Current Events :
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: India moved on Monday to diplomatically isolate Pakistan as part of retaliation to a militant attack on an army base in Kashmir, but the plan appeared set to run into a wall of resistance from a defiant Islamabad.
After a two-hour meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some of his top ministers decided against any “knee-jerk reaction” and, instead, backed moves to present evidence of Pakistan’s “complicity” at global fora.
Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj was absent from the meeting to draft a response to Sunday’s attack that saw heavily armed militants sneak into the base in Uri and kill 18 soldiers before security forces shot them.
The head of military operations of the Indian army, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, said India had the desired capability to respond, without elaborating.
“We reserve the right to respond to any act of the adversary at a time and place of our own choosing,” Singh told reporters. While India weighed its options, Pakistan seemed readying to pre-empt the diplomatic offensive.
In signs of estrangement, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wrote letters to the leaders of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – China, France, Russia, the UK and the US – about “grave human rights violations” in Kashmir by Indian forces.
Islamabad made no offer of cooperation to investigate the Uri attack, as was done by it in the aftermath of a similar deadly raid on an air base in Punjab in January. The only civilian Pakistani leader to respond – foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz – did not even condemn the attack.
Aziz dwelt more on the situation in Kashmir, especially the unrest triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. Its army chief Raheel Sharif hit out at India’s “hostile narrative”, saying his country was “fully prepared to respond to entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat”.
At a session of the UN human rights council in Geneva on Monday, India asked Pakistan to stop supporting “violence and terrorism” and vacate its “illegal occupation of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. New Delhi also brought up alleged human rights violations in Balochistan the persecution of minorities, including Hindus.
As calls grew for a counterstrike against Pakistan and militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which India believes orchestrated the attack, New Delhi also decided to push for more “terror elements” based there to be brought under UN sanctions. Foreign minister Swaraj will also bring up the attack at United Nations general assembly later next week.
Although New Delhi’s options to hit back at nuclear-armed Pakistan appeared limited, government sources said a “strong message” to Pakistan could include surgical strikes against “inimical assets” along their de-facto border.
Granting political asylum to exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti, who spearheads a campaign for independence from Pakistan, is also being considered.
“The action has to be taken without getting influenced by emotions, anger. It has to be taken coolly and with proper planning,” VK Singh, junior foreign minister said. Past attempts by India to bring Pakistani elements under the sanctions regime has so far been unsuccessful, because of opposition from China, among others.
China said on Monday it was “shocked” by the attack on the Uri base. It also expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Kashmir. France also referred to “the disputes in the region of Kashmir”. India bristles at any mention by other countries of its territorial dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir. (With agency inputs)
Ban Ki-moon
United Nations, September 19
Condemning the militant attack on an Army camp in North Kashmir’s Uri town that killed 17 soldiers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hoped the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice and re-establishing stability and preventing any further loss of life will be the priority of “all involved”.
“The United Nations is following developments closely and shares the concerns of people living in the region for peace,” a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson here said.
Ban expressed hope that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and all stakeholders will meet their responsibilities to maintain peace and stability.
(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)
“The Secretary-General hopes that the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and brought to justice,” it said.
He “hopes that all involved will prioritise the re-establishment of stability and prevent any further loss of life. The Secretary-General encourages all stakeholders to meet their respective responsibilities to maintain peace and stability,” the statement said.
Condemning the “militant attack”, Ban expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, who succeeded Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement, also expressed solidarity with the people of India “who have suffered a terrorist attack.” “We are committed along with our brotherly people of the world to get into the depth of this problem that has generated proliferation of terrorist movements, which doesn’t respect life and the need for coexistence of people,” he said at a press conference after the summit in Margarita Island yesterday.
In one of the deadliest attacks on the Army in recent years, 17 soldiers were killed and 19 others injured as heavily armed militants stormed a battalion headquarters of the force in North Kashmir’s Uri town early yesterday.
Four militants involved in the terror strike were killed by the Army.
The attack comes two years after militants had carried out a similar type of attack at Mohra in the same area. Ten security personnel were killed in the attack that took place on December 5, 2014. — PTI
Azhar Qadri
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 18
The small units of highly trained and heavily armed militants that storm into security installations like the one which stormed an Army base in north Kashmir’s Uri sector this morning are the most lethal discovery of Kashmir’s decades-old insurgency.These militants, known as fidayeen, carry an important advantage — the element of surprise, which allows them to choose the location, timing and inflict damage in the initial assault before they are detected and killed.The introduction of fidayeen in Kashmir insurgency came in the aftermath of the 1999 Kargil war and instantly changed the arithmetic of the conflict. Fewer militants who made up a fidayeen unit mounted heavy casualties on security forces. They attacked anywhere, almost everywhere.The first fidayeen attack was launched on a BSF camp in July 1999 and a Deputy Inspector General and four soldiers of the paramilitary force were killed. In August 1999, three fidayeen attacks were launched in which a Colonel, Major, two Junior Commissioned Officers and six soldiers were killed.In 1999, at least 11 fidayeen attacks shook the counter-insurgency grid as militant units stormed into fortified symbols like the Army’s Srinagar-based Headquarters and the main base of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group in which 12 personnel, including an officer, were killed.The Lashkar-e-Toiba, one of the few foreign groups to operate in Kashmir, was the pioneer in carrying out fidayeen attacks in the Valley. The Jaish-e-Mohammed soon followed and also introduced suicide bombers, the first among whom crashed an explosive-packed car into the gate of the Army’s Srinagar-based Corps Headquarters.As Pakistan banned the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the US, several fidayeen attacks were owned by the little-known outfits like the Shuhada Brigade, Medina Regiment, Al Mansoorian and the Al Nasireen. Most of the fidayeen militants are foreigners, mainly Pakistanis and at least one British, and a few have been from Kashmir. The fidayeen militants continued to attack security installations in Jammu and Kashmir through the early years of the last decade even as they launched several attacks outside the state, one unit targeting the Red Fort, another associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed which attacked Parliament.A retired Army officer, who has served in Kashmir, described the fidayeen as part of a “hybrid war, where the whole intention is to cause exasperation”. “Fidayeen are small teams who want to do something and who have the initiative,” the officer said.
THE focus till a few days ago was on the move of the Army’s five battalions into South Kashmir to occupy what I had called the moral and physical space to stabilise the area most hit by the stone-throwing agitation, post the killing of Burhan Wani. However, in all such situations and without a direct connect to them, is a rogue space which exists in the hybrid conflict. Pakistan has chosen to exploit that space to attempt to counter the effectiveness of our Operation Calm Down in South Kashmir.Calming down the situation or stabilising it does not lie in Pakistan’s interest. Therefore, it had to choose a strategy on how to prevent this from happening and the Indian Army walking away with the accolades. It employed the theory of indirect approach. The need was for a couple of high-profile strikes against recognised targets, show the Indian Army in poor light and demoralise it just as it was attempting to gain the moral high ground in South Kashmir. To execute this it needed strength in the hinterland, which it lacked. Its two previous attempts in Baramula and Handwara to target the Army’s convoys resulted in marginal success, not large enough to draw the eyeballs of the world. Infiltrating a special group to achieve this on an objective in the hinterland is close to impossible, as planning, movement and execution would take the better part of three weeks with no degree of assurance for success. It chose the next best option: the proximity of the LoC itself. The operation had to be launched before the speech of the Pakistan Prime Minister in the UN General Assembly; that permitted a shallow infiltration and choice of objective even closer to the LoC. Pakistan’s Deep State, which plans and executes that nation’s rogue operations, has done this earlier too. Last year it targeted the HQ of the Tangdhar Brigade, which was thwarted by the Indian Army. Last week, it attempted a sneak attack on the HQ of the Poonch Brigade, which was foiled in time with some loss to us. The level of desperation was obviously very high as the Uri attack has come just a few days after the attempt at Poonch.Should we have expected it at Uri? Intelligence agencies gave a broad warning about the possibility of a spectacular action. That is usually done every year. Professional minds would have analysed it exactly as I have done. It had to be near the LoC and it had to be a high-profile target, preferably within the Valley. There is no other objective as starkly evident as Uri. Its garrison is not walled and civilian access is through and through. The access from the south is just 6 km, although robust counter-infiltration layers have to be crossed. So Uri it was.It is unfortunate that circumstances acted in favor of the terrorists as an entry was made into an area where there were freshly inducted troops accommodated in tents, which caught fire, resulting in greater casualties.All these years that Pakistan has relentlessly pursued its campaign in J&K, its position was never weaker than it was around June this year. Low terrorist strength and little excitement among the populace were not contributing towards any of its objectives. The killing of Burhan Wani and the unexpected energy of response by the youth and the public in general spurred Pakistan back to life, sensing great opportunity. However, in the Uri attack and its success beyond expectation it has erred in crossing the Rubicon, the threshold of India’s limit of tolerance. Social media is agog with public response. This response is not going to be informed or rational; it is of the knee-jerk variety, demanding instant action and retribution. No one can explain to the public that these events are to be seen as part of a campaign and not standalone. Since the perception prevails that India has been at the receiving end far too long without adequate response, the pressure on the government and the Army will be tremendous. The emotion may not be as intense as 13/12 or 26/11 but the cumulative effect of perceived inaction will be high.What options do we really have? Firstly, a hot pursuit kind of operation across the LoC has always been the favorite of the strategic community without identification of terrorist facilities. If it’s the Pakistan army that has to be targeted, then we need to be sure that there will be response and an escalation. Secondly, if it is just the abrogation of the ceasefire, then LoC duels can be played out by both, although we do have advantage at most places. Is it in our interest to escalate and draw attention of the international community to an issue which it is tending to largely ignore? That is a moot point for the consideration of the political authority. Thirdly, the public may not find the more prudent and smarter ways of retribution easily acceptable with consequent effect on the reputation of the government and the leadership. However, what Mr Modi commenced with his reference to Baluchistan in the Independence Day speech may just be the appropriate steps to ratchet up the response. In any case, the embers of the fires at Uri have yet to cool and decisions taken when passions dictate the mind are not always the best. Political leaders have made the right noises in terms of recommending shedding of restraint and Pakistan would have to be careful about a quid pro quo from India that is not rational and not in keeping with conventional Indian military thinking. Already online commentaries are examining options, including proactive strategy.Nawaz Sharif and the Deep State may have succeeded in drawing attention to Kashmir prior to a major annual international diplomatic event but have clearly not read the mood of the world. That mood looks upon nations such as Pakistan with deep suspicion and anything in the sub-conventional domain is unlikely to be supported. The Indian Army will do well not to get distracted from the main task of stabilising South Kashmir, although such a grievous loss of its soldiers is not easy to accept.
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 10
Air Vice-Marshal Harinder Jeet Walia, Additional Director General, NCC, and the Commodore Commandant of IAF’s No 48 Squadron, visited the squadron at its home base in Chandigarh today. This is his first official visit to the squadron as the Commodore Commandant.On his arrival, he was received by the Air Officer Commanding 12 Wing, Air Commodore Arun Saklani, as the Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Group Captain Khushpal Singh Lambha and was presented a ceremonial guard of honour.Later, addressing the squadron personnel, he asked them to keep themselves updated in all aspect of their profession. Emphasising on welfare, he said each individual should be aware of various government policies and schemes issued for service personnel.Walia was commissioned in the IAF’s transport stream in June 1981 and has over 5,000 hours of varied flying experience in the Eastern and Northern Sectors. An alumnus of the National Defence College, he had served with 48 Squadron in 1988.
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, September 6
Justice L Narsimha Reddy (retd) today met ex-servicemen to know about their views on the implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme.
Justice Reddy was accompanied by Maj Gen Baldev Mehta, GOC, Uttarakhand Subarea, at the meeting held at the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) here.
Brig RS Rawat (retd) gave a presentation on the OROP and the problems faced by Army personnel.
Justice Reddy carefully listened to and replied to the problems put across by 15 senior officials led by Lt Gen OP Kaushik (retd). Brig KG Behl, patron, Dehradun Ex-Services League presented the vote of thanks.
He thanked Maj Gen Baldev Mehta and his staff officers for arranging the presentation and making all administrative arrangements.
He thanked the RIMC Commandant for sparing his hall and premises for the function. Justice Reddy thanked all ex-servicemen organisation for participating and presenting their views.
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, September 6
The city police have arrested three persons, including an Army man, for stealing electronic items from hostels and houses.A police team led by SP, city, Ajay Singh solved the case which was reported at Premnagar police station a few months ago.The team had kept cellphones of suspected individuals on surveillance to trace the burglars.Acting on a tip-off, the team arrested the burglars when they were striking a deal with a customer to sell stolen electronic items near the Mohanpur powerhouse.The accused have been identified as Ashish, a resident of Meerut (UP), Naveen, a resident of Patel Nagar, and Vipin Rawat, a resident of Garhi Cantt.The police have also seized two laptops and one LCD from them. They are being interrogated.Sources said Vipin was posted in an Army unit at the Garhi Cantt CO (City).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) reviews the guard of honour with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 3, 2016. Reuters
Hanoi, September 3
India on Saturday extended $500 million line of credit to Vietnam for facilitating deeper defence cooperation with the southeast Asian nation, as the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership to respond to emerging regional challenges.
“Our decision to upgrade our strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership captures the intent and path of our future cooperation. It will provide a new direction, momentum and substance to our bilateral cooperation,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc here.
He said the two sides recognised the need to cooperate in responding to emerging regional challenges.
(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)
Vietnam had earlier comprehensive strategic partnership only with Russia and China.
Modi, who arrived here yesterday on his maiden visit to the country, described his talks with Vietnamese counterpart as “extensive and very productive” and said they covered the full range of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
“I am also happy to announce a new Defence Line of Credit for Vietnam of $500 million for facilitating deeper defence cooperation,” he said.
“Our common efforts will also contribute to stability, security and prosperity in this region,” he said.
The two countries signed 12 agreements in a wide range of areas covering IT, space, double taxation and sharing white shipping information.
An agreement on construction of offshore patrol boats was also signed by the two sides, signalling a step to give concrete shape to defence engagement between the two nations.
“The range of agreements signed just a while ago point to the diversity and depth of our cooperation,” Modi said, adding that the agreement on construction of offshore patrol boats is one of the steps to give concrete shape to bilateral defence ties.
He said as the two important countries in this region, India and Vietnam feel it necessary to further their ties on regional and international issues of common concern.
Modi also announced a grant of $5 million for the establishment of a Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang.
“We agreed to tap into the growing economic opportunities in the region,” said Modi, the first Indian premier to visit the country in 15 years.
Noting that enhancing bilateral commercial engagement is the strategic objective of the two nations, he said, “For this, new trade and business opportunities will be tapped to achieve the trade target of $15 billion by 2020.”
Besides seeking facilitation of ongoing Indian projects and investments in Vietnam, Modi said he has invited Vietnamese companies to take advantage of the various schemes and flagship programmes of the Indian government.
“As Vietnam seeks to empower and enrich its people, Modernise its agriculture; Encourage entrepreneurship and innovation; Strengthen its Science and Technology base; Create new institutional capacities for faster economic development; and Take steps to build a modern nation, India and its 1.25 billion people stand ready to be Vietnam’s partner and a friend in this journey,” Modi told his Vietnamese counterpart.
Speaking about the framework agreement on Space Cooperation, he said it would allow Vietnam to join hands with Indian Space Research Organisation to meet its national development objectives.
Hoping for an early establishment and opening of the Indian Cultural Centre in Hanoi, he said, “The Archaeological Survey of India could soon start the conservation and restoration work of the Cham monuments at My Son in Vietnam.” He also thanked Vietnam’s leadership in facilitating inscription of Nalanda Mahavihara as a UNESCO World Heritage site earlier this year.
Noting that ASEAN is important to India in terms of historical links, geographical proximity, cultural ties and the strategic space that the two sides share, he said, “It is central to our ‘Act East’ policy. Under Vietnam’s leadership as ASEAN Coordinator for India, we will work towards a strengthened India-ASEAN partnership across all areas.” Modi also expressed the need to “stay focused to keep up the momentum” in bilateral ties and invited the Vietnamese leadership to India. — PTI
Hangzhou, September 3
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flew into this Chinese city for the crucial G20 summit and talks with top world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping on irritants in bilateral ties like India’s NSG bid and the CPEC, which runs through PoK.”Hello Hangzhou! PM lands in China to attend the G20 Summit,” Modi tweeted, along with a photo showing Modi shaking hands with officials after landing.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup also tweeted about the Prime Minister’s arrival in China, saying: “Morning in Hanoi, night in Hangzhou.”Modi, who reached here after a two-day maiden visit to Hanoi, begins his programme tomorrow morning by holding talks with Xi, in their second meeting in less than three months.The two leaders had last met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in June in Tashkent.Tomorrow’s meeting is viewed as important in the backdrop of steady decline in the bilateral relations over a raft of issues, including the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).The two leaders, who enjoy a good rapport, would discuss contentious issues, which will also include listing of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations in the UN and China stalling India’s membership at the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).This would be followed by a meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders ahead of the G20 summit, which would begin later in the day.Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.He will attend the G20 summit that begins tomorrow with this year’s theme of “Strengthening Policy coordination and Breaking a new path for growth” followed by a number of cultural programmes organised by the Chinese government.On Monday, he will take part in the second and concluding session of the G20 and hold bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister Theresa May and Argentinian President Mauricio Macri before returning to Delhi.In all, he would reside in this picturesque city for about 48 hours, officials said.A meeting between Modi and US President Barack Obama is, however, not on the cards during this trip, they said. — PTI
