All posts by webadmin

IMA AWARD CEREMONY Gentlemen Cadets felicitated

Leave a comment
Gentlemen Cadets felicitated
Lt Gen SK Upadhya, Commandant of IMA, presents a trophy to a Gentlemen Cadet in Dehradun on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 7

Afew days ahead of the passing out parade, Indian Military Academy’s (IMA) Commandant Lt Gen SK Upadhya today said it was important for an officer to have a sense of competitiveness within the ambit of the feeling of sportsmanship.The Commandant was addressing the Gentlemen Cadets after presiding over the award ceremony of the passing out course of 140 regular, 123 technical graduates course and 25 university entry scheme courses, at the Khetrapal Auditorium of the IMA.He said it was important for an officer to maintain a competitive streak within the parameters of sportsmanship and fair play at all times. The urge to win and excel as a team should always be there. “In the profession of arms, it is always the collective and team effort that is important as there are no runners up in a war,” he added.Earlier, Lt Gen Upadhya gave away awards for the passing out course. Gentleman Cadet Semchon Hungron was awarded the Parachute Regiment Medal after being adjudged the best in endurance and physical fitness, Avinash Chettery was awarded 9 Gorkha Rifles Medal for standing first in military studies and Ashutosh was awarded the Sikh Regiment Silver Medal for being adjudged the best sportsman.Further, Sir Alwyn Ezra Trophy was presented to Sinhgarh Coy for standing first in weapon training, the Burma Army Trophy was presented to Alamein Coy for standing overall first in sports and the Governor of Uttarakhand Trophy was presented to Zozilla for standing overall first in academics.

Ministry to decide on buying armed copters

Leave a comment
Ministry to decide on buying armed copters
File photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 13

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to decide if 11 more attack helicopters are to be procured as a follow on to the existing order of 22 ‘AH-64-D Apache’ copters from US-based giant Boeing.The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the highest decision-making body of the MoD, is to meet after Independence Day. However, “wrinkles” of the purchase are still being ironed out for the project that is expected to cost about $900 million ( Rs 60,000 crore). The DAC will assess a request made by the Army, which wants the MoD to exercise the “option clause” that allows the purchase of 11 more helicopters. The MoD’s finance wing has its reservations and is not in favour of giving the copters to the Army as the first lot of 22 is contracted for the Air Force.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The Services Capital Acquisition Categorisation Higher Committee, with representatives of the IAF and the Army, has decided that the 11 copters should be taken as the capability was needed. “The narrow matters of inter-service operations cannot hold back the use of helicopters,” an official said.  The first lot of 22 copters approved by the MoD in September 2015 has been allocated to the IAF, the Army wants the follow-on order for itself.  The US copter had won the bid in an open competition beating the Russian built Mi-28-H.For a number of years, the Army and the IAF have been sparring over who should operate the future fleet of Apache copters. The Army initially asked for the gunships to be inducted into its ranks, or for the IAF to at least share the helicopters with the ground forces. The IAF, however, rejected both proposals.In 2014, the MoD had an in-principle agreement allowing attack helicopters for the Army. Till now, the Army has only ‘non-armed’ helicopters. The MoD has accepted the need to have some 39 armed helicopters for the Army which will fly overhead when ground-based troops move in for attack. Such copters usually carry missiles.

Army warns Pak of retaliation

Leave a comment

TOUGH TALK
In a telephonic conversation with his counterpart from across the border, DGMO Gen Bhatt says they will strike back if the neighbour continued to assist infiltrators

If Pakistani Army continues to abet infiltrations and cause trans­Line of Control firings, the Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory actions. ARMY IN A STATEMENT

NEW DELHI : India on Monday warned Pakistan of “appropriate retaliatory actions” if the neighbouring country’s army continued to “abet infiltration” and violate ceasefire.

Indian Army’s director general of military operations (DGMO) lieutenant general AK Bhatt conveyed the strong message to his Pakistani counterpart over the phone on Monday morning.

“DGMO Indian Army conveyed his commitment of ensuring peace and tranquillity which is contingent on Pak army’s intentions and actions,” the army said in a statement.

“If Pak army continues to abet infiltrations and cause trans-LoC firings, the Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory actions.”

The two DGMOs usually speak on Tuesdays but this unscheduled conversation took place on the request of the Pakistani side.

India’s aggressive stance along the line of control (LoC) as part of a reworked approach towards counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir appears to have rattled the Pakistani army, sources in defence ministry said.

Not just the LoC, security forces have stepped up the offensive in Kashmir Valley as well, bringing back search operations after almost 15 years.

General Bhatt also highlighted “needless escalations” by the Pakistan army along the LoC, the de facto border between the two countries.

The Pakistani DGMO raised the issue of civilian killings. “DGMO Indian Army conveyed that the Indian Army is a professional army and will not harm civilians in any manner,” the statement said.

The army has carried out “punitive fire assaults” against Pakistani posts providing cover fire to militants trying to sneak into J&K.

What makes these fire assaults different is that the army on May 23 released a rare video of the military action, showing heavy artillery blasting temporary bunkers and shelters on a tree-covered mountain.

The army went public with its action a few days after a rogue Pakistani border team crossed the LoC, attacked a patrol and beheaded two Indian soldiers.

The Pakistan army on Sunday released a video purportedly showing damage it has caused to the Indian military posts across the LoC.

The two sides have exchanged heavy fire in recent weeks. Ceasefire violations along the LoC go up in the summer as snows melts and mountain passes open through which militants sneak into India. Pakistani troops give cover fire to infiltrators.

Will retaliate to any cross-LoC infiltration or firing, DGMO tells Pak

There have been many ceasefire violations by Pakistan in recent past. PTI file

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 5

India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt on Monday told his Pakistani counterpart that India would take ‘appropriate retaliatory action’ to any Pak-Army-abetted infiltration of terrorists and firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) .

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Referring to the situation along the 749 km-long LoC that divides the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen Bhatt conveyed his commitment to ensuring peace and tranquillity along the LoC saying it was contingent on the Pak Army’s intentions and actions.“If Pak Army continues to abet infiltration and cause trans-LoC firings, Indian Army will take appropriate retaliatory action,” an Indian Army statement said while quoting the DGMO.
The DGMOs spoke to each other over the phone hotline on between New Delhi and Rawalpindi on Monday morning. The talk was not the weekly talk the two sides have’ the Pak DGMO had requested for the DGMO-level talk.
The Indian side highlighted the ‘needless escalations’ by the Pak Army along the LoC.
The Pak DGMO raised the matter of civilians being hit on his side, to which the Indian DGMO said, “The Indian Army will not harm civilians in any manner.”

clip

A SOLDIER KILLED IN ACTION ISN’T A MARTYR

Leave a comment

Ihave a problem with calling soldiers killed in action martyrs. I know it’s meant as respect and I’m well aware it’s intended as an honour, but that still doesn’t address my key concern which is that the term is singularly inappropriate. I’m not sure I can convince you but I’d like you to think carefully about my argument.

First of all, the term martyr has clear and undisputed religious overtones. Traditionally and historically it’s used for those who are killed defending their faith. Each of the great faiths has its own list of honoured martyrs. In each case it was refusal to renounce their faith that led to the sacrifice of their lives.

This unavoidable religious association is, I believe, inappropriate for a man in uniform and, particularly, for an Indian Army soldier. Remember ours is a military force that defends a secular State. Its cause is constitutional not religious. And secularism is one of the key principles of our Constitution and, therefore, of our nationally accepted political identity.

However, this is only my lesser concern. The bigger one has to do with the way martyrs traditionally approach and accept death. I’d like you to follow this part of the argument with particular attention.

A martyr seeks to die. You could even say he wants to die because he’s deliberately chosen a path that will lead inevitably and irrevocably to death. This is not simple suicide but the defiant embrace of death in defence of the faith he values more than life. And this seeking of death is intrinsic to martyrdom. It defines the martyr. In contrast, soldiers do not want to die. They don’t seek death. That is not their intention. Their aim is to vanquish the enemy but emerge victorious and alive.

A soldier may lay down his life in defence of his country but that wasn’t what he wanted. It certainly wasn’t what he sought. He has a wife and children he wanted to return to. A mother and father he wished to see again. A life he hoped to live to the full. At no point was he seeking death.

Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m not devaluing soldiers or their commitment. I’m just correcting a misunderstanding. In fact, I would go one step further. I would say that because soldiers want to live, their commitment to the cause they’re fighting for and their determination to prevail is even greater.

So let me reiterate in simple terms: A soldier may be prepared to die to secure victory but that doesn’t mean he wants to. He wants to live to enjoy his success. That’s what sets him apart from a martyr.

This is not a small difference. It’s not one of interpretation or use of language. It’s not etymological. It has to do with understanding the role and thinking of a soldier. You could, therefore, call it philosophical. That’s why it’s important. Finally, if it’s misleading and, therefore, wrong to call soldiers killed in action martyrs what term do we have that fits better and still honours the sacrifice they’ve made? Because there’s no doubt they’ve made an enormous sacrifice. The biggest any human being can.

I’m afraid I don’t have an answer. Instead, what comes to my mind is the epitaph on the Kohima War Memorial, derived from the words of the English poet John Edmonds: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.” The views expressed are personal

India not responding positively to peace efforts: Pak Foreign Minister

Leave a comment

India not responding positively to peace efforts: Pak Foreign Minister
Pakistan has always wanted to have good relations with its neighbours, says Asif. AP/PTI

Islamabad, August 7

India and Afghanistan should and must respond positively to Pakistan’s peace efforts and not mistake Islamabad’s desire for peace and good relations with its neighbours as its weakness, said Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Addressing a press conference at the PML-N House in Sialkot, Asif said Pakistan has always wanted to have good relations with its neighbours, and especially with India and Afghanistan, and maintained that both countries are currently not responding positively to Pakistan’s initiatives for durable peace in the region.

The Dawn quoted him, as saying, “It’s high time for both India and Afghanistan to come forward as good neighbours and give positive response to Pakistan’s peace initiatives and end the blame game.” He alleged that India is violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and attempting to destabilise Pakistan economically and politically. He also said that Pakistan is fully capable of defending its territory through its armed forces.

On the issue of terrorism, Asif said that the federal government has been battling it successfully for several decades, by uprooting and crushing terrorists. He said that the world was praising Pakistan’s frontline role against terrorism.

He also alleged that India and the United States were involved in an international conspiracy to sabotage the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, posing great danger to the subcontinent.

He pointed out that Pakistan had never been taken into confidence by the international community on all the clauses of the treaty.

Pakistan has now effectively taken up the burning issue of stoppage of water by India into Pakistani rivers with the World Bank which had been playing its role as a guarantor in the Indus Water Treaty. He said Pakistan wanted an amicable solution to the problem and was making all-out sincere international efforts to resolve this prolonged issue as soon as possible.

He disclosed that the issue of construction of the controversial Kishanganga dam had almost been resolved by Pakistan and India about one-and-a-half years ago, but progress on it was halted due to suspension of further talks by India thrice afterwards. — ANI

Lt Gen Anbu interacts with troops

Leave a comment

Srinagar, May 30

Northern Command Chief Lt Gen D Anbu today visited the Army formations and units in south Kashmir, where he was briefed by the field commanders on the prevailing security situation and the measures instituted to ensure peace and calm.While interacting with troops, the Northern Command Chief complimented them for their alertness, initiative and synergy with other security forces, which has resulted in the successful conduct of operations, including the recent counter-terrorism operation, in which a top terrorist commander was killed, an Army spokesman said. Lt General Anbu exhorted them to continue with the same dedication as the entire nation looked up to them, the spokesman said.The Northern Command Chief along with Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu also took stock of the security and administrative arrangements for the Amarnath yatra, scheduled to commerce from June 29, and stressed the need for close coordination with the civil administration to ensure a smooth yatra. — TNS

SGPC to remember 1965 war heroes

Leave a comment

A FUNCTION WILL BE HELD TO HONOUR 1965 INDO­PAK WAR HEROS, LT GENERAL HARBAKHSH SINGH AND ABDUL HAMID AT ASAL UTTAR

AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will hold a grand religious function as a tribute to the 1965 Indo-Pak war hero, late Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh on September 8.

“Lieutenant General Harbakhsh Singh, who was the then commandant of army unit, played a key role in defeating Pakistani troops. To create awareness among youth of his bravery and inspire them, the SGPC will hold a function at Asal Uttar, the battle field of the war along the border in Tarn Taran,” SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar said.

He was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function at the Golden Temple Complex on Friday.

The SGPC launched a drive to preach Sikhism, ‘Dharam Parchar Lehar’ in Majha on Friday at the Diwan Hall Manji Sahib in the Golden Temple complex.

“The family of Abdul Hamid, the martyr of the war, will also be invited to the function. His portrait will also be installed at the Central Sikh museum in the Golden Temple to pay tribute to him,” Badungar added.

On whether the anniversary of ‘Dharam Yudh Morcha’ had been forgotten, Badungar said, “Punjab is the sole state of the country deprived of its own capital, a high court, river waters and Punjabi-speaking areas. Punjabis have sacrificed countless lives and eradicated shortage of foodgrain.”

Claiming that the Congress was responsible for the alleged discrimination with Punjab, he said,“Congress leaders have never delivered on their promise. Even the Rajiv-Longowal Accord that has not been implemented so far — was another betrayal with Sikhs.”

SGPC general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla and other executive members, including Bhai Ram Singh, were accompanying Badungar. He was, however, evasive on Anandpur Sahib Resolution that the Akalis had drafted.

Earlier, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and Golden Temple head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh honoured Badungar for starting the ‘Dharam Parchar Lehar’ .

 

 

clip

clip

Need to ramp up defence production’

Leave a comment

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 30

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today said no country could indefinitely win wars only on the strength of imported equipment.He was giving away Raksha Mantri’s Awards for excellence in recognition of performance among ordnance factories and defence public sector undertakings.India is the biggest importer of weapons and equipment and around 65 per cent of its needs are fulfilled though imports. The minister emphasised the need for defence preparedness, particularly on the strength of domestic manufacturing.

Himachal announces Rs 20 lakh compensation to kin of soldier killed in Shopian

Leave a comment

Himachal announces Rs 20 lakh compensation to kin of soldier killed in Shopian
Army personnel Tanzin Chhultim

New Delhi, August 3The Himachal Pradesh government has announced Rs 20 lakh compensation to kin of Army personnel Tanzin Chhultim, who lost his life in Shopian encounter on Thursday.Two Army personnel–Major Kamlesh Pandey and Sepoy Tanzin Chhultim–were killed and two other personnel were injured when terrorists opened fire on a search party of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

A police official said a cordon and search operation was launched by Army in Zaipora area of Shopian during Wednesday night following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants there.He said that during the search operation, the terrorists fired upon the party in which four army personnel were injured.He said the injured were taken to hospital, where two of them succumbed to their injuries.In another encounter, two terrorists were killed in Kulgam district early on Thursday morning. ANI