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Pathankot air base attacked; 8 dead

Five Pak terrorists gunned down | Two Defence Security Corps men, IAF commando killed, says Punjab DGP

Ravi Dhaliwal,Tribune News Service,Pathankot, January 2

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An Indian Air Force helicopter flies over an Air Force base in Pathankot on January 2, 2016. — AFP
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Army personnel stand alert near the Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot on January 2, 2016 during an attack on the base by suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad militants. — AFP

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Security personnel stand guard next to a barricade outside the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot on Saturday. REUTERS

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Dressed in army fatigues, a group of five terrorists, suspected to belong to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), entered the Pathankot Air Force base in the wee hours today and engaged security forces in a fierce gunbattle lasting several hours, before four of them were killed in the morning. The fifth terrorist could be neutralised at only around 7 pm, almost 15 hours after they struck. Punjab DGP Suresh Arora said two Defence Security Corps (DSC) men and an Air Force commando also died in the attack. DSC personnel are retired Armymen who are reemployed to undertake guard duties at static establishments. Earlier reports had put the number of DSC casualties at five. Arora said the terrorists belonged to JeM. The attack took place hours after the Pathankot police and the Army launched a massive combing operation in the area falling between Chakki river and the rear gate of the air base.Yesterday, a Gurdaspur-based SP-rank officer had claimed that five terrorists had kidnapped him at 3 am on January 1, before freeing him and his two acquaintances just outside the rear gate of the Air Force station an hour later. All security agencies had been put on high alert and the elite National Security Guards too had been rushed to Pathankot last night. The security agencies had been working on the theory that the five “Urdu-speaking fidayeen” could be targeting the strategic defence installations in this border city. Search operations were launched for these five suspects by 5 pm yesterday and by 8 pm, the entire city had virtually shut down. The terrorists are believed to have entered the air base from the rear gate and their target was said to be the hangars where combat aircraft, including a MiG-21 squadron and an MI-35 attack helicopter unit, are located. As the ultras snooped their way into the station around 3 am, the Air Force claimed they were detected by aerial surveillance platforms. By 5 am, nearly 300 Armymen were deployed along with Armoured Personal Carriers (APC). The IAF also used choppers for surveillance and engaged the terrorists with aerial firing. An IAF statement said they were contained immediately, preventing them from reaching the technical area. This is the second major attack in a city bordering  Pakistan. In July, three Lashkar-e-Toiba ultras had executed a terror strike in Dinanagar, killing seven people, including an SP-rank officer. Dinanagar is 20 km away from Pathankot.  Senior police officers said the target was to destroy military installations in and around Pathankot. “That is why they did not take the SP  hostage as it would have created a furore. They had bigger plans,” an officer said.

Combing of area to continue today

  • Combing and sanitising operation in the Pathankot Air Force station is to continue on Sunday as well
  • The five terrorists could have used multiple entry points. One was shot dead as he was scaling the 10-metre-high outer wall of the IAF station
  • The area where the terrorists were stopped and engaged in gunbattle houses the administrative complex, canteen, residential quarters, officers’ mess and airmen mess
  • Salwinder Singh, SP (Headquarters) in Gurdaspur till recently, who claimed to have been kidnapped by fiveterrorists on January 1, is being questioned by various security and Intelligence agencies

NSG led from front, cops formed outside cordon

  • In Saturday’s operation, Punjab Police formed the outer cordon, while the NSG commandos took charge. Punjab Police were controlling the surging crowds at the main gate while the NSG collaborated with the Army to execute the counter-attack.
  • Punjab Police had come under fire during the Dinanagar attack for not letting the Army take charge of that operation. Only senior Punjab Police officers were allowed to go inside the encounter site on Saturday. The DGP, Suresh Arora, arrived around 10.30 am.
  • Two attack helicopters and an NSG plane kept hovering over the station through the day.

Umar Mansoor, Peshawar school plotter, strikes again

Peshawar, January 20

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The Tehreek-i-Taliban Geedar group commander who claimed the deadly attack on Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda Wednesday is Umar Mansoor, the de facto operational head of TTP in KP.Journalist Hasan Abdullah tells Dawn.com Mansoor is the faction’s commander specifically in Charsadda, Darra Adam Khel, Noshera and surrounding areas. “He had been very close to Hakimullah Mehsud’s inner circle and was also close to Umar Khalid Khorasani at one time,” says Abdullah.He adds while he is said to have shifted to Afghanistan after Pakistan’s military operation in 2014, Mansoor is reported to have crossed into Pakistan at several points.A Reuters profile titled ‘Pakistan’s most hated man: volleyball player, child killer’ described Mansoor as a 37-year-old father of three and volleyball enthusiast who is nicknamed “Slim”.His real name is Umar Mansoor and is also claimed by TTP to be the mastermind of 2014’s massacre of 134 children and nine staff at a military-run school in Peshawar – the deadliest militant attack in Pakistan’s history.A video posted on a Taliban wesbite after the Army Public School attack showed a man with a chest-length beard, who sought to justify the December 16 attack. The caption identified him as Umar Mansoor. The Taliban said the APS attack, in which gunmen wearing suicide-bomb vests executed children, was retaliation for a military offensive carried out by the Pakistani army. Six Pakistani Taliban interviewed by Reuters confirmed the mastermind was Mansoor. Four of them said he is close to Mullah Fazlullah, the embattled leader of the TTP who ordered assassins to kill schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai. Mansoor got a high school education in the capital, Islamabad, two Taliban members said, and later studied in a madrassah. Mansoor has two brothers and spent some time working in the city of Karachi as a labourer before joining the Taliban soon after it was formed, in late 2007, said one commander.His nickname is “naray,” a word in the Pashto language meaning “slim”, and he is the father of two daughters and a son, said another commanders. The Taliban video describes him as the “amir”, or leader, of Peshawar and nearby Darra Adam Khel. Mansoor deeply opposes talks with the government, the commanders said.“He was very strict from the start when he joined,” a commander said. “He left many commanders behind if they had a soft corner (of their heart) for the government.”— By arrangement with the Dawn

Pak’s ‘most hated’ man

  • Umar Mansoor, who claimed the deadly attack on Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda, is the de facto operational head of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in KP province
  • A Reuters profile titled ‘Pakistan’s most hated man: volleyball player, child killer’ described Mansoor as a 37-year-old father of three and volleyball enthusiast who is nicknamed “Slim”
  • He is claimed by TTP to be the mastermind of 2014’s massacre of 134 children and nine staff at a military-run school in Peshawar – the deadliest militant attack in Pakistan’s history

‘Hero teacher’ goes down fighting militants

Peshawar, January 20

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A rescuer helps a teacher on crutches walk out of Bacha Khan University in Charsadda on Wednesday. Reuters
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Assistant professor Syed Hamid Hussain
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Survivors react outside Bacha Khan University. REUTERS

In a heroic act, a Pakistani chemistry professor in his 30s today lost his life while trying to protect his students using his licensed pistol against armed Taliban militants who stormed the university. Assistant professor Syed Hamid Hussain, 34, fought back against the terrorists as he warned students not to leave the building of the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, some 50 km southwest of Peshawar.Students spoke of the hero teacher, who flashed his pistol but was gunned down by the militants besides 24 others, media reports said. Geology student Zahoor Ahmed said his chemistry lecturer had warned him not to leave the building after the first shots were fired. “He was holding a pistol in his hand,” he said. “Then I saw a bullet hit him. I saw two militants were firing. I ran inside and then managed to flee by jumping over the back wall.” Another student told television reporters he was in class when he heard gunshots.“We saw three terrorists shouting slogans and rushing towards the stairs of our department,” he said as he described seeing the chemistry professor holding a pistol and firing at the attackers. “Then we saw him fall down and as the terrorists entered the (registrar) office we ran away,” said the student.A traumatised sutdent said they saw several young men wielding AK-47 guns storming the university housing where many students were sleeping. They came from behind and there was a big commotion. We were told by teachers to leave immediately. Some people hid in bathroomsPresident Mamnoon Hussain confirmed Hamid was among the deceased and condoled his death.Netizens took to social networking sites like Twitter to hail the lecturer as a “martyr”. “Martyr of #education: Prof Hamid who was killed by terrorists in #BachaKhanUniversity #Pakistan,” tweeted journalist and academic Raza Ahmad Rumi.The official Facebook page of the university also said Hamid was among those killed. Teachers in northwest Pakistan were given permission to carry firearms in the classroom after the Peshawar school carnage of December 2014 in which Taliban militants killed over 150 people, mostly children. — PTI

Hailed as martyr

  • Assistant professor Syed Hamid Hussain, 34, at Bacha Khan university in Charsadda fought back against the terrorists as he warned students not to leave the building after hearing the shots
  • Students said the hero teacher flashed his pistol but was gunned down by the militants. Netizens took to social networking sites like Twitter to hail the lecturer as a “martyr”

OH PAKISTAN !

‘Four shot anyone, everyone they came across’

Peshawar, January 20

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Victims’ relatives wait anxiously outside a hospital where injured were taken after the terror attack. AP/PTI
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Rescuers shift an injured to a hospital following an attack by gunmen in Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, about 50 km from Peshawar, on Wednesday. AFP

Ayat Ibrahim was entering the South Block of the Bacha Khan University on Wednesday morning when she heard the first of the gunshots and huge blasts. Initially, the student, in her late 20s, had no idea that the university, named after the iconic Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, was under terrorist attack. It took only a few seconds for Ibrahim to realise the horrific truth.“I saw people screaming and running here and there, and people sprawled on the ground,” the traumatized student told IANS in a telephonic interview from Peshawar.Authorities would later blame the carnage that left 20 people, including students, dead on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is at war with the Pakistani state. The TTP too claimed responsibility. “I couldn’t understand what was going on… And I could not see my friend who I had come to see,” she said. The attackers, four in all, opened indiscriminate fire at anyone and everyone they came across. They also hurled grenades, killing or wounding those trying to escape the bloodbath.There were some 3,000 students and staff in the university at the time of the attack besides about 600 guests. They had gathered in the campus for a poetry recital to commemorate the anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as Bacha Khan.Ibrahim was stunned but did what many other students did at the spur of the moment – she ran towards the university buses parked in the vicinity. As the buses began to fill up, the drivers drove away the vehicles out of the campus at top speed, saving numerous lives.Ibrahim told IANS that she had no idea how many people had been killed. But she guessed it would be a large number.Soldiers rushed to the university and engaged the terrorists, triggering gun battles that lasted over five hours.They managed to kill all four attackers. But by then, the university — set up in July 2012 — was badly battered with 20 students, academics and other employees dead and dozens wounded. — IANS

University bus drivers saved many

  • There were nearly 3,000 students and staff in Bacha Khan University at the time of the terror attack,besides about 600 guests. They had gathered onthe campus for a poetry recital to commemoratethe anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan,popularly known as Bacha Khan
  • Ayat Ibrahim, a student, said she was stunned by the attack but did what many other students did at thespur of the moment — she ran towards the universitybuses parked in the vicinity. As the buses began tofill up, the drivers drove away out of the campus attop speed, saving numerous lives

JF-17 vs HAL Tejas: New Competitors on the Military Block

SOURCE: THE DIPLOMAT

The Bahrain International Air Show slated to be held between January 21-23 at the Sakhir Airbase in Bahrain is supposed to be the first international symposium where India will showcase its indigenously built, but much delayed, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas light combat aircraft. This move, reportedly taken at a “political level,” could place the Tejas as an export option in the future and will expose it to much wider scrutiny over its performance and offerings in the international market.

However, even though this may become an exciting time for the Tejas as a potential option for foreign militaries for their arsenal, it has an interesting competitor from its own neighborhood. The JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, jointly developed by China’s Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and its Pakistani partner, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), is also now in the export variety with similar attributes to those of the Tejas. In fact, at the Bahrain air show both the Tejas and the JF-17 are quite literally going to be pitted against each other, as they share parking space on the flight line tarmac right next to each other.

The HAL Tejas is still looking for its “carpe diem” moment, as the Indian Air Force, the project’s main beneficiary, has made no qualms in admitting that it is not pleased about the delays over the Tejas Mk II variant of the model that it urgently wants to induct into its fleet. Meanwhile, manufacturer HAL has offered the IAF a Mk 1A variant instead, saying the Mk II variant is not expected to have its first flight before 2019, or enter series production before 2024. On the other hand, the Block 1 JF-17s have already seen service with the Pakistan Air Force, and are now expected to be upgraded to Block 2 standards (which includes mid-air refuel capabilities and improved avionics).

Both India and Pakistan understand the worth of a fighter jet such as the JF-17 and the Tejas in the specific markets where they are likely to compete. The light, maneuverable, low-maintenance and comparatively cheap offerings represented by both variants could find many takers; however the fact that the JF-17 is available for purchase today has already given it a head start, even if its production output remains sluggish. Other countries such as Myanmar, Nigeria and Azerbaijan are known to have shown interest in the JF-17. Both India and Pakistan themselves have operated the MiG 21 (Pakistan as the Chinese license built version Chengdu F-7), one of the world’s most successful, duplicated, and cost-effective combat jets. Like the MiG 21 during its high-sales days, both the JF-17 and HAL Tejas could build customer bases in financially challenging areas such as Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, with many states looking for ‘low-end’ solutions to air defense needs.

The JF-17, now a predominantly a “for Pakistan by China” project (China does not operate the type in its military) made recent news after reports suggested that Sri Lanka was interested in purchasing eight JF-17s with further options. News of the deal came as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a state visit to Colombo; however, since the visit Indian apprehensions regarding the deal, attempts to sell the Tejas instead, and a recent quick visit by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar seem to have stalled any such deal, if indeed one was in the making. Sri Lankan media outlets have said that the JF-17 discussion was “not on the table” with Pakistan, while an Indian defense news website has claimed that New Delhi is considering offering upgraded MiG 27s, a type already operated by Sri Lanka, free of cost to the country’s air force.

Even if India has, or in the future does manage to scuttle Sri Lanka’s attempts to procure the JF-17, the fact that it does not have the appropriate variant ready for IAF’s very own needs, let alone international suitors, is a wake up call to the country’s domestic military complex. India’s previous homegrown success story in military aviation, the HAL Dhruv or the Advanced Light Helicopter, also ran into turbulence with its only international military buyer, the South American nation of Ecuador had purchased seven of HAL’s Dhruv ALHs. However, since its addition to the Ecuadorian forces in 2009, four out of the seven helicopters have crashed. Two of the crashes were attributed to pilot error, but the other two were blamed on mechanical faults. Ecuador in October last year unilaterally cancelled its deal with HAL.

The new initiative by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi under his government’s flagship “Make In India” program, a drive to uplift India’s manufacturing sector, has accorded great importance to military development. India is currently one of the world’s largest importers of weapons despite having many indigenous flagship military programs, specifically in the aviation sector. However, a concoction of poor project execution, stretched resources, political oversight, and lack of culpability over failed programs have stalled or completely cancelled critical projects like the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), forcing the armed forces to look abroad to plug gaps.

For Make In India to be successful, concrete moves to develop India’s R&D sector and involving the private sector heavily into the fold with pro-market policies will be essential. India has huge potential not only to successfully service its own military needs, but to become an exporter of arms in the extremely competitive global military industrial complex, but only if it applies correct policies, political will, and strategic tact.

While the HAL Tejas remains a proud symbol of Indian industry, the fact that it took nearly three decades for the project to get where it is today should be made into a handbook for the government and associated agencies on how not to botch critical national security projects in the future. As of today, the JF-17 with its operational experience makes more sense for potential buyers. India may have had some influence in Sri Lanka’s interests for the JF-17, but it may not have the same leverage if other neighbors such as Myanmar or even Bangladesh consider the same option.

Kabir Taneja is a journalist and researcher specializing in foreign affairs, energy security and defence.


Civil Military Conference soon

Tribune News Service,Dehradun, January 15

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The much-awaited Civil Military Laisioning Conference will take place in Uttarakhand shortly.Talking to mediapersons in Dehradun on occasion of Army Day today, Uttarakhand sub area General Officer Commanding (GOC) Maj Gen Shammi Sabharwal said the laisioning conference, which holds key importance from both civil and military point of view, was expected to be held in the state shortly.The conference was an important platform to address various issues that affected the general public. The last Civil Military Laisioning Conference had taken place in 2012, he stated.Referring to Army Day, Maj Gen Sabharwal said army personnel of Uttarakhand sub area had re-dedicated themselves for the betterment of the nation as part of Army Day observation.Army Day symbolises tributes to valiant soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the nation, he added. Several senior Uttarakhand sub area Army officials were present on the occasion.

Tributes paid to martyrs on Army Day

Tribune News Service,Dehradun, January 15

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Golden Key Division paid rich tributes to martyrs on the occasion of 68th Army Day here today. Brigadier Paritosh Pant, Deputy GOC, Golden Key Division, laid a wreath at the Golden Key War Memorial on behalf of the division.He complimented all ranks of the division who had dedicated their lives to the service of the nation. Remembering the martyrs, he said their sacrifices would never be forgotten.Army Day is celebrated on January 15 in the remembrance of late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army who took charge from Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander, in 1949.Golden Key Division has a glorious history of valour and sacrifice which was displayed not only during World Wars but also with acts of bravery and unswerving sense of duty during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.

Army Day celebrated at Chetak Corps

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 15

Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of our Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, on January 15, 1949.This year Chetak Corps organised a series of events to commemorate this auspicious day. The day started with paying respect to the courageous and brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while defending the country, by a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial ‘Yodha Yaadgar’ by Lieutenant General DR Soni, General Officer Commanding, Chetak Corps.Later, to honour the contribution of our veterans, war widows and veer naris a function was organised at Bathinda Military Station. Lieutenant General DR Soni, General Officer Commanding Chetak Corps, the chief host of the function welcomed all veterans, war widows and veer naris.During the interaction he reiterated that the Indian Army has always been committed to the well being of the veterans, widows and their dependents. Rendering care and compassion to the retired fraternity is an important part of the Army life.Apart from resolving pension related problems and resettlement issues, canteen service outlet, bank counters, ‘grievances cell’ were also established to address the problems of ex-servicemen, veer naris and war widows.Suman Soni, zonal president, AWWA, Chetak Corps felicitated and interacted with the veer naris and thanked them for their presence and assured them of all assistance.The veer naris, war widows and veterans thanked and extended their gratitude to the Chetak Corps for the concerted effort in organising the event and for looking after them.

An evening with Army veterans

Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 15

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As patriotic music played in the background, and servers dressed up in fauji colours carrying trays of piping hot eatables, some seniors got to know each other over a cup of coffee.In a first-of-its-kind initiative, ex-Army officers with their spouses enjoyed an evening filled with music and fun outside their own set up. The occasion was Army Day, which was celebrated at a local hotel to honour the Army veterans.“I retired in 1987 and its for the first time that I am invited and honoured at a civilian gathering,” said Col Gurpreet Inder Sidhu (retd). With his wife Manjit Sidhu, he enjoyed the attention showered on them as they merrily walked the ramp. Col Gursewak Singh (retd) made an impressive picture with some 14 stars and medals shining on his chest. Enthusiastically he pointed out that the stars were for having fought the wars and rendering a fine service.He introduced his wife Bhupinder, who at one point of time during the Operation Prakram had six relatives on the border. “My husband, son, son-in-law, two brothers and a nephew were on the duty,” she said. Did it scare her? “No,” comes an emphatic reply.“In the Army, we are a unit, a family. Senior most officer’s wife would take us all in her cover. We would eat, play cards and even watch news together,” she smiled.In the company were AVSM Brig BJS Oberoi (retd) with his wife Rupinder, Brig Subhash Khullar (retd) with wife Kamal and Maj SS Parwana (retd) with his wife Simarjit. Remembering the wars with a sense of pride was the highlight of the evening and the couples enjoyed karaoke and danced on old numbers like “Awara Hoon”.Kamal Khullar, a proud wife, said, “My husband was a para commando. He would go for the jump and trust me I was scared at the slightest sound when he was at practice but then there comes the honour of being in the Army family.”“The idea behind the programme was to show gratitude towards the armymen who faced all kind of challenges so that we could enjoy a peaceful life,” said Deepak Gupta, organiser of the event.

Army Day celebrated by Vajra Corps

Tribune News Service,Jalandhar, January 15

The Vajra Corps headquarters, Jalandhar, today celebrated the Army Day with a wreath-laying ceremony.The Army Day is celebrated on January 15th every year, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander- in-Chief of the Indian Army of Independent India, on 15 January 1949. The Indian Army marks this day to pay homage and salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect our country.As a mark of respect to the martyrs, a solemn wreath laying ceremony with appropriate military decorum was held at “Vajra Shaurya Sthal”. The Wreath was laid by Lieutenant General JS Cheema, General Officer Commanding, Vajra Corps, followed by a large number of senior officers and Subedar Majors of the units. The event was attended by a large number of servicemen.As many as 250 NCC cadets and 20 students of Sainik School, Kapurthala were special invitees to the event.

500 woman constables join ITBP

Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, January 15

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As many as 23 widows of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel, who died in harness, were among 500 woman constables inducted into the force today. This is the largest batch of women constables to pass-out since women were allowed to join the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) a few years ago.While the Ministry of Home Affairs has a long standing policy to provide employment in the CAPFs on compassionate grounds to widows, they were earlier recruited for ministerial posts. Induction as constables in the CAPFs, other than the Central Reserve Police Force, which has special women’s battalions, is a recent development.ITBP officers said though relaxation in some rules like age limit was granted, the minimum educational and physical standards had to be met by them for induction as constables. Among them was a woman who had a young child and special arrangements were made for the child to stay at the basic training centre (BTC) here, the alma mater of all ITBP recruits.There have been instances of widows being recruited as constables in other CAPFs like the Border Security Force. Many of the new inductees are well educated. Though minimum qualification for induction as contables is Class X pass, 40 of them hold masters degree in commerce, education, science and arts. Only five per cent of the total number had the minimum educational qualification. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pardesh and Bihar had the highest contribution of recruits in the batch.The Director General ITBP, Krishna Chaudhary, reviewed the passing-out parade and gave away prizes for outstanding performance during the training. These included Shuhani Kunda (best in physical), Manshi (best in dirll), Gita Chaudhary (best in weapon handling), Shama (best in sports) and Deepika Tyagi (over all best trainee).The Deputy Inspector General, BTC, PS Papta, said the recruits had undergone a 44-week intensive training programme that included all aspects of service orientation and physical fitness.


Indian mobile, Pak network!

Amit Khajuria,Tribune News Service,Jammu, December 31

In a major security concern, Pakistan has increased its mobile tower range near the international border, keeping security agencies on their toes. The Defence Ministry remains tightlipped on the issue.Pakistan has spread its mobile tower range across the international border, touching the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in Jammu and Kashmir.Mobile phones in Kathua and Samba districts in Jammu and Kashmir are catching the service of Pakistani telecom operators, which have raised their signal strength near the international border.Pakistani telecom operators like Mobilink, Zong and PakUfone are active on National Highway 1, which connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. It had remained among the targets of terrorists for 12 years.After crossing Lakhanpur, prepaid mobile phones of networks from the rest of the country stop working and mobile phones start searching for network automatically.Some mobile networks from the other side of the border are tracked by the mobile phones, causing fear among tourists and pilgrims and raising a a big question mark on security.A number of incidents involving terrorists had taken place on the highway in recent years. The strong mobile signal strength on this side of the border could help Pakistani terrorists in their operations. Despite repeated attempts, the Defence Ministry did not respond on the issue.A technical expert of a telecom operator in Jammu told The Tribune on the condition of anonymity that no one was allowed to install a tower or radiation equipment within a radius of 10 km from the border on the Indian side.

Network@neighbour

  • Mobiles in Kathua and Samba districts catching service of Pak telecom providers
  • Service providers like Mobilink, Zong and PakUfone active on National Highway 1
  • Strong mobile signal strength on this side of the border can help Pakistani terrorists

Army Day 2016: General Dalbir Singh says Indian Army counted among most professional forces in the world

Army Day 2016: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Friday said the Indian Army is ready to face any challenges and is among the world’s most professional forces.

Army Day 2016: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Friday said the Indian Army is ready to face any challenges and is among the world’s most professional forces.

“Our response to natural disasters has been efficient, the world has also praised our efforts during the Nepal quake. We are ready to face challenges and are more than capable of overcoming them. Our biggest strength are our soldiers, we are counted among the most professional forces in the world,” General Singh said on the occasion of the 68th Army Day.

General Singh also said that good coordination between all three services (Army, Navy, Air Force) is the most crucial aspect to overcome any challenges.

“We will soon establish a veteran wing at Base Hospital, where the veterans will be exclusively treated. Modernization of our weapons is very important,” he added.

Army Day is annually celebrated on January 15. It marks the day in 1949 when Lt.Gen. K.M. Cariappa took over as the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from the last British commander-in-chief.

Honouring the indomitable valour and extreme courage of the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the forces on the occasion of Army Day.

“Saluting the indomitable valour, determination and dedication of our Army on Army Day,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

General Dalbir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Robin Dhowan and Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha paid homage to martyrs by laying wreaths at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Army Day is a day when the nation salutes the sacrifices and contributions as also the martyrdom of its valiant soldiers.


With eye on China, India seeks 100 armed drones worth $2 billion from US

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India has sought from the US 100 latest unmanned aerial vehicles, both armed and surveillance versions, worth USD 2 billion to bolster its arsenal amid recurring incursions by Chinese troops.

Industry sources familiar with New Delhi’s interest and ongoing talks between the two governments, said India had requested for the latest Avenger drones, which is basically an unmanned combat air vehicle, and is mainly being sought with an eye on China.

It has also sought Predator XP category which is a surveillance version for internal security issues and terrorist threats.

According to industry sources, India is looking for about 100 drones worth USD 2 billion.

However, while talks in this regard have accelerated in the past few months, the US has not made any formal commitment or given a public indication pending India’s application to joining Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Italy, which is upset with New Delhi’s treatment of its marines, appears to have currently blocked India becoming a member of MTCR.

However, both Indian and US officials are confident that they would be able to get through the last hurdle in the next few months, thus making them possible to take the defence trade – which would include armed drones – to the next level.

“Yes, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) is aware of India’s interest in Predator-series Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA),” Vivek Lall, chief executive of the US and International Strategic Development of General Atomics told PTI.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems produces Predator series of remotely piloted aircraft.

“Due to US export laws, the US government has to approve the export of a Predator-series RPA to the Indian government. GA-ASI remains very encouraged by the recent India-US bilateral engagements at the highest levels and we are hopeful that we can play an important supporting role in these discussions,” he said.

“Predator-series RPA could provide a world-class Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability for India which would include both high-definition radar and Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) coverage along India’s borders,” Lall said in response to a question.

Additionally, the RPA can perform humanitarian aid/disaster relief surveillance over both land and sea, said Lall, who had previously played a key role in US sale of high tech military assets to India during his stint at Boeing.

– See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/with-eye-on-china-india-seeks-100-armed-drones-worth-2-billion-from-us/?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=inshorts_full_article&utm_campaign=inshorts_full_article#sthash.K7FUQuuz.dpuf


Joint search begins again near Tibri military station

Migrant labourers had said they were thrashed by two ultras at Bahia village

TIBRI (GURDASPUR): With some migrant labourers complaining to the Tibber police that they were thrashed by two suspected Pakistani militants in sugarcane fields of Bahia village opposite Tibri Military Station on Saturday, security agencies launched a search operation for the terrorists in Mann, Chopra, Tibri, Shorhian Bangar and Kotli Sainian villages on Sunday.

HT FILESecurity forces have been searching for two suspected terrorists at Tibri and other villages near the military station since Saturday.

Sleuths of Punjab Police, the army, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Israel-trained SWAT (Special Weapons Attack Team) have been pressed into service for the joint search operation.

Gurdaspur senior superintendent of police Gurpreet Singh Toor confirmed that a search operation had been launched, but refused to share details on the plea that this could hamper the search.

He added that Tibri Military Station, 5km from Gurdaspur city, on the Gurdaspur-Mukerian Road, could be a possible target.

After a similar search at Pandher village search was called off on Wednesday, there have at least two instances where villagers claim to have seen the two terrorists.

On Friday, Lavpreet Singh (22), a resident of Tibri village, had claimed that he was stopped by two Pakistani terrorists. Unconfirmed reports of terrorists hiding in the fields of Virk-Talwandi village had also been reported at the Tibber police station.

BSF works to plug gaps along Indo-Pak border

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE? Top officials camping in the area to ensure the porous borders, used by smugglers till now, are secured

PATHANKOT: The Border Security Force has increased surveillance in the Bamiyal sector along the Pakistan border in Punjab, believed to be a transit point for smugglers, drug traffickers and terrorists because of stretches of “gaping holes” in the heavilyguarded boundary.

HT FILEThe BSF has sprung into action and erected more barbed wires and surveillance equipment such as high-beam lights along the border.

Pakistan-based terrorists reportedly sneaked through this porous border to lay siege on the Pathankot air base recently, as did their comrades to attack Dinanagar police station some months ago.

The BSF came under severe criticism for the “gaps” in the border fence.

The complex geography and topography of the area — compounded by a fast-running Ravi river and swampland of tall grasses on its banks — make it difficult to build a continuous fence of barbed wires along the border.

About 750 metres of land were without a fence at many points because of the river terrain.

The BSF spokesperson said senior officers were camping at the frontier village of Bamiyal since the Pathankot attack and overseeing work to strengthen the surveillance system.

BSF special director-general MK Singla was reportedly visiting areas where the border has remained porous. He was said to be leading a team of BSF officers to fortify vulnerable points with modern equipment.

To plug the gaps, the paramilitary force has installed highbeam lights and other equipment to detect movements.

The spokesperson said the BSF has added at least six more companies and a process was initiated to deploy 800 more personnel to guard the area. “We have placed more barbed wires, modern surveillance equipment and more boats to tackle the fast current of the Ravi,” he said.