Strategic Ladakh base to give IAF edge near border

Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service

Matching China in infrastructure development, India is set to provide connectivity to all Army outposts in the Himalayas within five years. Separately, the strategic air base at Nyoma in eastern Ladakh is expected to be completed by October this year.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) upgraded the mud-paved runway at Nyoma, located just 30 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, into a proper paved runway last year. “The target is to complete the rest of the work by October,” said BRO Director General Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan.

The Nyoma base is being developed to support aircraft launch and recovery, as well as minor maintenance work. This includes setting up radar stations and building habitats for IAF personnel. Located on the banks of the Indus, Nyoma lies 180 km south-east of Leh at an altitude of 13,700 feet, where winter temperatures can drop to minus 20°C, necessitating infrastructure suited to extreme cold.

Once completed, Nyoma will be the fourth IAF base in Ladakh. Leh already serves as an operational base, while Kargil and Thoise (base of Siachen) have full-fledged airstrips. Additionally, Daulat Beg Oldie has a mud-paved runway used for special operations. Though there are two other such runways at Fukche and Chushul, located just 2-3 km from the LAC, these are considered unusable in case of conflict.

On road infrastructure, Lt Gen Srinivasan said, “In another five years, there would be no portion of the border where we will not be able to deploy.” The BRO, a wing of the Ministry of Defence, is working to connect forward Army posts in the northern sector that are currently accessible only on foot. “Now we are connecting those posts with roads,” the DG said.

He acknowledged the challenges faced in Arunachal Pradesh, where the BRO is building two key highways that will link all the state’s valleys seamlessly.

Among other major projects is the Shinkun La tunnel, poised to be the world’s highest, which will provide year-round connectivity between Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh and serve as a third access route to Ladakh.

All posts to get connectivity: BRO

• Five-year target: BRO aims to connect all forward Army posts along LAC, replacing foot-only access routes with roads in 5 years
• Arunachal highways: It is building key highways in Arunachal Pradesh to seamlessly connect remote valleys across the eastern frontier
• Shinkun La Tunnel: Set to Be world’s highest, it will offer year-round access between HP and Ladakh, easing military logistics

Fauja Singh fooled not just old age but even the Almighty, because at the age of 114 years, he was fit enough to run, and live without any ailment

Maj D P Singh Retd, spade runner

The Fauja Way

Fauja Singh fooled not just old age but even the Almighty, because at the age of 114 years, he was fit enough to run, and live without any ailment

Fitness, good health, longevity, and simplicity — Fauja Singh symbolised all this and more. ANI

It was on December 1 last year that I saw the frail, tall centenarian for the last time — he actually was beautifully young at heart.

Fauja Singh fooled not just old age but even the Almighty, because at the age of 114 years, he was fit enough to run, and live without any ailment.

The superman literally enjoyed the glory, the glamour, the attention and the food — yes, the food. He was a frugal eater and owed his fitness to eating the bare minimum. But ask Gurpreet, the organiser of ‘One Race’ marathons, where he and I would often meet. If Bapuji (as we called him) used to ask for anything, it just had to be arranged. Of course, there was a discipline about the quantity (minimum with increasing age), quality (no junk) and timing (no late evenings) of food.

Ironically, as a kid, he was rather weak, and started walking only at the age of five. He was treated to improve the strength of his legs. In his own words, perhaps that strength was saved by the Almighty for the later years of life. He started running marathons at the age of 89.

When Doaba region of Punjab saw mass migration, his family also shifted to the United Kingdom. He was never interested in going abroad but then destiny has its own powerful ways to put you in a place that defines your purpose in life. When he lost his wife, son and daughter in quick succession, he felt alone and was taken by his family to the UK.

It was difficult for him to adjust there and he seemed unhappy, till a friend suggested taking part in a charity run. It was a 20-km run but he felt that he ran 20 miles. He thought that just 6 more miles and it will be marathon distance, 26 miles (42 km). He soon realised the mistake that for a marathon, he would need to run double the distance. The spirited Khalsa didn’t give up.

It was decided to hire a coach and try even harder. On the first day of his coaching lessons, he turned up in a three-piece suit. He got attuned to the running attire, but refused to give up on his pagri. The marathon organisers had to relent, and thus was born the Turbaned Tornado. Fauja Singh, at 89, finished the London Marathon in 2000, his first.

On other days, such was his love for colours that the suit, tie and pagri used to be a perfect match.

As a fit centenarian, he used to feel sad at the fitness level of Indian oldies, especially females. “Aithey di buddiyaan vekho, unfit, jama ni apna khyal rakhdiyaan. Aa soniyaan memaan nu dekho, kinni fit hondiyaan ne (Indian elderly ladies don’t care about fitness and figure. Look at the English ladies, how fit and beautiful they are),” he would say.

Once, an octogenarian runner was invited for an event, but he didn’t stand with her for a picture. “Main ni khada hona buddi kol (I will not stand next to this old lady),” he muttered. But he was always ready for selfies with fit young ladies.

He inspired millions around the world but could not save himself in a hit-and-run mishap — an abrupt end to a beautiful journey. Whatever begins does come to an end but his life encourages us to live it fully. The Fauja way.

— The writer, known as the ‘Blade Runner’, is a Kargil veteran

Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) are conducting searches across four districts of the Kashmir Valley

Searches are being carried out by Jammu and Kashmir Police’s counter-intelligence wing at multiple locations in the Valley in connection with a terror case, officials said.

The searches by Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) are underway at 10 locations across four districts of the Kashmir Valley, the officials said.

Searches are being conducted to locate terrorist sleeper cells and recruitment modules.

The CIK searches are being conducted in six locations in Ganderbal, two in Budgam, and one each in Pulwama and Srinagar, they said.

The Tata Group on Friday announced setting up a Rs 500-crore welfare trust for the victims of the Air India plane crash that killed 260 persons in Ahmedabad last month.

Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have committed Rs 250 crore each to the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, which has been registered as a public charitable trust in Mumbai.

“The trust will provide both immediate and continuing support to the dependents/next-of-kin of the deceased, to those who were injured, and to all others who are directly or collaterally affected by the accident,” Tata Sons said in a statement on Friday.

Besides, the trust will provide aid and assistance for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers and governmental staff who provided invaluable institutional support and service in the aftermath of the accident.

A five-member board of trustees will manage and administer the trust.

Aksheev Thakur Tribune News Service

he wildlife panel of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has approved the installation of 4G mobile towers in the core zone of the Kanha Tiger Reserve to boost the communication services of the Madhya Pradesh Police which are combating Naxals. The Centre has set a deadline to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

A core zone of a tiger reserve is the innermost area that is legally protected and human intervention is strictly prohibited. Considering that the proposed mobile tower installation at Supkhar village falls within the core area of the reserve, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had not approved the proposal earlier due to its ecologically sensitive location.

Infra to be removed once operations over

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has accepted Madhya Pradesh’s proposal to install 4G mobile towers in the core zone of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, subject to the condition that the mobile tower infrastructure must be removed once the Left Wing Extremism threat is neutralised.

“However, since the proposal has been identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as a critical requirement for enhancing communication infrastructure in remote forested areas to support operations against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), the project holds the national security significance,” an official said.

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was informed that the proposal by the Madhya Pradesh Police was for the use of 0.0324 ha of forest land from the core zone of the reserve for anti-Naxal operation. The proposal has been recommended by the Madhya Pradesh Government and its forest department.

The ministry has accepted the proposal subject to the condition that the mobile tower infrastructure must be decommissioned and removed once the Left Wing Extremism threat is neutralised and the area is declared free from insurgent activity.

PUNJAB GOVT RESPOSIBLE FOR NOT ALLOWING JUSTICE TO COL BATH : WELDONE BHAGWANT MANN.PROVED ANT-FAUJIS’

CHANDIGARH POLICE REPUTATION AT STAKE DUE TO SP  Manjeet Sheoran FAILING TO INVESTIGATE COL BATH CASE &ASI ASISH KUMAR SECTOR -17 SPITTED IN HAIRS OF SIKH GENTLEMAN AFTER TOSSING TURBAN

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High Court’s tight slap to CM Maan, Punjab & Chandigarh police in Col. Bath case || Connect Newsroom

A Solid Tight Slap on Punjab Govt , Chandigarh Administration , Punjab Police and Chandigarh Police for their indifferent attitude to its own People , total failure to protect and investigate into incidence of thrashing of Serving Army Col and his son .Wish High Court had awarded some ‘Punishment’ to Chandigarh SP Manjit Sheoran for failure to do the task given by High Court .Will this INSULT AND HUMILATION make any difference on Punjab Govt , Punjab Police , Chandigarh Police ? .. .. .. .. well the answer is ‘NO’ , they are thick skinned .Another waiting period of few months before we see justice at the hands of CBI.

Chandigarh Police – we care for you : THIS IS HOW THEY CARE

A Sikh Man checked the ASI in civil dress who spitted on his pant while sitting on Motor Cycle in sector 15 market which was pointed out by Sawinder singh . Unfortunately Sawinder singh happen to land in sector 17 Police station Chd with some friends .ASI Ashish Kumar recognized him and called in his office and slapped again and again resulting tossing of his turban again and again and hit on his head with butt of his serving revolver and hit his teeth ,breaking them from front .later he pitted in his hairs to teach hoim a lesson for checking ASI for spiting in market .

A revenge full act by the ASI , a shameful and disgraceful act but Chd Police shielding him

what is the difference between Punjab and Chandigarh Police

The Malacca Dilemma poses a strategic chokehold on China’s energy security, trade resilience, and geopolitical manoeuvrability. The Malacca Dilemma connects with China’s heavy reliance on the Strait of Malacca—a narrow maritime chokepoint between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Why does it matter? • 80% of China’s crude oil imports pass through the strait. • Handles 25% of global maritime trade – one of the world’s busiest & most strategic sea lanes. • At its narrowest, it is just 2.5 Kms wide, making it highly susceptible to blockades/disruptions. Chinese Strategy to Mitigate the Challenge: • Diversifying energy routes: Pipelines from Russia, Central Asia, and Myanmar. • China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): Links Gwadar Port to Xinjiang. • “String of Pearls” – Establish port access across the Indian Ocean (e.g., in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Djibouti) to secure maritime interests. • Naval modernization: Blue-water capabilities to project power and protect sea lanes. A snapshot Chinese Navy composition as of 2025: • Aircraft Carriers – 3 (Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian), Destroyers: 72, Frigates: 45, Corvettes: 72, Amphibious Assault Ships: 105, Mine Warfare Vessels: 64, Other Support Vessels: 127, Submarines: 74 (Mix of nuclear and conventional, including ballistic missile subs ((SSBNs – Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear)) and attack subs) Chinese navy’s production pace rivals that of entire Western navies annually – a force to reckon with. Nevertheless, to defend the Malacca Strait in case of hostile action would prove extremely difficult for China ……. just reaching the area of the strait would be challenging for the Chinese Navy whose nearest naval bases is Yulin Naval Base on Hainan Island, which is over 2,000 km away from the Strait. This makes overseas ports/bases vital for forward deployment. Two in the making are: Kyaukpyu in Myanmar 500 Kms from the strait, also provides a land route bypassing Malacca, and Ream in Cambodia. In addition, China can use the forward bases at Woody and Spratly Islands in the South China Sea 1800 and 1200 Kms away respectively. Strategic Implications for India Distances to the Strait of Malacca Location Car Nicobar Port Blair Visakhapatnam Distance ~ 500 Km ~1,168 km ~2,380 km Ship time to Malacca Less than a day 1.5 to 2 Days 4 to 5 Days While Car Nicobar is the forward sentinel of India’s Maritime security, the under construction Great Nicobar Island is a logistic hub and a maritime fortress (Project worth around Rs 80,000/- Cr.) India can credibly threaten the Malacca chokepoint or conduct Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) interdiction if required—especially in conflict scenarios involving China. Note: As of now it is ‘credible’ not ‘absolute’. India’s maritime reach is like a trident with Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Andaman Sea forming its three prongs, each piercing into critical SLOCs. How it is likely to unfold • Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea o Port Blair (Andaman Nicobar Command) and the Nicobar Islands are forward deployed for speed and rapid response. o Visakhapatnam (Easter Naval Command) offers depth, deterrence, and sustainment. It is also a deep strike launch pad for nuclear powered submarines (SSBNs/SSNs) and a hub for logistics, shipbuilding, and maintenance. • Arabian Sea o Western Naval Command at Mumbai, INS Jatayu at Minicoy and INS Kadama at Karwar handle strategic interests in the Arabian sea and SLOCs from the strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf to China and SE Asia. Emerging Multilateralism • Quad & AUKUS: These groupings aim to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, implicitly countering Chinese maritime dominance. • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): Promotes regional cooperation, though its security role remains limited.