Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria in a message on the Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh called upon the people to rededicate themselves to the ideals and goals set out by the great Guru and work for creating…

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria in a message on the Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh called upon the people to rededicate themselves to the ideals and goals set out by the great Guru and work for creating a harmonious society based on values of humanism and secularism.

The Governor said that Guru Gobind Singh, a saint soldier, symbolised the virtues of truth, righteousness and universal brotherhood. He was a great warrior and launched a crusade against social injustice and tyranny of the rulers of those times. The sacrifice made by the Guru, who sacrificed his four sons, father and mother for saving humanity and preserving secular values, are rare in the annals of mankind.

He appealed to the people to strive in unison for carving out a healthy and harmonious society by following the precious legacy of the tenth Guru and celebrate the occasion irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah to pray at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj today

Offering rich salutations to Guru Gobind Singh on the occasion of his Parkash Purab today the prime minister said the 10th Sikh Guru’s values of equality, sense of justice, bravery and his constant striving against casteism in society are at the core of New India.

Sharing a short clip saluting the life and sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh today, the Prime Minister said, “I bow to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on his Prakash Utsav. His thoughts inspire us to build a society that is progressive, prosperous and compassionate.”

The Prime Minister ended the salutations with “Wahe Guru ji da Khalsa Wahe Guru ji di Fateh.”

Pakistan will continue to face the brunt of TTP attacks, as the latter’s crusade is religious and such militant groups seldom abandon their ideological beliefs.

Yogesh Gupta

ON December 24 last year, Pakistan launched targeted attacks against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the Paktia province of Afghanistan, killing dozens of people, mostly women and children. This was in response to the TTP’s raids against Pakistani security forces on December 21 in south Waziristan, which resulted in the killing of 16 Pakistan soldiers.

As US-made weapons seized during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 became available to the TTP, it increased its attacks inside Pakistan in 2024, killing 1,612 security personnel and others in 444 terrorist attacks. Last year was the deadliest in terms of terror attacks, as per Pakistani sources.

Pakistan’s reading of the Taliban — whom it reared and supported for more than two decades against the US-led international security forces in the expectations of having a friendly regime in Kabul, which would provide it with “strategic depth” — has turned out to be completely wrong. The Taliban has accused Islamabad of pocketing much of the international aid it got from the US and other countries in the name of Afghanistan. The two countries have also differed on the installation of a fence by Pakistan in the bordering areas as Afghanistan does not accept the Durand Line marking the border, claiming that it was an artificial line dividing the Pashtuns unfairly on both sides.

In 2021, the then Imran Khan government of Pakistan engaged in peace talks with the TTP, which were facilitated by the Taliban. The year-long negotiations, which included a brief ceasefire, failed without the ceasing of attacks by the TTP. According to some Pakistanis, these talks provided useful time to the TTP to regroup and boost its strength. Pakistan has given several warnings to the Taliban at the highest levels, but the latter has shown no serious intent to control the TTP.

The Taliban and TTP share ethnic ties and have fought together against the West for years. The Taliban has ideological sympathy with the TTP’s objective of establishing a Sharia state in the tribal areas of Pakistan and uses TTP’s militant activities to pressure Pakistan whenever it wants. Also, if the Taliban were to take harsh action against the TTP, the latter’s fighters could defect to the Islamic State of Khorasan (ISK), an offshoot of ISIS, with whom they share jihadist beliefs and deep-rooted bonds and which is active in several parts of eastern and north-western Afghanistan. It would, thus, weaken the Taliban and strengthen its enemy.

At present, the Taliban has given a decisive blow to the ISK, killing several of its senior commanders and keeping the group’s terror activities under check.

The TTP attacks have increased destabilisation and insecurity in Pakistan and encouraged other dissident groups, such as the Balochs and Pashtuns, to fight against the Pakistani state. Pakistan’s hopes of attracting foreign investment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not borne fruit. China, which is Pakistan’s “iron brother” is unhappy about inadequate security arrangements for its 1,200 workers who are building critical infrastructure in Pakistan as the TTP and Baloch separatists have targeted Chinese experts in several attacks. With Pakistan unable to pay China’s loans and provide foolproof security to its personnel, China has stalled work on most projects.

The TTP attacks leave Pakistan with few viable options. Pakistan has no desire to mount a full-scale war — which it is unlikely to win — against the Taliban. It has seen how the Afghans have fought valiantly against the Soviets and Americans in the last four decades. The Taliban may not have a big army like Pakistan, but it has a brilliant record of mounting guerrilla operations, with its human suicide bombers and hit-and-run attacks. Even Pakistan’s allies like China and the US would not favour that option for their own reasons. The US would not like the Taliban to be distracted from its fight against the ISK. China nurtures the ambition to extend its Belt and Road Initiative to Afghanistan and carry out projects in mining, oil exploration and infrastructure sectors. Also, then the Taliban will not be able to control the China-centric terror group, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, in Afghanistan.

The deterioration in Pakistan’s relations with the Taliban has allowed India to reassess its policy towards the Taliban, reopen its embassy and provide emergency assistance to the Afghan people and consider resuming work on its economic projects in Afghanistan. The Afghan Embassy in New Delhi is now being run by the representatives of the Taliban government.

Pakistan has taken a few steps to increase the cost for the Taliban in allowing the TTP. These include the repatriation of about 8,00,000 Afghan refugees and disruption of Afghanistan’s land trade via Pakistan. These measures were not liked by the US and others as they felt that the Taliban was already facing a grim humanitarian situation, with a shortage of food, energy and other essential items, and was hardly in a position to look after so many more people.

The Taliban has also not relented in any of its policies about broad-basing its government, allowing education to women beyond the middle school or other human rights despite facing severe sanctions and near-total isolation on the world stage. It has enforced its religious codes of conduct in an authoritarian manner, oblivious of the global public opinion.It has become clear that the Taliban regime is not collapsing or being thrown out of power. More sanctions on the Taliban will only compound the misery of the Afghan people.

Pakistan is continuing its dialogue with the Taliban on the cessation of TTP attacks. The Taliban has asked Pakistan to allow trade to resume and assured it that it would shift the TTP elements away from the border. It is doubtful that the Taliban will keep this promise and change course. Given the experience, it is likely that Pakistan will continue to face the brunt of TTP attacks, as the latter’s crusade is religious and such militant groups seldom abandon their ideological beliefs.

Incident takes place near Ambeli village under Kutru police station

Eight jawans of District Reserve Guards (DRG) and a civilian driver were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Monday, police said.

The incident took place near Ambeli village under Kutru police station when the security personnel were returning in their Scorpio vehicle after an anti-Naxalite operation, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said.

The DRG is a unit of the state police.

This is the biggest strike on security personnel by Naxalites in the last two years, an official said.

On April 26, 2023, ten police personnel and a civilian driver were killed after Naxals blew up their vehicle, which was part of a convoy carrying security personnel in neighbouring Dantewada district.

From : Brig Inder Mohan Singh (Retd)

To : All Veteran Officers of Punjab

Some of you may be aware that Indian Ex Services League (IESL) is the oldest and largest ESM organisation in the country. It was founded in 1964 by Gens Cariappa and Thimayya. It was recognised as the Apex organisation of ESM by an Act of Parliament in 1986. The GoI gave about 2000 sq yds of land on Lease in Perpuity. The British created a Royal Commonwealth Ex Services League (RCEL) and we are a member along with 45 or so other Commonwealth countries. The office building at 9 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri was constructed in 1970. No money came from GoI directly. Rs 2.50 from National Defence Fund. The next biggest donor was the British Royal Commonwealth League about Rs1.80 lakh. Birla and Tata Trusts contributed Rs 50000 each, Rs 10000 from then Govt of Mysore, Rs 2500 from Escorts.

To expand it’s footprint states were asked to form their State Leagues. Punjab was the first to form this in 1965. Then others followed. Of the 14 Presidents so far 7 were from Haryana/West UP. This happened because an election system was started and in a planned manner it was structured that the two regions bordering Delhi kept control of IESL. Apart from Gens Cariappa and Thimayya, there was Maj Gen Tara Singh Bal from Delhi as the third President. There was one from HP, Maj Gen Bikram Singh. Brig Mohinder Singh of Grenadiers was the only other President from Punjab. In the elections held in March 2023 i got elected with one vote lead. This has not been taken well by the previous controllers. One of loser has even filed a case. Well that is being taken care of.

I have sounded that IESL will not be a political arena and elections will not decide it’s future. The Air Force Association (AFA) has no election system. Something on those lines. I have strong legal stand to achieve this.

I need a few things from veterans of Punjab, especially senior officers. One I request you to become a member of IESL. It’s a one time payment of Rs 500. Then I need your views how to restructure it.

Punjab has the second largest number of ESM. Over 3.6 lakhs. UP a much bigger State is about 4.2 lakhs. Haryana is well below us. But in IESL membership we are about 65000 against 75000 from Haryana.

Similarly we want to restructure the Punjab League. As senior officers some of you have a good connect with the political powers of Punjab. Haryana and a few other states are doing a wonder in this regard. We are at the bottom.

Can I request you to become members of IESL. It’s only then we can make a beginning. Punjab is fortunate that we have three fully Punjab based Inf Regts though some troops come from neighbouring states. Similarly we have a good strength in Engrs and Arty. We are now not so well placed in other arms and Services. Some of you are from these Punjab centric Regts. It’ll be easier to reach out to our JCOs and NCOs.

Earlier ESM said IESL is a crony of the govt, meaning the party in power and will not speak out. I’m the first one to take on this challenge and now some are saying go slow.

Please call me anytime for anything you wish to know.

Brig Inder Mohan Singh (Retd)
92169 19004
05 Jan 2025

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COBRA Army at its lowest. GOC -In – C Southern Comd with Maharastra CM. Maj Gen on driver’s seat, Brig as Co-Dvr. The Army is conducting this new initiative all over India “Know ur Army.” And the Nation is knowing this worst downfall of the Indian Army. Why shouldn’t your officers be beaten, kicked, and thrashed. This shameless demonstration of zero pride and substandard professionalism is an open invitation to the undeserving to join the Indian Army.

Mai Bharat Ka fauji

Former Chief of the Army Staff, Gen VP Malik, today called for a change in the mindset across all hierarchal levels to deal with in-service issues concerning the role and employment of women officers and ensuring their rightful due. Speaking…

Former Chief of the Army Staff, Gen VP Malik, today called for a change in the mindset across all hierarchal levels to deal with in-service issues concerning the role and employment of women officers and ensuring their rightful due.

Speaking at the launch of a book, “In Her Defence”, authored by high court lawyer Maj Navdeep Singh and public policy specialist Shivani Dasmahapatra, he said a lot of ground still needs to be covered to bring parity between men and women officers. He said women officers were used as “showpieces” for long and were not groomed for taking up command assignments, where they had now been placed.

Stating that women officers were highly capable, Lt Gen KJS Dhillion (retd), who has served as the General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, cited various examples and anecdotes where women in the armed forces had performed commendably.

Terming the book as “a cornerstone and embodiment of the judiciary’s unwavering dedication to upholding the principles of equality and justice”, the authors said it is an anthology of essays and commentaries in layperson terms contributed by jurists, judges and academics on landmark constitutional court decisions of India that made a difference and brought about a positive change for women in the forces.

The foreword of the book, which lists out 10 important court judgments concerning women officers, is written by Major Priya Jhingan, the first woman to join the Indian Army.

A CISF jawan allegedly shot himself dead with his service weapon at the Surat airport on Saturday, the police said. Kisan Singh (32) died by suicide in a washroom of the airport, they said. Singh, who hailed from Jaipur and…

A CISF jawan allegedly shot himself dead with his service weapon at the Surat airport on Saturday, the police said. Kisan Singh (32) died by suicide in a washroom of the airport, they said. Singh, who hailed from Jaipur and was deployed at the Surat airport, shot himself in the stomach.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was found in Reasi district by Army troops, following which it was defused with the assistance of the bomb disposal squad. The IED was discovered in the forest area of Angrala along the Mahore-Gulabgarh road,.

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was found in Reasi district by Army troops, following which it was defused with the assistance of the bomb disposal squad. The IED was discovered in the forest area of Angrala along the Mahore-Gulabgarh road, an area known for terror activities. The explosives had been hidden in the forest.

An Army official said that the IED waas detected on Mahore-Gulabgarh road near Angrala. and neutralised, ensuring the safety of civilians and troops.

Meanwhile, the General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, visited forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Jammu division on Friday to review security and operational preparedness. A spokesperson stated, “The GOC White Knight Corps, along with the GOC Ace of Spades Division, visited forward posts along the #LOC in Poonch and Rajouri to review security and operational preparedness.”

Gunfight broke out on Saturday evening in a forest in south Abujhmaad along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts

Four Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, a senior police official said on Sunday.

A head constable of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was also killed in the face-off, he said.

The gunfight broke out on Saturday evening in a forest in south Abujhmaad along the border of Narayanpur and Dantewada districts when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, the official said.

After the exchange of fire stopped late on Saturday night, bodies of four Naxalites and automatic weapons, including AK-47 rifle and self-loading rifle (SLR), were recovered from the spot, he said.

DRG head constable Sannu Karam was also killed in the gunfight, the official said.