A tran-sborder tunnel originating from Pakistan that opened 30m inside Zero Line on the Indo-Pak border in RS Pura sector of Jammu district.

Shaurya Karanbir Gurung

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 9

The discovery of a 30-foot-long and 10-foot-deep tunnel running through the international border (IB) in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district has highlighted the need for a tunnel-detection technology.India has been finding it difficult to fulfil its plan to equip the new anti-infiltration system with a tunnel-detection technology. It has sought information on the tunnel-detection system from Israel, which claims to have used such technology to guard its borders and prevent cross-border attacks.“The possibility of more tunnels being found along the IB cannot be ruled out. The BSF discovered the tunnel in the RS Pura sector only after a portion of the tunnel had caved in. But what if there is a tunnel made of concrete? India needs technologies to detect such tunnels,” said a government official.“The Israelis claim to have seismic technology and ground-penetrating radars. But these tools can only work up to a certain depth. They are useful for Israel which has a shorter border with the West Bank and Gaza strip as compared to our border (IB). It is yet to see how to use the radar technology along the Indian borders,” said a security official.A 2012 BSF committee, constituted to submit a report on patches along the IB where the water level is low and the soil is conducive to digging tunnels, said there were areas vulnerable to tunnelling in Jammu and Punjab.The committee report said the radar technology would not be able to detect deep tunnels like the one found in Jammu in 2012 which was 30-foot-deep.At present, the BSF has been using counter-measures such as driving tractors over areas vulnerable to tunnelling and second-tier deployment along the IB in Jammu. But even these measures cannot pinpoint the exact location of a tunnel.Besides, the BSF believes persons (from Pakistan) may use underwater and aerial means to infiltrate into the country. “This could be done using machines to move under the surface of a river meandering between India and Pakistan,” said the official.

Anti-infiltration system

The anti-infiltration system with the tunnel-detection technology, which India plans to procure, is called the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management Solution (CIBMS). It integrates sensors, communication, infrastructure, response, and command and control. It will be set up along the IB with Pakistan, including the unfenced gap. The CIBMS system has also been planned to counter infiltration with the use of technologies such as SONAR.

The Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Wednesday.

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 2

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Navjot Kaur Sidhu sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday in detecting the alleged multi-crore scam related to the misappropriation of funds given by the Centre for the rehabilitation of victims of the1984 anti-Sikh riots in Punjab.Approximately 22,000 riot-affected families came to Punjab, out of which around 15,000 families had come to Ludhiana. In June 2006, the then Union Government sanctioned Rs 2 lakh as compensation per family and an amount of Rs 440 crore was forwarded to the SAD-led Punjab Government.She alleged that in connivance with some Akali leaders, the money was siphoned off in the name of bogus beneficiaries. She demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged scam and asked for the assistance of the CAG to expose the guilty leaders.A three-member committee comprising the then DC, the ADC and an Akali leader, was constituted to disburse the amount.“Thousands of identification cards for distribution of Rs 2 lakh per family as compensation were found bogus. Also, those who were given the grants, received only Rs 1 lakh each and Rs1 lakh was taken as bribe.Thousands of card holders who did not receive their compensation were shown in papers to have already received it,” she said.She visited the PMO and discussed the matter at length. “The affected families met me and narrated their problems. More than 500 government flats were forcibly acquired, sold and hundreds of such flats were being illegally rented out. I brought every detail to the notice of the Prime Minister with proofs. I have urged him to reopen the inquiry, so that the aggrieved families can get their dues,” she said.The Ludhiana Vigilance Department investigated the matter on the basis of the complaints filed by the affected families and it had found gross discrepancies in the report it filed subsequently, but these were never probed.The affected families knocked at the door of the high court which directed that action be taken against the culprits, but the Punjab Government remained silent, she alleged.

India’s first rail auto hub, boost to e-catering, connectivity to North-East and no hike in passenger fares. Here’s a quick recap of all major announcements made by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

This is Mr. Prabhu’s second rail budget.

On new projects to be implemented this year:

MiG-21 (above) and MiG-27 were phased out on Jan 1. file

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 24

In a damning reality, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is now at its lowest combat strength in more than a decade.The IAF has informed the government about the gravity of the situation that the force is now in the middle of the shortage. Three squadrons of the vintage single-engine Soviet Union origin MiG-21 and MiG-27 have been phased out as on January 1 this year, leaving the IAF with only 32 squadrons (some 16-18 planes in each). This is some 10 short of the government mandated 42 squadrons needed to tackle a simultaneous two-front war with China and Pakistan.In simple words, the IAF will have some 576 fighter jets and will be short of the 750-strong fighter jet fleet mandated by a government sanction to wage a simultaneous two-front war with Pakistan and China.Of the 32 squadrons, the vintage MiG-21 and MiG-27 will form 11 squadrons. The Sukhoi 30-MKI populates 10 squadron, the 1970’s design British Jaguar is in six squadrons, followed by French Mirage 2000 and Soviet Union’s MiG-29 in two and three squadrons, respectively. The last three are being upgraded with better missiles and avionics.The country is now facing the reality of projections on IAF fighter fleet made, separately, over the past 10 years, by the Indian Air Force, strategic thinkers, successive reports of Parliamentary Committees on Defence and the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Warnings on the “lackadaisical” pace of induction of new fighter jets into the Indian Air Force and the resultant lose of “combative edge” in battle are now ringing true, sources say.A senior official admitted: “We are in the middle of the predicted shortage.”It is the replacements which bother the IAF. The IAF will be raising a squadron of the twin-engine Russian-origin Sukhoi-30-MKI within this year but much depends on the speed of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is licensed to produce it in India.HAL, a Ministry of Defence (MoD)-owned public sector undertaking, was mandated by the Cabinet Committee on Security in March 2006 to produce 16 planes annually and deliver 180 in phases by 2017. The project is running three years behind schedule. Till 2011, the HAL had the capacity to produce just eight Sukhoi-30 jets annually, said a report of the CAG in 2014.The Sukhois were ordered in phases since 1997, the IAF wants 272 of these in its fleet by 2020. The other choice for the IAF is to seek faster induction of the 106 Tejas “Mark-1A” which have been ordered.The MoD has set a 2018 deadline for the first aircraft to be ready with a target to complete its production by 2022-23. In September, new specifications were agreed upon and the IAF accepted 43 modifications that could be carried out without changing the existing design.10 squadrons short for two-front war with China, Pak

• Three squadrons of the vintage single-engine Soviet Union origin MiG-21 and MiG-27 have been phased out on January 1, leaving the IAF with only 32 squadrons (some 16-18 planes in each)
• This is 10 short of the mandated 42 squadrons needed to tackle a simultaneous war with China and Pakistan

Much depends on HAL’s speed of production

• The IAF will be raising a squadron of the twin-engine Russian-origin Sukhoi-30-MKI this year but much depends on the speed of HAL, which is licensed to produce it in India
• HAL was mandated by the Cabinet Committee on Security in March 2006 to produce 16 planes annually and deliver 180 in phases by 2017. The project is running three years behind schedule
• Till 2011, the HAL had the capacity to produce just eight Sukhoi-30 jets annually, a 2014-CAG report said

Bravehearts cremated with full state honours at their native villages

The body of Lance Naik Om Prakash arrives at Chikher, 50 km from Shimla. Photo: Amit Kanwar

Bhanu P Lohumi,Tribune News Service,Chikher (Shimla), February 22

The braveheart—Lance Naik Om Prakash, who was killed in an encounter near Pampore on the Jammu-Srinagar highway—had a dream of having a ‘pucca’ house at his native village.Om Prakash of the 9 Para (Commando) battalion, who was awarded the Asadharan Suraksha Seva Praman Patra Gallantry Award on Independence Day in 2013, was to proceed on leave from March 7.The 32-year-old’s body was airlifted to Chail in Solan district and brought to his native village Chikher in Satlai panchayat, about 50 km from Shimla.The Army paid a befitting tribute with full military honours to its valiant soldier who attained martyrdom during an operation in Pampore.Homage was paid to the valour and sacrifice of the late soldier in a solemn ceremony held at Army Cantonment, Chail (HP). Pride and honour for the martyr were palpable as the Commander of Kasauli Brigade, Brigadier Deepak Sharma, laid wreath to salute the soldier.His mortal remains, accompanied by contingents and SDM (Rural) Shimla were brought to Chikher, where he was cremated with full military honours. The pyre was lit by his younger brother. Hundreds of villagers joined the funeral and gave tearful adieu to the brave son. Army contingents presented guard of honour to the deceased. The villagers were consoling the family members saying “your son has sacrificed his life for the nation so that we can live here in peace”… you should be proud of him.His wife and elder daughter broke down as soon as the body arrived. His three-year-old younger daughter was unaware of the tragedy.Om Prakash had last spoken to his family on February 20. He informed them about his leave. His wife Krishna Devi said: “I will pursue my husband’s dream to construct a house and give quality education to my daughters Muskan (7) and Simran (3).”His father Nek Ram said: “I am proud of my son and will not shed tears, but we are now concerned about the future of the girls who have lost their father.” His grandmother did not say a word and watched everything silently.Om Prakash’s sister-in-law Poornima, who is also the pradhan of the panchayat, said Om Prakash believed in simple living and was friendly. He always used to tell kids to study well and serve the nation.Nita ram, his cousin, said since childhood, Om Prakash wished to join the Army and used to give the kids training.Om Prakash passed Class X from High School, Juger, and joined the Army 13 years ago. Kasumpti MLA Anirudh Singh was also present. As a tribute to the martyr, Koti residents shut their establishments.

Guv, CM mourn death of Om Prakash

• Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have mourned the death of Lance Naik Om Prakash, who was killed while fighting terrorists at Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.
• In his message, the Governor conveyed his heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family. He prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family.
• CM Virbhadra Singh said he was pained to know that another soldier from the state laid down his life fighting valiantly with terrorists at Pampore

Lance Naik Om Prakash

• Age — 32 years(date of birth May 2, 1983)
• Father name — Nekram
• Service — 13 years
• Survived by wife and two daughters
• The martyr was awarded the Asadharan Suraksha Seva Praman Patra on August 15, 2013.

But the American corporation’s executive did not commit any time-frame to have the plant operational.

US Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from a runway during a military exercise. (File/AP Photo)

US fighter jet maker Lockheed Martin today said it is ready to manufacture F-16 aircraft in India and supports the ongoing talks between the two countries to set up the first manufacturing facility, one of the largest projects under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“We are ready to manufacture F-16 in India and support the Make in India initiative,” Phil Shaw, chief executive of Lockheed Martin India Private Ltd told reporters at the Singapore Airshow 2016.

But the American corporation’s executive did not commit any time-frame to have the plant operational, saying the group supports the ongoing government-to-government talks.

Shaw expressed strong interest in having the F-16 made in India “soon” without elaborating on the time-frame, linking it to the progress of the government-to-government talks.

Currently, Lockheed Martin manufactures one jet a month from its plant in the US and has a series of contracts and joint ventures in India with over 1,000 employees.

It has supplied six C130J Super Hercules planes to India in 2011 and will be delivering another six helicopters next year.

Industry observers said Lockheed Martin’s “wish to manufacture F-16 is based on the strong demand from the Indian armed forces and would want to lower the cost of the planes for exports by using the low-cost capability in India”.

“Certainly, Lockheed Martin would want to exploit the engineering skill and low cost capabilities in India and make F-16 very competitive in the fighter jet markets,” awell-informed source told PTI.

“Both the US government and Lockheed Martin see the advantage of placing a manufacturing base in India and make F-16 affordable for emerging markets,” the source said.

The making of F-16, which will be among the largest projects under the Make in India initiative, will be conditional to the Indian government making contractual commitment to buy the fighter jets for its armed forces, said the source.

“Washington, in return, would ensure technology transfer to the Indian engineering sector and a huge boost to Indian exports,” he said.

If the two government reach an agreement this year or2017, putting aside all differences on the mega project and the US’ move to supply eight F-16 to Pakistan, Lockheed Martin could roll out the first made in India jet in 2019-2020, said the source.

Lockheed Martin has already decided on India as its best option for low-cost and highly qualified engineering workforce, and the final go on this is dependent on approval from New Delhi and Washington.

– See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/ready-to-manufacture-f-16-jets-in-india-lockheed-martin/#sthash.k9eIth9t.dpuf

Tribune News Service,Dehradun, February 18

The Army Management Studies Board deliberated on innovative and high impact ideas and best practices requiring cross-pollination between the Indian Institutes of Management, academia and the Indian Army on the first day of the two-day meeting that began at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here yesterday. Lt Gen PM Hariz, GOC-in-C, Army Training Command, chaired the meeting that is being attended by the Officiating Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information System and Training), Military Secretary from the Army Headquarters, representatives of various Indian Institutes of Management, directors of the National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad, and the Army Institute of Management, Kolkata.On the first day of the meeting, the board deliberated on innovative and high impact ideas and best practices requiring cross-pollination between the Indian Institutes of Management, academia and the Indian Army.Management studies that are being jointly carried out by the Army and the management institutes were reviewed and fresh proposals were considered. The board also considered holding seminars on “Shaping of Tomorrow’s Strategic Leaders”.Lt Gen PM Hariz, chairman of the Army Management Studies Board, emphasised on a road map for reaping the benefits by utilising management expertise being made available by various IIMs and other institutions. The board is the apex body on management-related studies and training in the Indian Army.