Leap of Joy: Short Service Commission officers in a jubilant mood after the passing-out parade at the Officers Training Academy in Gaya on Saturday. PTI
Current Events :
Simran Sodhi
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 14
India today hit out at Pakistan for its “sustenance” of terrorism and further went on to state that it would be best for the neighbouring nation to look at its own human rights record in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and in Balochistan.The Indian delegation issued a statement to this effect at the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva and reiterated India’s stand that the main cause of instability in Jammu and Kashmir was the terrorism sustained from across the border. “The foremost challenge to stability in Kashmir is the scourge of terrorism, which receives sustenance from Pakistan. Contrary to Pakistan’s claims, and in gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the designated terrorist entities and organisations continue to carry out their activities freely as reported in the Pakistan’s media,” the statement said.India said concrete evidence about cross-border encouragement and support for the protests in Kashmir had been handed over to Pakistan but “instead of working with a sense of purpose to address this issue, Pakistan resorts to short-sighted tactics to divert attention, as we have once again seen today”.The Indian side also pointed out that Pakistan showed no hesitation in “using air power and artillery against its own people, not once but repeatedly over the years”.
PUNJAB NEWS :::12 JUN 2017
REGISTRATION DATE EXTENDED UPTO 25 JUN 2017 FOR “GUARDIANS OF GOVERNANCE” A PUNJAB GOVT PROJECT OF ESM EMPLOYMENT TO ACT AS EYES AND EARS OF CM
Leap of Joy: Short Service Commission officers in a jubilant mood after the passing-out parade at the Officers Training Academy in Gaya on Saturday. PTI
A newly-commissioned officer is greeted by his mother, a Colonel, after the passing-out parade at IMA in Dehradun on Saturday. PTI
Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat greets newly-commissioned officers in Dehradun. PTI
Tribune News Service
Dehradun/Gaya, June 10
As many as 490 gentlemen cadets, including 67 from 10 friendly nations, passed out from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here today with Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat reviewing the passing-out parade at the historic Chetwode drill square.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Another 187 cadets passed out from the OTA, Gaya. Among them were 64 of the Technical Entry Course, 33 Special Commission Officers and 90 of the Technical Entry Scheme. GOC-in-C Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh, reviewed the passing-out parade. Earlier, the immaculately turned-out cadets put up a well synchronised parade before Gen Rawat. As the parade started, two Army choppers flew over the drill square to shower rose petals on the tarmac, carpeting it with flowers.Among the 423 Indian cadets, Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest 74, followed by Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand 40, Rajasthan 30, Bihar 28 and Delhi 23.Later, speaking to reporters, Rawat said women need to be given combat roles in the army as terrorists often used women as shields.Awards were presented to the medal winners, which included Sword of Honour and Gold Medal to Avinash Chhetry, who stood overall first in merit in regular course. Vikas Sangwan and Rohit Joshi were presented silver and bronze medals. Wilfred Cprian was awarded silver medal for standing first in order of merit among foreign cadets. He also presented Chief of Army Staff Banner to Singerh Company. These cadets belonged to Tajikstan, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Lesotho, Fiji, Tanzania, Bhutan, Sudan and Kyrgyzstan.
On Chinese incursions It is a matter of perception… We also use intrusions while patrolling. It is vital to have better understanding between two nations, rather than aggravating things
On turmoil in Valley Youths in J&K are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace. Security forces have to devise ways to counter this… Terrorism is the biggest challenge for us.— Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief
(Above) Cadets celebrate after their passing out prade, and (left) newly commissioned officer Taranjot Badwal (L) salutes his father after getting commissioned in the Indian Army at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on Saturday
Jammu, June 8
A major in the Army on Thursday died en route to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi after falling from a pony in Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.“Major Pardeep Singh was on his way to cave shrine when he fell down from a pony near Indarprasth on Adhkuwari stretch in the district on Thursday,” SSP Reasi Tahir Bhat said.He was shifted to a dispensary at Adhkuwari where doctors declared him brought dead, he said.Pardeep (36) was posted at 87th Brigade in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir and he was the son of Brig Kamal Singh Chauhan. He hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur. PTI
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 6
A day after a fidayeen attack was foiled in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the J&K Police today said the four militants killed in the gunfight belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba.The investigators are, however, not sure whether the slain militants were fresh infiltrators or had already been operating in the area.In the wee hours on Monday, the security forces foiled a major fidayeen attack at Sumbal, Bandipora, by killing four heavily armed foreign militants who intended to set the Central Reserve Police Force camp on fire to cause massive casualties.The CRPF Director General, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, and Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid today visited the camp and interacted with the men who foiled the attack, appreciating their work.“We succeeded in foiling the fidayeen attack and the Jammu and Kashmir Police also helped us. There is a great coordination between the forces,” Bhatnagar told reporters after visiting the camp.The DGP awarded the security men at the camp who foiled the fidayeen attack. “The fidayeen belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba. They didn’t appear to be locals, their identification is being ascertained,” Vaid said. The DGP, however, said that they were investigating whether they were fresh infiltrators or had been active in the area. Police sources said the Lashkar was active in the area and many of its men had been killed in encounters this year.The post-mortem of the slain militants could not be done yesterday due to clashes that broke out in the area after the gunfight. After medical examination, the bodies of the four militants were taken to Baramulla for burial.
Amir Karim Tantray
Tribune News Service
Jammu, June 6
Observing fast (roza) during the holy month of Ramazan and waking up early to eat “sehri” proved helpful for Commandant of 45th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Iqbal Ahmed to immediately react to the fidayeen attack on his camp in the Sumbal area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.Four foreign militants were killed in the gunfight which lasted for over an hour and a major tragedy was averted by killing these fidayeens before entering the camp.“It was 3.20 am and I had almost finished my sehri. I was ready to go for ablution before offering the Fajr prayers when I heard three gunshots. I immediately told my jawans to see what has happened and in the meantime intense firing started. I ran and activated the Quick Response Team (QRT),” Iqbal Ahmed told The Tribune on phone.“Due to Ramazan I was awake and it helped me to act quickly without wasting any time,” Ahmed said, adding that had fidayeen been able to enter the camp it could have proved fatal as they were carrying a huge quantity of arms and ammunition.Muslims all across the world are observing fast in the holy month of Ramazan and praying during the night and waking up early is a routine for every Muslim during these 30 days. Iqbal Ahmed, despite being on duty, was keeping the fast and it helped him to avert the major tragedy of his life.As the gunfight had begun, electricity got snapped in the camp due to strong wind and the Commanding Officer had to activate all corners simultaneously without giving any scope to militants to enter the camp.“In the beginning fire was coming from a nearby orchard and our sentries were retaliating to it. In the meantime, we were able to establish that two militants were lying on the road in front of the gate and were also getting cover fire from the militants in the orchard,” Ahmed said.“Our men didn’t let militants enter the camp and firing continued for over an hour. When firing stopped from the other side, we found that four fidayeens were killed,” he added. The CRPF camp was hosting around 150 jawans and families of some officers as well. Iqbal Ahmed’s family was also present inside the camp at the time of attack.“Due to summer vacation of my children in their school, my family was with me and some other families were also there. By repelling the attack many lives, including of officers’ families, were saved,” the Commanding Officer said.Since yesterday, Iqbal Ahmed and his Jawans are being praised at every level. DG CRPF as well as DGP J&K gave commendation certificates to CRPF Jawans today.
The Pakistani Army on Sunday released a video purportedly showing “destruction” caused by it to the Indian military posts across the Line of Control, the second such video in two weeks amidst a flare-up in border tensions.
(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)
The 27-second video was released a day after it claimed to have killed five Indian soldiers while retaliating to India’s “unprovoked ceasefire violation” in Tatta Pani sector along the LoC.
Pakistani Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor posted the video on twitter in the wee hours of Sunday.
“Video clip showing destruction of Indian posts on LOC by Pak Army in response to unprovoked Indian firing on innocent citizens,” he said in a brief statement with the video.
This is the second time in two weeks when the Pakistani Army released such a video.
On May 24, it released a video purportedly showing heavy damage caused to the Indian posts across the LoC, in a tit-for-tat action after the Indian Army released a clip of the “punitive fire assaults” on Pakistani positions.
Yesterday, Army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed to have killed five Indian soldiers and destroyed Indian bunkers in the firing.
No further details of the cross-border exchange of fire were provided by the Pakistani Army.
Yesterday, the Indian Army said that a woman was injured when the Pakistani Army violated ceasefire twice in two sectors of Poonch district by firing mortar shells on forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC, prompting Indian troops to retaliate.
There are strains in ties between India and Pakistan over cross-border terror attacks in India and the death sentence of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav by a military court on spying charges. PTI
Feel the magic of the mighty peaks, fathom the fortitude of standing apart like the Himalayas and thank those who died while defending the land for your fun-filled today and tomorrow
From warm cups of tea to joyrides on hand-driven sledges to rides over steep glacial slopes on 600 and 800 cc snow-bikes, Zero Point is a new attraction among travellers. Photos: Amin War
IF you are planning your summer vacation on the basis of temperature charts in Himachal, and are still unable to find the cool quotient, get togged up for the cooler climes you’d love with awe. No, it’s not going to be Manali, Dalhousie and suchlike. Kashmir — the Zojila Pass — it shall be. The vast barrenness, snowy peaks and a feeling of being on top of the world draw you to the soul of the Himalayas. At an altitude of 11,649 feet, Zojila Pass is picturesque, fearsome, quiet and dominating. The long winter never ends. Its glacial snow sparkles under the summer sun. Deep inside the Himalayan mountain range on the north-eastern edge of the Kashmir valley, Zojila is the gateway to Ladakh. To the west of Zojila is the Sonamarg meadow resort and to its east is Drass, a small township — the second coldest inhabited place in the world.The road from Sonamarg to Zojila is a serpentine curve that laps around towering mountains, a journey that enthrals amateurs and adventure lovers. Until a few years ago, the Sonamarg-Zojila road was dangerously narrow. It is now widened enough to allow passage of Indian Army’s battle tanks. The pass is also the gateway to the frontiers with two neighbouring countries, Pakistan and China.
Deceptive weather
The temperatures are as fickle as the sunlight. On June 1, snow melted in the Kashmir valley. At Zojila, a blanket of thick snow beats the summer warmth as the long winter only changes its temperature from harshly freezing to mildly cold.The highway from Kashmir to Ladakh is sliced through glacial snow at Zojila by hundreds of labourers who dig through the white wall for nearly a month to carve a road. The snow clearance is listed as “one of the most challenging tasks” undertaken by Project Vijayak of Border Roads Organization.“Apart from the extreme cold climate, the troops involved in the task have to face danger of avalanches, landslides, snow blindness, frost bites and chill blains. The work requires highest level of physical fitness, mental robustness, courage and skill,” A K Dikshit, chief engineer of Project Vijayak notes on the official website.This year the road at Zojila was reopened on May 12 after labourers dug through almost 40 feet of snow for a month. During more severe winters, the snow wall that blocks Zojila can be as high as 60 ft.
Tourist rush
Once Zojila is open for the summer months, all sorts of traffic moves through it — truckers who supply stocks to Ladakh region; soldiers who guard its frontiers with Pakistan and China; shepherds who walk their herds to nearby meadows; bikers who journey onwards to Ladakh’s beautiful landscape; and groups of tourists.Jami, a 55-year-old shepherd who inherited a rigourous lifestyle of nomadic tribe Bakerwals, has been on the move for a month to reach Minamarg, a meadow downhill Zojila. “It is a hard life,” says Jaji, a resident of Jammu region’s Reasi district.He, along with members of his family and 500 sheep and goats, is passing through Zojila at the same time as Anurag Mittal is. Mittal is an engineer from Delhi’s Karol Bagh, who is biking to Leh on a high-power motorcycle.Unlike Jaji, whose inheritance takes him through Zojila every year, it is first time for Mittal, and he is flabbergasted as to how the pass can remain snowed in for six months every year.Zero Point: Carnival of lifeThere is no natural habitation at Zero Point, a reference to a central point of the mountain pass. The freezing weather makes it almost impossible for any form of life to survive. However, man’s struggle to and thrive has given birth to a different sort of carnival of life at Zojila. The Zero Point is emerging as the new tourism spot and a daily stopover for hundreds of travellers.From warm cups of tea to joyrides on hand-driven sledges to rides over steep glacial slopes on 600 and 800 cc snow-bikes, Zero Point is a new attraction. “On a good day, the daily collective earnings here can be around Rs 10 to 15 lakh,” says Mehraj-ud-din, a tourist photographer at Zojila. “This place has become a good source of income for almost 500 people,” he says.For Zahoor Raina, owner and operator of one of the 13 snow-bikes, Zojila is home for almost a fortnight. A science graduate, Raina says business season is mainly limited to two months of the peak summer period. “After that, it gets difficult to live.” The previous season was extraordinarily good, says Raina. “I paid off all my debts, and still saved a good amount.” The government plans to construct a detour tunnel that would weather-proof the connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The tunnel will be 14.15 km single-tube, bi-directional, and will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.The mountain pass and the road on its sides are also etched with histories of wars. It served as a gateway to a thundering war machine of the Army during the 1999 Kargil war. And many decades before that, in the winter of 1948, Zojila sealed its fate as the then highest point in the recorded history of warfare where tanks operated in a war.
Know the Pass
Temp Max: 10 degrees C (summers), can be less. Nights can be bone chilling
How to reach
Nearest airport: Srinagar International Airport. Distance from Zojila: 115 km Delhi to Zojila: Fly to Srinagar. Hire a cab and head for a 3-hour drive to ZojilaChandigarh to Zojila: Fly to Srinagar. Hire a cabRoad connectivity: Good till Sonamarg, but Sonamarg to Zojila is bumpyRail connectivity: Available till Udhampur, Jammu (approx 300 km)For bikers: The vehicle should be ready for a long mountainous trip. You should be a licensed and well-trained rider
Nearest hotel/motel
On Srinagar-Zojila road, good hotels and cheap motels are available at Sonamarg (90 km from Srinagar, 10 km from Zojila). On Zojila-Leh road, nearest and cheap motels are available at Drass, 35-40 km from Zojila.What to wear: Keep woollens readyNearest ATM: Sonamarg, but get your stocks in SrinagarMobile connectivity: None
Tales of valour
Srinagar, June 2
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar this evening.General Rawat informed the Governor about the Army’s operational review, which concluded earlier this evening. After the review, the Governor and the Army Chief discussed several important inter-related internal and external security management issues and the steps required for more effectively dealing with terrorist activities.The Governor also discussed with the Army Chief issues relating to providing increased opportunities and avenues for assuring a satisfying future for youth of the state. The Governor also met three commanders and several senior Lt Generals holding key positions. — TNS
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 30
Several measures have been introduced to streamline the functioning of the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), the functioning of which had been affected by financial and administrative ills over the past several years. The measures include easing norms of procuring medical supplies, revamping the command and control structure and issuing smart cards.A major relief to ECHS beneficiaries is a policy introduced to de-link supply of medicines from the Armed Forces Medical Supply Depots (AFMSD) and empowering the Senior Executive Medical Officers (SEMOs) at military stations to be solely responsible for procuring medicines.Earlier, all medicines to ECHS polyclinics were routed through the AFMSD and the non-availability of medicines at polyclinics had become a serious issue due to logistics as well as budgetary constraints.The scheme was launched in 2003 to provide medical cover to retired armed forces personnel and their dependants and reduce the workload of service hospitals. At present, it caters to 52 lakh beneficiaries through a nationwide network of 421 operational polyclinics and 2,247 private hospitals.ECHS members are also being issued new smart cards having security features to guard against fraud and misuse. These will have an embedded chip to store personal and medical information of members and their family members.The income criteria from all sources for being eligible to become a member’s dependent has been revised from Rs 3,500 a month to Rs 9,000 plus dearness allowance.The scheme has also been extended to eligible Army Postal Service pensioners and the Defence Ministry has been accorded sanction for follow-up treatment from government hospitals and Regional Cancer Centres. The expenditure so incurred will be reimbursable as per rates of the hospital.
