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Brig Kuldeep S Khalon views on Agniveer & other issues concerning the well being of def community
Isn’t army responsible for the soldier’s welfare?Are soldiers serving away from home not safe anymore ,police has upper hand in all sates
BSF to get 16 new battalions, 2 field HQs for Pakistan, Bangladesh borders
The BSF guards a total of 6,726 km of the two borders which includes 2,290 km of the India-Pakistan International Border and 339 km along the Line of Control (LoC) apart from 4,097 km of the front with Bangladesh
The Border Security Force (BSF) is all set to get the government’s final nod to raise 16 more battalions, comprising around 17,000 troopers, and set up two forward headquarters for its western and eastern commands guarding the Pakistan and Bangladesh frontiers, respectively, official sources have said.
The plan has already received an in-principle approval. Once sanctioned, it will be a shot in the arm for the force that has heightened vigil in the east following last year’s fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh and in the wake of a renewed challenge on the Pakistan front after the Pahalgam massacre.
The BSF is soon expected to get the final sanction for raising 16 new battalions which will be raised over the next few years, sources in the security establishment told PTI.
Some final approvals, including sanction from the Union Finance Ministry are pending and are expected to be granted soon, they said.
The paramilitary force has 193 battalions as of now to guard the two fronts. A battalion of the border force consists of over 1,000 troopers. Hence, the overall strength of the 16 new battalions will be around 17,000 personnel.
These new battalions will help the BSF in its primary task of guarding the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders as per a blueprint being prepared by the border force, they said.
The sources said two field command bases for the force have also been approved by the Union Home Ministry.
One sector will come up in Jammu to strengthen security along the India-Pakistan International Border in Jammu and Punjab and the second will be based in Mizoram for better surveillance of the Bangladesh border, they said.
The current sectors, headed by deputy inspector general (DIG) rank officers, in its Jammu frontier are located at Rajouri, Sunderbani, Jammu and Indreshwar Nagar. Under its Mizoram and Cachar frontier headquartered in Assam, the sectors are located at Silchar, Aizawl and one in Manipur.
Sources said the BSF will initiate recruitment drives to hire men and women for these new battalions, followed by their training. The force is expected to raise these units over a period of five to six years, they added.
According to officials, the 2.70-lakh personnel force had sent a proposal to the home ministry a few years ago to raise 20-21 new battalions owing to “the fast-changing security dynamics, profile of the terrain and related issues” in its primary task area of guarding the two borders apart from combat duties in the anti-Naxal operations theatre. The government finally agreed to raise 16 new battalions, they said.
The BSF guards a total of 6,726 km of the two borders which includes 2,290 km of the India-Pakistan International Border and 339 km along the Line of Control (LoC) apart from 4,097 km of the front with Bangladesh.
A total of around 1,047 km of these two borders is unfenced owing to those lines passing through riverine areas and harsh jungle terrain. The force has 1,760 border posts along these two frontiers.
Probe: Satellite phone signals detected during Pahalgam terror attack
Investigators are now focusing on identifying the make of the satellite phone, with initial suspicion pointing to a possible Chinese origin
Animesh Singh Tribune News Service
Amid the ongoing investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, security agencies are reported to have detected satellite phone signals in the region at the time of the incident.
According to sources, intelligence agencies found that satellite phone signals were active in and around Baisaran Valley when the April 22 attack occurred. Investigators are now focusing on identifying the make of the satellite phone, with initial suspicion pointing to a possible Chinese origin.
This discovery suggests that the terrorists involved — who gunned down 26 civilians — were likely in communication with one another before and possibly during the attack. Earlier reports had indicated that no communication signals were traced within a 50-km radius for nearly a week leading up to the assault, making this a significant new lead in the investigation.
The latest development also aligns with intelligence inputs indicating the involvement of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), the ISI and even the Pakistani army.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) formally took over the probe on April 27.
Meanwhile, LeT overground workers are believed to have played a critical role in facilitating the attack. Efforts are underway to compile a comprehensive list of their contacts so that action can be taken. Investigators have found that these overground operatives were also in communication with handlers based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Advanced 3D mapping and artificial intelligence tools are being employed to recreate the sequence of events during the attack, sources said.
UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on Indo-Pak situation today
Pakistan currently sits as a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation Security Council
The UN Security Council will hold closed consultations on Monday on the situation between India and Pakistan after Islamabad sought an emergency meeting on the issue.
Pakistan currently sits as a non-permanent member of the powerful 15-nation Security Council, which is being presided over by Greece for the month of May.
Islamabad “requested closed consultations” on the tensions between the two countries and the Greek Presidency has scheduled the meeting for May 5 in the afternoon.
Apart from the five veto-wielding permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — the 10 non-permanent members in the Council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia.
Amid rising tensions between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations and president of the Security Council for the month of May Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris had last week said that if a request comes for a meeting to discuss the situation between India and Pakistan, “then… I think this meeting should take place because, as we said, maybe it’s also an opportunity to have views expressed and this might help to defuse a bit of tension”.
“We are in close contact…but this is something which might happen, I would say, sooner rather than later. We will see, we are preparing,” Sekeris had said.
In response to a question by PTI on India being a victim of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, which now sits in the Council as a non-permanent member, Sekeris said, “It’s an issue which is very pertinent.”
“As I said before, as a position of principle, we strongly condemn any act of terrorism and this is what we did” on the “heinous terrorist attack” that took place in Pahalgam in which innocent civilians died, Sekeris said.
Sekeris noted that “we express our condolences to the government of India, Nepal and the families of victims. This is a position of principle. We condemn terrorism in all its forms, everywhere it is happening. On the other hand, we are concerned about this tension which is mounting in the region. Two very big countries. Of course, India is far bigger” than Pakistan.
Varun Sharma back as Patiala SSP
Replaces Nanak Singh, who gets DIG Patiala Range charge
Varun Sharma, a 2014-batch IPS officer, will replace Nanak Singh to become the new Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Patiala, following a recent transfer order issued by the state government.
While Varun Sharma was replaced last year as the SSP of Patiala by Nanak Singh, the latter has been asked to look after the charge of the DIG Patiala Range following the superannuation Mandeep Singh Sidhu.
Talking to The Tribune, Sharma said he was fortunate to have been given a chance again to serve Patiala, where he remained the SSP till August last year. “I will ensure that all government directions are followed in letter and spirit and the police are available to serve the common man. We will have zero tolerance towards drug peddlers,” he said.
Known for his professional approach to work, Sharma said, “Maintaining the overall law and order situation in Patiala will be my priority, with special emphasis on safety of women and children. Corruption will not be tolerated at any level.”
In August last year, Nanak Singh, a 2011-batch IPS officer, had joined as the Patiala SSP. He will now look after the charge of DIG, Patiala Range, as his promotion is due in a few days and it is expected that he would continue on the post.
After being shifted from Patiala last year, Varun Sharma was posted as AIG Provisioning, Punjab, and SSP, Sadak Surakhya Force, Punjab.
Kashmir IGP chairs joint security meet
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, VK Birdi, on Sunday chaired a joint security review meeting attended by senior officials from various security and intelligent agencies, including the police, Army, intelligence agencies and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The meeting…
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, VK Birdi, on Sunday chaired a joint security review meeting attended by senior officials from various security and intelligent agencies, including the police, Army, intelligence agencies and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
The meeting saw participation from IG BSF FTR Kashmir, IG CRPF Srinagar, officials from the Intelligence Bureau, Traffic Police, the Army and other security stakeholders.
At the onset, officials briefed IGP Kashmir on the prevailing security situation, with particular emphasis on addressing existing and emerging security challenges in the Valley.
Key areas of discussion included intelligence gathering, threat assessments, emergency response preparedness and enhancing coordination among agencies.
Pak targets 8 sites along LoC; Army hits back, damages posts
In a major response to continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Army launched retaliatory fire, inflicting severe damage on several Pakistani posts along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistani forces targeted Indian positions using small arms across multiple sectors in…
Arjun Sharma
In a major response to continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Army launched retaliatory fire, inflicting severe damage on several Pakistani posts along the Line of Control (LoC).
Pakistani forces targeted Indian positions using small arms across multiple sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Jammu districts. Firing was reported from eight specific locations.
An Army official said, “During the night of 3–4 May, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajauri, Mendhar, Nowshera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor in J&K. Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately.”
Ceasefire violations began on the night of April 24, shortly after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The initial incidents were reported from areas in the Kashmir region and have since expanded along the LoC.
The Pakistani side reportedly initiated the firing without provocation during the intervening night of April 24–25. Since then, the violations have continued for ten consecutive days. The Army has instructed troops to retaliate to any Pakistani misadventure. This marks the longest period of continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan since the 2021 agreement, which had brought relative peace to the borders.
Reliable sources have confirmed that many Pakistani posts have been heavily damaged in the Indian retaliation. The sustained cross-border firing has revived fear among residents of border villages, who had previously suffered due to Pakistani shelling.
Informed CRPF before marrying Pak woman; Sacked jawan seeks intervention of PM, Shah
Munir Ahmed plans to challenge his dismissal in court in the coming days
A day after being dismissed from service for allegedly concealing his marriage to a Pakistani citizen and harbouring her beyond her visa’s validity, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper Munir Ahmed on Sunday appealed to the Prime Minister and Home Minister for justice. Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Ahmed said he had married his cousin Minal Khan, only after informing his department in the CRPF.
Ahmed, a resident of Gharotra in Jammu, said their marriage was arranged by their families and vowed to challenge his dismissal in court.
“I joined CRPF in 2017. In 2022, I told the department that I am planning to marry my cousin…the department put some objections…they demanded the wedding card and venue of the marriage along with the date… I cleared things in 2023 and gave it to the authorities…my request went to DIG Hiranagar and then to IG sector Jammu…they also demanded some more details from me after which I got the affidavits…then my request was forwarded to New Delhi” he said.nd pictures to support his claim, Ahmed said, “After getting the nod from the headquarters, our families decided to go ahead with the marriage online without waiting for the visa after the condition of my father, a cancer patient, deteriorated. His treatment was also borne by the force.”
The CRPF personnel said he had applied for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), but he was told that such a provision does not exist. He claimed that he had completed the formalities by informing the government about his marriage to a foreign national in accordance in line with regulations.
“My wife is the daughter of my maternal uncle, who migrated from Jammu to Pakistan during the partition in 1947,” Ahmed said, terming the social media reports that they met online and fell in love as false.
Minal Khan entered India through the Wagah-Attari border on February 28 this year. Her short-term visa ended on March 14. However, the High Court stayed her deportation, considering her application for a long-term visa (LTV) and how she is currently residing at Ahmed’s Jammu residence.
“One day I got a mail regarding exit permit of my wife in which it was told that she has to leave India. I told them that my wife is under LTV which was agreed by the authorities,” claimed Ahmed.
Ahmed said he returned from leave and reported to the battalion headquarters at Sunderbani on March 25. But on March 27, “I was handed over a transfer order and posted with 41st Battalion at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh without providing 15 days mandatory joining period.
“I was given the order copy and relieved immediately, leaving me with no option but to join my duties in Bhopal, where I joined on March 29. I faced the interview of the commanding officer and his deputy on reaching there and completed the documentation process, mentioning my marriage to a Pakistani woman,” he said, adding he had also updated his marital status in the battalion data record book.
