The blast hit the peacekeepers while they were out on a morning run. PTI file

Kinshasa, November 8

An explosion killed a child and injured 32 Indian peacekeepers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma on Tuesday, the UN mission there said.The blast hit the peacekeepers while they were out on a morning run in the western Goma neighbourhood of Keyshero, the mission added. The cause was not immediately clear.

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Ismael Salumu, an imam at a nearby mosque, said three peacekeepers were killed. “We just heard the explosion and the cries. We then ran over to see,” he told Reuters.About 18,000 uniformed UN personnel operate in Congo, where millions died in regional conflicts between 1996 and 2003 and dozens of armed groups continue to operate. Reuters

Two soldiers killed in Nowshera shelling

Amir Karim Tantray & Shyam Sood

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Rajouri, November 8

The day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meet with all three Service chiefs and had a detailed discussion over the situation after surgical strikes, two soldiers were killed when a shell exploded near their vehicle in the Nowshera sector on the Line of Control (LoC).The martyred soldiers have been identified as Naik Pritam Singh of 55 Rashtriya Rifles and Naik Harvinder Singh.Sources said the mortar shell from Pakistani side hit the Army vehicle near Manglamata when the vehicle was on the way to Nowshera. Violating the ceasefire agreement, Pakistani troops had since Tuesday morning resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling in the Nowshera and Krishnaghati sectors. They fired 120 mm, 82 mm mortars and automatic weapons.“Pakistan resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in the Nowshera and Krishnaghati sectors and the Army responded befittingly,” said Lt Col Manish Mehta, PRO, Defence Jammu.“Heavy mortar shelling has been taking places in many forward villages in the Nowshera sub-division since 8.30 am. No loss of life of any civilian was reported till afternoon. However, a soldier has died and another critically injured,” said Harbans Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nowshera, on Tuesday evening.With today’s incident, four soldiers have died in three days. On November 6, two soldiers — Gursewak Singh and Rajinder Narayan Tupare — were killed in the Krishnaghati and Poonch sectors. So far five Army personnel have been killed on the LoC in the Jammu region after the surgical strikes.The sources said in the retaliatory fire, the Pakistan army had incurred heavy losses and many posts had been destroyed. “There is also loss of life to the Pakistan army but the number is not known. Ambulances were seen taking the injured and dead people,” said the sources.The situation on the LoC has deteriorated since September 18 Uri attack when 19 soldiers were killed and the Army was forced to carry our surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on terror launch pads. After that the Pakistan army in desperation has been repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement and targeting areas on the LoC and International Border.

Many Pak posts destroyed

• Two soldiers were killed when a shell explodes near their vehicle in the Nowshera sector on the Line of Control.
• Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling in the Nowshera and Krishnaghati sectors since Tuesday morning. They fired 120 mm, 82 mm mortars and automatic weapons.
• Army responded to ceasefire violation. Pakistan incurred heavy losses and many of its posts were destroyed.

A file photo of Gursewak Singh

PK Jaiswar & Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, November 6

Warana village plunged into grief as it was told its valiant son Gursewak Singh, 24, had been killed in cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir. Betrothed to a girl of Nagoke village in July, he was to get married on February 13 next. An excited Gursewak had booked a marriage hall and selected his wedding attire while on a month’s leave recently.Gursewak’s mother Baljit Kaur looked numb with grief. His two sisters were inconsolable. But his father Balwinder Singh put up a brave front. “We are proud of our son’s supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” he said stoically as he consoled mourners who thronged the house. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)When Gursewak, a matriculate from the nearby Government Secondary School Nauragdabad, joined the Army on March 25, 2013, there were celebrations at home. His recruitment meant regular income for the family that had struggled to make both ends meet. Balwinder owns half an acre land. He and his elder son Jasbir work as farm labourers. Today, the family is devastated. With Gursewak has died hope too. “It’s a nightmare,” murmured Jasbir, fighting back tears. “My brother had made all arrangements for the wedding. We were all so happy,” he kept repeating to himself. The cremation will take place tomorrow. 

Tarn Taran soldier among 2 dead as Pak troops open fire in Poonch 

Unprovoked ceasefire violations in Poonch sector continues. Two of our brave soldiers have been martyred and two others are injured. Indian troops are responding befittingly

JAMMU/TARN TARAN: Two army jawans were killed and four others, including a Border Security Force (BSF) officer and a woman, were injured as Pakistan army opened unprovoked firing at Indian posts and forward villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on the intervening night of November 5 and 6.

HT PHOTOThe grieving family of sepoy Gursewak Singh (inset), who was killed in cross-border firing, at Warana village in Tarn Taran on Sunday.

Pakistan army opened fire in a bid to facilitate two infiltration bids, killing a soldier, an army officer said, adding that the attempts to push in infiltrators have been foiled.

“Vigilant troops observed suspicious movement and challenged the infiltrators in Krishna Ghati sector on Saturday night. In the ensuring gunfight, sepoy Gursewak Singh (23) of the 22 Sikh Regiment suffered gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated,” said the officer.

Gursewak was a resident of Warana village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district and was to get married in February next year. He is survived by his father Balwinder Singh, mother Baljit Kaur and elder brother Jasbir Singh.

Gursewak’s mortal remains will be airlifted to Amritsar and last rites will be performed at his native village with full state honours on Monday.

Another army jawan, identified as Naik Tukpare Rajendra Narayan of Maharashtra, was killed as Pakistan army resorted to indiscriminate shelling in LT COL MANISH MEHTA, defence spokesperson the Poonch sector. BSF subinspector Nitin Kumar, two jawans and a woman, Tasleema Akhter, 29, of Salotri village in Poonch, were injured in the firing at Saujiyan sector. “Kumar sustained a splinter injury was airlifted to the army hospital. His condition is stated to be stable,” said a BSF officer.

Intelligence sources say while Pakistan targeted Victor post of the Indian Army, their Kopra post across the LoC caught fire in a retaliatory fire by the Indian troops. Pakistan has also suffered some casualties, though the exact number could not be known, said sources.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said: “Unprovoked ceasefire violations in Poonch sector continues. Two of our brave soldiers have been martyred and two others are injured. Indian troops are responding befittingly and have caused heavy damage to Pakistan Army posts.”

Sunday’s ceasefire violation came after a lull of four days. Pakistan has violated ceasefire 100 times along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir after India’s surgical strikes on September 28

Strap: Defence authorities reject site proposed in UnaNod given four years ago— At present, there is no CSD depot in the state and the serving and retired personnel of the armed forces have to go to the CSD depots situated at Jalandhar or Chandigarh.— Defence authorities had given their consent for setting up a CSD depot in the state about four years ago.— Since Una district has a direct broad gauge rail link, the depot was proposed to be set up here.

Rajesh Sharma

Una, November 4

The finalisation of land for setting up the state’s first Canteen Stores Department (CSD) depot — hanging fire for the last four years — is set to be further delayed with the defence authorities rejecting the site proposed by the district administration in Samoor Kalan village.Consequently, the district administration is looking for alternate land in Upper Kutheda Khairla and Kadd villages.The CSD depot directly caters to the needs of the serving and retired defence personnel regarding purchase of items like vehicles and electronic goods, besides being a source of supply of liquor, provisions and consumable goods to the various CSD canteens in its area.At present, there is no CSD depot in the state and the serving and retired personnel of the armed forces have to go to the CSD depots situated at Jalandhar or Chandigarh. About four years ago, the defence authorities had given their consent for setting up a CSD depot in the state and since Una district has a direct broad gauge rail link, the depot was proposed to be set up here.The land proposed during the BJP regime at Barnoh village near Una city was rejected after the Congress government took reins of the government. Subsequently, the second site at Samoor Kalan village was transferred in the name of the defence authorities. The latter have rejected the offer on the plea that the land was prone to floods.Efforts were made by the district administration to search for suitable land in Palkwah, Bathadi and Rampur villages, but these could not materialise.Additional District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Maria said since about 300 kanals of land was required, such a huge chunk of government land having an approach road and suitable geographic contours was difficult to trace. He, however, said the revenue records of Upper Kutheda Khairla and Kadd villages were being scrutinised as there was adequate government land in these villages.Meanwhile, at a recent meeting of the District Sainik Welfare Board, Deputy Commissioner Vikas Labroo directed that the process of land identification and allocation for the CSD depot be speeded up.Director of the Sainik Welfare Board SK Sharma said as soon as the district administration demarcates suitable land for the depot, senior defence authorities will visit the proposed site to finalise the issue.

BRO official visits Rohtang tunnel

Manali, November 4

Anil Kumar, Deputy Director General (DG) Tunnel at the HQ DG BRO, New Delhi, visited north and south portals of the Rohtang Tunnel to take stock of the progress of the tunnel.Chief engineer Brig DN Bhatt briefed him about the present position and various issues regarding the tunnel, including non-allotment of quarry at the north portal.Kumar, who is a graduate in Civil Engineering and postgraduate in Earthquake Engineering from the IIT Roorkee, gave suggestions to improve the progress of the tunnel and appreciated the approach adopted by the chief engineer to run multiple activities concurrently.The chief engineer assured him of a breakthrough in July 2017 and completion of the tunnel by the second half of 2019. — OC

Mountaineer selected for expeditions in Europe

A file photo of Ashwani Kumar receiving Raksha Mantri Commendation Card in 2013.

Our Correspondent

Chamba, November 4

Local lad Ashwani Kumar (25) has been selected in a special group of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), New Delhi, to move to Switzerland in Europe for mountaineering expeditions.Ashwani, who left for Switzerland on Monday, through an email informed he had scaled the Mount Everest along with a group of 13 mountaineers of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) on May 19, 2013. He also received a certificate for the same from the Nepal government.Besides, he has received several awards, including a gold medal in mountaineering. The Raksha Mantri Commendation Card (RM Padak) was conferred on him by the Director General, NCC.Ashwani completed the advance course from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling,from April 4 to May 1, 2016.

They said the deceased former soldier had not sought an appointment with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar either at his office or home. ANI

New Delhi, November 2 Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over OROP, was one of the recipients of benefits under the revised pension scheme, Defence Ministry sources said on Wednesday as his death sent political temperature soaring in the national capital.However, Ministry sources said Grewal had received a lesser amount as part of the One Rank-One Pension scheme under the 6th pay commission due to an error in calculation by the SBI bank branch in Bhiwani district of Haryana, a matter which was being looked into.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)They said the deceased former soldier had not sought an appointment with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar either at his office or home.Meanwhile, Parrikar today asserted the government was committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and said a total of Rs 5,507.47 crore has been disbursed under the scheme.Giving details of the OROP implementation so far, Parrikar said there were 20,63,763 beneficiaries before July 2014.He said 19,12,520 pensioners have been paid the first instalment and 1,50,313 cases are pending verification and authentication of beneficiaries.Tweeting the details of the OROP, Parrikar said Rs 3,886.88 crore had been disbursed as the first installment. He said 11,33,100 people have received the second installment of Rs 1,604.59 crore has been disbursed.

View image on Twitter

Follow

Manohar Parrikar

✔@manoharparrikar

OROP implementation status as on September, 2016. Govt. is committed to ex-servicemen welfare. http://www.desw.gov.in/sites/upload_files/desw/files/pdf/OROP_Report_15.9.2016.pdf …

6:25 PM – 2 Nov 2016

“The government is committed to ex-servicemen’s welfare,” he said.Meanwhile, the group of ex-servicemen, which has been leading the protest at Jantar Mantar over OROP, distanced itself from Grewal’s suicide and said the issue should not be politicised.They also said all politicians, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has tweeted on the issue, should stay away and the government should sort out the OROP “mess”.“The suicide did not take place at Jantar Mantar. His friends had informed the police about the suicide bid but it was too late. He was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital from where they wanted to bring the body to Jantar Mantar, which we refused,” Col Anil Kaul (retd), media adviser to United Front of Ex-Servicemen Movement (UFESM) said.He said the group did not believe in violence. — PTI

Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 29

Amid raging anger after recovery of badly mutilated body of an Army jawan in the Machil sector of Kupwara district of north Kashmir, Union Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh today hoped that the External Affairs and Defence ministries would take cognisance of the barbaric act.“I am not qualified to give a statement on the behalf of the ministries concerned, but I am sure that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Defence Ministry would take cognisance of this heinous crime,” Jitendra Singh said after visiting border areas of Kathua, Samba and Jammu district, adding that “I am not directly concerned with the matter”.Jitendra Singh, who reached Jammu this morning from Delhi, straightway went to the shelling-affected areas of the Jammu region and interacted with soldiers and villagers. He said the Centre would take every step to mitigate miseries of the border people. He lauded border residents for working like soldiers without uniform. “The morale of the border residents is high. They are more concerned about thwarting the designs of the enemy, rather than be concerned about their own safety,” he observed after touring border areas.When his reaction was sought about a “barbaric” incident, in which terrorists, aided by the cover fire by Pakistani Army, on Friday night crossed the Line of Control and killed an Indian Army jawan and mutilated his body in the Machil sector of Kupwara district of Kashmir, Jitendra Singh said, “Nothing can be more heinous than this act of terrorists”.Taking a dig at those who raised bogey of human rights of terrorist and other anti-national elements, Jitendra Singh said that this barbaric incident had exposed those who raked up rights issue on every incident. “Those who lack courage to call Burhan Wani as a terrorist, those who lack courage to condemn mutilation of Army soldier have not right to speak about human rights,” he said.It was high time, Jitendra Singh said, that the nation rose up to call the bluff of the so-called human rights protagonists and the pseudo-intellectuals, who sought to promote their politics at the cost of an Indian Army jawan, but when you ask them a straight question, whether Burhan Wani was a terrorist or not, instead of saying “Yes” or “No” in reply, they invariably come out with long platitudes, philosophies and postulations.“The barbaric killing of the Army jawan has exposed the duplicity of all those who keep raising the bogey of human rights, especially in the Valley, but now they have maintained a criminal silence on mutilation of the body of a soldier. The entire nation is angered with this heinous act,” he added.

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 28

The 67th Infantry Day was celebrated here today by the Chetak Corps in remembrance of all infantry soldiers for their contributions in ensuring the sanctity of the country’s borders and territorial integrity.On this day in 1947, the first infantry contingent landed at the Srinagar airfield and fought a courageous battle to save Kashmir Valley from intruders.The celebrations commenced with a wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial.General Officer Commanding, Chetak Corps, Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar paid tributes to all valiant infantry soldiers and comrades.Speaking on the occasion, Lt General Ahswani Kumar conveyed his greetings to all ranks of infantry and their families. He complimented them for their unflinching and dedicated contributions towards the safety and security of the nation.In defence, infantry holds key areas of tactical and strategic significance. This crucial role makes infantry the most predominant, indispensable and ultimate combat arm for achieving victory in a war.A ‘sainik sammelan’ for all ranks of the infantry, including retired officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other rank, was also held on the occasion.

• In 1947, the first infantry contingent landed at the Srinagar airfield and fought a courageous battle to save Kashmir from intruders
• In defence, infantry holds key areas of tactical and strategic significance

Commander of Panchashul Brigadier Rakesh Manocha going to lay a wreath at the Kumaon war memorial in Pithoragarh to mark Infantry Day on Friday. Tribune photo

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, October 28

A wreath was laid at the Kumaon war memorial at Panchashul Brigade here today to celebrate the 70th Infantry Day and paying respect to the brave soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice for the sake of the country on this day in 1947 while fighting Pakistani Razakars in Srinagar.The celebration took place at the Kumaon war memorial here. Panchashul Commander Brig Rakesh Manocha laid the wreath on the memorial and remembered the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the Infantry in various wars.“Infantry Day is celebrated on October 27 in remembrance of the 1st Sikh Regiment that landed at the Srinagar airport to expel Pakistani Razakars from Kashmir. The brave Sikhs expelled the Razakars and saved the country from their attack,” said Navin Rajan, Commander of 28th Punjab Regiment. Infantry officers, veteran Army officers and personnel were present.India, Nepal police to jointly check human traffickingIndia and Nepal will chalk out a special strategy to stop human trafficking, besides taking measures to jointly check smuggling of narcotics and counterfeit currency notes across the border. This was agreed upon at a meeting of police officers from both countries at the Banbasa border in Champawat district on Friday.Kumaon DIG Ajay Rautela and his counterpart from Nepal DIG Vijay Raj Bhatt attended the meeting.Rautela said the police officers from both countries agreed to cooperate in checking smuggling across the border by exchanging intelligence and information. “The police officers from both countries have agreed that they will help each other in nabbing absconding criminals in the other country and stopping humiliation of Nepalese at the hands of the Indian authorities on the pretext of security and customs checking at border posts,” he added.The Nepalese police officers sought help from their Indian counterparts in checking frequent incidents of looting of Nepalese in the Tanakpur and Banbasa region of India. “We have also sought India’s help in opening canal gates at the Banbasa border at the time of any medical emergency with Nepalese when they want to go to India for immediate treatment and their security while they are working in interior villages in Kumaon,” said Bhatt.

Martyred jawan given tearful adieu

Martyred jawan given tearful adieu

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 28

Rifleman Sandeep Singh Rawat, who attained martyrdom in Jammu and Kashmir, was cremated with full military honour at Kotdwar here today. District administration officials, Army personnel, neighbours, friends and relatives attended the last rites of the martyr.A pall of gloom descended on the entire colony when the news of his martyrdom reached here. Almost the entire locality swarmed the martyr’s house to console the bereaved family members.Residents waited for hours to pay tributes to the martyr. Rawat was posted with 7th Garhwal Rifles and attained martyrdom in Gulmarg (J&K). Public representatives and relatives attended his last rites. The body was consigned to flames on the banks of the Khoah river.MLAs Teerath Singh Rawat, former MLA Shailendra Rawat, Zila Panchyat vice-president Suman Kotnala and SDM Rakesh Tiwari attended the cremation.

A view of the cracks in the building of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama in Amritsar on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 25

As the state government is inaugurating various memorials with ostentatious display, several buildings constructed during the last tenures of governments to keep the heritage alive are crying for attention.Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had laid the foundation stone of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama on the bi-centenary of coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in November 2001, just before Punjab Assembly elections. However, the construction work at the panorama completed in 2005 and the then Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, inaugurated the project in July 2006.During the past 10 years, cracks have emerged in the walls of the building. The LCD and other equipments, installed to tell the history of Ranjit Singh’s empire, are lying defunct. The air condition plant is also not working from the past one and a half years. The fountain installed in the garden in front of the panorama building is also missing.The Municipal Corporation, which has been operating the panorama, has been unable to maintain the building and installed equipments due to scarcity of funds.Ironically, the government did not release a single penny for its maintenance during the past several years. The project had been designed and constructed with the funding of the National Council of Science Museum, a body of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India.Around 150 tourists, mostly foreigners, visit the panorama daily. The tourists give a good feedback about the content displayed on the panorama but non-functional machines annoy them.Senior officials of the Municipal Corporation said they had sent a proposal of maintenance to the government under the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana. The government has now sanctioned Rs 50 lakh for the maintenance work of the panorama under the yojana.

Tribune News Service & PTI

New Delhi, October 25

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today asked for an internal cross-checking of facts to ascertain if a circular on equivalence of ranks of armed forces vis-à-vis civilian counterparts was issued erroneously.Officers in the armed forces are upset over the October 18 Defence Ministry circular that purportedly brings the rank of armed forces officers a notch down compared to their earlier status.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The circular puts Major General (Rear Admiral in the Navy and Vice-Marshal in the Air Force) on the same level as principal director at the Armed Force Headquarters (AFHQ) Civil Service. Similarly, Colonel has been placed on the same level as joint director on a civil post. So far, Major General was equal to a joint secretary, which is higher than principal director, and Colonel was equal in status to director.The circular says the equations are to be followed at service HQs, and “has the approval of the Raksha Mantri”. Replying to a query, Parrikar said some people were trying to “misguide” as the issue related to only functional responsibility (of armed forces) and not status vis-à-vis civilian counterparts.“These are functional responsibilities. They (military officers) will be on the same platform as earlier. I will check up myself,” he said.Parrikar said he had asked for details of the circular and if there had been an error, it would be corrected within a week. Similar circulars issued in 2005 and 2008 would be studied, he added. “The government is sensitive to issues concerning serving and retired soldiers,” he said.

Rs 5-cr demand for film release wrong: Govt

• I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has termed ‘wrong’ the MNS demand of Rs 5 crore from director Karan Johar for release of his movie ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, saying the government has nothing to do with it
• Defence Minister Parrikar said there won’t be “anyone’s catching of neck…. we don’t appreciate it… it’s a voluntary fund. We are not concerned with anyone demanding a donation”

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 23

The Chandigarh Administration has withdrawn the relaxation given in the past and fixed new norms for the construction of a room in the rear courtyard of houses.        Sources said under the new norms, the construction in the backyard will be limited to a maximum of 25 per cent of the width of the plot with the finished height to the top on the outside not exceeding 11 feet. The order issued by Finance Secretary Sarbjit Singh says that the “construction in the backyard (which by definition is meant to be an open space behind the house) wherever allowed, will be limited to a maximum of 25 per cent of the width of the plot with finished height to the top on the outside not exceeding 11 feet so as not to block the sunlight and flow of air in the adjoining houses. No layout  will be sanctioned, allowing construction beyond this limit in any size of the plot anywhere in the city.” With the decision, the owners of the houses will now only be allowed to construct a single-storey room in the rear backyard up to a height of 11 feet while earlier they were allowed to construct two-storeyed rooms up to a height of 24 feet 9 inch.The new norms will affect the owners of marla houses as it will become impossible for them to construct a room with the existing width, which is the lowest in all types of houses. An officer of the Administration said the decision had been taken with the aim of ensuring proper ventilation and light in the houses and to maintain the original character of the city. Sections 4 of the Punjab Capital (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952 empowers the Chief Administrator to issue any directions, as may be considered appropriate in respect of any site or building for the proposes of proper planning or development of Chandigarh.

The change

• No two-storey buildings in future as height has been fixed up to 11 feet
• Construction shall be limited to a maximum of 25 per cent of the plot’s width