he blast took place during handling of explosives. Tribune file

Jammu, May 22

An Army man was killed and seven others were injured in a blast during a “training activity” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said.

“On Wednesday at 0915 hours, during a training activity on a military post in Mendhar sector, one soldier was critically injured and later succumbed to injuries”, a Defence public relation officer said.

Seven others suffered minor injuries and two of them were taken to the nearest military hospital. Their condition is stable, the officials said.

The incident took place at the Dhera Dabsi forward post of the 12 Madras Regiment, they said. PTI

New Delhi, May 3

INS Ranjit, an Indian navy destroyer built by erstwhile USSR, will be decommissioned on May 6, officials said on Friday.

The third of the five Kashin-class destroyers, it was commissioned in 1983 and has rendered service to the Navy for over 36 years.

“On May 6, a glorious era of INS Ranjit, being the frontline missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, is going to end,” the Navy said in a statement.

The ship will be decommissioned at a solemn ceremony at the Naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam.

The ceremony will be attended by personnel who have served onboard the INS Ranjit in the past, and officers and sailors from the commissioning crew, it said.

The chief guest for the ceremony would be Lieutenant Governor Andaman and Nicobar Islands Admiral (retired) Devendra Kumar Joshi.

“INS Ranjit was constructed as Yard 2203 in the 61 Communards shipyard in the town of Nikolev in present day Ukraine. The keel of the ship was laid on June 29, 1977, and she was launched on June 16, 1979,” the statement said.

The ship was given its Russian name ‘Lovkly’, which means agile, and was commissioned as INS Ranjit on September 15, 1983, with Captain Vishnu Bhagwat at the helm, it said.

The officer went on to serve as the chief of naval staff during the period 1996 to 1998.

In her maiden sortie, the destroyer traversed through the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Arabian Sea, the statement said.

The ship has the distinction of serving in both the western and eastern seaboard and has been the Flag Ship of both the western and eastern fleets.

INS Ranjit took part in PASSEX with the US Navy in 1991-92 which was a precursor to the Malabar series of exercises with the US Navy.It also took part in the first INDRA (India-Russia) exercise with the Russian Navy in 2003, according to the statement.

The ship also participated in the first ever SAREX with the PLA Navy in November 2003.

The ship in 2007 took part in the first ever Malabar exercise in the Pacific Ocean as well as the first ever INDRA series of exercises in Russian waters, the statement said.

The ship was actively deployed as part of the Navy’s relief operations post the 2004 tsunami and cyclone Hud-Hud in 2014.

In recognition to her service to the nation, the ship was awarded the Unit citation in 2003-04 and 2009-10, the statement said.

“As the sun sets on May 6, the Naval Ensign and the commissioning pennant will be lowered for the last time onboard INS Ranjit, symbolising the end of the Ranjit era in the Indian Navy,” it said. PTI

File photo of Imran Khan. Reuters

Beijing, April 27

Pakistan’s relationship with India remains the “only problem” for peace and stability in the region, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said and expressed hope of establishing a “civilised relationship” with New Delhi after the Lok Sabha elections are over.

Unless there is peace and stability in region, economic prosperity is difficult for Pakistan, and that is what right now the Pakistan government is working on, Khan who is in China to take part in the 2^nd Belt and Road Forum, (BRF) said while addressing the China International Cultural Communication Centre here on Friday.

Khan said Pakistan hopes that the political solution in Afghanistan will succeed and the war-ravaged country attains stability.

“Whatever happens in Afghanistan affects the Pakistan’s bordering areas. So, we are working for a peaceful region. We have decent relationship with Iran and we are trying to strengthen them,” he was quoted as saying by state-run APP news agency.

“The only problem right now is our relationship with India. But we are hoping that after the Indian elections, we will again hope to have a civilised relationship with India too,” he said.

Since his arrival here on April 25 to take part in the BRF meeting which concluded on Saturday, the Cricketer-turned-politician refrained from speaking on India-Pakistan ties which in the last two months have experienced severe strains following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack carried out by the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e Mohammed which killed 40 CRPF personnel.

His emphasis during the visit appears to be firming up more projects for the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of China’s ambitious trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI is Chinese President Xi Jinping’s signature global infrastructure policy. First announced in 2013, the project promises to build ports, roads and railways to revive the ancient Silk Road and create new trade corridors linking China to Asia, Africa and Europe.

The BRF forum aims to showcase the progress of the BRI since it began in 2013. The CPEC is opposed by India as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

In his address at the roundtable meeting of the BRF forum presided by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Khan termed the CPEC as a transformational project which would play an important role in boosting connectivity between the Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Xinjiang region of China.

He also underscored the importance of greater connectivity among the BRI participating countries and proposed four specific areas for particular focus, including digital connectivity, mobility of labour, cultural connectivity and sharing best practices in knowledge and innovation.

To advance these proposals, among other things, Khan also suggested setting up of BRI Tourism Corridor to improve labour skills and mobility and creating multi-lingual digital platforms.

He also mooted cooperation among the BRI countries for poverty alleviation and campaign against corruption. In his speech at the cultural centre, Khan said the BRI had come as a blessing for Pakistan.

“Belt and Road Initiative has given us an opportunity to catch up with other nations. CPEC has provided an opportunity for Pakistan to attract investment not just from China, which is the fastest growing economy in the world now. So obviously, China is a main home from where we hope to invite investors,” he said.

Khan also met Managing Director of International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing and reportedly discussed the bailout package.

Pakistan is currently undergoing a severe balance of payment crisis, despite large infusion of investments from China, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The meeting reviewed the relationship between Pakistan and the IMF.

Khan identified the areas of reform and initiatives being undertaken by his government to stabilise the economy, control inflation and achieve fiscal balance, the APP report said.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of the IMF programme and to work towards an agreement for which a fund’s delegation is coming to Islamabad.

The two sides agreed on the need for a social safety net for the vulnerable groups of the society. PTI

Kaveesha Kohli
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 12

Even though it was 20 years ago that Major Harminder Pal Singh had laid down his life protecting the nation during the Kargil conflict, he continues to live on in his family’s memories. Major Singh was shot by the enemy in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on April 13, 1999.

He was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his service to the nation.

A student of Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Kharar, and Government College, Mohali, it was always his dream to join the armed forces.

His father Harpal Singh had retired as a Captain from the Army. The family lives in Sector 70, Mohali.

“He had joined the NCC. I think he was also inspired by the fact that I was in the armed forces,” recalls Capt Harpal Singh (retd), proudly.

Major Singh had first cleared the exam to become a pilot in the Indian Air Force, but did not meet the medical requirements. Dedicated to the cause of serving the nation, he later got commissioned in the 18 Grenadiers.

On the fateful day, Major Singh was engaged in an “eyeball-to-eyeball encounter” with three militants in a remote region of north Kashmir. He was shot through the temple by the third militant, but only after he had shot the other two.

The Major led the commando platoon of his battalion, in what was subsequently described as a “dare-devil” operation in Sadurkotbala village in Manasbal.

The family received the news of his martyrdom around 7.30 pm on April 13, 1999. Major Singh’s son Navteshwar Singh, who is now a student of Punjab Engineering College, was only three months old then.

“At that time, thousands of Sikhs had gathered at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi. The then CM of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, got the news of my son’s demise at Anandpur Sahib where he expressed his condolences,” recalls Capt Harpal Singh. He said the government had been supportive of the family since his son’s martyrdom.

Major Singh’s wife was awarded a job in the office of the District Food and Supplies Controller, Punjab.

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Former Air Force chief NC Suri told India Today that he had not signed any such letter. In fact, Air Marshall Suri has written another letter to the President’s office clarifying his stance. General SF Rodrigues said he had no idea about the letter and called it fake.

Former Air Force chief NC Suri and former Army chief General SF Rodrigues have denied signing a letter supposedly written by military veterans to President Ram Nath Kovind urging him to stop politicians from using the defence forces for political purpose.

Suri told India Today that he had not signed any such letter. In fact, Air Marshall Suri has written another letter to the President’s office clarifying his stance. General SF Rodrigues said he had no idea about the letter and called it fake.

“Don’t know what it (letter) is all about. All my life, we have been apolitical. After 42 years as an officer, it’s a little late to change. Always put India first. Don’t know who these people are, but this is a classic manifestation of fake news,” said General SF Rodrigues (retired).

The controversial letter which was made public on Thursday urged Kovind to “take all necessary steps to urgently direct all political parties that they must forthwith desist from using the military, military uniforms or symbols, and any actions by military formations or personnel, for political purposes or to further their political agendas”.

Jammu, April 1

A civilian was injured on Monday as heavy firing exchanges took place between Indian and Pakistani troopers on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, police said.

The civilian, identified as Muhammad Sharief, was injured by a mortar splinter and has been shifted to hospital for treatment, the police said.

Authorities have also closed all educational institutes close to the LoC following the ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army at the Shahpur and Kerni sectors that began at 7.45 am.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand, the Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing of small arms.

The Indian troops retaliated effectively in the firing which is continuing intermittently. IANS

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Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, March 25

The Indian Air Force on Monday formally inducted Chinook helicopters at Air Force Station 12 Wing in Chandigarh.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa attended the induction ceremony. Also, teachers from four different religions were present at the ceremony.

The helicopters were flown to Chandigarh, which would be the choppers permanent base. Two hangars and a maintenance bay along with associated technical and logistics facilities were to have been set up here for the purpose.

Chinooks have a payload capacity of about 10 tonne and will provide much-needed fillip to the IAF heavy-lift capability, a role earlier being fulfilled by Soviet origin Mi-26s, also based at Chandigarh.

The IAF had four Mi-26, but now is left with just one serviceable machine. Chinooks will lift artillery, vehicles, road construction and engineer equipment as well as troops and supplies to mountainous sectors in North and North-East.

Chandigarh is no stranger to Chinook. Three of them belonging to British Royal Air Force had been airlifted here from the UK for onward journey to Nepal for flood relief operations in 2015. After being re-assembled and test-flown, these spent a few days here before being recalled home

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh completes two years of his second term in office today. In an interview with The Tribune, he recounted his government’s achievements. Excerpts:

How would you rate the performance of your government?

More than satisfactory. We have made progress on all fronts, despite an acute financial crisis. We have put the economy back on track and alleviated the woes of lakhs of farmers with our debt waiver scheme. Investors and industry are now coming to Punjab. We have been able to break the backbone of the drug mafia. Most gangs have been eliminated. We’re facilitating employment with 5.76 lakh youth getting jobs every day in the government and private sectors.

We brought an end to VVIP culture within days of taking over. Other states followed suit. There is a lot more — development of infrastructure, particularly link roads, upgrading standards of education and making healthcare more accessible and affordable. We have raised the quantum of funds for social welfare schemes and launched Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana to ensure the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries. Most importantly, we have brought transparency in governance.

There is a perception that several ministers, especially Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sukhjinder Randhawa, are not on the same page with you.

I am not clear what exactly you are referring to, but in a democratic institution, everyone has the right to opinion on issues. Navjot felt differently on the issue of travelling to Pakistan for Imran Khan’s swearing-in. But as I have stated earlier there were personal reasons. It has been the Congress culture to allow members to speak their mind and yet be on the same page on a majority of issues. I am sure Navjot is on the same page as me when it comes to national security. His remarks on the IAF airstrikes need to be read in the same light. He is an emotional man.As for Sukhjinder, like other ministers, he wants quick action in sacrilege cases. But I have made it clear to him, and to everyone else, I cannot just rush to throw someone behind bars, without proper investigation. The judiciary will take action once investigations are complete. Sukhjinder knows I don’t believe in vendetta.

Have you been able to deal with the drug and liquor mafia and organised crime?

Very effectively, I would say. As I have said many a time, we have broken the backbone of the drugs mafia and saved our youth. Owing to efforts by the STF formed to tackle the menace, 19,443 cases have been filed under the NDPS Act, 22,933 persons arrested and 469 kg of heroin seized, besides other substances. Simultaneously, we are focusing on treatment and rehabilitation of the affected youth.

Coming to organised crime, our police has made a major breakthrough and eliminated notorious gangsters who had a free run under the previous regime. The figures with me show 1,332 gangsters and 18 terrorist modules have been busted and three terrorists and 22 foreign handlers either arrested or neutralised.

What about the outcome of the SIT probe into the role of bigwigs in sacrilege cases?

Let me clarify the SIT is not investigating the role of bigwigs in sacrilege cases, it is probing all aspects of the crime and the subsequent police firing. As to when the SIT will complete the probe is not for me to say. It is an independent agency. It will submit its findings to courts after the investigations are over. Those who have tried to divide us by inciting communal hatred and those behind the killing of innocent persons have to face the consequences of their actions. They have already gone scot-free for long.

Your party MLAs feel it is the bureaucracy, not elected representatives, who are calling the shots.

There were some complaints initially from MLAs but those were resolved. I personally told the bureaucrats that they must respect the MLAs, who are a bridge between the government and the people. They have been told that any lack of respect to elected representatives will not be tolerated. The bureaucracy and elected representatives are now working closely in the interest of the people. They are both pillars of my  government. I will ensure they continue to work in harmony.

The bureaucracy and elected representatives are working closely in the interest of the people. They are both pillars of my government. I will ensure they continue to work in harmony. — Capt Amarinder Singh, Punjab CM