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जम्मू-कश्मीर के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री नेशनल कानफ्रेंस के अध्यक्ष फारूक अब्दुल्ला ने भारतीय सेना के खिलाफ जेएनयू छात्र संगठन के अध्यक्ष कन्हैया कुमार के आरोप पर ऐतराज जताते हुए कहा है कि सेना के खिलाफ बयानबाजी करने वालों पर कार्रवाई की जानी चाहिए। ऊधमपुर के दौरे पर आये डाॅ. अब्दुल्ला ने कन्हैया के आरोपों से जुड़े सवाल पर संवाददाताओं से कहा कि जो भी भारतीय सेना के खिलाफ बोलता है वह ठीक आदमी नहीं है।
A summary general court martial (SGCM) at the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir has dismissed nine soldiers with four-year imprisonment and fired another with 18-month jail in a 2012 clash with officers at Nyoma near Leh in Jammu and Kashmir
OUR-YEAR JAIL FOR NINE, 18-MONTH TERM FOR ANOTHER; INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER RAPE BID ON OFFICER’S WIFE
CHANDIGARH: A summary general court martial (SGCM) at the Western Command headquarters in Chandimandir has dismissed nine soldiers with four-year imprisonment and fired another with 18-month jail in a 2012 clash with officers at Nyoma near Leh in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the court-martial proceedings that concluded on Wednesday night, nine soldiers — naik RK Sharma; lance naiks Devinder Singh and KR Jha; havildar Satish Kumar; and gunners Satinder Kumar, BB Katia, Srijit MV, Shibin K, and Sunil Kumar RK — were held guilty of destroying officers’ property under Section 55-A of the Army Act but not of mutiny under Section 37-A. Gunner MR Hansa, though also dismissed for destroying officers’ property, was given a shorter jail term because of smaller evidence against him. Capt Sanjay Chaudhary (retd) was prosecution counsel.
In the May 12, 2012, clash over rape attempt on an officer’s wife, the soldiers of 226 Field Regiment had destroyed officers’ belongings such as clothes, camera, uniform, and television set. Commanding officer colonel Prasad Kadam had sustained five fractures in the vital parts of his body.
The officers had to flee. The unit was then on field-firing exercise at Nyoma.
After the clash, the officers involved had pleaded guilty and were let off with forfeiture of service, while the jawans faced trial. The court of inquiry had indicted more than 150 soldiers and four officers. For the assault on the officer’s wife, an officer’s sahayak named Suman Kumar was sentenced to 10-year imprisonment and dismissed from service.
During the court martial at Chandimandir, captain Arun Balachandran identified the soldiers involved in the clash, which led to their conviction. Many senior officers, including former CO of the unit, had deposed.
PANCHKULA: At the silver jubilee function of The War Decorated India (TWDI) on Saturday, the city was lucky enough to host two livings legends of the Indian Air Force that have lived on to inspire an entire generation. Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Bhupindra Kumar Bishnoi (82) and wing commander (retd) Vinod Nebb (73) have the unique distinction of being awarded two Vir Chakra awards each for their role in 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Air vice-marshal Bhupindra Kumar Bishnoi ( retd), 82, is now based in Noida. In December 1971, he was a wing commander and in command of an operational fighter squadron of MiG 21 in the eastern sector.
He led the first two bombing missions over Tezgaon airfield and destroyed a large transport aircraft. During one of these bombing missions, his aircraft was hit by a heavy shell and sustained severe damage.
On December 14, 1971, he raided military targets in Dhaka and also led ten sorties against heavily-defended enemy positions in the Comilla Sector.
“Attacks on the Governor’s House in Dhaka led to the governor’s resignation,” he said.
DESTROYED TRAIN CARRYING AMMUNITION IN ’65 WAR
In the 1965 Indo-Pak war, when the enemy ran short of ammunition in the Kasur re gion, squadron leader Bishnoi with a formation of four aircraft destroyed a train carrying ammunition at Raiwing railway station.
The denial of supply was a major factor in causing the enemy to withdraw its armors.
“In other offensive sorties, he destroyed or damaged at least ten enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. Although his aircraft was hit on three occasions, he pressed on with the attacks,” says the citation. On the JNU issue, Bishnoi said, “Contrived and superfluous definitions of nationalism are being given. It is creating confusion. You cannot give any connotation to nationalism.”
HE BROUGHT DOWN TWO SABRE AIRCRAFT
Wing Commander Vinod Nebb, 73, is based in Gurgaon.
On September 6, 1965, Nebb, then a flying officer, was detailed as number 2 in a section of two aircraft to carry out a standing patrol over Halwara airfield.
Four Pakistani Sabre jets managed to sneak in and attacked the airfield.
“Flying officer Neb, though still under training and lacking experience, attacked the enemy formation and shot down one Sabre,” said his citation.
On 4 December, 1971, Nebb then a flying Lieutenant was number 3 of a formation of four aircraft on a mission to strike the airfield of Karmitova in the Dhaka complex. While the formation was near the target, it was intercepted by three sabres.
Nebb engaged an enemy aircraft and shot it down. Thereafter, he saw another sabre and although he was low on fuel, he manoeuvered his aircraft.
“He brought the aircraft safely to base in spite of engine trouble. Subsequently, he flew a number of ground strike missions in the Comilla sector. Along with his leader, he was responsible for destroying enemy bunkers and gun positions on hillocks overlooking our troops in Barkal, which enabled its capture,” the citation reads.
Recently, for One Rank One Pension (OROP), Nebb was at the forefront of the agitation at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
“We didn’t respond like Jats. We are armed forces. We are nationalists and we are not destructive,” he said.
Nebb had this take on the JNU issue, “It is a created one. You have made a leader for nothing. The controversy you ( the gover nment) did not deal with correctly is the OROP.”
Our Correspondent,Hamirpur, March 4
Ex-servicemen from Sujanpur organised a meeting at the residence of Rajinder Rana, Vice-Chairman of the Disaster Management Authority, yesterday.It was learnt that over 100 ex-servicemen had decided to join a protest being organised at Dharmasala if the match venue between India and Pakistan was not changed.Rajinder Rana said a delegation of one hundred ex-servicemen came to meet him. They demanded the cancellation of India-Pakistan match to be held on March 19.Sources said the ex-servicemen had urged Rana to convey their feelings to the Chief Minister.Rana said HPCA president Anurag Thakur should also reconsider the decision and change the venue.He said it was surprising that the BCCI and HPCA were not considering the sentiments of soldiers and their family members.
Family members of martyr Sanjeevan Rana at his home in Siyunh village
Lalit Mohan,Tribune News Service,Dharamsala, March 4
Arun Dhumal, younger brother of HPCA president and BCCI honorary secretary Anurag Thakur today met the family of martyr, Sanjeevan Rana. He met the wife of Sanjeevan Rana, Pinki Rana at her residence near Shahpur.The sources here, however, said the visit failed to cut ice with the family of the martyr over the issue of hosting the India-Pakistan cricket match at Dharamsala on March 19.When The Tribune team contacted Pinki Rana she said that Arun Dhumal did not talk directly about the match and maintained that he had come to convey his condolences. He, however, tried to explain that the dates of the India-Pakistan match had been finalized in advance and the venue cannot be changed now.“We are against the holding of match at Dharamsala. I have lost my husband who laid down his life for the country fighting Pak-sponsored terrorists just two months ago. I cannot tolerate Pakistan Zindabad slogans in the vicinity of house in such conditions,” Pinki Rana said.Pinki Rana further said, “Though we are against the match, I do not think the venue would be shifted from Dharamsala. Nobody values our opinion. Though the Chief Minister has said that the match should not be played at Dharamsala, he will not be able to stop it.”“Pakistan had never shown any eagerness to talk to India. It is India leaders who go after Pakistan seeking holding of talks. Whenever, Indian leaders take the initiate with Pakistan there is attack by terrorists and our soldiers have to lay down their lives to save the country”, she said.Arun Dhumal’s visit to the family is seen as a late effort to placate the hurt feeling of ex-servicemen.Members of strong Gorkha community also carried out a march in Dharamsala today to protest against the hosting of India-Pakistan match at Dharamsala. Gorkha community, most of whom are ex-servicemen, said that feelings of the families of martyrs should be respected and the match should not be held at Dharamsala.The sources here said the HPCA was resorting to intense lobbying to soften the opposition stand on the match. Senior officials of cricket body and their supporters have met Congress leaders who have announced their support for the agitation against the match.During his recent meeting with Anurag Thakur, the Chief Minister had clearly stated that though he was not against the match, the state would not use force against the families of martyrs protesting against the match.
Tribune News Service,Shimla, March 4
The Youth Congress today joined the chorus against the match as its state president Vikramaditya Singh said the match was an insult to the families of the martyrs.“The Youth Congress is against any engagement with Pakistan till the time the country stops supporting terror activities. We will oppose the match,” said Vikramaditya who also the son of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.He termed the meeting of HPCA president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur with Virbhadra Singh as a mere political stunt and requested the government to continue to oppose the match as a mark of respect to the martyrs and their families.“Holding of the match is purely a commercial activity and it will not have any impact on diplomatic ties between the two countries as is being projected by the BJP leaders,” he said.He added that if the match was not cancelled by the HPCA, his party, along with the families of the martyrs would take out a protest march from their houses to the Dharamsala stadium.He said the HP Youth Congress was against any kind of sporting engagement with Pakistan.“As per our resolution adopted during the HP Youth Congress Executive Committee meeting, we will continue to oppose the match,” he said.He demanded that the match should be cancelled, keeping in view the sentiments and feelings of the families of the martyred soldiers and the anger of the general public.
Chandigarh: The election for five Rajya Sabha seats of Punjab is likely to take place on March 21. A notification regarding this will be issued on Friday. The term of five Rajya Sabha members — Ashwani Kumar, Avinash Rai Khanna, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Manohar Singh Gill and Naresh Gujral — ends on April 4. The election will be held in two phases. In the first phase, polling will take place for the three seats represented by Ashwani, Khanna and Dhindsa. This will be followed by another election for the remaining two seats. The Akalis are likely to put up candidates for two seats and leave one for the BJP. Akali Dal’s Dhindsa and Gujral may be re-nominated. The Congress is likely to win two Rajya Sabha seats. The party had three Rajya Sabha MPs. Tns
Brig Prahlad Singh was commissioned into 3 DOGRA in1974 and commanded the same at SIACHEN GLACIER(NG) ,MASHKOH and PALLANWALA from 1994_97.He later commanded RR Sect in Valley was PD in SFC and Dy GOC In J&K..
After his retirement on Dec 2007 he served with CRPF as DIG for four and Trg Consultant for two year at Jammu.
SANJHA MORCHA welcome Brig Prahalad to the folds its family and looking forward for his valuable contribution towards the welfare of Ex-servicemen community and assist the veterans as and when required.He has taken over the appointment from Brig Manjit SIngh who is now the chairman of Sanjha Morcha
ROHTAK: As the city limbs back to normal after a tough, violent week during the Jat quota stir, the army on Saturday left with all its 10 columns, comprising 75-77 men each, giving charge to the city police once again.
HT FILEThe army left Rohtak with all its 10 columns on Saturday, giving the charge to the city police.The army had come in the city on February 20 when situation went out of control and city police failed to curb incidents of violence and robbery. Even when the administration declared curfew in Rohtak and army had ordered shoot and sight, cases of violence continued unabated, leaving the army clueless.
While talking to HT, army commander Brig Arun Yadav admitted that their operation in Rohtak had been tough. “The operation in Rohtak was a difficult as we reached the city on February 20 with minimum resources. We had no time to understand the situation. The moment we reached, we started the operation without any delay,” Yadav said.
On being asked whether the army had orders to shoot the agitators, he said: “The situation in Rohtak was not classical. It was not what you read in the books about protests. The moment the civil magistrate hands over the situation to the army, we get shooting orders. But we did not shoot anyone because when we reached, the shops were already burning and the crowd had already started dispersing. We did not witness anyone committing a crime or killing anyone as they were running away. If we had shot at that time, the chances of killing an innocent man would have increased.”
He said at times when they were patrolling, things got “dangerously closed” as they could not recognise who was doing what. “Shopkeepers had come to their shops and they were checking their things. At that time, it became difficult to analyse who was a perpetrator and who was genuine.”
On army drawing flak from the shopkeepers and residents, Yadav said: “If I were a shopkeeper whose shop was burned, I would have wanted to shoot everyone at that time. But as an army man, it was my duty to restore the much-needed peace rather than taking a chance and shooting at innocent public.”
About the reports of the differences between the police and the army, Yadav said their team received enough support from the police. However, he said he would not like to comment on why the situation turned ugly in the city.
Yadav said their mission was to stop the violence and not to shoot people, which he said was achieved. He said if they had used violence, more people would have had come out in different parts of the state, which could have created a bigger problem.
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 25Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said induction of women in the Armed Forces will be in a phased manner.Timelines will be decided for the three forces — the Army, IAF and Navy — after taking into account issues of facilities like training and accommodation, Parrikar said on the sidelines of a function organised by the Defence Innovators and Industry Associations.Parrikar’s remarks are largely meant to highlight lack of separate accommodation for women in field areas when posted in combat with the Army or on warships.On Wednesday, President Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing a joint session of Parliament, had spoken about having women in combat roles in the forces.
Sat Singh & N Kalia
Tribune News Service
Bhiwani/Jind February 22
Captain Pawan Kumar Khatkar, who died in an encounter with terrorists in Kashmir on February 20, hailed from Jind district but it was in Bhiwani that he sharpened his skills to make it to the National Defence Academy while studying at BRCM Vidyagram School, Bahal. And despite the mayhem wrought by the Jat agitation, villagers were out in full force to give him a befitting farewell. The body was brought in an Army chopper to his residence in Urban Estate in Jind at 11 am because of the blocked roads, and was taken to Badhana, 20 km away. Agitating Jats had cleared the way leading to Badhana to enable residents of Amarheri, Kandela, Shahpur and Nagura villages, who had lined up on roads, to pay tributes. The pyre was lit by his father and cousin. Capt Pawan, who was commissioned in 2013, had joined the elite 10 Para (Special Forces) last year. His mother Kamlesh Rani and father Rajbir are government teachers. He passed his Class XII (non-medical) exam in 2008. “My sole aim is to crack the NDA exam and become an officer. For this, I surrender myself to you,” Pawan Kumar would tell Sehdev Singh Shekawat, his favourite teacher. Sehdev Singh, a physical training instructor at the residential school, said Pawan had a passion for horse-riding and athletics. Girish Kumar, the house master, remembered him as being “ever ready for sports”. “We are pained at the loss to the family but feel proud that our alumnus sacrificed his life fighting for the country,” said principal Parveen Masta.
3 die in Army bid to clear highway at Sonepat, Jats won’t relent
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 22
Adamant Jat protesters lay siege to National Highway 1 (NH-1), snapping link to the national capital despite stern measures by the security forces to get the road cleared. The Army opened fire to disperse protesters at Larsauli in Sonepat today. Though official sources said three persons were killed, other reliable sources put the toll at five.Meanwhile, curfew was imposed in Kaithal after a mob vandalised a mall and looted shops. More than 500 persons were booked. The authorities have sought more forces for the district. At least 1,300 persons have been booked in Faridabad and 1,000 in Palwal for rioting.Much to the relief of stranded commuters, protesters agreed to lift blockades on National Highway 10 after a series of negotiations with the authorities at Rohtak and Hisar. Ram Bhagat Malik, spokesperson for the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti, said blockades on NH-10, that links Sirsa, Hisar and Rohtak with Delhi, had been removed.Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said 16 persons had died in the ongoing agitation, including three at Larsauli village in Sonepat. The deceased are Sunny of Ganaur, Rakesh of Shamri village and Sandeep of Pamcha village. Haryana Janhit Congress chief Kuldeep Bishnoi demanded a criminal case against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in view of a CD on the social media showing his former political adviser, Prof Virender, instigating the Jats. Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said the government would get the CD examined. Hooda and his son Deepender Singh, Rohtak MP, were stopped at the Tikri border near Bahadurgarh today as they tried to enter Rohtak from Delhi. Protesters squatting on the Rohtak-Delhi road refused to budge, insisting that they be provided a copy of the government notification on Jat reservation. Later in the evening, they lifted the blockade at Sampla village (NH-10) after a delegation of Jat leaders met Principal Secretary AK Singh and Additional DGP BS Sandhu at the Police Lines, Rohtak.An Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti leader announced that they had decided to clear the roads in Hisar, Fatehabad and Bhiwani. Meanwhile, water supply to Delhi has been restored. In violence-hit Rohtak, curfew was relaxed for an hour today.
REMAINS OF THE DAY
An Armyman stands on patrol duty along gutted and vandalised shops and commercial establishments in Rohtak. Manoj Dhaka
Naveen S Garewal,Tribune News Service,Chandigarh, February 22
These are no minor gashes. The ongoing Jat agitation in Haryana has caused deep wounds in the minds and psyche of its people and resulted in caste polarisation being firmly entrenched.What started as a “Jat versus non-Jat” conflict has ended up as a great divide.With no signs of the violence abating, statements of politicians have exacerbated the social divide that has manifested itself along caste lines. Initially, goons in the garb of Jat protesters attacked the affluent, looting and burning properties. In Rohtak, Jhajjar and Deswali, affluent Punjabis and other rich were targeted.The “Jat versus non-Jat” pattern soon turned into “have-nots versus haves” and “one caste versus the other”. That division has become apparent even in the state Cabinet, with Jat ministers trying to appease the protesters, forcing the government to announce compensation to those who have died along with government jobs to the next of kin, and a “veiled promise” to protect the arsonists from the rule of law. A move that was strongly opposed by the non-Jat ministers.The Manohar Lal Khattar government’s image has taken a beating. The BJP came to power essentially at the back of non-Jat voters on the promise of “good governance”. With the government failing to control the raging Jats for days, the non-Jat voter now feels betrayed and alienated.Questions are being raised over why the BJP first tried to appease the Jats by promising reservation and then allowed its MP Raj Kumar Saini to raise an anti-Jat reservation pitch.Health Minister Anil Vij and other non-Jat ministers today asked for strict action against those indulging in violence. Leaders of other parties have only added to the chaos with the INLD asking for a Vidhan Sabha session on the crisis and Congress’ former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda choosing to sit on a “fast”. A non-Jat leader now plans a counter-agitation, while some others want judicial and other probes.The state stands divided, and for what in the end?
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 22
The decision to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of “innocent” persons killed in the Jat stir met with stiff resistance from non-Jat ministers at the Cabinet meeting here today. Led by Health Minister Anil Vij, the ministers expressed annoyance over “rewarding arsonists”.The plea that compensation could placate the Jats and help end the stir was outrightly rejected by the non-Jat ministers, who argued that those who had died were involved in looting and arson and that there was no justification in “awarding” their kin.Though the matter remained unresolved, the government chose to announce the compensation.It was Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma who made the announcement and not Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Sharma initially announced that the Chief Secretary would appoint a nodal officer to assess damage and that the role of officials would also be ascertained. The form for filing claims would be made available online and at the office of DCs and money released within a month, he said. Oddly, it was after the conclusion of the press meet that Sharma returned to announce the ex gratia. The two Jat ministers, Capt Abhimanyu and OP Dhankar, were away for the cremation of Capt Pawan Kumar.
N Kalia
Jind, February 21
The family of Captain Pawan Kumar Khatkar is proud of the supreme sacrifice made by their son for the motherland. Captain Pawan Khatkar (23) of the 10 Para was killed in an encounter with militants in the Pampore area of Jammu and Kashmir in the wee hours today. He will be cremated at his native Badana village with full military and state honours on Monday. His body will be brought to Jind in an aircraft.Captain Pawan Khatkar was the only son of his parents. His father Rajbir Khatkar said it was a proud moment for them when they came to know about the martyrdom of their son this morning. The headmaster of Government School in Budha Khera village of Haryana’s Jind district, Rajbir said: “I received a phone call at 3 am and one of the colleagues of Pawan told me that my son had got injured in the encounter. Later, I received another call in the morning from the regiment headquarters, confirming his martyrdom.”“I talked to Pawan for the last time on Friday. He told me about the ongoing encounter with militants in the Pampore area,” said Rajbir. He said: “To join the Army was Pawan’s childhood dream. He was selected for the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, in 2009. Later, after being trained at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Army in 2013.” “Initially, Pawan was recruited in the 7 Dogra Regiment but later joined the 10 Para. Pawan was serving in Jammu and Kashmir since September 2015 and it was his fourth operation against terrorists in the Valley,” he further said.“My son was very efficient and a brave officer. He was the first to join the Army in our family,” said Rajbir. “Last month, Pawan had come home on leave. It was our last meeting with him,” said Rajbir.
