In 2013, the purchase of AgustaWestland chopper was stopped midway following suspected bribery charges. — File

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 7

The Ministry of Defence on Monday approved a new ‘blacklisting’ policy that will tackle corruption in defence deals and having a method to deal with foreign companies who pay bribes.The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) that met under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar okayed the new policy.Its details shall be put out on the website of the MoD in a few days.Sources said the MoD has decided to do away with having a system of ‘blanket blacklisting’.The Tribune had reported details of this on October 26 on how the ‘blacklisting’ policy has been okayed. The DAC is the apex decision-making body of the MoD.The new policy will have a pointed product-specific ban, aimed at punishing the corrupt among the foreign suppliers and not hold to ransom the country’s military and defence needs. The new policy envisages that a person of a foreign company, if found to be indulging in corruption will not be allowed to deal in another case of the company’s subsidiary, sources said.During the tenure of the Congress-led UPA (from May 2004 to May 2014), a ‘blanket blacklisting’ was followed and several new procurements are held up.The MoD has decided to do away with ‘blanket blacklisting’ of foreign companies that were found guilty of offering bribes, a top official in the MoD told the Tribune.‘Blacklisting’ a firm may not be a good option as it just forecloses options for India. There are no more than 4-5 equipment makers who are largely integrators of specialised parts produced by niche companies.A sub-committee formed by the MoD will issue guidelines on the extent of blacklisting, its tenure and what all will be the procedure.In 2015 a committee headed by former Union Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh, after talking suggestions, submitted a report on Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and suggested that misdeeds of an entity or its employees should not be visited on the equipment or system.In August 2014, just months after the Narendra Modi government took over the MoD informally decided that ‘blanket bans’ will not help and now this has been firmed up in way of a policy.The MoD banned the Bofors artillery gun in the late 1980s. Since then, there has been no artillery gun purchase. In 2013, the purchase of AgustaWestland helicopters was stopped midway. In both cases, suspected bribery charges emerged.

Lt Gen AK Sharma

Jammu, October 9

Lt Gen AK Sharma assumed command of the elite White Knight Corps (16 Corps) from Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar, who is proceeding on posting after being in command for 14 months.In his farewell message, Lt General Nimbhorkar complimented all ranks of 16 Corps for their professionalism and dedication and thanked the civil administration for the excellent synergy with the armed forces.Lt General Sharma, was commissioned in 1980 into 2 Sikh Regiment, a unit which he later commanded on the Line of Control and during Operation Parakram. An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Army War College and National Defence College, he has also attended Terrorism and Security Studies Course in Germany. He commanded the Mountain Brigade in the North-East, an Infantry Brigade Group in UN Mission in Congo and the Counter Insurgency Force in J&K.Lt General Sharma has been decorated with Yudh Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card. On taking over, he exhorted all ranks of the 16 Corps to continue with the same zeal and enthusiasm and always be combat-ready. — TNS

Had the UNMOGIP been a human, it would have qualified for pension. The recent exchange of fire across the Line of Control roused this group from hibernation.

UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon appointed Major General Per Gustaf Lodin, of Sweden, as Chief Military Observer and Head of the Mission for UNMOGIP.

SURELY India does not need the blood of Pakistanis to cement its own unity? Yet it would appear that it still does.There could be no greater nor more tragic an indictment of India’s foreign policy than that even 69 years after Independence India’s 14th prime minister, Narendra Modi, should succumb to the temptation of whipping up anti-Pakistan hysteria to coagulate domestic support. The latest spat between these two one-armed wrestlers (their other hands are on the nuclear button) is another round in a tournament that — if common sense had prevailed — should have ended decades ago. One can think of no two countries since the end of World War II in 1945 that have maintained such a state of contest, such a war of words spewing from “the brazen throats of war”. Two generations on either side of the fractious border have seen 14 Indian Prime Ministers and 17 elected ones in Pakistan (not counting the interregnums of military opportunists). And yet, both neighbours today stand as far apart as they were on August 1947, when history created what geography deplored. During all this time, the only link between them that has endured has not been the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, nor the Vajpayee peace initiatives following his bus yatra in 1999, nor the furtive back channels, but UNMOGIP, a cumbersome acronym for the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan. Had that body, established in January 1949, been a human, it would have qualified for old-age pension. Instead, it sees itself as a benign, avuncular presence with (like some Pahari raja) a summer home in Srinagar and a winter one in the plains of Islamabad. Secondment to UNMOGIP must rank as one of the most comfortable sinecures in the UN. It is certainly the safest. Since its creation, UNMOGIP has suffered only 11 casualties — nine through accidents, two from illness. Its mandate is “to observe and report, investigate complaints of ceasefire violations and submit its finding to each party and to the secretary general”. Such oversight is not cheap. UNMOGIP’s budget for 2016-17 is $21 million. The recent exchange of fire across the Line of Control roused UNMOGIP from its hibernation. A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon disclosed that UNMOGIP, despite the Indian government’s claims of surgical strikes in Pakistan, “has not directly observed any firing across the LoC related to the latest incident”. That is intriguing. If surgical strikes did take place, then why could UNMOGIP find no trace of them? Or was it relying, like the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee searching the skies for the Eid moon, for “directly observed” evidence? A week ago, war seemed inevitable; today, it is receding into improbability. War, of course, can never be ruled out as an option, for as Georges Clemenceau observed and A.B. Vajpayee demonstrated, “it is easier to make war than peace.” Perhaps it is not accidental that the Prime Minister who received Vajpayee in 1999 was the man who is the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Nawaz Sharif. Even his detractors will concede that he has reacted to Modi’s provocations with mature restraint. He could have retaliated with equally bombastic rhetoric, but he chose not to. He has been Prime Minister thrice already. Unlike  Modi, he does not need to court re-election. He knows Pakistan’s nuclear capability. He was the man who authorised the first test at Chagai. Even naïve political pundits must have recognised the palpable difference between political attitudes in India and in Pakistan. In India, all the parties (particularly the Congress) sank their differences and pledged their support to the BJP government. In Pakistan, Imran Khan again reiterated his determination to sink Nawaz Sharif. Even at the multiparty meeting convened on October 3 by the Prime Minister in a call for national unity, Imran Khan sent Shah Mehmood Qureshi to field for the PTI. Qureshi’s declaration would have been more convincing had Khan not himself decamped for a quick holiday to Nathiagali, and certainly more plausible had Shireen Mazari (the PTI’s feisty spokesperson) not diluted Qureshi’s “faint praise” for Sharif with a damning modification. What does the future hold for India and Pakistan? One cannot speak for the Indians. It is clear they regard their Prime Minister as a Pandava — not Arjuna (who avoided unjust acts), or his elder brother Yudhishthira (steadfast even in war), but Bhima, the most aggressive of the five. One can, however, speak for Pakistan. The Indians must realise that we are not overripe for decimation. Balochistan is not East Pakistan. We are not a troupe of musicians and artistes who can be expelled on a whim. We are a sovereign nation of 200 million, capable of more than simple arm-wrestling.By arrangement with the Dawn.

Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag at South Western Command headquarters in Jaipur. ANI photo

Our Correspondent

Jaipur, October 5

Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag on Wednesday visited Jaipur-based South Western Command headquarters to review its operational preparedness.Upon his arrival, the Army Chief was briefed in detail on the operational state of the Sapta Shakti Command (official name) by Lt Gen Sarath Chand, GOC-in-C, South Western Command.  General Suhag expressed his satisfaction at the state of operational readiness as well as measures undertaken by the Command to face evolving security challenges, especially along the western borders, a defense spokesman said.

A resident assesses the damage in Saujiyan sector of Poonch district on Tuesday. A car, 31 shops, two bikes and some houses were damaged after they caught fire due to shelling on Monday. Tribune Photo

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 4

The Line of Control (LoC) witnessed escalation in tension on Tuesday with the Pakistan army resorting to ceasefire violations in Pallanwala and Nowshera sectors of Jammu and Rajouri districts, respectively.Pakistan used 120 mm and 82 mm mortars and small arms at both places.Local sources said three persons were injured in the firing, but the district administration didn’t confirm it. “According to reports of the Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, and the police, no civilian has been injured,” Jammu Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said. At Pallanwala, the firing started around 2 pm and was continuing till the last report came in. Platan, Channi, Gigdyal, Damanu and Chapeyal villages were affected in the area. In Nowshera sector, firing started around 12.30 am and continued till 11 am. Villages between Kalsian and Makri were affected in this sector.PRO (Defence) Lt Col Manish Mehta said firing and shelling was continuing in Pallanwala sector and the Army was giving a befitting reply.Locals in Pallanwala sector said 200 to 300 mortars were fired from across the LoC, creating panic. “I am at the zero line and shelling is intensifying with every passing minute,” said Satish Sharma, son of former MP Madan Lal Sharma.Around 5 pm, Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violations in Nowshera and KG sectors using small arms and mortars. The firing stopped in KG sector at 8 pm, but it was intermittently on in Nowshera. 

Kashmiri youths run during a police recruitment rally in Srinagar. tribune file Photo

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 3

At least 1,500 youths turned up for yet another recruitment drive in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre at Rangreth.A defence spokesman said the drive was held on October 1 and 2 at Rangreth for enrolment as soldier general duty, tradesmen, clerk and youths participated with full enthusiasm.“Individuals, who have cleared the physical screening, will now be put through a detailed medical examination and a Common Entrance Examination following which a merit will be drawn as per vacancies to shortlist the candidates who will join the centre for training,” he said.Another Army recruitment drive is also underway in Bandipora in north Kashmir since September 29. Earlier, a similar rally was held in Anantnag.

Army launches go-green campaign

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 3

With a message to save the environment, the Army has initiated an afforestation drive with the theme of “Green India – Clean India”.The week-long event is being conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Kalal in coordination with the Department of Environment and Forests, local administration and local village committees at government schools in Mangiote, Seri and Deeing areas of Rajouri district.More than 600 students from schools and adjoining areas took a pledge to preserve the environment and maintain the flora and fauna in the region. The participants planted more than 1,600 ornamental and fruit bearing saplings to mark the event on the inaugural day. The concept of ownership of each sapling is being imbibed among students to ensure survivability of the saplings.Lectures on “Prevention of deforestation” and “Harmful effects of global warming and geological change in the sub-continent” were delivered by officials of the Forest Department on the occasion.

Militants had planned fidayeen attack

Attempt to sneak into Baramulla Army base camp foiled by alert BSF sentries

Army personnel during an encounter with militants in Baramulla on Sunday night. PTI

Majid Jahangir/

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Baramulla, October 3

Even as the combing operation was called off today in Baramulla, where two to four militants had attacked the battalion headquarters of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles late Sunday night, the recovery of a GPS (global positioning system) set and wire cutter at the site of the attack indicate the militants had come prepared for a fidayeen (suicide) attack. BSF constable Nitin, who was guarding the outer post, was killed while another border guard was critically wounded by the attackers before they fled from the spot. The slain constable belonged to Etawah in UP and had joined the BSF in October 2012.“It was a civilian area and the Army couldn’t retaliate effectively, apprehending civilian casualties in the dark. This resulted in the escape of the militants,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain. “The militants were beaten back and they were not able to breach the perimeter of the camp.”After the firing stopped, the security forces recovered a GPS set, compass and AK magazines from the spot where attackers had attempted to sneak in. “These recoveries indicate that the militants were foreigners and had planned to sneak into the camp,” Hussain said.Vikash Chandra, IG, BSF, Kashmir, said the timely detection of the militants by the BSF guards thwarted their entry into the base. “If the militants had managed to cut the razor wire and sneaked inside the camp, there would have been heavy casualties,” Chandra said.On September 18, a group of four fidayeen had stormed an Army base in Uri close to the LoC which left 19 soldiers dead. This was the heaviest blow to the Army in a single militant attack since the insurgency erupted in the Valley.Initial investigations in the Baramulla attack suggest that the militants were not fresh infiltrators, but had been active in the area for some time. The attack on the Army base in Baramulla was the first terror attack after the Army conducted surgical strikes on militant launching pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir last week.The 46 RR Battalion is responsible for counter-insurgency operations in the garrison town of Baramulla and its headquarters are located on the banks of the Jhelum. The town surrounded by mountains on three sides reverberated with gunshots and huge blasts around 10.23 pm on Sunday evening as most of the residents were preparing to go to bed. On Monday morning, when the Baramulla town woke up there was panic due to the nearly two-hour firing in the dead of night. Shops were shut due to the unrest and few people were seen moving in the town.The Sunday attack was the second militant attack in the town during the current unrest.  On August 17, militants ambushed an Army convoy on the Baramulla-Srinagar highway, killing two Army men and a J&K policeman. In this attack too, the attackers managed to flee. GPS set, fence cutter recovered  A GPS set, wire cutter, and AK magazines were recovered from the spot where militants had attempted to sneak in the Baramulla Army camp. Militants snatch weapons in Kulgam Militants decamped with five weapons from a security picket after taking “hostage” two minority community members in Kulgam on Monday. They let off the two hostages only after the cops handed over their guns. P4 

Protesters from PoK’s Kotli residents hold demonstrations against rights abuses by Pakistan’s ISI and Army. ANI photo

Muzaffarabad (PoK), October 2

Kotli residents in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) recently took to the streets to protest against the atrocities committed by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Pakistani Army.

The agitation was launched against extra-judicial killings, fake encounters and brutalities committed on pro-Azadi leaders, who disagree with the Pakistan State.

The angry mob raised slogans such as “Butcher of Kashmiris, Pakistan Army”, “Dogs are more loyal than ISI”.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The protesters demand an independent investigation into the murder of Arif Shahid, a major Kashmiri nationalist leader, chairman of the All-Party National Alliance (APNA), and president of the Jammu Kashmir National Liberation Conference (JKNLC).

Shahid fought tooth and nail against Pakistan’s oppression in PoK before he was shot outside his residence in Rawalpindi on May 14, 2013. He was 62.

Investigation into Shahid’s murder is still inconclusive, and there is no closure in the cold-blooded murder, so far. The ISI is blamed for conspiring and executing Shahid’s murder.

According to an estimate by the Muzaffarabad-based All-Party National Alliance, more than 100 pro-freedom political activists have been killed by the ISI over the past two years.

There is growing resentment among PoK residents over the killings as well as the continued Army clampdown.

Earlier, PoK witnessed a series of protests by residents against rigged polls that saw Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), coming to power.

The United States’ State Department has recently also expressed concern over human rights violation in PoK, maintaining that it has always been urging parties in Pakistan to settle their differences “peaceably and through a valid political process”.

US States Department spokesperson Mark Toner said he could not agree with the view that nobody knew about human rights violations in PoK before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that in recent times.

“Sure, Well, I would respectfully beg to differ. We do have concerns about the human rights situation there, have reported it for several years in our Human Rights Report, and we’ve obviously – are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process. And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known,” he said. — ANI

The PM to assess the ground situation. File photo

New Delhi, September 30A day after the surgical strikes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to review the situation at the LoC and the international border with Pakistan at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Friday.As the tensions had heightened, Modi was expected to assess the situation on the ground, sources said.Pakistan has insisted that there was no strike by India even as its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called a cabinet meeting on Friday.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

India carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC on the intervening night of September 28 and 29, with the Army saying it had inflicted “significant casualties” on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK, days after Modi warned that the Uri attack would not go unpunished.On Thursday, Pakistan summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale over “unprovoked firing” by India in which two Pakistani soldiers were killed. PTI