‘Humbled’ China may go for ‘salami slicing’ of disputed areas

Keep the peace: Confrontation shouldn’t be met with jingoism; a sure recipe for a flareup.

Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd)WITH the reported presence through winter of enhanced strength of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China opposite Doklam, with improved operational and logistics infrastructure, is a Chinese military standoff or more with India almost a surety in 2018? The end of the 72-day standoff over Doklam was hailed as pragmatic; an example of political maturity and military astuteness by all. That was the need of the hour for China. It was about to conduct its five-yearly signature political event, the Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from October 18, 2017. Xi Jinping’s image would not be very high if China was seen to be in the middle of an ugly border spat with a neighbour, which could turn violent with an innocuous trigger. It was also hosting the BRICS Summit at Xiamen, and, presumably, could not be seen to be in an armed border standoff with one of the members. If China did actually pull back from the standoff, albeit reluctantly and without clarity and with those events now over, what holds it back from pressing its claims in the next season and instigating a similar situation? The Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, to his credit, did mention that we have to be prepared for more such standoffs with China, which could resort to “salami slicing” and muscle flexing by it to nibble away at areas claimed by it and under dispute with India.The 19th CPC was about bigger things. It set the tone for China’s future superpower status by 2050 and capability to win wars. Doklam was just an aberration, but for Jinping’s personal ego and that of the PLA, it was enough of a setback, temporarily papered over. India won fulsome praise for its ability not to back down in the face of severe intimidation. This model is being examined by various nations in East and South East Asia, perhaps much to the embarrassment of the PLA and Xi himself. So, is China likely to be in a hurry to retrieve lost prestige from the perceived slight or remain pragmatic and patient? It needs to be remembered that in the leadership provided by Xi in the last five years and more, diplomacy and economic leveraging have played a major role. Yet the restructuring of the military and Xi’s ability to push new strategy has dominated the scene. In its stance towards the disputes in the South China Sea and with Japan in East Asia, China has continued to follow the “Three Warfares” principles adopted in 2003. These relate to intense psychological operations, media manipulation and legal warfare designed to manipulate perception of target audiences on claims put forth by China. The manifestation of this, in practice, really commenced more robustly under Xi although “war under informationised conditions” was a strategy first mooted in the early ’90s. This is the broad strategy it has played out in Ladakh over the last seven to eight years with “walk in operations” aimed to see the capitulation of Indian leadership under persistent claims pressed through military pressure, albeit without firing a shot.  It could always have triggered an armed standoff and hoped to secure its claim lines under imposed robust duress on the Indian forces. Yet, China has long been the exponent of Sun Tzu’s concept of winning wars without fighting; “to subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill”, wrote Sun Tzu, thus giving Chinese military thought a supposed pearl. In Xi’s assumed slight due to Doklam there exists the greatest potential of employing Sun Tzu’s age-old philosophy juxtaposed with the modern concept of “Three Warfares”. This should rest some minds which assume war fighting as the only realm of Chinese strategy. Xi should, and probably will, not be in any hurry to restore his pride after the slight at Doklam because he has gained enough stature after the 19th Congress of the CPC. The enhanced military presence opposite Doklam is a part of the three warfares strategy. However, winning without going to war in the context of the Doklam involves two things. First is to build the disputed road unhindered on the territory claimed by it, but currently technically under Bhutan’s control; second, to establish a closer diplomatic relationship with Bhutan as a breakthrough and wean it away from Indian “stranglehold”, much as Nepal has been weaned away.For India, it will be a win-win if it can continue to retain Bhutan’s loyalty and thereby play up the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007 for mutual consultation and prevention of use of each other’s territory for inimical purposes. Thus in Bhutan lies the key and the focal point. If China really wishes to follow the wisdom of its ancient sage with the technology of the modern times, it will focus on Bhutan, while continually intimidating India through low-level military standoff, but high-energy media and psychological war with persistence on claims to keep the legal pressure at a high, almost akin to the South China Sea dispute. Military brinkmanship will, no doubt, form a part of it, but the area where China is likely to be more cautious and probably review its strategy is in the field of media manipulation. Its information strategy in 2017 backfired as state mouthpieces, The Global Times and People’s Daily just could not make that difference. In a ham-handed show of information warfare, China failed to intimidate India, placate Bhutan or win support internationally. That is a sphere it will now concentrate upon, although it is an area much more difficult to convert to advantage. Thus while keeping our powder dry,  which must anyway be a part of considered prudence, it is the sphere of information warfare and local regional diplomacy in which India must prepare itself much better. The feasibility of China displaying a trailer of its cyber capability focused on a sphere of Indian military or non-military activity also remains a reality for which India must prepare itself. 2018 may well be the year when threats of war fighting may be overtaken by threats of cyber and information warfare. The last reminder: Bhutan will remain the key to the standoff and the retention by India of the current relationship will be the decisive factor. The last time, Indian strategic thinking hit the bull. If the basics are right it will do so again. The writer is former GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps

NN Vohra honours a war widow at a function to mark the Armed Forces Flag Day celebrations in Jammu. Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20

Governor NN Vohra today complimented and thanked all those people and organisations who are helping the Rajya Sainik Board in raising funds for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.During a function organised by the Rajya Sainik Board in connection with the Armed Forces Flag Day celebrations at Tiger Auditorium here, the Governor observed that Armed Forces Flag Day, observed on December 7 every year, was an important occasion to remember the valiant soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.He lauded the crucial role of the Armed Forces, both during war and peace, and observed that their sacrifices were founded in their bravery, devotion and dedication.The Governor stressed the need to make the civil society aware about the role played by the Army in safeguarding the country and maintaining a vigil along the border.He observed that it was our moral responsibility to take special care of the families of the ex-servicemen, particularly martyrs, and expressed concern about the difficulties faced by the families of non-pensioner widows. He noted that consequent upon his taking up the matter with the Defence Minister, their pensions had been recently revised to Rs 48,000 per annum.He said: “We need to work hard to mitigate their sufferings by providing them timely support.”Brig Harcharan Singh (retd), Director, Rajya Sainik Board, spoke about the board’s activities and the funds raised.The Governor gave cheques of Rs 10,000 each to 34 war widows and prizes to winners of painting and patriotic song competitions. The competitions among schoolchildren were organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and the Rajya Sainik Board.Vohra also gave certificates of appreciation to Jammu citizens working for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. Brigadier TK Chopra, Station Commander, and RS Chib, former minister, were present on the occasion.

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Kulbhushan Jadhav

Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian spy sentenced to death by Pakistan in a Field General Court Marshal, may be the most prominent individual to be tried on espionage charges in recent times — but Pakistan and India have a long history of arresting and trying ‘spies’.

Sarabjit Singh

Sarabjit Singh was arrested by Pakistani authorities in August 1990. At the time, India said that an inebriated 27-year-old Singh had strayed across the border while ploughing his field. He was arrested on charges of carrying out four bombings in Faisalabad, Multan and Lahore which killed 14 Pakistani citizens. He was later sentenced to death.Singh was fatally assaulted on April 26, 2013, by two fellow prisoners in Kot Lakhpat jail. Singh suffered severe injuries in the head and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital where a medical board comprising senior neurosurgeons treated him.He died on May 2, 2013. The Indian government conducted a state funeral after his body was brought back to India by his family members. 

Kashmir Singh

Kashmir Singh was a convicted Indian spy on death row and spent 35 years in prison in Pakistan. Throughout his incarceration, he insisted he was not a spy. He was arrested in 1973. Singh was pardoned by then President Pervez Musharraf and returned to India where he was given a hero’s welcome. “I was a spy and did my duty,” admitted Singh after crossing the border, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, adding he was paid about 400 rupees a month for his work. “I went to serve the country,” he told reporters in Chandigarh after his release. “Even Pakistan authorities failed to get this information from me,” he added. 

Ravindra Kaushik

Ravindra Kaushik was born in India’s Rajasthan and was recruited by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) while working as a theatre artist. After receiving two years of training, he was sent to Pakistan in 1975, where he enrolled in Karachi University under the alias of Nabi Ahmad Shakir. After graduation, Kaushik joined the Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer and got promoted to the rank of Major.During 1979-83, he passed on sensitive information to RAW. His run as a spy ended when another Indian spy was caught by Pakistani forces. The arrested spy blew Kaushik’s cover.  Kaushik was incarcerated for 16 years and died in 2001 while imprisoned in Multan Jail after contracting pulmonary tuberculosis.

Sheikh Shamim

Sheikh Shamim was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 1989 and was charged with spying for RAW, reported AFP.Authorities said he was caught “red-handed” near the Pak-India border while spying. He was hanged by the authorities in 1999. By arrangement with the Dawn

(From left) Col Avnish Sharma, Col Ajai Shukla, Maj Navdeep Zaidi, Suman Sharma, Gurmehar Kaur during a session at the Military Literature Festival at Lake Club in Chandigarh on December 9, 2017. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

While social media has several benefits, it is hazardous for military from security point of view and the military must understand how to deal with it.Stating this at a session on ‘The Latest Military Challenge — Social Media’, Col Ajai Shukla (retd) said another social media fallout was reduction in soldier-to-soldier interaction, which was key for camaraderie. Off-duty soldiers are spending more time on social media than with their buddies, he said, adding among the officers, introspection on social media was missing.Cautioning about attempts by foreign intelligence agencies to target Indian military personnel, Shukla said there was a need to educate and understand the social media and exploit its positives as a force multiplier.Maj Navdeep Singh said social media could be used effectively for communication across the military hierarchy and blogs within the military networks could be created for grievance redressal. Stating that sensitive information should be kept out of the domain of social media, he said it could be used to take up matters like pension grievances and implementation of welfare schemes.Col Avnish Sharma said serving and retired officers had to be careful of their conduct and the use of the social media had to be managed effectively rather than being avoided.

HAFIZ Saeed, the man accused by India to be the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, has walked out of his house arrest in Pakistan.  The man has earned a  well-deserved  notoriety with India as well as many other Western countries as an undesirable prophet of terror. The Pakistani judicial system, on the other hand, found no substantial evidence to deny the Lashkar-e-Taiba ideologue his freedom. Predictably, after his release, he made familiar incendiary speeches, spewing venom against India and part of the Pakistani political establishment. New Delhi has rightly expressed its indignation and disapproval that a self-confessed terrorist has been allowed to walk free. The United States has demanded, somewhat perfunctorily, that he be rearrested. All this is part of a familiar pattern.  Hafiz Saeed is an albatross around Islamabad’s neck; the “deep state” and its security establishment can neither own nor disown him. He is a relatively cost-free bogeyman who can be used at Pakistan’s convenience to give New Delhi pinpricks, just as he can be rounded up whenever the Americans make their periodic tut-tutting noises. The Pakistani foreign office seems to have made a fairly correct assessment of the Trump administration’s geostrategic needs and compulsions in this region and seemed to have concluded that it is business as usual in Washington. Pakistani politicians and generals find themselves stuck with the Islamic fundamentalist forces they have encouraged all these years. The violence in the streets of Islamabad over the weekend was yet another reminder of the swamp the scheming generals have created in Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed is a minor, though not entirely inconsequential, symbol of Pakistan’s entrenched malevolence towards India. On our part, we have not been able to evolve a narrative that would minimise this evil man’s importance without diluting our determined fight against terrorism. Our competitive domestic discourse does not permit an attitude of “benign neglect”. It is now the BJP’s turn, as a ruling party, to find itself taunted by the Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, over Hafiz Saeed’s release. Boys will be boys. The challenge before successive governments remains how not to end up according an exaggerated space and importance to this evil man.

IAF personnel pay tributes to Garud Commando Jyoti Prakash Nirala in Chandigarh on Sunday.

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 20

The counter-militancy training operations for the commandos of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Garud special force have dealt a blow to the force with three of its personnel losing lives in the past month.For the first time, the IAF had deployed over two dozen commandos in August in Kashmir for a period of six months. They were attached with the Army’s counter-insurgency Rashtriya Rifles (RR) battalions in north Kashmir to gain operational experience during anti-militancy operations.In the past over a month, three IAF commandos were killed in two anti-militancy operations in the Hajin area of Bandipora district.On Saturday, Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, 31, who was operating with the Army’s 13 RR, was martyred in the Chandrageer gunfight, that killed six Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including Obaid, alias Osama Jangvi, a nephew of mastermind of Mumbai attacks Zakir Rehman Lakhvi.“It was unfortunate that the IAF Garud commando was deployed at a point from where all six terrorists tried to escape,” a senior Army officer said.Last month, the IAF suffered casualties during a gunfight in the same area. On October 11, two Garud special forces’ personnel — Sergeant Milind Kishor, 35, and Corporal Nilesh Kumar, 30, were killed in a gunfight in Hajin that also left two militants, including a local, dead.Though the IAF established its Garud Special Force unit in 2004, it was only after the Pathankot airbase attack in 2016 by Jaish-e-Mohammad, that the commandos were being sent for live operational experience in Kashmir during anti-militancy operations.General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen JS Sandhu said the IAF commandos were here to face battle situation.“I don’t think it is a vulnerability factor. The special forces have to get operational experience. To achieve this, they have been deployed with us. During operations, we do have to face battle situations where sometimes we have to sacrifice ourselves,” Lt General Sandhu said on Sunday.Encounters in Hajin area

• On October 11, two Garud special forces’ personnel – Sergeant Milind Kishor, 35, and Corporal Nilesh Kumar, 30, were killed in a gunfight in Hajin that also left two militants dead
• On November 18, Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, 31, who was operating with the Army’s 13 RR, was martyred in the Chandrageer-Hajin gunfight, that killed six Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba militants

Dear Veternas,

1.    Pre – 2006, 53 Maj Gens filed a case in AFT Chandigarh (OA 100/2010) praying that their pension fixed in Jan 2006 (in 6^th CPC) is at the minimum of Rs 30,350 for their rank and their increments earned at the time of retirement (in 5^th CPC) have been ignored by Govt of India and they draw pension in Jan 2006 less than even Brigadier who retired in Jan 2006. Their prayer is to consider their increments in fixing pension in Jan 2006.

2.   AFT Chandigarh was pleased to direct Govt of India to refix notional pay in Jan 2006 considering their increments so that there is no difference in pension between Pre – 2006 Maj Gens and Post – 2006 Maj Gens for the same length of service. The Govt of India after protracted correspondence implemented the judgment of AFT Chandigarh and all Pre – 2006 Maj Gens started getting much higher pension than Rs 30,350 w.e.f. Jan 2006.

3.   Seeing this judgment of AFT Chandigarh, T SEWA also filed a similar plea in AFT Delhi. Pre – 2006, 1049 petitioners including 250 impleaders joined this case in Sep 2015. Lead Petitioner is Brig SKS Rana, VSM.  Due to such a huge number of petitioners, the Govt advocate kept getting adjournments on the plea that he has to examine all the 1049 records. Hence there is delay in getting judgment in our favour. Our plea is simple: Give the 1049 petitioners the same benefit of higher pension w.e.f Jan 2006 considering their increments at the time of their retirement in 5^th CPC which AFT Chandigarh gave to Pre – 2006 Maj Gens.

4.   Good News.  14 Maj Gens including one R Adm and One AVM also filed a similar case in AFT Delhi in 16 Apr 2016 and were lucky to get judgment in their favour on 12 Feb 2017. The judgment of AFT Delhi is based on judgment of AFT Chandigarh. They are to be paid higher pension from Jan 2006 to Jun 2014 with 9% interest from date of filing their case in AFT Delhi. I calculated the arrears from Jan 2006 to Jun 2014 of the 14 General Officers after the Govt of India gave sanction to enhance pensions w.e.f Jan 2006. PCDA (O) gave LPC to 12 Maj Gens and PCDA of IAF and Navy also gave LPC to one R Adm and one AVM respectively enhancing pension from Rs 30350 to Rs 35660 (highest depending upon the number of increments earned and the last pay drawn at the time of retirement in 5^th CPC). I am attaching 16 MS PP slides explaining the method of notional pay fixation and you can see the bonanza these 14 Maj Gens got. The arrears for the period Jan 2006 to Jun 2014 range between Rs 2,36,751 to Rs 6,02,950.

5.    Who are Going to be Biggest Beneficiaries?.  In Army, infantry, Armd Corps and Mech Infantry officers get their promotions faster than their course-mates from AOC and EME. Similarly Naval officers get their promotions faster than their NDA course mates of Army and IAF. You get higher pension w.e.f. Jan 2006 if you have got more increments or how early you got your promotion to your next last rank.

6.   Period of Arrears. It is from Jan 2006 to Jun 2014. OROP comes into effect from Jul 2014.

7.    AFT – 1B. AFT 1 was filed in AFT Delhi in Sep 2015 and  T SEWA was given OA – 34/2016. We are sure to win in view of judgment given in favour of 14 Maj Gens. There is a demand from many Officers of the rank of Capt to Maj Gen who could not join AFT – 1 for various reasons now to join in a similar case if permitted. Considering their genuine demand T SEWA has opened sequel to AFT – 1 (OA – 34/2006) titled AFT – IB.

9.    All India Coordinator. Cmde Sudheer Parakala, Vice President, T SEWA has been kind enough to be All India Coordinator for AFT – I B. You are requested to contact him at his e-mail id: commodore_parakala@yahoo.co.ukand also can speak to him at 98490 57767. He will send you legal documents which you are required to fill and dispatch the hard copies to his postal address. He is also CC to this mail.

10.    Legal Fees. Since it is common cause we fixed very low legal fees of Rs 5,000 per officer. For single ladies of deceased officers, it is Rs 3,000. You are required to send cheque in favour ofTSEWA –AFT  alongwith the hard copies of legal documents to Cmde Sudheer Parakala. On the envelope kindly mention AFT – 1B for easier identification. We will NOT accept NEFT or Internet banking remittance as we are unable to locate the sender as our bank does not give any details of such money transfers.

11.    Last Date. We will close AFT – 1 B the moment we reach 100 petitioners or by 30 Nov 2017 whichever is earlier. Thereafter if there is still demand then we will open AFT – 1C. Earlier we file the case in AFT Delhi, earlier we are likely to get a judgment.

12.    Eligibility. All Officers from the ranks of Capt to Maj Gen including Hony Lt & Hony Capt and wives of the deceased officers of three services of these ranks are eligible to join the case.

13.    Refund. T SEWA spends almost Rs 9 lakhs per annum on salaries to staff members, maid, telephone / mobile charges, electricity, water, stationery and other recurring expenditure. Anyone who wants to withdraw from the legal case will be refunded Rs 4,500 /2700 (single ladies) before the legal documents are sent to Delhi by 07 Dec 2017. Thereafter we are unable to make any refund as we pay full legal fees to our advocate who will not permit you to withdraw.

14.    List of Litigants. Though Cmde Sudheeer Parakala will endeavor to send you a confirmation of receipt of your legal documents by e-mail, we will put up the list of petitioners in our T SEWA Blog (www.tsewa.org) before we send the documents to Delhi for filing in AFT Delhi. For any queries once we send our documents to Brig SKS Rana, VSM, President, Legal Division, T SEWA, you are requested to contact him. He is CC to this mail and his mobile no is :9810281035.

15.   Non- Members. Since our advocate gives us the concession of very low legal fees, non-members will be admitted to AFT – IB only after they become members of T SEWA. Membership form will be sent to such non – members. When you approach Cmde Sudheer Parakala, kindly mentione your T SEWA membership No. Unless you become a member of  T SEWA you will not be included in this legal case. Membership form also will  be sent to you. You are required to fill it up in CAPITAL LETTERS and affix a joint photo with your spouse and enclose a copy of your first PPO (not Corr PPO). Unless copy of PPO is enclosed AFT Delhi will not treat as an Ex-Serviceman.

16.    My job is over once I sensitize the environment about legal case and an All India Coordinator is identified. I do NOT deal with legal cases thereafter. You are requested to contact Cmde Sudheer Parakala, All India Coordinator for any information about the legal case. I am unable to answer any queries and therefore request you to spare me. If you still want to correspond then do contact Col Dr GB Sethi, General Secretary T SEWA (9440859877)  and Lt Col  G Parvathesam, Treasurer T SEWA (9490941822) for any information on the legal cases. They are CC to this mail.

17.   May God grant us Victory in 2018 and may all get our entitled emoluments.

Warm Regards,

Brig CS Vidyasagar (Rtd)

9493191380 (Mobile connectivity is very poor in my residential complex)
040-48540895

Whatsapp: 9052345814

Banihal, November 8

Thirteen Army men were injured on Wednesday when a vehicle they were travelling in fell from an under-construction bridge in Ramban district, the police said. The incident took place at Rattanwas in the Banihal area, a police official said. The injured have been hospitalised here, the official said. PTI