The IAF’s authorised strength of 42 fighter squadrons “is the minimum strength necessary to dominate a two-front conflict”, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.

The IAF’s authorised strength of 42 fighter squadrons “is the minimum strength necessary to dominate a two-front conflict”, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said.

Highlighting the shortfall in the number of fighter squadrons in the IAF as a challenge to “dominat[ing] a two-front conflict”, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa has said “it is akin to a cricket team playing with seven players instead of 11”. The Chief of the Indian Air Force also said that while the IAF is ready for the use of air power against Pakistan in response to a terrorist attack, it is an option that has to be exercised by the government.

In a candid and wide-ranging interview to The Indian Express, the Air Chief asserted that the IAF has the capability, and is in a position to strike against the Maoists, as and when it is cleared to do so by the government — but that he does not envisage any air attacks in India’s own territory.

The IAF’s authorised strength of 42 fighter squadrons “is the minimum strength necessary to dominate a two-front conflict”, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said. The IAF currently has 32 fighter squadrons, and is tasked with tackling a two-front collusive threat from China and Pakistan.

The “reduced numbers place a severe handicap akin to a cricket team playing with 7 players instead of 11,” Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said. “Though we are operating under challenging conditions, we have devised mitigating strategies,” he added.

“IAF’s plans of prosecuting a two-front scenario with available resources are based on a judicious force employment philosophy. Once the strengths and capabilities are augmented, we would be in a better position to overcome our combat differential and be in a position to dominate the air space,” he said.

Asked whether the IAF had given options to the government about some kind of an “aerial surgical strike” inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Air Chief said: “The use of air power in response to heinous acts or terrorist attacks is an option that is to be taken by the government. IAF is prepared for any eventuality.”

The situation on the Line of Control (LoC) has been tense over the past several weeks, particularly after two Indian soldiers were killed and beheaded last month by a Pakistan Army Border Action Team. Last year, special forces of the Army had launched surgical strikes in PoK after 19 soldiers were killed in a terror attack at Uri. The IAF was not used in that operation.

On the possible use of air power against the Maoists, Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa said: “Our roles are restricted to providing intelligence and surveillance to the forces on ground. We use the RPAs [remotely piloted aircraft] extensively in these operations for intelligence collection, as well as helicopters, mainly for speedy movement of forces between area of operations, and casualty evacuation. As far as terrorist threats are concerned, we do not envisage carrying out air attacks on our territory, to prevent any sliver of possibility for collateral damage. But we have the capability, and are in a position to strike as and when we are cleared to do so by the government.”

The IAF chief also stated his objections to the proposal to establish Integrated Theatre Commands of the Army, Navy and the IAF: “You could argue that this concept is worth attempting if we had older types of air assets whose reach was limited, for which they would have to be placed in specific locations and concentrate their efforts to achieve the military objectives in a sector.

“But with our modern acquisitions, it is possible now to exploit the agility and reach of our platforms to near simultaneously affect the battles on the two fronts, and meet the objects of war. Air power needs space for manoeuvre to exploit its varied characteristics of surprise, shock and speed. If restricted to one sector, the potential of this arm of the military will not be optimally exploited and thus, the Air Force desires to have independence for execution so that the purpose of conflict is best served.”

The Air Chief, however, came out in support of a Permanent Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, who “would thus be the fourth four-star officer who would also be responsible for the various Tri-Service Commands. The Service Chiefs however, will continue to exercise operational control and training over their respective Services and have direct access to RM [Raksha Mantri, or Defence Minister].”

The issue, he said, is still under consideration of the political leadership.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat presents wings to a flying officer during the Combined Graduation Parade held at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad on Saturday. PTI

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, june 17

Commending the security forces for doing a good job under difficult circumstances, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today asserted that the situation in the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir would be brought under control soon.“Some parts of south Kashmir are troublesome. The necessary action is being taken to ensure that the situation there is soon brought under control. I don’t think there should be any cause for concern in any of you,” he told reporters after reviewing the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near here. He said “misinformation and disinformation” was “possibly compelling” youngsters to take up arms in the Valley.“I am quite confident that they (youth) will soon understand that what they are doing is not good for their own state. All that armed forces and security forces want is peace and tranquility in the Valley,” General Rawat said.

Kashmir tense, militants give gun salute to killed Lashkar man

With the passing away of Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang, in Nagaland the baton now passes on to a new generation of rebel leaders. For the first time, the control of the NSCN-K is with an indigenous Konyak. Elders like TH Muivah, the last of the old tribe, can help to leave a legacy of reconciliation for future generations.

SS Khaplang: Nobody’s friend?

H Muviah: Now, a legacy of truce?

Giving peace a chance: Chairman Gen. (retd) M.B Neokpao Konyak (right) and Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Zhimomi of the NSCN Unification group arrive for the ninth Naga Unification Day at camp Khehoi, on the outskirts of Dimapur, Nagaland. PTI

Trecent demise of SS Khaplang, referred to as “Baba,” combined with the passing away of Issac Chisi Swu in June 2016 and the frail health of 83-year-old Thuingleng Muivah sets the stage for the advent of a new generation of rebel leaders. It is these leaders that hold the key to the future of the “Act-East policy”. Our traditions and the Stockholm syndrome (a condition that causes hostages to develop a psychological alliance with their captors as a survival strategy during captivity) have sprouted eulogies about Baba, a Hemi Naga and the senior-most member of the trio. Sadly, driven by vote-bank politics, the Chief Minister of Nagaland has even released an official obituary. On balance, this foe-turned-friend who almost got Issac and Muivah eliminated in 1988, was nobody’s friend. He showed his viciousness with deadly ambush on unsuspecting Dogras in Chandel in June 15, resulting in the martyring of 18 bravehearts. His death opens new possibilities as the control of the he National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), for the first time is with an indigenous Konyak, Khango Konyak. Naga insurgency, that began in the early 1950s, was initiated by the first-generation leaders, Phizo, Mowu Angami and Kaito Sema with the Naga National Council (NNC), and the Naga Federal Government (NFG) as the rallying force. The seeds of proxy war were sowed as early as 1950s with East Bengal (Bangladesh) as the springboard. Phizo’s foiled bid to escape to East Pakistan in 1952, followed by successful forays by Mowu and Kaito, resulted in Phizo finally making it in December 1958. Later, Phizo visited Karachi in 1962 and Pakistan trained nearly 2,500 Naga rebels in the Chittagong Hills between 1962 and 1968. The mischief by the ISI continued even after the liberation of Bangladesh with ISPR as their partner and relationship with new clients like the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).  Mercifully, Sheikh Hasina put an end to this aberration, which was making Bangladesh a sanctuary for all centrifugal forces. The current generation of “armchair warriors, locked up in analysing the ongoing proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, will be well advised not to lose sight of this not-too-distant history and dangers of the Dragon using it again as a leverage to vitiate the situation in the North- East.There is an uneasy peace with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) since the ceasefire agreement in 1999. This accord has, unfortunately, partially legitimised the Naga quest for sovereignty as ceasefire is generally signed between two sovereign nations. Ceasefire with the smaller but equally deadly counterpart, NSCN-K, inked in 2001 lasted till end March 16. Abrogation of the ceasefire resulted in Khaplang’s last fling at fiefdom building, manifesting in the formation of United National Liberation Front-West South-East Asia (UNLF-WSEA), a conglomeration of NSCN-K, Paresh Barua faction of ULFA, Manipuri Meitei groups with allegiance to another combination called CorCom. There is an urgent need to redouble our efforts, along with Myanmar, to regain the control of Taga and adjoining liberated sanctuaries in Kachin forests, serving as training camps for UNLF-WSEA. The Naga society, led by Ho-Hos (tribal bodies), particularly the Konyak Union and the Church, stare at a decisive turning point wherein they could bring all marginal groups (including NSCN-K) together for reconciliation and talks. Muivah, the only link to the old generation, should seize the moment to leave a legacy of being a problem solver, something that Issac missed out on. The third and new generation of Naga leadership, though dominated by Manipuri Tangkhuls, needs to be persuaded to display pragmatism on contentious issues, which despite the sanctity of the Naga Framework agreement of 2014, have been leaked out probably to satisfy their local constituency. These are: unification of all Naga territories, shared sovereignty and joint defence.This is the most opportune period to resolve these issues as the ruling party is in the saddle in relevant states and a thaw between the Nagas and the Meities seems to be on cards, with the lifting of the blockade and the recent visit of the Chief Minister of Nagaland to Manipur. Shared sovereignty within bounds of Article 371, applicable to tribal areas, can be refined with additional autonomy. However, all such measures have to be carefully worded with constitutional safeguards and time stipulation. Joint defence can be worked out with the additional Nagaland Armed Police (Indian Reserve Batallion) battalions and enhanced recruitment in Assam Rifles. Once again, the previous experience of two Naga BSF battalions, comprising surrendered militants, hopefully, will not be lost sight of by policy makers. Even Nagalim, a compulsion with IM due to its almost Orwellian over-reliance on Tangkhuls, can be resolved by setting up a quasi-legal tribal body with a mandate on specified tribal-related subjects and jurisdiction extending to Naga areas in the adjoining states. Our quest to match the Chinese One belt one road policy (OBOR) can gain traction only through the actualisation of the “Act-East policy”, with focus on connectivity to South-east Asia. They say, when you cross Brahmaputra, life is governed by lahe, lahe (slow and slow) but even in the North-East, the new generation needs to shift gear and not deny themselves an opportunity that beckons. The writer is currently Maharaja Ranjit Singh Chair at Panjab  University

Srinagar, June 11

The Army is zeroing in on young stone-throwers in Kashmir — not to lock them up but to take them around India and give wings to their dreams.A group of 20 boys from restive south Kashmir will be taken on an educational tour to showcase India and its development, a senior Army officer said.The idea struck Major General BS Raju, General Officer Commanding of the Victor Force, the Army’s anti-insurgency grid responsible for much of south Kashmir, when he interacted with young boys caught throwing stones at security forces during counter-insurgency operations.“One can easily make out that they indulge in stone-throwing because that is what they have seen while growing up. They are prisoners of the images that they see around them since their birth,” Major General Raju said, adding quite a few did not even know why they were throwing stones.“It was surprising to find that many of them threw stones just out fun,” he said.The Army officer, who is a father of a son and a daughter, decided to go by the rule book of a parent and started interacting with the stone-throwers informally — to discover that they, too, had dreams.Recalling the late President APJ Abdul Kalam’s quote — “Dream, dream, dream! Conduct these dreams into thought, and then transform them into action” — the seniormost officer of the Army for south Kashmir soon started counselling the young students on careers.“When one talks to them, one finds they too have dreams and, because of unforeseen circumstances, these dreams have no wings. My only attempt is to give wings to their dreams and that is why I thought 20 such children be taken around India under the Army’s Sadhbhavna scheme,” he said.The Army, with the help of the local police, has been identifying the youth who will be taken to Delhi, where they will meet people in the government, to Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, Jaipur and other places of historical importance.“Kalam seemed to be a much-respected figure with these children and I narrated his statement about India’s diversity to them. It was heartening to find these boys listening with rapt attention and raising some valid questions,” he said.The attempt, he said, was to shape their lives. “If we can contribute the bare minimum, it will definitely be an achievement,” he said.The Army believes the children, after returning from their multi-city tour, will narrate their experiences to other young Kashmiris, encouraging them to join the next group.“For that they don’t have to pick up stones,” the officer quipped. “All they need to do is approach their own Army men and the needful will be done.” — PTI

A total of 59 Army personnel have been killed in counter-terror operations in the state since 2016. Tribune file photo

Jammu, June 8

Thirty-eight armed militants have been killed as the Army foiled a total of 22 infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir this year.

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According to the Army, infiltration attempts have been foiled at Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors in the last 48 hours, in which seven armed intruders have been eliminated.

“In the current year, 22 infiltration attempts have been foiled and 34 armed intruders eliminated on the LoC,” a senior Army officer said today.

“The relentless operations by the security forces have defeated the desperate attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan,” he said.

As compared to this, 28 infiltration attempts took place in 2015 and 88 such attempts in 2016.

Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre had said in the Parliament that 116 cross-border infiltration attempts were made in the Valley in 2015 and 2016, including 88 last year.

A total of 59 Army personnel have been killed in counter-terror operations in the state since 2016.  — PTI

100-yr-old birth records in Cant still attract British

Over 100-year-old birth and death records of British officers and their families are still lying with Cantonment Board Hospital in Jalandhar. Tribune Photos

Rachna Khaira
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 5
A visit to the office of the birth and death records here may not appeal interesting to many, but the office of the Jalandhar cantonment hospital is nothing less than an amusement for some.
A few months ago, a 90-year-old retired British army officer landed in the Jalandhar Cantonment Board (JCB) office and sought some records of the pre–independence era. Elaborating, he said he had served here as a young British officer in 1945 and wanted to collect the death certificate of his father who had died during his tenure here. The JCB office immediately took out the old records and handed him over the death certificate of his father.
Though the office could not ask for his details and take his photograph, they still remember the satisfaction on his face upon seeing the changed look of the Jalandhar cantonment after so many years.
This is not the first time that someone from the erstwhile British army landed in the JCB office. Many a time, descendents of British officers who served here came to this place to get their birth certificates.
According to an employee of the department, though the office has birth and death records since 1890, sometimes they face difficulty in providing such certificates to the families as a majority of these are in Urdu.
“While the records after 1950 are mostly written in English, the ones before this time were written in Urdu which we could not understand. We have now requested to get these translated so as to avoid any difficulty in future,” said an employee. Also, he said that the digitisation of the historic records had begun and soon these could be retrieved from the Internet as well.
On The Tribune team’s visit to the office, birth and death records as old as 100 years ago were found intact in the office. Surprisingly, a majority of the records were found to be those of Britishers, as if no need was felt during that time to keep records of Indian families as well. As far as the records of the British families were concerned, the name of the parents was written, but in the column of the child’s name it was written “not yet baptised”!
More surprisingly, at some places the birth and death records were found completely blank. When asked, officials were told that due to the commencement of World War 1 and II, the records might not have been maintained during that time.
Sources said while the General Hospital had been recommended to the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) to be declared a historical monument, the JCB should also make efforts to preserve the historic records that might contain birth and death details of some historic personalities who played a major role in the pre-Independence era of the country.