Hands full: Modi’s foreign policy is on track.

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi is on a five-nation trip, making on June 4 a whistle-stop in Afghanistan — to inaugurate the Salma Dam on the Hariud, which will irrigate 640 villages around Herat, besides generating power — en route to a two-day stopover in Qatar. He then swung through Switzerland on June 6, before arriving in the US for his seventh meeting with President Barack Obama in the PM’s two years in office. The joint statement calls it the “third major bilateral summit” between the two leaders. He would return to India via Mexico, having crunched five countries in a week or less. Gone were the diaspora hooplas or extended detours into the hinterland. Modi, the working statesman,  had arrived.  The underlying themes were those  etched during earlier visits — consolidate past work; explore economic advancement and dovetail it into the PM’s vision, like ‘Make in India’; reposition India in a world witnessing the rise of China, radical Islam and economic slowdown; and seek, as the joint statement’s title spells it, ‘enduring global partners’. There were, however, specific reasons for each stopover or longer engagement on the way to the US, on which the trip was focussed.Afghanistan has been for India,  since Independence, an important counter-balance to Pakistan, and since 1996, when the Taliban captured Kabul, and specifically 1998, when a hijacked Indian plane ended up in Kandahar — a region where Pakistan influence via surrogates had to be curtailed. The Salma Dam was part of India’s strategy, denied by the US a security role since its intervention in 2001, to use development projects to consolidate partnership. The dam construction in the face of Taliban attacks, sponsored mostly by Pakistan or allegedly even Iran (which as a lower riparian beneficiary resents the blockage of water), was the victory of resolve over disruption. The PM’s presence and hyperbolic address went down well in a nation seeking pacification and stability. The visit to Qatar was part of Modi’s  outreach to Gulf nations, balancing between the Sunni and Shia powers, the latter led by Iran. Qatar has been a principal supplier of LNG and LPG to India, despite neighbouring Iran having competing large reserves of gas. Qatar has deep pockets and a small population, though as an adherent to the Wahabbi brand of Islam of Saudi Arabian provenance —  albeit more tolerant — it has boxed above its international weight by two means: the ruling family-owned crusading Al Jazeera news channel; and sponsorship of disparate extreme right-wing affiliates in the post-Arab Spring battles in Libya, Syria, etc. Unmentioned during the PM’s visit was the need to consider a sub-sea natural gas pipeline, aligned from Oman to Gujarat, to carry both Iranian and Qatari gas, as the source is a shared gas field. India has invited Qatar to join the second phase of Indian strategic oil reserve storage. Besides the usual homilies about India’s visionary conceptions about smart, clean and connected cities, the  Qatar Investment Authority was approached to open its purse strings and direct investment in India. The success of this and approaches to other five Gulf Cooperation Council nations depends on the follow-up and creation of an enabling environment for them to look at India as more than a supplier of manpower, a civil aviation junior partner and the exporter of select commodities. The Swiss refuelling halt and meeting with the Swiss President was focussed on obtaining support for India’s membership of the NSG, which, with Mexico, are the few remaining nations with reservations; and to seek better cooperation in investigating black money transfers. On the first there was success; on the second there was dissimulation and promise of an early agreement on an automatic exchange of information. Switzerland, some years ago, had already agreed to cooperate if India could establish criminality of account holders. The problem is that India is often on a fishing expedition based on sketchy evidence. The US was the prime reason for the visit. With time running out for the Obama presidency and with over 50 sub-groups devoted to examining different aspects of the bilateral engagement, there was a dire need to consolidate, give a top-down push and recommit to a strategic vision adumbrated in the declarations during Obama’s India visit in  2015. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar called it sketching the road map for the vision statements of the past. President Obama pushed legacy issues like climate change, fearing that a Trump victory could unravel the Paris Accord, which the US wants made operational before December. India, in turn, has sought financial and technical commitments to move to cleaner non-fossil fuel energy before it ratifies the accord. The additional burden of curtailing hydrofluorocarbons under the amended Montreal Protocol puts India in a further financial and economic conundrum. But it is crucial the two largest polluters — the US (17.89%) and China (20%) — ratify it first. For the Paris Accord’s operationalisation, at least 55 signatory states, out of the 190-odd signing, and whose total emissions exceed 55 per cent of global emissions, must ratify it. The US has a long list of demands concerning trade, intellectual property rights, market and financial reforms, which perhaps the Obama administration realises it no longer has time to pursue. Two issues, however, needed addressing. One was to bring the civil nuclear cooperation — the US having done the heavy lifting to get India the waiver from the NSG — back on track. A significant announcement was, after steady effort to address the issue of suppliers’ liability, that contracts relating to six AP 1000 reactors of Westinghouse would be finalised within a year. The related issue of Indian membership of the NSG was flagged. The US will push China, but ultimately, China would want to extract some promise of a similar deal later for Pakistan. India, too, will have to bilaterally soften China, which would not want to be isolated or push India more stoutly into US arms. The second issue was defence cooperation, including co-production, transfer of technology and inter-operability of forces and logistics. “Strategic independence” has been a cornerstone of Indian foreign policy since Independence. Post-Cold War, India has been evolving towards selective partnerships. The finalisation of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement and Modi laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier were signals that India was moving towards a new kind of big power engagement. The raison d’etre has been the rise of China, its unabashed transfer of weapons of mass destruction technology and delivery systems to Pakistan and mutating radical Islamist groups which have degraded the Indian and South Asian security environment. The Modi visit has taken the next logical step in that direction. Ironically, while the joint statement talks of “shared values of freedom, democracy, universal human rights, tolerance and pluralism”, a caucus of the US Congress examines India’s poor record on this count. Highlighting the same paradox has been the fracas over the ham-handed censoring of Udta Punjab, depicting the nexus between politics and drugs. The media attention that the director got, distracting from Modi visit’s coverage, demonstrates that Modi the politician and Modi the statesman cannot function in silos. Hopefully, he would have deduced during his tete-a-tete with his “friend” Obama that what endangers democracies the most are not external threats, but the Trumps within. The writer is a former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs

The naval aircraft carrier set sail on its last journey from Mumbai to Kochi on Saturday, escorted out of the harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters.The warship left for one last time under own power and will be towed back to Mumbai for decommissioning later this year.Majestic journey of india’s oldest aircraft carrier1959: Commissioned into the UK Royal Navy’s fleet as HMS Hermes 1987: Inducted into the Indian Navy after being brought from the UK 2,250: days the arecraft carrier has spent at sea under the Indian flag5.88 lakh: nautical miles or 10,94,215 km the distance covered by the carrier22,034 hours various aircraft have flown from the decks of INS-Viraat

Key Operations

Op Jupiter in 1989 (Indian peacekeeping operations in Sri Lanka), Op Vijay in 1999 (Kargil War), international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy), Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy), has been an integral element of all major naval exercises

INS Viraat sets sail for the last time

Aircraft carrier INS Viraat anchored off Visakhapatnam coast. PTI file photo

Mumbai, July 23

India’s majestic aircraft carrier INS Viraat, which is slated to be decommissioned later this year, set sail for the last time from Mumbai for Kochi this afternoon.This is the last sailing under her own propulsion before the iconic naval vessel goes for decommissioning. The ship set sail for Essential Repairs and Dry Docking (ERDD) at the Cochin Shipyard.Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command and other senior officers of the command, visited the ship and interacted with the crew prior to her departure.The carrier was escorted out of harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters from the Western Naval Command.”It was an emotional moment for the Navy, as INS Viraat leaves Naval Dockyard Mumbai, for one last time under own power. The ship will be towed back to Mumbai on completion of ERDD, for the decommissioning ceremony later this year,” a defence spokesperson said.INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987. The ship operated Sea Harrier (White Tigers – fighter aircraft), Seaking 42B (Harpoons – Anti Submarine helicopters) & Seaking 42C (Commando Carrier helicopters) and Chetak (Angles – SAR helicopter) as her main air elements. The Sea Harrier fleet was also recently decommissioned at Goa in May 2016.Under the Indian Flag, various aircraft have flown more than 22,034 hours from the decks of INS Viraat. She has spent nearly 2,250 days at sea sailing 5,88,288 NM (10,94,215 km).This implies that Viraat has been at sea for over six years covering the entire globe about 27 times. She played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 (Indian Peace Keeping operations in Sri Lanka) and Operation Vijay in the year 1999 (Kargil War). The ship has also participated in various international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy), Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy) and has been an integral element of all major naval exercises, the spokesperson added.The last operational deployment of the ship was for participation in International Fleet Review (IFR-2016) at Visakhapatnam. Having served the country and the Navy for nearly three decades, INS Viraat handed over the mantle of carrier operations to INS Vikramaditya, which was commissioned in the year 2013.The second aircraft carrier of the country has spent 29 years under the Indian Flag and 27 years with the Royal Navy (United Kingdom). The ship holds the Guinness Record for being the oldest serving warshipINS Viraat is a Centaur-Class Aircraft Carrier and served in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, which was the flag ship of Royal Navy during the Falk Lands Campaign of 1982. She is commonly referred to as the ‘Grand Old Lady’ among Indian Naval Officers and Sailors. — PTI

India gets Swiss backing on NSG entry, PM heads to US
PM Narendra Modi shakes hands with Switzerland President Johann Schneider-Ammann in Geneva on Monday. PTI
Simran Sodhi
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today secured the support of Switzerland for India’s entry into the elite 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
For India, this is a significant diplomatic achievement as it is working hard to get into the elite grouping. India formally applied for NSG membership on May 12 and later this month, when the plenary meeting of the NSG takes place in Seoul, India’s membership candidature is likely to be discussed.
After securing Switzerland’s support, Modi will now seek the support of the US and Mexico, which he will visit over the course of the next few days. The membership works by consensus and China has already made noises that India, a non-signatory to the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), cannot be admitted into the NSG.
In another sign that things with the US may also not be that smooth, The New York Times in an editorial on Sunday made a case that India does not merit membership into the NSG.
In Geneva today, Swiss President Johan Schneider-Ammann said: “We have promised India support in its efforts to become a member of the NSG.” He made the statement after holding talks with Modi.
In his statement to the media, Modi thanked “the President for Switzerland’s understanding and support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group”. Besides securing Swiss support for India’s candidature, the other big issue that was discussed between the two leaders was that of black money.
The PM also reached out to the business community in Switzerland and invited them to invest in India.
Later in the day, Modi left for Washington DC. The US tour will be watched most closely, with the PM scheduled to address a joint session of the US Congress on June 8.
Modi is also expected to ask US President Barack Obama for his country’s support for India’s entry into the NSG.

Better cooperation on black money

• Switzerland has assured India of stepping up cooperation in unearthing black money stashed by Indians in its banks
• PM Narendra Modi raised the issue of black money and tax evasion by Indians with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Amman
• Switzerland will send a state secretary for international financial matters to India on June 14 to explore enhancing cooperation on the issue

The Army must be allowed to bring militancy under control to a point where those professing it realise that the time has come to talk. Yes, people will die in the ensuing action, then so be it. Kashmir is Indian territory. If those owing allegiance to Pakistan’s ISI continue to create instability, then they must face the music.

The situation in J&K is such that the Army is damned if it acts and damned if it does not. It needs the government’s backing. AFP

A few days ago, a picture was posted on Facebook showing a young CRPF jawan lying on the ground being kicked by gloating hooligans who believe they have the right to treat our security forces as such, and are the answer to Kashmir’s problems. That was for me a case of “enough is enough”.These hooligans seem to believe that India will succumb to their macho instincts. By now they should have realised that Kashmir is a part of India, as Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the Instrument of Accession on August 18, 1947, long before they were born. That was then the condition laid down for all Indian princely states, and that signature made Kashmir an integral part of India, notwithstanding the regular hiccups from Pakistan or from their sympathisers in the Valley.Recently, a mobile patrol of 14 RR near Bandipura was attacked. Tomorrow it may be some other military establishment. The headquarters of 5 Corps at Srinagar was attacked in the past. The pattern is consistent, when military activity is curtailed or subdued, militancy rises. History has on so many occasions shown us that unless the writ of the government is firmly established, negotiations are futile.This phenomenon of the Valley turning out for a militant’s funeral will happen and will grow unless the government acts. The past is full of incidents which have strengthened militancy through appeasement. We today have Mehbooba Mufti as the Chief Minister, whose penchant for playing with fire is well established. We had militants being released in the past for her sister Rubaiya Sayeed; the first act of appeasement.  Her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was then the Union Home Minister. We then had the Delhi-Kathmandu flight hijacked to Kandahar in 1999. Three prominent militants in custody were released, including Maulana Masood Azhar of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. This was followed by an attack on our Parliament in December 2001, with Azhar being the mastermind. Appeasement only leads to the strengthening of the militants’ morale, while demoralising that of one’s own forcesIt was after the failure of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Operation Gibraltar in 1965, that the ISI escalated its involvement in Kashmir. When the holy relic of the Prophet was stolen in Srinagar in 1964 and riots broke out, all that was required to quell the riots were four Punjab Armed Police battalions. Look at the force level today? This is not the fault of the Army or the other security forces, but a confused Kashmir policy that has brought the current situation to the fore. The Army can contain a situation to a point, it is then for the Government of India (GoI) to take whatever political initiatives are required. The trouble is that before the Army brings Kashmir to the point necessary for negotiations, dabbling commences and the first casualty is the Army itself.Those who do not have any experience of counter-insurgency operations seem to comment the most and do untold harm to the system. These are not riots, as the PDP MP, Muzaffar Baig, would make us believe by quoting a Supreme Court ruling, but full-fledged insurgency. This procedure is not possible in a full-fledged battle and I believe, has not been the intention in the SC’s judgment.The Army must be allowed to bring militancy under control to a point where those professing it realise that the time has come to talk. Yes, people will die in the ensuing action, then so be it. Kashmir is Indian territory.  If those owing allegiance to Pakistan’s ISI continue to create instability then they must face the music. The Burhan Wanis may be the glamour boys for many, to India they are the perpetrators of violence and separatism. Let them not live with a mistaken belief that they have the upper hand.The Government of India must allow freedom of action to the Army. The directive must be just one: “Bring a situation in the state where the writ of India runs and not that of the ISI”. Yes, in the ensuing clashes collateral damage will take place. No soldier likes such action. He is trained to face the enemy, not protecting his back against treacherous elements. We have had this experience in Nagaland, Manipur etc. The British army considered their Northern Ireland commitment prior to peace with the IRA, in the same light. It was the IRA which finally decided to talk peace when they could not face growing military pressure.In such situations, the government must support any military action taken. Unfortunately, this has not been the situation. For instance, in Budgam when a car broke through a military checkpoint in November 2014, the soldiers manning the post opened fire, as was their duty. One officer and eight jawans were court-martialled and imprisoned. Penalising soldiers for doing what was expected of them is unacceptable. It is for the Chief and his Northern Army Commander to stand by their men in the difficult duty they are performing and not succumb to political pressures. A patrol was mobbed in the Qazigund area and an effort was made by the mob to snatch weapons from the soldiers, the patrol had to open fire to extricate itself, in which one man and two women were killed. The Army says it “deeply regretted” the incident and an inquiry has been ordered. This is ludicrous. Are we becoming an army of girl guides? What would have happened to the patrol leader had they managed to snatch the weapons? It seems the current policy is that you are wrong if you do and you are also wrong if you don’t – an absurd situation.In the late 1950s, my battalion was in Nagaland. The orders were that no Naga would be dressed in khaki and would carry a weapon. One day, in the early morning mist an NCO-led patrol came across a Naga in khaki with what looked like a weapon (it was a staff). When challenged, he panicked and ran and the patrol opened fire killing him. It so happened, his daughter worked in the PMO. In the rumpus that followed, the PM demanded the battalion be disbanded. The Army Chief, General Thimmaya, refused to comply. He stood by his battalion and his NCO. Here we are today still serving the country. This is what the Army expects from our Chief and our Army commanders. It would be appropriate to end with a quote from President Obama’s statement on the recent violence against the police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: “I want to be clear: there is no justification for violence against law enforcement. None. These attacks are the work of cowards who speak for no one. They right no wrongs. They advance no causes”. This in full applies to Kashmir.

The writer, the Congress MP from Amritsar, is a military historian.

File photo of Colonel Santosh Mahadik who attained martyrdom while leading his troops in an encounter with a group of three terrorists in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. PTI

New Delhi, June 7

Swati Mahadik, wife of Army commando Col Santosh Mahadik, who was killed during an anti-militancy operation in Jammu and Kashmir, is all set to follow her husband’s footsteps into the Army.Col Mahadik and his men were ambushed on November 17 last year when they were combing forests near the LoC for infiltrating militants. Mahadik was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously on the Republic Day.Swati (32), a mother of two appeared for the Services Selection Board (SSB).She had decided to appear for the SSB interview following relaxation of age given to her by the government.“The final list should be out soon. Only then can we know the status of her application. If she clears, Swati Mahadik has to go to Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai where women officers are trained.“It is after her training that she will be posted as per her request and requirement,” said a senior official.— PTI

http://www.cag.gov.in/sites/default/files/audit_report_files/Union_Performance_Defence_Exservicemen_Scheme_Report_51_2015.pdf

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti interacts with NCC cadets in Srinagar. A Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar June 5

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has said people of Jammu and Kashmir would never allow themselves to get entrapped in the ominous situation of death and destruction perpetuated in most Muslim countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.“We have to ponder over the gory saga of death and destruction being perpetuated in most Muslim countries around the world, including the neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan where even schools and hospitals are not spared by the perpetrators of violence,” Mehbooba said while addressing the participants of the Special National Integration Camp-2016 organised by the NCC at the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre here last evening.Mehbooba said J&K had distinct religious and cultural ethos and the emancipated people of the state would never allow themselves to get entrapped in such an ominous situation. “And I am sure our well-informed and bright youth will lead us out of this gloomy scenario of death and destruction,” she said.Urging youth to become a part of the “movement for peace and change”, the CM said the young generation should become a potent voice to denounce violence which has only brought miseries. “Violence has no religion and it just consumes everybody. I urge J&K’s youth to come forward and help us in making peace a reality in the state and ending the miseries of the people.”Mehbooba said the main source of J&K’s confidence was its human resource. “It is heartening to note that even after going through the most difficult times, our young boys and girls are doing us proud in whatever field they choose,” she said.The Chief Minister said the youth remain both delicate and strategic assets. “Delicate because they are prone and susceptible to all sorts of influences, both good and bad. Strategic assets because they constitute our future, and equally they are also very influential and energetic,” she said.Around 400 NCC cadets and staff representing all states and union territories of the country are participating in the Special National Integration camp.The Chief Minister, on her arrival at the camp was received by Maj Gen SS Jakhar, Additional Director General, NCC.

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 15

India today reacted strongly to Pakistan’s decision to observe July 19 as ‘Black Day’ to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, calling it provocative and interference in its internal affairs.Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, addressing a Cabinet meeting in Lahore, described the Kashmiri movement as a “movement of freedom” and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue giving moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris in their “just struggle for the right to self-determination”, Radio Pakistan said.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a hard-hitting statement, said: “India completely and unequivocally rejects in entirety the decisions adopted by the Cabinet of Pakistan. We are dismayed at the continued attempts by Pakistan to interfere in our internal matters.” The killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani has brought back the focus on the Kashmir imbroglio. While India maintains it is a bilateral issue, Pakistan is making every effort to ‘internationalise’ the Wani killing, which it has termed as ‘extra-judicial’. The Pakistan Cabinet has decided to convene a joint session of parliament to discuss the situation in J&K. This is certain to provoke India further. The MEA today termed Pakistan’s actions as ‘self-serving’. “The attempts in Pakistan by various players to ingratiate themselves to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the run-up to the so-called elections in territories under Pakistan’s illegal occupation will not succeed,” the MEA said. Panel to find a way forward in ValleySrinagar: The Centre has set up a panel headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to look into the unrest in Kashmir and find a way out. Other members are Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, NSA Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrish, IB Director Dineshwar Sharma, the chief of the Research and Analysis Wing and the Defence Secretary. Rajnath Singh, meanwhile, held a meeting in New Delhi to  review security in the wake of the Kashmir turmoil and terror attack in France. He was told that the Valley was slowly returning to normalcy. — Azhar Qadri

India hits back as Pak says will mark black day on J&K deaths

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Pakistan said on Friday it will observe July 19 as a “black day” to protest against killings in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing an angry reaction from India which again accused Islamabad of interfering in New Delhi’s internal affairs and backing terrorism.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif proposed the observance of the “black day” while chairing a meeting of his cabinet in Lahore that discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been roiled by protests over the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani last week.

Sharif and Pakistan’s foreign ministry have angered India by referring to Wani, a commander of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, as a “Kashmiri leader” and describing his death as an “extrajudicial killing”. At least 37 people have died in protests following Wani’s killing.

India again dismissed Pakistan’s criticism of its handling of the situation in Kashmir, saying it was “dismayed” at Islamabad’s continued attempts “to interfere in our internal matters” where external parties have no role.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: “India completely and unequivocally rejects in entirety the decisions adopted by the cabinet of Pakistan on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir…” “Continued glorification of terrorists belonging to proscribed terrorist organisations makes it amply clear where Pakistan’s sympathies continue to lie,” he said

Swarup asked Pakistan to “respond constructively” to India’s initiatives for peace and normalising bilateral ties.

Despite the ire expressed by India in the past few days, Sharif again described Wani as a “martyr of (the) independence movement” on Friday. He also characterised the “movement of Kashmiris as a movement of freedom”. During the cabinet meeting, Sharif trotted out Pakistan’s stated position of extending “moral, political and diplomatic support” to Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. The cabinet also decided to convene a joint session of parliament on the Kashmir situation Calling on the UN to fulfill its “incomplete agenda” on Kashmir, Sharif said, “I and entire Pakistan nation steadfastly stand by Kashmiris against Indian oppression.” Describing the “freedom movement” as terrorism amounted to sheer dishonesty by India, he said.

Sharif ’s cabinet asked India to hold dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and to include Kashmiri leaders in the process. He directed government departments to highlight alleged “atrocities” in Jammu and Kashmir at international forums. The cabinet also offered prayers for what it described as the “martyrs of Kashmir”.

Rebutting Pakistan, Swarup said Islamabad’s “self serving actions” to derive political mileage out of recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir had followed “planned infiltration and terrorism aimed at India”.

He hinted attempts by various players in Pakistan to ingratiate themselves with the Kashmiri people were aimed at forthcoming polls in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “We hope that Pakistan will desist from further interfering in India’s internal affairs and destabilising the situation in South Asia through support to terrorism and other subversive acts,” he added.

PINJORE: He is hard of hearing and has lost his teeth. Naik Sarup Singh, 105, doesn’t have any medical problem as such. The soldier inside him is still alive. “I never feared, though had a close shave with death several times during the World War II and 1947-48 Indo-Pak conflict. I never got injured in the army,” he says.

On Wednesday, 15 Punjab, which has a history of 311 years and is one of the oldest regiments, reached Chira village in Pinjore to honour its only alive soldier who fought the Battle of Zoji La in the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war.

“I have met my ‘paltan’ after 56 years,” says Sarup Singh. “I am thankful to you,” he adds.

Subedar Satnam Singh handed him an appreciation letter of Commanding Officer of 15 Punjab, Col Vikas Sharma, `25,000 in cash and a trophy.

In his message to his ‘paltan’, Sarup said, “I am honoured. Chardi kalan to all ranks. I am thankful. Khalsa ji ki fateh.” THE BATTLE OF ZOJI LA

On May 11, 1948, the First Patiala (now 15 Punjab) was flown from Jammu to Srinagar for securing Zoji La pass (11,000 ft) through which passed the strategic Srinagar-Leh highway. Sarup Singh was part of the recee patrol. “He went as close as 50mt from enemy positions and weapons. The attack followed and we succeeded. It is because of such people that 15 Punjab is respected,” said Subedar Satnam Singh, who had come on behalf of 15 Punjab. The battle earned the First Patiala eight Maha Vir Chakras and 18 Vir Chakras. It not only evicted the Pakistan Army from the pass, but also cleared the looming threat to the Valley. Furthermore, the battalion continued its advance up to Kargil and linked up with Indian troops arriving from Leh and thus saved Ladakh. 15 Punjab now celebrates Zoji La Day to celebrate the victory. Sarup Singh came home after 18-month-long engagement in the battlefield. TURNS 106 TOMORROW

Sarup turns 106 on July 15. Born in 1911, he got recruited in the army in 1941. He was engaged to a girl before the World War II but couldn’t solemnise his marriage and finally got hitched when he was 42. His wife is also fit and is now 86-year-old.

None of Sarup’s three sons could join the army. Now, his grandson Malkiat Singh is aiming to join 15 Punjab.

Sarup retired in 1959 and later worked as a security guard in a cement factory in Pinjore.

“I only trust God. Everything belongs to him. All human beings are a same community.” He is said to have saved the lives of 116 Muslims at Karanpur village in Pinjore when riots broke out after the Partition in 1947. “Villagers wanted to kill Muslim men and violate their women. But I resisted and succeeded,” he says.

He had a gun and gave shelter to Muslims in his house for over a month.

He got late in joining back to unit by 45 days but when he told the reason he was honoured. “Families which migrated to Pakistan later also kept coming to meet him,” said Rajinder Singh, eldest son of Sarup Singh.

Once 45 of his colleagues died but not a single pellet touched him in Java (Indonesia) in World War II. Later during 1947-48 Indo Pak war, Sarup and others from his unit were surrounded from all sides and their ammunition got exhausted.