AMISTAKEN impression that the Shangri-La Dialogue is meant to be a common front against China might emerge from the speeches delivered by French President Emmanuel Macron and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on May 31 in Singapore. While Hegseth warned that the threat from China was “real and potentially imminent”, Macron called on “key allies in Asia” to increase military spending as the NATO members had done, “thanks to President Trump.”
NESTLED in the rugged terrain of Sikkim lies not just a strategic military zone but also a region steeped in mystery, faith and folklore. During my tenure in the Eastern Himalayas as Officer Commanding of 214 Field Workshop and Divisional Troops Workshop at Gangtok from 1997 to 1999, I heard a poignant anecdote that predated my posting — one that continues to echo through the mountains and among the troops stationed there.
In May 1993, Lt Gen Jameel Mahmood, then GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, visited the 33 Corps zone in Sikkim. As per custom, senior officers visiting the sector made it a point to pay homage at the shrine of Baba Harbhajan Singh at Nathu La. He was a soldier of the Punjab Regiment, who passed on in 1968 but is still believed to protect Indian soldiers posted in the high Himalayas.
Pressed for time, the General skipped the shrine, stating that he would visit it on his next tour. However, inclement weather prevented helicopter clearance for his return journey. Officers gently suggested that this delay could be used to visit the Baba’s shrine. He declined once more.
He then opted to travel by road to Siliguri, but the convoy was halted after his vehicle reportedly suffered a minor mishap. Once again, some advised him to reconsider visiting the shrine — perhaps this was a signal. The General, known for his professionalism, dismissed the suggestions, remarking that he was not superstitious and needed to adhere to his schedule.
Ultimately, despite the poor weather, the helicopter took off from Gangtok. On May 7, 1993, the Mi-8 chopper crashed near Paro, Bhutan. All eight onboard, including Lt Gen Mahmood and his wife, were killed. A Court of Inquiry reported a sudden loss of power but could not establish the precise cause.
PUNJAB’S PRIDE: EIGHT MRSAFPI CADETS GRADUATE FROM NDA
Bringing laurels to the state, eight cadets from Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI), SAS Nagar, on Friday, graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla (Pune), as a part of the 148th NDA Course Passing Out Parade, reviewed by General VK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC (Retd), Governor of Mizoram and former Chief of Army Staff.
Sharing this information here today, Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that the eight cadets- Paramjot Singh and Aniket Kahol from Hoshiarpur, Arpit Parashar from Sangrur, Abhay Singh Raghav and Vishesh Sood from SAS Nagar, Udhibir Singh from Ropar and Anurag Chauhan & Tanmay Sharma from Pathankot have successfully completed three years of rigorous training at NDA and now they will proceed to Service Training Academies for a year-long training before being commissioned into the Defence Services.
Mr. Aman Arora also encouraged them to excel and bring pride to the state, while highlighting the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to fulfil the aspirations of the youth who want to join the defence services as commissioned officers. He also expressed contentment over the outstanding results being delivered by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute.
Major General Ajay H. Chauhan, VSM (Retd), Director of MRSAFPI, congratulated the cadets, noting that 28 more cadets are awaiting call-up letters to join Service Training Academies. He also highlighted that three cadets from the MRSAFPI are currently serving as instructors at NDA, Khadakwasla. He said that these achievements bring immense pride to MRSAFPI and the state of Punjab.
hief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan today said technology and joint operations were the key to success in Operation Sindoor even as Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Pakistan’s chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, claimed the two militaries had started the process of drawing down troop levels.
Both Generals are in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue. A bilateral meeting between the two is not scheduled. They will be participating in separate sessions on Saturday afternoon.
General Mirza was quoted by a news agency, Reuters, describing how there was a reduction in troops by India and Pakistan. He said, “We have almost come back to the pre-April 22 situation.”
Warning that a future clash might not allow enough time for international mediation, he made it clear there was no move towards nuclear weapons during the May 7-10 conflict.
He said, “Nothing happened this time… But you can’t rule out any strategic miscalculation at any time, because when the crisis is on, the responses are different.”He said Pakistan was open to dialogue but beyond a crisis hotline between the Directors General of Military Operations, there was no other communication between the two countries.
Meanwhile, General Chauhan interacted with think tanks from various nations on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. Speaking on ‘Future Wars and Warfare’, he highlighted various aspects of Operation Sindoor, including force application, network-centric operations, cyber and disinformation campaigns and intelligence capabilities.
He termed the use of indigenous weapons and conduct of joint operations as being vital for winning battles.
The CDS also met top military commanders of Japan and Australia, both of whom are partners of India and the US in the Quad.
General Chauhan met General Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff, joint staff of Japan.
In a post on X, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, an office under the CDS, said, “In the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, discussions focused on enhancing defence cooperation, regional security and strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.”
The interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to address emerging security challenges and foster closer bilateral defence ties, the post said.
General Chauhan also met Admiral David Johnston, chief of the defence force, Australia. “Both military leaders discussed security matters of bilateral and regional interest, particularly in maritime cooperation, as well as identifying avenues to enhance the existing India-Australia defence cooperation,” a post on X said.
The CDS also met Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, chief of defence staff, United Kingdom; Air Marshal Tony Davies, chief of defence force, New Zealand; and Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, chief of staff of the French navy.
Pakistan; BJP says ‘stick to Miss World photo ops’
elangana CM Revanth Reddy faces backlash for questioning PM Modi on Rafale jets shot down by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.
Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy has sparked major political backlash after demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain to 140 crore Indians how many Rafale fighter jets were shot down by the Pakistani Army during India’s Operation Sindoor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy in New Delhi.(PTI file)
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday lashed out at Revanth Reddy, who was speaking at a rally in Hyderabad on Thursday, and the Congress for questioning the Indian armed forces. Taking a dig at the Telangana chief minister, the BJP advised him to “stick to Miss World photo ops”, instead of speaking on national security.
Addressing the ‘Jai Hind’ rally, Reddy sought to know why PM Narendra Modi, who had called for an all-party meeting before going to war with Pakistan, did not do so before calling off the armed conflict with the neighbouring country.
He also alleged that Modi failed to separate Balochistan from Pakistan and take control over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), despite the wishes of 140 crore Indians.
“The soldiers of this (Secunderabad ) Cantonment participated in the war. The war planes being manufactured in Telangana upheld respect for our country. Rafale aircraft brought by Narendra Modi were shot down by Pakistan. There is no discussion on how many Rafales were shot down. Narendra Modi should answer how many Rafale aircraft were shot down by Pakistan during the recent war. You give us the account,” news agency PTI quoted Reddy as saying.
Reddy further alleged that contracts worth thousands of crores were awarded to people close to Modi, who then purchased Rafale aircraft.
Reddy said senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Meenakshi Natarajan said only one thing: when it comes to national security, irrespective of political lines, everyone should come together. Accordingly, they assured the NDA government that it would stand by it during the fight with Pakistan.
“After four days of war, we do not know who threatened whom and who succumbed to whom. All of a sudden, US President Donald Trump came out and said he threatened India and stopped the war,” the CM said.
He also accused China of encroaching 4000 sq km of Indian territory even as PM Modi failed to give a befitting reply to the neighbour.
Reddy said former PM Indira Gandhi defeated China in 1967 and sent out a message to the world that if anybody messed with India, they would be taught a lesson.
He further said, despite threats by the then US government, Indira Gandhi did not go back on the Indo-Pak war in 1971 and went on creating Bangladesh by separating it from Pakistan.
BJP hits back
The Telangana unit of the BJP launched a scathing attack on Revanth Reddy, accusing him of echoing Pakistan’s stance on key defence issues.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), BJP Telangana claimed that Reddy went beyond just questioning national security operations, alleging that he referred to Pakistan as “Mana Pakistan” (Our Pakistan) — a comment the party says aligns with Pakistan’s narrative.
Garhshankar youth Vishal Rana, son of retired Subedar Sardari Lal Rana, has become an example for those youths who want to go abroad with dreams of a bright future but earn their living by doing small jobs there. He has…
Garhshankar youth Vishal Rana, son of retired Subedar Sardari Lal Rana, has become an example for those youths who want to go abroad with dreams of a bright future but earn their living by doing small jobs there.
He has made his family proud by getting commissioned in the Canadian Army. By becoming lieutenant, he has set an example for the youth.
BSF destroyed 118 Pak forward posts, dismantled surveillance system: Shah
Reiterating the Indian armed forces’ decisive response to Pakistan’s shelling of civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday stated that the Border Security Force (BSF) destroyed 118 Pakistan posts and dismantled the neighbouring country’s…
Home Minister Amit Shah inspects the damage to a Poonch gurdwara in shelling by Pakistan. PTI
Reiterating the Indian armed forces’ decisive response to Pakistan’s shelling of civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday stated that the Border Security Force (BSF) destroyed 118 Pakistan posts and dismantled the neighbouring country’s surveillance system.
Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, visited Poonch on Friday, where he distributed appointment letters to the kin of civilians killed in Pakistani shelling between May 7 and May 10.
Addressing BSF personnel in Poonch, Shah said that every child in the country recognises the BSF as the first line of defence for national security.
“During Operation Sindoor, BSF personnel deployed along the Jammu and Rajasthan frontiers and the remote Kutch border protected the nation’s boundaries with utmost vigilance. When Pakistan shelled residential areas in retaliation for Indian Army strikes on terrorist camps across the border, BSF responded by destroying or damaging over 118 Pakistani posts and dismantling their entire surveillance system,” he said.
During the appointment letter distribution event, Shah noted that one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first decisions after taking office was to construct over 9,500 bunkers along the border, a move that has significantly contributed to saving civilian lives during attacks.
“The Government of India will build more bunkers to ensure citizen safety during disasters,” he added. Shah emphasised that the Centre “stands like a rock with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Expressing condolences to families affected by the recent shelling targeting residential areas, temples, gurdwaras, and madrasas in Poonch, Shah remarked that financial aid and government jobs can never truly compensate for the loss of life, “but they are a symbol of the sentiments of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India, and the entire nation.”
He also said that the spirit of patriotism witnessed across J&K—from the Valley to Poonch and Kathua—following the Pahalgam terrorist attack had bolstered the resolve of the people.
Referring to the recent attack on pilgrims in Pahalgam, Shah said: “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of responding to terrorist attacks with promptness and severity, Indian forces destroyed terrorist bases in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan. For the first time, Indian forces demolished the headquarters of terrorist organisations located within Pakistan’s borders.”
He clarified that Indian forces, while exercising restraint and precision, did not target any military or civilian institution in Pakistan. “We specifically destroyed Pakistan-sponsored terrorist bases,” he added.
Shah said that a rattled Pakistan, following India’s counter-strikes, resorted to shelling residential areas in J&K, with Poonch suffering the most.
“When Pakistan attacked our unarmed civilians, the Indian armed forces responded robustly, damaging nine of their airbases and degrading their military capabilities, ultimately forcing Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire,” he said.
Relief package soon
Home Minister Amit Shah said a package would soon be announced by the Centre for damaged homes, businesses, and religious sites.
Soon after his arrival in Poonch, Shah visited Gurudwara Singh Sabha, which was damaged in the Pakistani shelling. He also visited other such places in the shelling-hit areas and interacted with the people.
During his visit, Shah met residents and families who lost loved ones and suffered extensive damage to their properties in the shelling. Shah also met the affected shopkeepers.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi today visited forward areas and posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector to assess the operational readiness of the units and formations in the region. “During the visit, the…
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi today visited forward areas and posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector to assess the operational readiness of the units and formations in the region.
“During the visit, the COAS was briefed by formation commanders on the prevailing security scenario and the operational dynamics along the Line of Control, providing a comprehensive overview of the current strategic environment,” an Army spokesperson said.
While interacting with the troops, the COAS applauded their exemplary performance in ‘Operation Sindoor’, and commended all ranks for their professionalism, dedication, and steadfastness, the spokesperson added.
The Army Chief emphasised the critical importance of remaining agile and responsive to the constantly evolving security landscape, reiterating the need for continuous vigilance, operational preparedness and institutional resilience.
State Stalwarts
CHIEF PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
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PATRON ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
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PRESIDENT DISTT MOHALI :ALL INDIA SANJHA MORCHA
COL BALBIR SINGH , ARTY
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General Anil Chauhan PVSM UYSM AVSM SM VSM
INDIAN FORCES CHIEFS
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General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM (30 Jun 2024 to Till Date)
