File photo of Husain Haqqani.

Washington, April 13

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent statement promising an end of support to terror groups does not reflect a change of policy and is motivated by the fear of getting blacklisted by the global terror-financing watchdog FATF, the country’s former envoy to the US Husain Haqqani has said.

Amidst intense global pressure to rein in terror outfits, Khan last month said his government will not allow Pakistan’s land to be used for any kind of terror activities and promised actions against militant groups operating from the country’s soil.

Haqqani, Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the US, told a Washington audience on Friday that so far, there is no evidence that the Khan government or the military is dismantling Pakistan’s terrorist support infrastructure.

“There is little change in Pakistan’s attitude towards militancy, particularly the one directed against Afghanistan and India,” he said in his address to the third ‘India Ideas Conference’ organised by India Initiative of the prestigious Georgetown University.

Haqqani pointed out that Pakistan has failed to initiate any action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group or its leader Masood Azhar after the Pulwama terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Islamabad’s close ties with Beijing were invoked to ensure that Azhar’s designation as a terrorist by the United Nations was blocked by China at Pakistan’s behest,” he said, adding that such moves are consistent with Islamabad’s policies of the last 30 years.

Haqqani, who has authored several books, is currently the Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute think-tank. He is considered as an outspoken critic of the Pakistan Army’s domestic and foreign policies, especially its support of terrorism.

“Although the FATF sanctions are not imminent, Pakistan is trying to thwart them with public relations moves such as Imran Khan’s latest statement. There will be more PR moves as FATF pressures increase,” he said.

The former ambassador said that the desire to reassure the world once again that Pakistan wants to act against terrorist groups is motivated by economic considerations.

“Pakistan’s economy is not doing too well. FATF sanctions would only make Khan’s only economic option—more borrowing and financial bailouts by other countries and IMF—more difficult,” he said.

Haqqani stressed that “Pakistan’s support for militancy is a strategic choice, motivated by the desire to provide a force multiplier for a relatively poor country trying to act as a major regional power without resources comparable to its perceived rival”.

Pakistan is under intense global pressure to rein in terrorist outfits operating from its soil after the Pulwama attack.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group JeM killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on February 14.

India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured its pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.

Paris-headquartered Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on February 22 condemned the Pulwama terror attack and decided to continue the ‘Grey’ listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat-ud-Dawa.

The FATF continuing Pakistan with the ‘Gray’ listing means downgrading of the country by multilateral lenders like the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Union and also a reduction in risk rating by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, according to experts. — PTI

Amritsar, April 13

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh paid floral tributes at the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial here on Saturday to mark the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Gandhi, Singh, Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, accompanied by some other Congress leaders, paid floral tributes at the memorial inside the Jallianwala Bagh in the morning. They also observed a two-minute silence to remember those who were massacred in the tragic incident on April 13, 1919.

Gandhi arrived at Amritsar on Friday night. Upon his arrival, the Congress chief, accompanied by Singh, went straight to the Golden Temple here and paid obeisance.

Singh and Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore had also taken part in a candlelight march on the eve of the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on Friday evening as part of the events organised by the Punjab government to mark the historic occasion.

Singh had termed the tragic event as a heart-wrenching moment in India’s history.

The massacre took place at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar during the Baisakhi festival in April 1919 when troops of the British Indian Army under the command of Colonel Dyer opened fire at a crowd of people holding a pro-independence demonstration, leaving several dead and scores injured. P

Srinagar: Two Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, including a Squadron Leader, were killed and two others suffered injuries in a road accident early Thursday at Malngpora in the Awantipora Air Force station in Pulwama district, a defence official said here on Thursday. The deceased personnel are Squadron Leader Rakesh Pandey and Corporal Ajay Kumar. The injured personnel were identified as Wing Commander SH Bagga and corporal Sukhjit Singh. They  were shifted to a hospital, the official added. The IAF will conduct an inquiry into the incident, he said. PTI

New Delhi, April 4

The Enforcement Directorate told a Delhi court today that Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, and other accused received €42 million euros (nearly Rs 325 crore) as kickbacks in the deal.

The probe agency, in its 3,000-page supplementary chargesheet, also named David Syms, Michel’s alleged business partner, and two firms owned by them — Global Trade and Commerce Ltd and Global Services FZE — as accused.

In its first chargesheet, filed against Michel in June 2016, the ED had alleged that Michel and others received €30 million (about Rs225 crore) from AgustaWestland.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar said he would decide on whether to take cognisance of the ED’s supplementary chargesheet and to summon the accused on April 6.

ED’s special public prosecutors DP Singh and NK Matta told the court that British nationals Syms and Michel through their firms had received the money without undertaking any work against the receipt of such amount.

The money was received by the firms to execute the 12 helicopters’ deal but no helicopters were bought, ED said.

“The money was paid by Westland Group companies to these two firms. The money was then routed to different companies and individuals. This was done through these two firms in which both (Michel and Syms) of them are directors… Syms’ bank statement records showed that substantial amount has been credited to it,” ED said.

The agency said this money trail completed the missing link in the total €70 million trail of the AgustaWestland deal, which was being investigated by it. — PTI

After a long wait of six decades, the country saw the National War Memorial come alive in the heart of its Capital, at India Gate, on February 25. The obelisk stands tall, solemn and proud — golden letters adorning the memorial’s 16 walls symbolising the Chakravyuh formation, listing the names of 25,000 soldiers martyred in various wars post-Independence, and counter-insurgency operations. Spread over 40 acres, it has four outer concentric circles depicting immortality, bravery, sacrifice and protection — a humble proclamation that the nation remembers its brave; that it has commemorated the sacrifice to eternise their valour, and its own gratitude, in stone.

And so, the distress of a family can well be imagined upon finding the name of their loved one ‘missing’. Within over a month of the unveiling, the armed forces have begun to receive complaints from various corners of such names. The Army, as is its wont, has gone in rectification mode and is seeking details from parent units. The lapse, if deliberate, would have been inexcusable. But since the forces are known for meticulous planning and record-keeping, it could be a case of clerical error, aggravated by lack of clarity over the process and periodicity of updating records. The Ministry of Defence should announce, belatedly, the frequency of data upgrade, so families of those martyred in more recent operations know by when they can hope to see the names on the ultimate wall of honour.

Also, the collation of data is the responsibility of various wings of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. There should be better synergy among the three and the communication lines should remain open to ensure that every single soldier killed in ‘operational’ duty finds a mention on the resplendent walls. Who better than the forces to know a soldier does not embrace the supreme sacrifice for gains or glory; he does it for the call of duty, for the country. No hero should go unsung.

New Delhi, April 1

India today operationalised its strategic ITBP command in Jammu and Kashmir’s Leh-Ladakh district after moving it from Chandigarh. The move forms part of a plan to counter ever-increasing Chinese military build-up in the region.

The North West (NW) frontier of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), tasked to guard the 3,488-km Sino-India border during peace time, is headed by an Inspector General (IG) of Police-rank officer, which is equivalent to a Major General in the Army. “We are operational from the Ladakh region beginning April 1 and the force headquarters in Delhi has been informed,” ITBP IG Arvind Kumar told PTI from Leh.

The Tricolour and the force flag were unfurled to herald the new move. The frontier would be operating from the existing premises of the ITBP sector headquarters, another official said.

Sanctions have been received to create more buildings and logistics for the new command and Director General (DG) SS Deswal, the force chief, is expected to visit the formation soon. It was reported in January that the frontier had been ordered to move from its base at Chandigarh “lock, stock, and barrel” to be operationalised at the new location from April 1. The distance between Chandigarh and Leh is 960 km.

Leh district in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir is the base for the 14 Corps of the Army headed by a Lt General-rank officer and the new shift will allow a better interaction between the two forces “for strategic and defence planning”, the official operations blueprint had said.

The Army, which carved out a separate Corps in Leh following the Kargil intrusion in 1999, has been demanding operational control over the ITBP, a proposal rejected by the government time and again. Having the ITBP and the Army at the same combat location would resolve these issues as well, sources had said. “We have to be on the border and that is why the frontier is being sent to the forward area,” DG Deswal had earlier said.

The Home Ministry had first mooted this proposal in 2015, but it did not materialise due to some “administrative reasons”. The new ITBP frontier would have command of about 12 battalions deployed along the Chinese border, sources said. — PTI

Moved from UT to Leh-Ladakh

• The strategic ITBP command was operationalised in J&K’s Leh-Ladakh district after moving it from Chandigarh on Monday
• The frontier would have command of about 12 battalions deployed along the Chinese border that runs along Jammu and Kashmir

Security personnel inspect the mangled car at Banihal in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir. — PTI file

Banihal/Jammu, March 1

A suspected terrorist, who made an abortive attempt to target a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Saturday, was arrested on Monday and is being questioned, police sources said.

A CRPF vehicle had suffered slight damage when a Santro car went up in flames after an explosion at Tethar village, 7 km from Banihal, shortly after a Jammu-bound convoy crossed the Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to the Kashmir Valley.

The driver of the private vehicle managed to flee before the fire engulfed the vehicle and turned it into a mangled heap of iron.

The inspection of the vehicle and surrounding areas led to the recovery of an LPG cylinder, a jerrycan filled with petrol, gelatin stick, urea and sulphur—material which is used for fabricating the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), the police said.

A massive hunt was launched and finally the suspected terrorist was arrested in the early hours of Monday and is being questioned, the sources said.

The sources, however, did not reveal whether the arrest was made from Banihal or somewhere else.

A letter recovered from the scene had identified the driver as a Hizbul Mujahideen operative,  who mentioned his intention to carry out a February 14 Pulwama-type terror attack which left 40 CRPF personnel dead after a terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit drove an explosive-laden vehicle and targeted a CRPF convoy.

The forensic experts and a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited Banihal and inspected the scene to help in the investigation. PTI

Photo for representational purpose only. PTI

New Delhi, March 15

The armies of India and Myanmar conducted a “coordinated operation” from February 17 to March 2 against insurgents in Myanmarese territory to avert a possible threat to the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project, official sources said.

However, the Indian Army did not cross the border during the operation, they said.

The focus of the operation was to crack down on the members of the Arakan Army, an insurgent group in Myanmar, the sources said. The members of the Arakan Army had also moved close to the international border along Mizoram, they said.

The sources added that during the operation, the Indian Army beefed up the security along the border from Nagaland and Manipur to ensure that the insurgents do not cross over to the Indian side.

The Indian Army also helped the Myanmarese Army by providing them intelligence, they said. There were also inputs that some members of the Arakan Army were also planning to sneak into India.

The sources said setting up of camps by the insurgent groups was being viewed as a grave concern by armies of the two countries.

The operation was also undertaken keeping in view the safety of Indian workers engaged in the project.

After a series of meetings between personnel from both the countries, it was decided to carry out the coordinated operation. Additional troops were moved to the international border areas, besides deploying the Assam Rifles personnel.

The Assam Rifles has the responsibility to guard the international border with Myanmar.

The Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project is being viewed as India’s gateway to the Southeast Asia.

India entered into a framework agreement with Myanmar in April 2008 to facilitate implementation of the project. On completion, the project will help connect Mizoram with the Sittwe Port in Rakhine State of Myanmar.

On the Indian side, work is on to extend the Aizawl-Saiha National Highway by 90 km to the international border at Zorinpui. PTI

Shyam Sood
Rajouri, March 13

The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked shelling on Wednesday afternoon, causing huge damage to the trade facilitation centre at Chakan da Bagh cross-LoC point in Poonch district.

Trade centre employees, security personnel and drivers from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) had a narrow escape.

Meanwhile, the trade centre authorities suspended the business till further orders as the X-ray room along with the old and new sheds were damaged badly.

“The shelling started around 1 pm when the cross-LoC trade was in progress between Poonch and Rawlakot. Two shells fell on the trade centre while two others landed in its vicinity, forcing the people to take shelter at safer places, including bunkers,” said Fareed Kohli, custodian, trade facilitation centre.

“The X-ray room along with the electric wiring in the old and new sheds have been damaged and it’s not feasible to carry out the routine work under such tense situation. So, we have decided to suspend the trade till the situation becomes normal or till further orders.”

Kohli, however, said 31 trucks from Pakistan-occupied Kashmirthat reached the immigration centre would be sent back at the earliest.

“Pakistan resorted to unprovoked heavy shelling in the afternoon when the cross-LoC trade was in progress. The shelling started immediately after 35 trucks crossed the LoC while 31 trucks from PoK reached the immigration centre. No injury or loss of life has been reported,” said Ramesh Kumar Angral, SSP.

“The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation for two hours till 12.30 pm in the Krishna Ghati sector and again around 1 pm in the Chakan da Bagh area of Poonch district. The Army retaliated strongly,” said Lt Col Davender Anand, PRO, Defence.

Fighter jets fly close to border 

Jammu: An air alert was sounded along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday after Pakistani fighter jets were detected close to the LoC. Defence Ministry sources said the Indian air defence systems detected the Pakistani jets 10 km inside the LoC on the Pakistan side in Poonch. “This is the first time after the Indian Air Force scrambled to push back Pakistani fighter jets, which entered our air space in the Nowshera sector on February 27, that Pakistani fighter jets flew this close to the LoC,” said an official. ians

New Delhi, March 9

A day after a former Navy Chief, Admiral L Ramdas (retd), flagged the misuse of defence forces in electioneering, the Election Commission (EC) today asked all parties not to use pictures of any defence personnel in their posters and campaigns.

The EC has reminded the parties about its December 2013 letter in which it said photographs of any defence personnel should not be associated with advertisements, propaganda and campaigns.

Sources said the move came about after many retired officers pointed out how pictures of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman were being used in campaigns. — TNS