recovery to the injured. TNSMajor fidayeen attacks June 26, 2016 Pampore: Eight CRPF men and two fidayeens die after CRPF convoy attacked Feb 20, 2016 Pampore: Three Army men, three fidayeens and a civilian killed in long gunfightDec 5, 2014 Baramulla: Eight Army men and three policemen killed at Army base in Mohra UriSept 25, 2013 Jammu: Twin attacks in Samba and Kathua leave nine persons dead June 24, 2013 Srinagar: Eight soldiers killed as Army convoy attacked on outskirts of the cityMarch 31, 2013 Srinagar: Five jawans, two militants dead after CRPF camp targetted October 5, 2006 Srinagar: Five policemen, two CRPF men and two fidayeens killed at Budshah ChowkJuly 22, 2003 Akhnoor: Eight men, including a Brigadier, lose lives at Army camp May 14, 2002 Jammu: 31 killed, 48 injured in Army Cantonment at KaluchakSept 17, 2001 Handwara: Nine policemen die as a camp of the Special Operations Group of the J&K Police attackedJuly 13, 1999 Bandipora: A DIG and four BSF personnel killedNov 3, 1999 Srinagar: Eight Army men killed at 15 Corps Headquarters — Compiled by Majid Jahangir

What they said

Pakistan must stop aiding and abetting the extremist forces as such activities are a big impediment to the peace process in the region. The Central Government has failed to stop infiltration of militants. — Sitaram Yechury, CPM general secretary We have given a long rope to Pakistan. Now is the time to take decisive action as the time for restraint is long past. Brutal provocations demand equally brutal reprisals. — Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab state Congress president India cannot be cowed down by such attacks. I strongly condemn the cowardly attack at Uri. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those martyred in Uri. — Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister  India will not be cowed down by such attacks. We will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers. I salute and pay tributes to the martyrs. — Pranab Mukherjee, President The current situation of unrest in the Valley is the result of the proxy war in which Pakistan has been indulging since ages. They [Pakistan] are doing everything in their power to create havoc in Kashmir. — Nirmal Singh, J&K Deputy Chief Minister Such attacks are the result of use of cross-border terrorism by one country in our region. We shall deal with such provocations in a befitting manner. — Hamid Ansari, Vice-President Deepest condolences to families of #UriAttack martyrs who sacrificed their lives for motherland. The perpetrators will be made to pay for it. — Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Modi ki laparwahi aur nakaami se jawan marae ja rahein hain. Kahan gaya Modi ka 56-inch ka seena? (Soldiers are dying due to the failure and negligence of Modi; where is his 56-inch chest now?). The Centre has to take tough action. — Lalu Prasad, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief The government must mobilise all resources, manpower and material to strengthen border defence to prevent infiltration of terrorists. — P Chidambaram, former Home Minister

12 bodies badly burnt

• Two buildings at the same military station were vacant, but the advance party of the Bihar regiment was staying in tents
• Twelve bodies were burnt badly and four of them couldn’t even be recognised forcing a DNA test
• The tents located in the complex were to house additional troops inducted due to routine turnover of units
• It was a full-moon night, therefore not dark, which is not an ideal condition for an attack. Yet the terrorists mounted the attack, which suggests they had prior information of the change of regiments.

KEEPING THE FLAME ALIVE: Bhai Bilambar Singh (second from right ) has been looking after the Saragarhi gurdwara in Ferozepur since 2004

Jasmine Singh

Twentyone valiant soldiers against 10,000 — the Battle of Saragarhi is a tale of valour of epic proportions

For a casual tourist visiting Ferozepur, Punjab, a trip to Hussainiwala border is usually a major attraction. Thereafter comes, a visit to the local market or maybe the dargah. Only and if only you are a history buff, there’s a decent probability of a visit to the Saragarhi Memorial.Located in the Ferozepur Cantonment area, the Saragarhi Memorial was built to commemorate the memory and valour of 21 Sikhs who laid their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi on September 12, 1897.The memorial has been constructed on the lines of the Saragarhi Fort, it has a gurdwara inside, where each year, on September 12, a kirtan darbar is organised. Descendents of the 21 Sikh martyrs of Saragarhi are among the special invites which also include local leaders, politicians and soldiers of the Indian Army.This day is marked in history as one of valour and bravery. It was on this day that the British Indian contingent, comprising 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikh (now the 4th Battalion of the Sikh regiment), stationed at an army post was attacked by around 10,000 Afghans. All 21 Sikh soldiers fought bravely and defended the post till their last breath. The battle is considered as one of the the great last-stands in the history.The 21 Sikh non-commissioned officers, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, and soldiers of the other rank who laid their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi were from Ferozepur district in Punjab. They were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit (equivalent to Victoria Cross) by the British authorities.

Annual celebrations

Every year on 12th September, the sevadars at the Ferozepur Memorial Gurdwara, along with the Army personnel of the area, organise a grand function, where some fifth-generation family members of the 21 Sikh soldiers who come from different areas of Punjab and abroad as well, are honoured with a siropa.Bhai Bilambar Singh has been looking after the Saragarhi gurdwara in Ferozepur since 2004. He has seen a welcome increase in the number of visitors to the Memorial, especially around and on the D-day! “The preparations for this day start a month in advance, the premises of the memorial are cleaned, and everything is set in order,” he shares while talking about the most important part of the preparation, which is sending out letters, and making phone calls to the descendents of the 21 brave Sikh soldiers, who laid their lives in the battle. “Each year, the Sainik Welfare Office prepares a list of the family members of the Sikh soldiers, who are intimated about the function through a letter or a phone call. The good part is that many members from their families do make it to the ceremony,” adds Bhai Bilambar. They also arrange for buses to fetch ex-servicemen from the nearby villages to attend the function.

The flip side

While on one hand, the Saragarhi Memorial in Ferozepur sees a record number of people on September 12, another memorial, a Saragarhi gurdwara in Amritsar stands in complete contrast, with a handful of visitors wandering into the premises due to sheer curiosity. The Saragarhi gurdwara in Amritsar is passed off as any other domed structure by the locals who do not have any clue about its existence in their own city!“Even the locals do not know about this place, forget about the outsiders,” shares a person sitting inside the gurdwara, requesting anonymity. Though wanting to remain unnamed, he wants to voice his concern too. “I don’t see many visitors to gurdwara, it’s only once in while that someone walks in and is usually startled by the importance of this place. As far as celebrations for September 12 are concerned, they are nothing great. The descendents of the martyr Sikhs chose to go to Ferozepur instead,” he shrugs helplessly.

Battle for survival

Both the Saragarhi memorials were once looked after by the Army, where faujis from the Sikh regiment would make langar and do kirtan. Ever since, the two historical places have come under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Government, things have changed, “not for better at least,” Santokh Singh, a fifth-generation family member of Havildar Ishar Singh, minces no words while talking about the present state of the memorials.Santokh Singh’s family has built a samarak in the memory of late Ishar Singh at their own village, Cholda, Tehsil Raipur, Ludhiana district. Each year, mostly on September 15, a function is organised at the samarak. Ishar Singh’s family informs the local battalion about the ceremony, who then informs the Sikh regiment of that area. “Till the time the Army was taking care of the memorials, everything was good, now things are not that great. Since we also organise our function at Ludhiana, we do not get time to attend the Saragarhi ceremony at Ferozepur.”From the pages of historyAs family members of the martyr Sikh soldiers have taken it upon themselves to keep the memories of the heroes from their families alive, many Sikh historians have their own take on the historic Battle of Saragarhi. Ludhiana-based Punjabi scholar and modern critic Tejwant Gill from has read quite a bit on Saragarhi, but he is not too convinced with the information that has been provided in various books and articles. “We do not have any accurate information about the location of the Saragarhi village. Whatever information we have about Saragarhi comes from the British assessment, and we do not have any account of it directly.”Author Khan Barmazid in his book Analysis of Battle of Saragarhi: The Lies We Are Told has come out with some startling observations, and questions that he raises unabashedly. Khan writes: Sikhs and other Indians have made a claim, that ‘Ten thousands or 14,000’ Afghans attacked the Saragarhi post where 21 soldiers were stationed from 36th Regiment. Perhaps it’s based on some estimate by British authors, but British military reports of 1897-98 have never made such a claim. The fact is, the numbers of Pashtun attackers on Saragarhi fort can never be determined and by any estimation by the British.He raises yet another question, “Why did Sikh soldiers not surrender in the battle?” As per his chapter, Sikh soldiers are mentioned in British reports to be torturing and mutilating the Pashtun captives so Pashtuns would not take Sikhs as prisoners. Sikh soldiers at the Saragarhi post knew very well that they had no option of surrendering or negotiating with the enemy, so they fought desperately to the last man, while waiting for the arrival of reinforcements.All these questions, however, do not undermine the status of the event, which is still one of eight stories of collective bravery published by Unesco. It was a significant event, one- of-its kind, the one that is still fresh in the minds of at least those who take a moment on September 12 to read a little more on this historical event!

Governor NN Vohra during a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag in Sringar on Friday. A Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 9

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag, accompanied by Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda and General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen SK Dua, met Governor NN Vohra here today.During their hour-long meeting, the Governor and Army Chief discussed external security situation and issues of effective internal security management.The Governor and the Army Chief also discussed varied opportunities needed to be provided to the youth for assuring a stable and bright future for them.

Chennai, September 9

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said it was an honour that over 1,700 officers from 75 countries have graduated from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, in Tamil Nadu.Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces, was at the college to present the Presidential Colours.The college is located in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu around 580 km from here.”It is also a matter of honour, that more than 1,700 officers from 75 countries from all over the world have graduated from the portals of this unique institution and a large number of them have risen to the highest positions in their countries,” Mukherjee said.Expressing delight that 40 officers from 31 friendly foreign countries were undergoing the present course Mukherjee said: “Each one of you is a befitting ambassador of your great nation and I am certain that you will cherish the strong bonds of friendship established by you with your peer group over a year of interactive learning.” “It is important that this strong relationship of goodwill develops into everlasting ties of mutual faith and warmth between our great nations, he added.Mukherjee also praised the Defence Services Staff College for spreading awareness on ‘Clean Ganga’, ‘Swachh Bharat’ and ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaigns.He also complimented the college for taking up promotion of Green initiatives’ of rain water harvesting, solar power generation and recycling there by contributing towards preservation of the rich eco-biosphere of the Nilgiris. — IANS

Tezpur, September 6

Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Tuesday reviewed the security situation in the region and operational preparedness along the critical border with China.He was here since yesterday and was accompanied by Lt General Praveen Bakshi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, who will be the next Army chief.He was updated on the security situation in Assam by the Corps Commander, a statement by the Army said.”The Chief of Army Staff also reviewed the defence preparedness of Gajraj Corps as it is deployed on the line of Actual Control, the de facto boundary between India and China,” it added.The Army Chief was briefed by Lt General D Anbu, General Officer Commanding, Gajraj Corps, who will be in the running for the Army chief’s post after General Bakshi retires. — PTI

Nawaz Sharif. — PTI file photo

Islamabad, August 27

Further needling India on the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday nominated 22 parliamentarians as special envoys to be despatched to world capitals to highlight the problem.”We will remind the United Nations its long-held promise of self-determination to the Kashmiri people,” Sharif said.Stepping up Pakistan’s diplomatic offensive, the prime minister said he has decided to send the parliamentarians for highlighting the Kashmir issue in different parts of the World.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The move by Sharif came against the backdrop of escalating war of words between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the continuing unrest in the Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by security forces.”The Prime Minister urged the special envoys to ensure their efforts for highlighting the Kashmir cause across the world so that he can shake the collective conscience of the international community during his address at the UN this September,” Radio Pakistan reported.“We will also make it clear to India that it was India that approached the UN several decades back on Kashmir dispute but now it is not fulfilling its promise,” he added.Sharif said the Kashmir problem is the most persistent failure of the UN and that the world body must establish its relevance.”I have decided to send these parliamentarians for fighting the Kashmir cause in different parts of the world.These special envoys have the strength of the people of Pakistan, prayers from the Kashmiri people across the Line of Control, the mandate of the parliament and support from the government,” Sharif said in a statement.”Generation after generation of Kashmiris have seen only broken pledges and ruthless oppression,” Sharif claimed.He emphasised that this anniversary of the UN ought to be a catalyst, spurring the world body into action.”We cannot relent from the Kashmir cause by any stretch of the imagination,” Sharif said. — PTI

Jammu, August 26

A seminar on “Custom and Traditions: A Need to Preserve Heritage of Jammu and Kashmir” was organised by the Army in coordination with Government Degree College at Budhal in Rajouri.The aim of the seminar was to spread awareness about customs and traditions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the need to preserve their rich heritage.Muhammad Illiaz, Lecturer, Department of History, Government Degree College, Budhal was the speaker. Highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the state, especially areas in south Pir Panjal ranges, he talked about various facets of life of Gujjars and Bakerwals, including their cultural ethos, values, customs which is peculiar to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the culture of J&Kalthough has traces of historical rulers of the state, but has largely been influenced by Sufism which gives it the unique identity of “Kashmiriyat”.He told the present generation to understand and carry forward the cultural and traditional heritage of the state amidst growing globalisation. — TNS

Lt-Gen KJ Singh (retd) delivers the PU colloquium at Panjab University in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 17

Former (GoC-In-C) Western Command, Chandimandir, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair Professor at Panjab University Lt-Gen KJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM (BAR) (retd) said today that demography, democracy, structural system of election commission, judiciary, armed forces and education and soft power of yoga, ayurveda and Bollywood were the strengths of national security.Lt-Gen KJ Singh delivered the prestigious PU colloquium on the topic of ‘Challenges to national security and suggested response strategy’ at the university today. PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover presided over the colloquium. It was the first colloquium of the academic session 2016-17. In his talk, Lt-Gen KJ Singh (retd) analysed strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats of national security.He said good governance, focus on economic development, infrastructure enhancement, investments in education and job creation, rehabilitation of surrendered militants and effective policing were the tools in dealing with internal terrorism threats.Diplomacy at global, regional forums, constant pressure on rogue states, and effective guarding mechanism of international border, line of control and maritime boundaries and use of technology for surveillance can help in controlling the external terrorism, he added.Lt-Gen KJ Singh (retd) focused on macro understanding of national security and emerging contours of challenges and also suggested response strategy for the same during his talk.

Rajouri, August 13

The Army under the aegis of the Ace of Spades Division organised various programmes at the Army’s advance landing ground (ALG) in Rajouri on August 12 and 13.“As a run up to Independence Day, the programmes were aimed at igniting patriotic fervour among youth, locals and schoolchildren,” said an Army officer. He said a series of events, including a dog show, equestrian show, cultural programmes and equipment display, were witnessed and appreciated by the students and youth.Students from Valley View Army Public School, Army Goodwill Public School, Government Higher Secondary School and Government Middle School at Dalogra gave scintillating cultural performances, said a defence spokesperson. As many as 1,400 students from various schools of Rajouri visited the ALG today to take part in the programme, he added.“The students showed keen interest in heavy guns, medium machine guns and telecommunication systems on display. Most of them expressed their desire to serve the country by donning the uniform,” said a senior Army officer. — OC