LOOPHOLES Past attacks, including last year’s ambush at Chandel in Manipur, also point to the army being prone to terror strikes when new units move in to guard strategic points

Attacks are often timed when rotation of units is taking place as there’s a perception that the guard may have been lowered. It can be a dangerous window as sometimes complacency may set in. SENIOR ARMY OFFICER

NEW DELHI: The Uri fidayeen attack in which 17 Indian soldiers were killed is a grim reminder of the army’s vulnerability to terror strikes when new units are moving in to replace older ones.
NITIN KANOTRA/HT
Security personnel guard the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.
Fifteen of the soldiers killed in the pre-dawn attack formed the part of an advance party of 6 Bihar that had come in to relieve 10 Dogra that was deployed along the line of control (LoC). Two Dogra soliders were also killed.
The army said the four terrorists, who were killed, targeted a “rear administrative base” where a large number of soldiers were stationed in tents and temporary shelters as the rotation of units was under way.
Last year’s Chandel ambush in which 18 soldiers were killed also took place when the Dogra unit deployed in Manipur was on its way out to a peace location. An advance part of the unit had already moved to Chandigarh to set up the base there.
The Chandel ambush bears the infamy of having the highest number of army casualties in a single incident in nearly two decades. The Dogra soldiers were part of an administrative convoy. India responded with a cross-border raid, targeting and destroying two insurgent camps in Myanmar. India’s Special Forces killed more than 50 insurgents.

Also, four soldiers from 21 Bihar and one from 14 Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) were shot at close range in an ambush along the LoC in Poonch sector in August 2013. The strike came when 21 Bihar was moving out and 14 MLI was coming in.

“Attacks are often timed when rotation of units is taking place as there’s a perception that the guard may have been lowered. It can be a dangerous window as sometimes complacency may set in,” said a senior army officer.

However, former northern army commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal told HT that there was a misconception that the guard is down when rotation is taking place.

“It’s true that new units take time to settle down as they are not seized of the ground reality. When a unit moves in, the guard is at a high pitch because they know they are vulnerable. No one wants to get killed,” said Jaswal.

The Uri sector has a geographical disadvantage as it is under direct observation of enemy posts at greater heights, army officers said.

No matter how high intensity the guard is, the attackers have the tool of surprise, said Jaswal. “Whoever takes the initiative first will get favourable results,” he said.

It remains to be seen how the army will re-work its strategy and posture to be more effective.

After the January 2013 beheading of a soldier in Mendhar sector, the then army chief General Bikram Singh said the force reserved its right to retaliate against Pakistan at a time and place of its choosing. After the August 2013 strike in which five soldiers were killed, Singh reprimanded his top commanders in Jammu and Kashmir for not launching a massive retaliatory strike against the Pakistani army along the LoC.

In January 2014, he declared the army avenged the murders of its soldiers along the LoC by the Pakistani by inflicting casualties on the neighbouring army.

Quoting Pakistani news reports that 10 of their soldiers were killed and another 11 injured in recent clashes along the LoC, Singh said, “Our boys have done a stupendous job.”

CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh bench of Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) has ruled that the court-of-inquiry (CoI) findings, basis of court-martial proceedings or administrative action for dismissal, be made available to the defence personnel whom the conclusions affect.

The tribunal was hearing the application of a soldier, Lekh Raj Raizada, whom the army chief had dismissed in 1981 in an administrative action. Raizada was accused of not taking any action despite being aware of a developing mutiny on the night of October 8, 1979, which ended in the assault on two officers in a 4 Gorkha Rifles unit.

The action against the soldier was based on the CoI findings and opinion that were never supplied to him. He is no more but his wife now pursues the case. “There is no provision under any schedule of the Army Act and rules for releasing the CoI findings,” the central government submitted. “The Col’s purpose is to collect evidence. These are not adversarial proceedings. Even Army Rule 184 doesn’t postulate that the accused is entitled to a copy.” As of now, defence personnel can see only the statements of witnesses and not the findings and opinion.

The bench headed by justice Surinder Singh Thakur said: “What are the proceedings of a CoI? Is it only the statements, questions, counter-questions, and cross examination, or does it also include the opinion and findings? In our considered opinion, the proceedings of the Col also include the findings and opinion. Without these two parts, the inquiry is directionless.”

The judgment reads: “If the very basis of action depends upon the CoI, which includes findings and its opinion… they need to be supplied to the petitioner, as the CoI is subject to judicial review, and without making these documents known to the court and the petitioner, it cannot be referred to while deciding this point in issue.”

Justice Thakur said: “…not only the petitioner but also we (the bench) want to be guided by… the findings and opinion portion of the CoI.”

Dear Mr Defence Minister,

The ESM fraternity is shocked that you have ordered the Chiefs to implement the 7th CPC Award as it is and will sort out our grievances. Sir, we have heard these same words before and have been duped every time. Wonder if someone has told you that the Ajit Kumar Committee sat for five years to sort out anomalies of the 5th CPC and produced zilch! The Cabinet Secretary’s Committee was formed to redress our grievances after 6th CPC and as expected again gave peanuts to the soldiers. Do you think that the soldiers will take your promise of sorting out the issues seriously? We can be fooled once, maybe twice but not every time.

Wonder if you are aware that there is a precedence to the Services refusing to implement a pay Commission award. After the 4th CPC Award the Services were not happy with the scales for JCOs & OR and the bureaucracy had tried to tweak officers’ salaries in their own favour. The Services accepted the award 4 months after it was paid to the civilians. It was the team of the RM, Mr VP Singh and MOS, Mr Arun Singh that fought the case out for us. Are you willing to stand by us or will the the babus’ case of being ‘heaven born’, supported by Mr Jaitley, prevail? After this will the government have the courage to ask the Army to come to its aid eg., in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka? The shocking scenes of total anarchy on our TV screens with the police forces invisible, will surely give confidence to the state and central governments. Luckily, the Centre has its pet CAPFs who will be able to bring the situation under control, like they did in Haryana!

With warm regards

Satish Bahri

A3/502 World Spa East
Sector 30/41
Gurgaon 122001
Tele 0124 4143180/181
Mob +91 981000 2800

Sandeep Joshi

Three weeks after the Americans had elected him as their next President, Barack Obama met a group of reporters and shared his thoughts on pitfalls of decision-making. In the course of that interaction, he made this point: “One of the dangers in the White House, based on my reading of history, is that you get wrapped up in groupthink and everybody agrees with everything, and there is no discussion and there are no dissenting views.” There is no American monopoly on groupthink. It is a universal weakness. Historians can tell us of numerous instances of grave mistakes and gross misjudgements that resulted from groupthink. We in India seem to be on the verge of a new groupthink of our own on Kashmir. In this new thinking it is understood and unquestioningly accepted by all that the woolly-headedness of the past decades must be rolled back, and that it must be replaced by a new muscular approach to men and matters in Kashmir. This new mood is perhaps part of a larger rethink. The other day we got a glimpse of the new theology from a senior military functionary, Air Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Indian Air Force. The good Air Marshal was reported to have decried that India had allowed PoK to become “a thorn in our flesh” because the post-Independence leadership allowed itself to be governed by high ideals, rather than following “a very pragmatic approach” to security needs. In the new official wisdom, which the Air Chief unwittingly voiced, there are no strategic or other advantages in taking “a high moral ground.”   In this emerging new groupthink, the ‘separatist’ has been coddled up for too long; he must now be made to feel the rough end of the Indian truncheon. A kind of easy acceptance is being sought for this tough stance, invoking strands of nationalism, patriotism and a kind of anti-Pakistanism. Tactical cleverness is being mistaken for strategic clarity and wisdom.It is being authoritatively whispered in our ears that the separatist leaders, especially those who are associated with the Hurriyat, will no longer be allowed to enjoy the protection of the Indian security forces. Enough is enough. This kind of no-nonsense assertiveness goes down very well with the middle classes back in the ‘mainland’.  Assuming — and this is a very crucial assumption — that we were ‘protecting’ Syed Ali Shah Geelani, we were presumably keeping him away from coming to harm at the hands of Pakistani agents and contract-killers.  Somewhere, sometime there must have been a judgement — and, a mature and considered judgement at that  — that it was probably worth providing protection to the Hurriyat leaders; otherwise, they would be easily eliminated and replaced by more radical, more intractable rabble-rousers. Perhaps we have concluded that we have lost control over the Hurriyat leaders, and that we are prepared to have a known devil displaced by an unknown devil.The only flaw in this seductive groupthink is that the Hurriyat leaders by themselves do not add up to anything; what makes them toxic is their capacity to summon mobs on the streets and to have people of the Valley respond to their calls for hartal.  But a self-assured democracy should be able to ask whether by locking them up or by denying them permission to visit Delhi or Saudi Arabia, are we able to wean the crowds away from the difficult Hurriyat-wallahs?  And, while we are at it, we might as well ask ourselves why it is that suddenly the Hurriyat leaders seem to have acquired a greater traction than, say, two years ago. It is inexplicable that we deny the authenticity of the democratic energy we have witnessed on the streets in the Valley; it is inexcusable that we attribute authorship of the anger to Pakistan.  The Pakistani meddlesomeness is older than the Shankaracharya Hills. But our new rulers in New Delhi seem to be confused. It will be naive to think that just because our Prime Minister allows himself to go and attend a wedding in Nawaz Sharif’s family, the Pakistani military establishment would surrender its assets and advantages in Kashmir.  Just as it was a criminal neglect on the part of our intelligence establishment not to be prepared for an explosion after “Commander” Wani’s death in an encounter. Our policy, army, political and intelligence leadership cannot go on making errors of commission and omission and then blame Pakistan for taking advantage of our mistakes. The separatists were not born separatist. What drove very many Kashmiris over to the other side were our policies, postures and pretensions, and “our” politicians and their arrogance and aberrations. But then from time to time our democracy, too, has produced that magical illusion to induce the alienated and angry Kashmiris to come back to this side.  After the Kargil War it was evident to every Kashmiri — as it was to every Pakistani — that Islamabad would never be able militarily to come to help them with the “struggle”. The so-called “struggle” project was over. All that remained was to enlarge the circle of participation and partnership between the Kashmiris and the Indian democracy, and its enormous capacity for accommodation and adjustment. We seem to have forgotten that an Indian Prime Minister had proclaimed and promised that “short of azadi, sky is the limit.” The only redeeming feature of the new groupthink on Kashmir is that the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, seems to be a very, very reluctant recruit. She is the only leader who appears to have the courage to contest and challenge the separatists and their arguments. Hers is perhaps the most demanding, most exacting as also the most dangerous job in India. She can, and does, question the Hurriyat’s pretensions precisely because she derives her legitimacy from a democratic mandate. Her efficacy critically hinges on her ability to showcase herself as the voice of the Kashmiris, rather than as New Delhi’s chosen nominee in Srinagar. And, if people in New Delhi and Nagpur cannot appreciate this delicate but absolutely necessary requirement, then we are in for serious trouble. Perhaps just to humour the high priests of the new groupthink, the Chief Minister did allow herself to suggest that if anyone can “solve” the Kashmir problem, it is Narendra Modi. We had heard the same tired mantra during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s days, as if Kashmir is the personal jagir of this or that Prime Minister.The new groupthink notwithstanding, there is an old contradiction at work: an “imperial” Delhi has the constitutional obligation of the Centre to control, and coerce, if necessary, a recalcitrant periphery; but the “democratic” India flashes its moral badge and flaunts its openness and inclusiveness to blunt the separatist and his secessionist message. Kashmir will continue to test the relative effectiveness of the “imperial” Delhi and the “democratic” India.

Security downgrade, passport freeze, bank scrutiny planned

NEW DELHI: The Centre plans to scale down security of Kashmiri separatist leaders, withdraw their passport that will make foreign travel difficult, scrutinise bank accounts and request state police to complete pending investigations in cases against them.

PTI PHOTOWomen shout slogans during a protest against the killing of civilians in Srinagar. Two more people died since Monday evening, including one due to injuries by pellet guns.

The crackdown follows the Hurriyat leaders’ snub on Sunday in Srinagar to a 26-member allparty delegation that Union home minister Rajnath Singh led to find a solution to two months of unrest in the Valley over the killing of a militant leader. The separatists refused any engagement with the team.

New Delhi viewed the separatists’ stand as provocative, inciting the Valley’s youth and not helping solve the crisis.

Singh on Tuesday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the strife-torn Valley.

The home minister met finance minister A ru nJ a it le ya nd B JP chief Amit Shah later in the evening, along with party general secretary Ram Madhav and junior minister in the PMO, Jitender Singh.

“After the all-party team’s visit, we met today and discussed future course of action in Jammu and Kashmir. Government will make announcement after tomorrow’s meeting,” Madhav said.

The government will brief political representatives at an all-party meeting on Wednesday the outcome of the team’s visit and discuss the road ahead.

The Centre has apparently told the Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir to give up its “soft-separatism” position and take tough action against separatists. Mufti, New Delhi feels, has been a bit hesitant on that account.

As for the Valley’s protesters, security forces don’t take action until the mob attacks with stones and brickbats. “We have asked them not to allow a crowd to gather at all. The crowd should be dispersed immediately. No need to wait till it becomes violent,” a government official said.

Besides, the Centre wants the ring leaders inciting the youth to be behind bars.

New Delhi, August 31

Two central forces — CISF and NSG — were today rendered headless as their chiefs retired and the government named no full-time successors to the posts.While Central Industrial Security Force Director General (DG), 1980-batch IPS officer Surender Singh, superannuated after over a year at the helm, his batchmate and National Security Guard (NSG) DG RC Tayal too retired after serving at the top post for over a year.A Home Ministry statement said while Indo-Tibetan Border Police DG Krishna Chaudhary will officiate as the CISF DG in an additional capacity, Border Security Force DG K K Sharma will do the same at NSG, till further orders.Officials said while the Home Ministry had cleared a panel of at least four names of DGs for consideration of these two posts, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister was still to take a decision on the names. — PTI

1.Brig Inder Mohan Singh exposes Gen Satbir motives IN Punjab.

2. Dafadar Harjinder Singh Khaira  who contributed in organising Rallies for Satbir in Punjab gets annoyed with Fauji Janta Party. write on Whats app.

3.  Satbir Contradicts his own Clarification with his actions.

4.  Capt Chanan Singh sidhu Flares up at Satbir for meeting Capt Amrinder  Singh without him.

5. *Squadron Leader  Gulzar Mathauda congratulates  Satbir for  getting Rajiya Sabhs Seat and one crore from BJP .

 

6. First Election Committee of FJP dissolved by Satbir and Nominates himself as Chief patron of 21 Member New Committee nominated by him from Delhi office and maximum are gunners ( Artillery)  as usual.

7.  Gp Capt VK Gandhi writes to Kadiyan and in turn Kadiyan exposes old email of Gandhi to Pathak for elections of officers in IESM working committee.

click on link below to open Blog with prelction Punjab political Parties News.

http://voiceofesmpunjab.blogspot.in/

Pellet guns were frequently used during the recent violence. Tribune photo

Srinagar, August 19

Srinagar, August 19

The CRPF has informed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that if pellet guns are banned as a crowd control measure, its personnel would be forced to fire bullets in extreme situations, which could cause more fatalities.“In case, this (pellet gun) is withdrawn from the options available with the CRPF, CRPF personnel would have no recourse in extreme situations but to open fire with rifles, which may cause more fatalities,” the CRPF said in an affidavit submitted to the High Court.The paramilitary force submitted the affidavit in response to a PIL filed before the court, seeking ban on use of pellet guns as a means for crowd control mechanism in the Valley, which has been rocked by violent protests since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

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

The force said pellet guns were introduced in 2010 and were an accepted weapon of riot control. It said that following the standard operating procedures while dealing with a dynamic law-and-order problem is difficult in case of moving, bending and running target. Also read: 

• Lecturer’s killing: Army says such acts won’t be tolerated
• Militants attack BSF camp, injure three personnel
•  CRPF man suspended for firing at ambulance driver in Kashmir

The SOP regarding use of firearms for crowd control in extreme situations requires that the weapon be aimed below the waist.“But the situation prevailing on the streets during an ongoing law and order incident is dynamic and mobile. In such a situation, sometimes it is difficult to go in for precise aimed fire at a moving, bending and running target,” it said.The CRPF said it had fired around 3,500 pellet cartridges from July 9 to August 11 during violence by protesters in the Valley.The PIL was filed by the Kashmir High Court Bar Association on July 30.While the CRPF and BSF have submitted their replies, the state government has not filed its response so far.The case is listed for hearing on Saturday. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 14

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today asked the armed forces to maintain all-round vigil on the nation’s borders and said the assets be kept in a state of “readiness” allowing “mobiliaation” of troops to forward positions at short notice. ‘Assets’ is euphuism for all military hardware like planes, guns, missiles and tanks.Parrikar made the comments during his customary broadcast to the armed forces personnel over All India Radio on the eve of the 70th Independence Day today evening.The Defence Minister said, “There is a need to constantly upgrade and modernise our weapon systems and equipment. The government has taken many steps to streamline the procurement process and make it faster and transparent.”He went on to talk about indigenous 155mm Howitzer gun ‘Dhanush’. “This advanced gun has now been handed over to the Army for user trials. This will enhance the firepower of our Army to a great extent,” he said.Addressing the issue of the missing Indian Air Force AN 32 transport plane, Parrikar said all next of kin of crew and passengers on board were being informed and regular updates on the search operations were being given to them by nominated officials. The plane is missing over the Bay of Bengal since July 22.Parrikar commended the “daring response” against terrorists who came fully armed from across the border to attack the Pathankot Airbase. He lauded the role of Armed Forces for showing ‘utmost restraint’ in tackling terrorists in the Kashmir valley.

PM to receive Guard of Honour by Army’s iconic battalion

New Delhi, August 14

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will unfurl the National Flag at the Red Fort tomorrow, will be given a Guard of Honour and among the contingent will be men from the battalion formed in the aftermath of Independence in 1947 to drive out Pakistan-backed raiders from Kashmir.  The Guard of Honour consists of one officer and 24 men each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Delhi Police.The Army contingent for the PM’s Guard is drawn from the 8th J&K Light Infantry (Siachen). The battalion was raised as the First Battalion Border Scouts by volunteers who took up arms in the wake of partition to stop the raiders at Poonch on December 18, 1947. The battalion was re-designated as 8th J&K Militia on April 15, 1948. The Regiment was rechristened J&K Light Infantry on April 27, 1976. — TNS