Islamabad, January 2

The Pakistan Army claimed to have shot down an “Indian spy quadcopter” flying over the Pakistani side of the Line of Control in Bagh sector, a claim strongly rejected by the Indian Army.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations–the Pakistan Army’s media wing–released the picture of the drone in a tweet on Tuesday.

“Pakistan Army troops shot down Indian spy quadcopter in Bagh sector along Line of Control (LoC),” he said in the tweet.

Ghafoor said not even a quadcopter would be allowed to cross (the) LoC.

In New Delhi, the Indian Army sources strongly rejected the Pakistan Army’s claim of shooting down the “Indian spy quadcopter”, saying no such incident happened along the LoC.

According to the Pakistani defence officials, “four intruding Indian drones were shot down by Pakistani forces last year”. PTI

India’s security system is in deep trouble; deep reform is crucial

Manoj Joshi
Distinguished fellow, observer research foundation, New Delhi

The allocation for defence in the 2019-20 Budget is over Rs 4.31 lakh crore as against last year’s revised figure of around Rs 4.05 lakh crore, a 6.4 per cent increase over the revised estimates. Since the total government expenditure for the coming year is Rs 27.84 lakh crore,  it represents a figure of 15.5 per cent of the Central government expenditure, as compared to that of 16.5 per cent last year.

With a Rs 210 lakh crore GDP estimate, the proportion spent on defence amounts to 2.05 per cent, which is considered quite respectable. But if, as per the Ministry of Defence (MoD) convention, we count only the revenue and capital expenditures, and minus the Rs 17,000 crore spent on the MoD, we come up with another more alarming figure of 1.4 per cent. It has come down from 2.08 per cent, when the Modi government assumed office in 2014-2015.

Another figure teases out the full picture better — that of capital expenditure. The Rs 1.03 lakh crore spent on the capital outlay of the defence services represents 30.7 per cent of all capital expenditures of the Central government. So, the country is spending one-third of its annual outlay of capital expenditure on defence, which is why it is obviously short-changing education, health, social welfare and infrastructure.

Last year, all three services complained that they were not even provided enough money to pay for ongoing acquisitions, leave alone new ones. The Navy wanted Rs 36,000 crore as capital outlay but was only given Rs 20,900 crore. The Army projected Rs 45,000 crore, but was given Rs 26,813 crore, which would have not even taken care of its ongoing commitments totalling Rs 29,033 crore. The fact that the government has increased the capital outlay by nearly 10 per cent to Rs 1.03 lakh crore means little.

Indeed, before the Budget, there were a slew of announcements declaring that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved of a submarine project worth Rs 40,000 crore and okayed Rs 1,200 crore for the Milan anti-tank missile. In December, there was approval for four Talwar class frigates and Brahmos missiles for Rs 3,000 crore; in September, Rs 9,100 crore for Akash missiles and some other schemes; in August, the procurement of 111 utility helicopters for the Navy worth Rs 21,000 crore, and another set of equipment costing Rs 24,879 crore; in June, there was an approval of defence equipment worth Rs 5,500 crore.

Clearly, there is something unreal about these decisions, given the available resources. According to one observer, the DAC cleared  ‘Project 75I’ submarines in January for the third time in the last decade, which has also, uncharacteristically, seen the overall cost of the project coming down in each instance. And, of course, we have the controversial Rafale deal for which we will presumably have to begin payment in 2019-2020.

That all this appears shambolic is not surprising. India’s defence system is in deep trouble and little or nothing is being done about it. Simply put, the system cannot be run effectively unless it undergoes deep reform, which, in the circumstances, can only be carried out by the political class. PM Modi seems to be uninterested in this process; he’s happy to live in a make-believe world of Bollywood achievements. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lacks the clout to push through anything.

A country like India has many serious security challenges. It is no one’s case that it should cut defence expenditure. But there is something no Indian should forget — our principal national goal is to end mass poverty and deprivation in the country. Experts will tell you that the poverty rate has halved over the past decade. But that only means people who earn roughly $3 or Rs 230 a day and Rs 6,800 a month. This means that a family must feed, clothe and shelter itself within that amount.

The elephant in the room, too, is well known. The figure of Rs 1.22 lakh crore paid out as defence pensions is nearly one-third of the defence expenditure. No one grudges the ex-servicemen their pensions and their right to OROP. But the government cannot make that as an excuse to underfund the military. Another like amount, roughly Rs 1.25 lakh crore are the pay and allowances of the defence personnel, including the civilians working there.

While there can be huge savings through integration of the three services, reducing headquarter formations, joint logistics, training and housing, manpower cost is the real challenge.

Compared with other militaries, given the threats we confront, the overall numbers are OK. However, there is considerable room to re-distribute personnel — reducing the Army, enhancing the Air Force, Navy and specialised personnel who can service the new military, which needs to be better networked and supported.

While pay and allowances cannot be grudged, there is need to keep the pension bill low. There is a way to manage this, if there is a ‘whole of the government’ approach. This means insisting on a compulsory stretch in the military for all those wanting government jobs. A five to seven-year service in the armed forces would have an 18-year-old available for recruitment in the civil services, paramilitary and the police at the ages of 23-25.

The Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence did recommend a compulsory five-year service as a pre-condition for jobs in the Union and state governments. Not surprisingly, the proposal is still doing the rounds of the government.

In an unprecedented feat, the Indian Army successfully repaired its advanced light helicopter Dhruv at its crash site in Siachen glacier and flew it back to the Siachen base camp, New Indian Express has reported.

As per the report, the helicopter belonging to the 203 Army Aviation Squadron had crashed at about 17,000 feet near the Khanda post in January and was initially left to its fate.

As per an ANI report, the helicopter was on an air maintenance sortie when it developed a snag and had to be landed into the snow. It subsequently fell sideways due to overnight snow.

In subsequent inspections by the army, officials felt that the chopper can be repaired and a plan was initiated after getting due approval from the General Officer Commanding of the 14 Corps and the Director-General of Army Aviation Corps.

Under this plan, a squadron was dispatched from Khanda on a 15-day journey to repair the helicopter. Under extreme climate ranging between 25 to 30 degree Celsius below zero, the team started working on the helicopter under various physical and technical difficulties.

On most days the window of opportunity to work on the helicopter was just 60 to 90 minutes but despite all odds, the team managed to affix new parts to make it operational.

This feat has been described as a world record of sorts and it is the first time the Indian Army has successfully retrieved a chopper which crashed in the Siachen region.

Was awarded Shaurya Chakra for bravely fighting terrorists at Akshardham Temple

Col Dilbag Dabas (Retd)

Rajesh had always abided by the advice of his parents in letter and in spirit except once when he was in his late teens. For once he defied his parents and even had his way but only after he had convinced them. Since he was good in academics right from the beginning, his father Dr Puran Chand Sharma wanted him to become a doctor or an engineer or pursue higher education and take up a good white collar job. Rajesh, however, had already chosen the career for himself and spoke his heart: “Papa, naukri hi karni hai to fauj ki karunga aur aise karunga ki aapko apne bête par garv hoga”.

Even his mother Reshma Sharma was not comfortable sending her only son to the Army but the reason she gave, “Beta, hamare khandan mein to fauj mein jaane ka rivaz hi nahi hai” did not convince Rajesh. He spoke most cordially yet confidently, “Mummy, main ye riwaz shuru karna chahta hun”. Realising the patriotic fervour of young Rajesh, the Sharmas happily allowed their only son have his way.

Rajesh was born in Kirori village of Hisar district on February 15, 1975. After senior secondary from Vaish School and graduation from Maharishi Dayanand University, both in Rohtak, he joined the prestigious Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned into 6th Battalion of Rajputana Rifles Infantry Regiment on December 6, 1997. After two years, Rajesh Sharma, as a young Captain, moved to 2nd Rajputana Rifles and was part of this battalion during its outstanding performance in the Kargil War. 

Captain Rajesh Sharma, for his demonstrated courage during the Kargil War, was absorbed in a newly raised Parachute Battalion. After three months of probation and five mandatory parachute jumps, he was permanently seconded to Parachute Regiment as a promising paratrooper. The National Security Guard (NSG), always on the lookout for the daredevils, found one and got Capt Rajesh Sharma posted on its establishment. It is during his challenging deputation with the NSG that Captain Rajesh Sharma exhibited the stuff he was made of when he almost single-handedly flushed out and eliminated two terrorists from the Akshardham Temple complex in Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat). For his daredevil act, Captain Rajesh Sharma was deservedly awarded the Shaurya Chakra. His citation for the award is available with the NSG as well as 23rd Parachute Battalion.

Rajesh, now a Colonel, after successfully commanding a Parachute Battalion in an operational area, is at present serving as Colonel General Staff (Planning) in the headquarters of a field formation.

Colonel Rajesh Sharma, the Shaurya Veer, too, has a son. For the past 21 years, his mother has watched him serve the motherland with pride and honour and is proud of her son. In fact, she is eagerly awaiting for the big day when her grandson too dons the oval greens and carries forward the glorious ‘rivaz’ started by his father.

The account of his bravery in War Diary of 23rd Parachute Battalion reads…

On September 24, 2002, some armed terrorists entered the Akshardham Swamy Narayan Temple complex in Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat) and started firing indiscriminately. The terrorists killed 30 people and injured over 100 present in the temple complex. To take stock of the critical situation and eliminate the terrorists, a special action group of the National Security Guard was flown in. Captain Rajesh Sharma, the leader of the action group, was tasked with locating and neutralising the two terrorists reported in the open patch outside the main complex. Despite daunting fire from the terrorists and lack of cover, leading his team from the front, this young officer continued to move forward. With total disregard to personal safety, Captain Sharma maintained pressure on the terrorists and kept them pinned down. He finally pinpointed the terrorists and gave covering fire to Subedar Suresh Chand while he closed in and killed one of the terrorists. Another terrorist inflicted a bullet injury on Captain Sharma’s left shoulder. The injury, however, did not deter this officer from his mission and he continued to press forward. In the final action, Captain Rajesh managed to locate and eliminate the second terrorist also. For his exemplary presence of mind, mature decision making and for displaying gallantry of a high order, Captain Rajesh Sharma was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

(The writer is a veteran Gunner, 6 Field Regiment)

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

Nirpreet Kaur was only 16 when she witnessed the horrific murder of her father in Delhi Cantonment’s Raj Nagar area on November 1, 1984.

“We were a very happy family. My father Nirmal Singh and mother Sampuran Kaur loved me a lot. Our house was located next to Raj Nagar Gurdwara that was defiled and torched by the communally charged mobs on November 1, 1984,” recalls Nirpreet Kaur, one of the three witnesses against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar.

Settled in Mohali now, Nirpreet says her mother had sent her to Punjab long ago fearing for her life.

“I remember every detail of that day. Then Congress MLA Mahendra Yadav and Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, who were known to my father, came to our house pretending to offer us security. But after my father let them in, they dragged him out. Two persons accompanying them tied my father up and Khokhar and Yadav beat him with iron rods before torching him to death,” says Nirpreet Kaur. Happy that Sajjan Kumar and other Congress leaders had been convicted for the murder of five Sikhs, besides defiling the gurdwara in Delhi Cantonment, Nirpreet says her fight for the resettlement of anti-Sikh riot survivors will continue.

Asked which part of her journey to justice was the toughest, she says the toughest part was when those who perpetrated the crime against her family began to torture her near and dear ones to intimidate her.

“They wanted me to withdraw the case. My close friend was killed and his death was shown as an accident. Then my mother was picked up and jailed. A false case under TADA was slapped against me. I spent nine years in jail, but did not go back on my word,” she says, pledging to keep helping the victims of 1984 carnage.

The HC today placed on record its appreciation for the fearlessness of witnesses Nirpreet Kaur, Jagdish Kaur and Jagsher Singh, saying it was due to their testimonials that Sajjan Kumar had been brought to justice

They wanted me to withdraw the case. My close friend was killed and his death was shown as an accident. Then my mother was picked up and jailed. A false TADA case was slapped against me. I spent nine years in jail, but did not go back on my word. —  Nirpreet Kaur, Witness 

‘Police post in charge asked the mobsters: Kitne murge bhun diye’

According to HC judgment: “Around 9 am on November 2, 1984, when Jagdish Kaur went to lodge a report at the police post, she saw that a public meeting was taking place which was attended by local MP Sajjan Kumar. She heard him declare ‘Sikh sala ek nahin bachna chahiye, jo Hindu bhai unko sharan deta hai, uska ghar bhi jala do aur unko bhi maro’”. She claimed she heard officer-in-charge of the police post ask mobsters “kitne murge bhun diye”.

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 25

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat is among 19 senior Army officials who have been conferred the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), the highest military medal awarded in recognition of peacetime services not relating to gallantry. Fifteen Lieutenant Generals and three Major Generals have been awarded the PVSM.

Two senior officers Lt Gen Surinder Singh, Western Army Commander, and Lt Gen MM Naravane, Eastern Army Commander, will be accorded the PVSM.

Besides, President Ram Nath Kovind approved one Ashoka Chakra, which is the highest gallantry award in peacetime, two Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award, nine Shaurya Chakras and 109 Sena medals for the Army personnel.

The Navy personnel will be decorated with seven Nao Sena medals and the IAF with two Vayu Sena medals for gallantry.

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani will be posthumously conferred with the Ashok Chakra. The Kirti Chakra will be awarded for separate acts of bravery to Major Tushar Gauba from the Jat Regiment and Sowar Vijay Kumar, 22 Rashtriya Rifles, the latter posthumously.

On May 24 last year, Major Gauba had eliminated three terrorists. Sowar Vijay Kumar was part of the operation. He got injured, but refused evacuation and killed two terrorists.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees include Capt Abhay Sharma, 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment. He was the party commander tasked to undertake patrolling against enemy Border Action Team along LoC in Jammu district in April last. Besides shooting down the enemy, the team also destroyed three bunkers, recovered enemy weapon and ensured safe extrication.

Lt Col Vikrant Prasher of 10 Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Amit Kumar Dimri from 14 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Imliakum Keitzar from 4th Gorkha Rifles, Major Rohit Lingwal of 9th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, Capt Abhinav Kumar Choudhary from 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Lance Naik Ayyub Ali from 9th battalion of Rashtriya Rifles, Sepoy Ajay Kumar, 42nd battalion of Rashtriya Rifles, and Sapper Mahesh HN, 44th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles also won the Shaurya Chakra.

In the IAF, both Vayu Sena medals for gallantry are for rescue efforts during floods. Wing Commander Bhuvanendran Nair Prasanth rescued 13 college girls stranded on a rooftop. Sergeant Amit Kumar Jha has been awarded for rescuing people during cyclonic storm “Ockhi” in Kerala.

In the Navy, Commander Vijay Verma, a helicopter pilot, is on the list for Nao Sena medal for gallantry. He had rescued two pregnant women during the floods. Another naval copter pilot Commander T Anup Kumar has been awarded for another daring rescue. Another copter pilot Lt Commander Manu Mishra saved a merchant vessel from spilling its cargo of toxic chemicals into the Bay of Bengal.

Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt Gen PM Hariz, whom Gen Rawat supereseded, were conferred the PVSM in 2017

Army Chief Rawat among 19 awarded PVSM, 2 Army men conferred Kirti Chakra

New Delhi, January 25

Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat is among 19 senior Army officials who have been conferred the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest military medal awarded in recognition of peace-time services not relating to gallantry.

Almost all commanders who became Army Chief in the past four decades had been decorated with the award before their appointment to the top post, according to defence experts.

Fifteen lieutenant generals and three major generals have also been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).

The defence ministry also announced Kirti Chakra—India’s second highest peacetime gallantry award—for Major Tushar Gauba from the Jat Regiment and Sowar Vijay Kumar ((posthumously)) from 22 Rashtriya Rifles.

Nine Army men have been awarded Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra.

Major Gauba has been given the award for displaying “unparallel bravery” while dealing with a group of terrorists along the Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir in May last year.

Army officials said he crawled up to 20 metres close to the terrorists under heavy firing and then lobbed a hand grenade. Showing utter disregard to his personal safety, he charged on the terrorists with his weapon.

“In close combat undeterred by the terrorists’ fire, he killed three militants. His act of unparallel bravery under heavy terrorist fire, tactical acumen and swift action resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists,” said an Army official.

About Vijay Kumar, Army officials said he was deployed in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir as part of “Operation Vijay Darsu” on August 2-3 last year.

During the operation, Kumar came under heavy fire from a group of heavily armed terrorists. However, despite being injured after killing one terrorist, he refused evacuation and went ahead to eliminate another in hand to hand combat.

He has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra for displaying “indomitable raw courage and exemplary bravery beyond the call of duty”.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees included Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher of 10 Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Amit Kumar Dimri from 14 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Imliakum Keitzar from 4^th Gorkha Rifles, Major Rohit Lingwal of 9^th battalion, Parachute Regiment and Captain Abhay Sharma, first battalion, Parachute Regiment, according to the defence ministry.

Captain Abhinav Kumar Choudhary from 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Lance Naik Ayyub Ali from 9^th battalion of Rashtriya Rifles, Sepoy Ajay Kumar, 42^ndbattalion of Rashtriya Rifles and Sapper Mahesh HN, 44^th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles also won the Shaurya Chakra.

Three lieutenant generals were chosen for Uttam Yudh Seva Medal while 32 army personnel have been conferred with Ati Vishisht Seva medal and nine with Yudh Seva medal.

According to the defence ministry, 103 Army personnel were awarded the Sena Medal (gallantry), 74 were given Vishisht Seva medal and 35 Army personnel were selected for Sena Medal (distinguished). PTI

Military Literature Festival kicks off at Lake Club today

Tiruchirappalli, January 20

To accelerate indigenous production of defence systems, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today inaugurated Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor that is expected to attract Rs 3,123.50 crore worth of investment.

Inaugurating the corridor, Sitharaman said the Centre had decided on two corridors — in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu — despite demands from states like Karnataka and Maharashtra.

She also spoke about the Defence Ministry’s initiatives to ensure that the Indian industry engages with the country’s armed forces to co-create best defence technologies. Sitharaman said the development of these specialised corridors will facilitate a well-planned and efficient industrial base.

Several public and private sector organisations announced investment projects worth about Rs 3,100 crore, said the Defence Ministry. Major players like Lockheed Martin, LMW and others announced their plans to set up units in the corridor.

The Ordinance Factory Board announced its plans to invest about Rs 2,305 crore. Among the investors are BEL (Rs 140.50 crore), BEML (Rs 40 crore), BDL (Rs 150 crore), MDL (Rs 15 crore), TVS (Rs 30 crore) and Data Patterns (Rs 75 crore). — IANS

Rs 3K-cr investment  

• Nirmala Sitharaman said UP too would have a defence corridor
• The aim, she said, was to facilitate well-planned and efficient industrial base
• TN corridor has attracted an investment of Rs 3,123.50 cr

Washington, December 5

Pakistan continues to use Afghan Taliban as a hedge against India, a top American commander has told lawmakers, as he expressed the US frustration over Islamabad’s failure to take concrete steps to deny safe havens to terrorist groups.

Marine Corps Lt General Kenneth McKenzie’s remarks came days after US President Donald Trump sought Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s help in the Afghan peace process.

The Trump administration, in the recent months, has intensified its efforts to seek a negotiated settlement of America’s longest war in Afghanistan where the US has lost over 2,400 soldiers since late 2001, when it invaded the country after the 9/11 terror attacks.

The Taliban are fighting to flush out US-led international forces and re-establish their regime in Afghanistan after their ouster in 2001.

“Pakistan is an essential element in long-term stability in Afghanistan,” McKenzie told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday during his confirmation hearing for commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Pakistan could play a key role in facilitating talks between the Taliban and government of Afghanistan, he said.

“Pakistan does not appear to be using the full extent of its influence to encourage the Taliban to come to the table,” he said.

“We continue to see the Taliban being utilised as a hedge against India rather than as part of a stable, reconciled Afghanistan,” McKenzie said.

His answers to the Senate Armed Services Committee came after it became public that Trump had written a letter to Imran Khan, seeking his help in the Afghan peace process.

“President Trump sent a letter to Prime Minister Khan, requesting Pakistan’s full support to the US-led Afghan peace process and Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad’s upcoming trip to the region,” a spokesperson of the National Security Council, White House, told PTI.

“In the letter, the President recognises that Pakistan has the ability to deny the Taliban sanctuary on its territory,” the spokesperson said.

“The letter also makes it clear that Pakistan’s assistance with the Afghan peace process is fundamental to building an enduring US-Pakistan partnership,” the spokesperson said.

McKenzie told lawmakers that he did not see much of a change in Pakistan’s behaviour towards Afghanistan or its stand against terrorist groups.

Despite Pakistan’s positive rhetoric in support of the US’ South Asia Strategy, violent extremist organisations (VEOs) operated along its border with Afghanistan, he said.

“While Pakistan has conducted some operations against VEOs in the country, they must continue to expand these operations and remain aggressively engaged,” McKenzie said.

“Taking concrete steps that deny VEO safe havens in Pakistan and VEO freedom of movement from Pakistan to Afghanistan remain an important task that Pakistan needs to fulfil. Pakistan must leverage their influence over the Taliban leadership to help compel them to come to the table for reconciliation negotiations,” he added.

McKenzie said the US CENTCOM would continue to support the State Department as it worked towards a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, which included ensuring that Islamabad’s equities are acknowledged in any future agreement.

“Pakistan’s action or inaction, as it relates to stability in Afghanistan, has often led to US’s frustration,” he said, adding that stability in the South Asia region remained the most important mutual strategic interest for both the US and Pakistan.

“We must continue to engage with the Pakistani leadership to realise how we can achieve this mutual interest,” McKenzie said.

“I do believe that any solution in Afghanistan is going to require the assistance of Pakistan. It has to be a regional solution, not just a solution centred in Afghanistan,” he said.

It is in Pakistan’s long-term interest to have a government in Afghanistan that is stable, and that they can do business with, he said.

“So I think Pakistan has not shown indications, by and large over the last few years, of being a serious partner in this regard,” McKenzie said.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday met Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad. McKenzie said the meeting was to see if the US could find some way forward.

“Probably Pakistan knows very clearly that their assistance will be required to reach an end-state in Afghanistan. I think the task that we have is to make it attractive to them so that they see that it is in their best interest to do that,” McKenzie said. PTI