Chandigarh has become country’s first administrative unit where 100 per cent implementation of three laws has been done

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and others during an event for the successful implementation of new criminal laws, at PEC, in Chandigarh, on Tuesday. Video grab

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dedicated to the nation the successful implementation of the three new criminal laws here.

These laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — came into effect on July 1, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.

Chandigarh has become the country’s first administrative unit where 100 per cent implementation of the three laws has been done.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the new criminal laws represent a concrete step towards realising the ideals enshrined in the Constitution for the benefit of all citizens. He said these laws signify the end of colonial-era laws.

The colonial-era laws were the medium of atrocities and exploitation committed by the British when they ruled over India, Modi added.

“The 1857 revolution shook the roots of the British rule and in 1860, they brought the IPC and later, the Indian Evidence Act and the CrPC framework came into being. The purpose of those laws was to punish Indians and keep them enslaved,” the Prime Minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the three new laws have been fully implemented in Chandigarh. “Within three years of the registration of an FIR, one will get justice,” he said.

“Our criminal justice system will be the most modern system in the world,” Shah added.

The Union Home Minister also lauded the Chandigarh administration for fully implementing the new laws.

Earlier, Modi watched a live demonstration simulating a crime scene investigation under the new laws.

The demonstration of the process of collecting evidence and recording statements was given by the Chandigarh Police at an exhibition hall set up at the Punjab Engineering College here.

The programme showcased the practical application of the new laws. Modi was also briefed by Chandigarh Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur.

The Prime Minister and the Home Minister were accompanied by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, UT Chandigarh adviser Rajeev Verma and Chandigarh Director General of Police Surendra Singh Yadav.

The new criminal laws, which were implemented nationwide on July 1, 2024, aim to make India’s legal system more transparent, efficient and adaptable to the needs of contemporary society, an official statement said on Monday.

These landmark reforms mark a historic overhaul of India’s criminal justice system, bringing in new frameworks to tackle modern-day challenges such as cybercrime and organised crime and ensuring justice for victims of various offences, it said.

He said following the ‘dis-engagement’ of troops along the LAC, managing border areas with China requires further attention

Tribune News Service

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that following the ‘dis-engagement’ of troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), managing border areas with China requires further attention. He emphasised that peace and tranquillity along the LAC will form the basis of future relations with China.

Jaishankar detailed the steps taken at the diplomatic and military levels to handle the crisis that resulted in a military standoff in April-May 2020 and violent clashes, including the one at Galwan in June 2020.

The Minister said that India’s priority was to ensure disengagement from friction points to prevent untoward incidents and clashes, which has been fully achieved. He added that resumption of patrolling to traditional areas is underway.

It was initially tested by sending out ‘patrols for verification’ of disengagement on the ground and is being followed up by regular activities as per the agreed understanding, he added.

Jaishankar emphasised that three principles must be observed under all circumstances: both sides should strictly respect and observe the LAC; neither side should attempt to unilaterally alter the status quo; and agreements and understandings reached in the past must be fully abided by in their entirety.

On discussions in the past with China, Jaishankar made clear that “development of our ties were contingent on the principles of mutual sensitivity, mutual respect and mutual interests”. “Our relationship had progressed in many domains, but was obviously negatively affected by recent events,” Jaishankar added.

The conclusion of the disengagement phase now allows us to consider other aspects of our bilateral engagement in a calibrated manner, keeping our national security interests first and foremost, the Minister said.

Referring to the October 21, 2024, agreement regarding Depsang and Demchok, Jaishankar stated that the unstable local situation and impacted bilateral relationship were the primary drivers behind these recent efforts. The main issue in these two areas was the obstruction of long-standing patrolling activities. Additionally, in Demchok, there were concerns about access for the nomadic population to traditional grazing grounds and sites of cultural significance.

Jaishankar said, “With the task of disengagement completed, it is now our expectation that discussions would commence regarding the remaining issues that we had placed on the agenda.”

He praised the services for their competence and professionalism in speedy and effective counter-deployment. In negotiations with China, the defence and diplomatic arms worked in lockstep to ensure that our national interests were comprehensively met.

Each statue will be accompanied by a headstone inscribed with details of the soldier’s contributions

Gateways are being constructed at several entry points to Punjab to honour the sacrifices and contributions of soldiers. Speaking at the concluding session of the 8th Military Literature Festival here on Sunday, Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced plans to erect statues of martyred and gallantry-awarded soldiers in a landscaped stretch of 1 km along roads leading to the state from Haryana.

Each statue will be accompanied by a headstone inscribed with details of the soldier’s contributions. Sond said this initiative aims to raise awareness among visitors about the state’s military heritage while serving as a fitting tribute to its heroes.

Highlighting Punjab’s rich martial legacy and its significant role in past wars, Sond affirmed the state’s readiness to stand by the nation whenever required. He praised the successful conclusion of the festival, emphasising its role in connecting the past, present and future. Such events, he added, not only celebrate military achievements but also address national security issues and inspire the youth.

Imperative for India to be part of global value chain

China’s coercion of India stems from its perception of India as a rising power with immense potential across various spheres, compounded by India’s strong ties with Western nations. Additionally, peninsular India’s proximity to China’s vital sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean adds to the friction.

These observations were shared by Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma (retd), former General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps, Leh, during a session on “Domains of Modern Warfare with regard to India, Pakistan and China” at the fest. He noted that today’s geopolitical environment operates on the principle of “might is right”, with few effective mechanisms for conflict resolution.

Discussing Pakistan, Sharma described it as a fractured nation bound by an anti-India sentiment, despite deep cultural links with India. He stressed the need for India to integrate into the global value chain and economic ecosystem, leveraging partnerships with technologically advanced nations to achieve its goals.

Maj Gen DD Dwivedi (retd), former military attaché to China, emphasised the Chinese approach of operating outside conventional norms, making them challenging neighbours and formidable competitors. He highlighted their well-defined roadmap for military and economic strategies, underscoring the need for India to remain vigilant and strategic in its response.

China’s presence in Indian Ocean

China’s goal is a unipolar Asia and, at most, a bipolar world, said Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma (retd) during a discussion at the Military Literature Festival. He warned that China would continue to pressure India and react aggressively to any assertion of India’s power, underscoring the need for India to enhance its comprehensive national power to counter such strategies.

Speaking at a session on Grey Zone Warfare, former Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba highlighted the increasing presence of Chinese ships in the Indian Ocean. At any given time, six to eight Chinese vessels, including anti-piracy escorts, research and hydrographic survey ships and satellite tracking vessels, operate in the region. Lanba pointed out that these vessels might also be conducting surveys for potential submarine deployments.

Citing China’s activities in the South China Sea, Lanba said despite earlier promises not to militarise reclaimed islands, the Chinese have established a significant military presence there.

Significance of Af-Pak region

A session on “The Shifting Geo-Strategic Significance of the Af-Pak Region” featured RK Kaushik, former IAS officer, Lt Gen Kamal Davar (retd), former head of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Sumeer Bhasin. The panel explored the historical dynamics that have shaped the region’s current situation and examined the roles of various stakeholders in its evolving geopolitical landscape.

The festival also paid tribute to the legacy of late Surjit Pattar, a celebrated Punjabi poet. Academicians highlighted how his poetry resonates with the public while earning critical acclaim. Additionally, discussions were held on several books addressing military topics, further enriching the event’s intellectual discourse.

A year after the armed forces began appointing women officers to command positions in line with the Supreme Court directives, a letter by a top Army commander flagging several functional issues involving women officers has kicked up a debate in…

Vijay Mohan

A year after the armed forces began appointing women officers to command positions in line with the Supreme Court directives, a letter by a top Army commander flagging several functional issues involving women officers has kicked up a debate in defence circles.

In October, Lt Gen Rajeev Puri, General Officer Commanding, 17 Corps, Panagarh, wrote to Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Kolkata, raising concerns like frequent complaints, ego and lack of empathy in units commanded by women officers. He listed several remedial measures to address the situation.

“Since command of a unit is singularly the most crucial command in the Indian Army and is also the way forward to progression to higher ranks, it is imperative that a pragmatic performance analysis be undertaken in respect of the women commanding officers (COs),” Lt Gen Puri said.

“The last one year plus has given an insight into the style of command of women commanding officers. Casual discussions with officers at various echelons have also provided inputs, some of which are encouraging. However, a large number of inputs have brought out common traits and trends which need to be studied, analysed and discussed for the benefit of future commanders as well as the overall interest of the organisation,” he added.

Some women officers, meanwhile, have rebutted the contents of the letter and the issues raised.

The Army opened its doors to women officers in 1992, allowing them short service commission in non-combat arms and services like Signals, Ordnance, Engineers, education, law and Intelligence. Later, more arms like Aviation and Air Defence were opened up and the latest development is allowing women to join the Artillery, a combat arm. At present, the Infantry, Armoured Corps and Mechanised Infantry are the only three arms that do not have women officers.

The first batch of 25 women officers was commissioned in 1993. Before this, women officers were allowed only in the Army Medical Corps and the Military Nursing Service, where they have reached the rank of Lieutenant General and equivalent. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy also followed suit the same year and have now allowed women to become fighter pilots and serve onboard warships.

Elsewhere, women have been a part of the armed forces, as officers as well as in the ranks, since long. The current heads of the US Navy and the US Coast Guard are both women.

In 2015, following intervention by the Supreme Court, permanent commission was introduced for women officers, which allowed them career progression beyond the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The first woman officer to be selected for promotion to the rank of Colonel outside the medical cadre was in 2014 from the JAG Department. In 2023, 108 women officers were promoted to the rank of Colonel and some were also given command assignments. In the Air Force, about 40 women have been promoted to the equivalent rank of Group Captain. The nuances of command are different in each service, given their role, operating environment, manpower psyche and ethos.

A new chapter began in 2019 when the armed forces started recruitment of women into their rank and file. The first batch of women soldiers, recruited under the Agnipath scheme, was inducted last year and at present they are allowed only in the Corps of Military Police.

Though numbers vary each year owing to overall vacancies and discharges, the approximate number of women officers currently is 1,740 in the Army 1,600 in the IAF and 530 in the Navy. In addition, there are 6,430 officers in the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service. The review carried out by Lt Gen Puri was based on the performance of eight women officers holding command positions within 17 Corps.

In his letter, the Corps Commander cited a lack of tact and sensitivity towards the personal needs of officers and subordinates, with the approach being authoritative conflict resolution rather than mutual resolution.

An emerging trend of senior authorities receiving complaints from women COs at the drop of a hat has been noticed. Mundane cases seldom reported by male counterparts are indicative of a predisposition to lean on the hierarchy as soon as an adverse situation develops, the letter states.

Women COs have also been found to centralise decision-making, with non-inclusion of officers of considerable seniority in the day-to-day affairs of the unit. There seems to be inability or lack of concern for effective communication and establishment of trust, and the lack of involvement has led to officers having a lower understanding of their professional tasks, it adds.

A misplaced sense of entitlements and personal privileges contrary to orders and authorisation, some of which have been termed laughable, self-centred and egoistic, is another issued flagged in the letter, which states that the sheer proportion of women COs involved with these issues points towards a trend rather than an exception. Lack of empathy, neglect of genuine compassionate requirements of troops as well as officers, disproportionate punishments and viewing professional disagreement as insubordination have also been projected.

According to the letter, an analysis of the underlying factors suggests that women officers were inducted as a support cadre and were neither trained nor groomed to assume the role of a commanding officer in an operational establishment, and nor did these officers themselves prepare for this task until about a couple of years ago.

The postings of these officers did not expose them to command roles and hardly has any woman tenanted a high-pressure command and staff appointment prior to becoming a CO. At the level of a CO, hand-holding is neither available nor expected, and hence the role at present is being performed more as an on-the-job training rather than a well-prepared task.

The remedial measures suggested in the letter include:

• A comprehensive policy on gender neutrality be issued by the Adjutant General’s (AG) Branch. Further, neutrality in posting and selection profiles be implemented by the Military Secretary’s (MS) Branch.
• Policy on spouse coordinated postings be reviewed. Case for spouse coordinated posting be treated at par with posting on compassionate grounds.
• Training the trainers at institutes of instruction for a gender-neutral assessment of course performance.
• Women officers are an empowered lot. Hence, showcasing involvement of women officers in women empowerment roles like women-only bike rallies and adventure activities needs to be minimised.
• Increase in content of HR management for the next few batches of senior command course for women officers is recommended. This should be focused on case studies and bringing out important lessons.
• While attempting proportionate representation in assignments like UN missions and foreign postings, the MS and AG branches should also monitor proportionate tasking in all assignments within the organisation.
• Women officers posted to units were allotted different tasks as compared to male officers and exposure to certain operational tasks was minimised. This preferential treatment resulted in a lack of understanding of hardships and the resultant lack of compassion for troops involved in these tasks.

Maj Gen AP Singh (retd), a former division commander who has also served with the Army Training Command, says the process seems to have been fast-tracked and it will take time to mature. “There is a structured process at all levels that grooms prospective commanding officers, which is different from basic soldiering. Since women had initially come in for short service commission, this aspect was missing in their career progression,” he adds.

“If men can get command, so should women,” asserts Lt Gen JS Cheema (retd), former Deputy Chief of Army Staff. “But then,” he adds, “they should first be duly exposed to the nuances of command at the sub-unit level and undergo the requisite courses.”

Women officers, and now also the rank and file, are here to stay and their role and numbers are only expected to grow. There have been debates on women in the armed forces before and more would crop up as and when fresh issues emerge, policy changes are implemented and personal and professional perceptions are aired in the appropriate forums.

Experts say the appointment of women officers as COs is something very new to the armed forces. Hence, some functional deficiencies and friction, either perceived or genuine, are to be expected even though women officers have performed commendably in other roles.

It is also pointed out that the letter may not have been a one-off communique. It is for the leadership, both political and military, they say, to take a pragmatic and objective view to address the issue and devise measures so that the wrinkles are ironed out.

A significant development that has gone unnoticed and uncommented upon is the involvement of military commanders in trying to ostensibly resolve the 54-month-old standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that forms the de facto border between India and…

Manish Tewari

A significant development that has gone unnoticed and uncommented upon is the involvement of military commanders in trying to ostensibly resolve the 54-month-old standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that forms the de facto border between India and China.

Beginning June 6, 2020, Indian and Chinese military commanders held talks in the Chushul-Moldo region following the violent confrontation on May 5, 2020, between Indian and Chinese troops in Pangong Tso.

The second round of talks between Lt Gen Harinder Singh and Maj Gen Liu Lin, Commander of the South Xinjiang Military District, were held on June 22, 2020, in the wake of the unfortunate Galwan conflagration. Since then, 19 more rounds of talks have been held till February 19, 2024. The 22nd round has still not been scheduled.

This was perhaps after a long time that the military was so overtly involved as a concurrent track in efforts to resolve the question of Chinese transgressions into Indian territory or our perception of the LAC. Of course, there have been flag meetings on India’s borders with the frontier forces or militaries of the neighbouring countries. Over the past 54 months, the Ministry of External Affairs has been issuing readouts on a regular basis after each round of talks.

Is this a good or a bad thing? If one looks towards the past for guidance or even at the practice that is followed in other countries, one would find that the military has been intrinsically embedded in politico-military strategic diplomacy.

The military representatives of India and Pakistan met in Karachi from July 18 to 27, 1949, under the auspices of the truce sub-committee of the United Nations Commission for the establishment of the ceasefire line in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian delegation consisted of Lt Gen SM Shrinagesh, Maj Gen KS Thimayya and Brig SHFJ Manekshaw, while the Pakistani side was represented by Maj Gen WJ Cawthorn, Maj Gen Nazir Ahmad and Brig M Sher Khan. Bureaucrats and Foreign Office functionaries were only observers. HM Patel and V Sahay C from the Indian side and M Ayub and AA Khan from Pakistan made up the quorum of the civilian component.

On December 11, 1972, senior military commanders of India and Pakistan met at Suchetgarh to sign and exchange maps delineating the 800-km Line of Control in J&K, extending from the Chhamb sector to the Partapur sector, in accordance with Paragraph 4 (II) of the Simla Agreement dated July 2, 1972. This agreement was a sequel to the understanding reached between the Army Chiefs of India and Pakistan at their second meeting in Lahore on December 7, 1972, where Pakistan conceded to India’s claim that Thako Chak formed a part of the International Border and that it should withdraw its troops from there. The maps were exchanged between Lt Gen PS Bhagat on behalf of India and Lt Gen Abdul Hamid Khan representing Pakistan.

It is noteworthy that there was a summit-level meeting between Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, followed by a meeting between then Chief of the Army Staff Gen Manekshaw and his Pakistani counterpart Gen Tikka Khan before the operational-level exchange of maps between Lt Generals Bhagat and Hamid Khan.

After that, the role of the military in the politico-strategic-diplomatic arena was either recessed or took a back seat till the time it briefly seemed to have emerged in May 2006 to ostensibly oppose the demilitarisation of Siachen.

India’s former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran records in his book, How India Sees the World: Kautilya to the 21st Century: “When the CCS meeting was held on the eve of the defence secretary–level talks, [Mr] Narayanan launched into a bitter offensive against the proposal, saying that Pakistan could not be trusted, that there would be political and public opposition to any such initiative and that India’s military position in the northern sector vis-à-vis both Pakistan and China would be compromised. [Gen] JJ Singh, who had happily gone along with the proposal in its earlier iterations, now decided to join Narayanan in rubbishing it.”

The reference is to then Army Chief Gen JJ Singh, who ostensibly along with former National Security Adviser MK Narayanan had opposed the proposal to turn the Siachen glacier into a mountain of peace in the most productive years of the India-Pakistan relationship after the ceasefire agreed upon by then Prime Minister Vajpayee on November 26, 2003, in the aftermath of Operation Parakram that ended on October 16, 2002.

Unlike in India, the military is embedded in the politico-military hierarchy of democracies around the world. Though under very strict civilian control, the six US theatre commanders report directly to the American President through the Secretary of Defence. Though the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff in the US is the Principal Military Adviser to the President, he has no executive authority to command combatant units. This enmeshes various streams of the military into the political decision-making process on critical questions of national security.

In China, the theatre commanders report directly to the Central Military Commission that is headed by the Chinese President and the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, thus institutionalising their role in the strategic decision-making process. Similarly, in the Russian system, the Chief of the General Staff does not exercise direct operational control over Russian forces; the superintendence is vested in the President in terms of Articles 4 and 13 of the Federal Law on Defence.

It is, therefore, imperative that beyond the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) paradigm, the role of the military in the national security decision-making framework is also formalised, given that India has a Chief of Defence Staff and is moving towards theatre commands, though the only functional and integrated theatre command as yet is the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The Army does not harass or stop any civilian movement on the Srinagar- Jammu National Highway and the ambulances “are always accorded priority” for movement and they are not stopped anywhere by security forces, the Defence Ministry said on Friday….

The Army does not harass or stop any civilian movement on the Srinagar- Jammu National Highway and the ambulances “are always accorded priority” for movement and they are not stopped anywhere by security forces, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

It was responding to the questions asked by Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi about stopping of normal traffic during the movement of Army or paramilitary on the highway.

Mehdi had asked whether it was a fact “that the traffic on the highway is stopped multiple times at multiple places at every few kilometres for the Army or paramilitary movement on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.”

He has also sought answers if not only normal traffic but also the ambulances are also stopped by the security forces and “steps taken/proposed to be taken by the government to stop this humiliating practice which also violates human rights.”

The Ministry, in its written response in Lok Sabha on Friday said “as part of drill,” regular movement of convoys takes place between Jammu and Srinagar for various operational as well as administrative reasons.

“The Indian Army follows detailed procedures for the movement of convoys with due emphasis on friendly move of the populace,” the Ministry said.

It also said owing to security reasons and to thwart incidents “like attack/ambush of a convoy in the past, road opening parties are sent out prior to the movement of any security forces convoy.”

“Traffic is regulated, temporarily, particularly at points where laterals meet the NH-44 and at U-Turns, during the movement of the Army/CAPF convoys,” the Ministry said.

Stating that “Indian Army does not harass or stop any civil movement on the national highway,” the ministry response further said, the “charter of civilian traffic regulation is of the state authorities/Jammu and Kashmir Police.”

After the Pulwama suicide bombing in 2019, locals in south Kashmir have been claiming that security forces stop the vehicles moving on the national highway whenever a convoy passes through the highway.

After the response by the Ministry in the Parliament, Srinagar MP said the response was “full of blatant lies.”

“I asked GoI to stop the harassment of people and blockading of traffic including ambulances on Srinagar-Jammu national highway during security forces convoy movement. This is their response. Full of blatant lies,” he wrote on X late Friday night.

Ashok Ahlawat is a loquacious ex-NDA veteran of self-confessedly middling military achievement, who deliberately, if not brazenly, flaunts his knowledge of classics in English literature, starting with Latin quotes and moving on to poet laureates, etc. Early on, he explains…

The setting of the tales is diverse. The NDA is a favourite, so is the Cavalry, the Sappers, the Gunners… Though mainly honourable, some references aren’t complementary. But, were they avoidable? Readers will judge for themselves.

There is a reference to an Army commander, a hero in Ashok’s estimate, an officer earlier highlighted in social media for physical prowess. He writes of how the officer goes around declaring he is undergoing a heart attack, but no one listens, including cardiac specialists. And when they do, the attack is confirmed. One wonders if cardiac caregivers would accept this sorry attempt at assuming macho status even in distress.

Such tilting at windmills is balanced by stunning tales of bravery and amazing skills focused on tank and Infantry combat at Chhamb, with barely concealed names of the complex arabesque of bravery when we lost Chhamb to Pakistan. The tales indicate a myriad of emotions whose net gains and losses define bravery, guts, gunnery skill, awards, also their absence because all of them “retreated”…

Bravado is afoot in Burma by a Jat. Hony Capt Umrao Singh was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery against the Japanese in World War-II. Ashok becomes a Gunner Captain to tell his tale, changing his identity like a chameleon again, and yet again. In the books, Ashok treats women variously. He displays economy of praise for officer wives. Women in general are, however, seen with awe, admired for couture, beauty and appeal. His handling of widows, mothers and daughters is where he is on a song.

Readers stand informed of the highs and lows, and the spoofs and pirouettes of these books.

— The writer is based in Mohali

The year was 1954, 17 Sikh was located at Agra and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Shamsher Singh, whose outstanding leadership and exploits in the 1947-48 war in Jammu and Kashmir were part of regimental lore. The unit was out on a training camp in a forest near Shivpuri, which was to culminate in a test exercise.

One day, Sepoy Fauja Singh, who was part of the officer’s mess staff, went to collect firewood for the mess kitchen. Suddenly, a tigress jumped out from a thicket and pounced on him. Instinctively, he tried to fight her off with his bare hands. After a brief struggle, the tigress caught Fauja Singh’s turban in her mouth and thinking that she had got the kill, disappeared back into the thicket. Fauja Singh was badly mauled and he was evacuated to the military hospital immediately, but more to the point, he was extremely upset about the loss of his turban.

More reports poured in about the tigress with four cubs, who had turned into a man-eater, it seemed. She had killed two persons from a village nearby. True to the Indian Army tradition, this didn’t stop the training, which continued as per plan, and the test exercise was cleared with honours.

At the end of the exercise Lt Col Shamsher Singh proposed to his Brigade Commander, Brigadier Danny Misra, that since the tigress had turned into a man-eater and the area was used by the brigade for training, it would be prudent to kill the tigress. Back in those days, shikar was allowed in the country and a hobby for some. In that spirit, Brig Danny Misra agreed to the proposal, but with a rider. “Shamsher,” he said. “Killing a tiger with rifles is too easy. Can the Sikhs do it with bayonets?” Never one to shy away from a challenge, Singh said, “So shall it be, Sir!”

The die was cast. Shamsher returned and briefed his unit. He pepped his soldiers up by telling them stories of how Hari Singh Nalwa, commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa army, had once killed a tiger with his bare hands by catching hold of its tongue and choking it.

It was decided that the unit would assault the general area where the tigress was suspected to have hidden in traditional infantry manner. Once the tigress attacked an individual, he must use the bayonet to counter attack it while the personnel on his flanks would turn inwards to attack the tigress with bayonets and finish the task. This drill was rehearsed to perfection. Next morning, two companies of 17 Sikh formed an assault line 200 yards long, with the Commanding Officer’s party in the centre. Bayonets were fixed on the Enfield .303 rifles and the assault commenced.

It was a surreal scene: bayonets glinted in the morning sun with soldiers of 17 Sikh shouting “Jo bole so nihal!”, out to kill a man-eating tigress with only bayonets! On the far side of the suspected area, the Divisional Commander, General Dargalkar, and the Brig Danny Misra, sat on a machan with sporting rifles. Misra didn’t believe the tigress could be killed with bayonets. His plan was that the assault by 17 Sikh would drive the tigress towards the machan, where Gen Dargalkar and he would kill her.

The movement of the assault line was laborious due to the broken terrain but after 20 minutes, the den of the tigress was located. She had fled, but her three cubs were found, captured alive and later presented to the Agra zoo. Fauja Singh’s turban was also found in the den.

The assault line formed again and moved forward with regimental war cry. After 10 minutes, the roar of the tigress was heard. Singh shouted to his boys, “Tagde ho jao!” (“Gird up and get ready for action!”). And then, suddenly, the tigress leapt out of the thicket and attacked the assault line. Sepoy Sucha Singh was directly in front and he adopted the traditional bayonet fighting stance, meeting the tigress’ assault head on with his weapon. As she came at him, he plunged his bayonet into her chest. It got buried to the hilt, inside the tigress’ chest, but the momentum of her charge knocked Sucha Singh down. With the momentum, the tigress fell 10 yards forward. As per the rehearsed drill, the soldiers on the flanks turned inwards and pounced on the tigress, pinning her down with their bayonets. It wasn’t necessary. Sucha Singh’s bayonet had already pierced her heart.

It was then that the sound of a rifle shot was heard. Shamsher was livid with anger, thinking one of his men had disobeyed orders. He rushed to the scene and asked who had fired the shot. The soldiers assured him no shot had been fired and the report had come from the direction of the machan. Shamsher ordered the success signal be fired with the Very Light Pistol and 500 hundred voices joined him in the long jaikaraof “Jo bole so nihal!‘.

Then Shamsher rushed to Sucha Singh, who was badly mauled, but on inquiry about his wounds said, “Saab ji main tan theek haan, par woh sali sherni meri rifle lai gayee.” (“Sir, I am ok but the damn tigress has taken off with my rifle”). The loss of a weapon is a very serious lapse in the army! Sucha Singh was assured that the rifle has been recovered and that he was now nearly at par with the great Hari Singh Nalwa for having single-handedly killed a tigress. He was evacuated to the military hospital.

A telegram was despatched to Fauja Singh: “Revenge taken! Tigress killed! Turban recovered!” Sepoy Sucha Singh was immediately promoted to Lance Naik and on that day, 17 Sikh was rechristened the Tiger Battalion.

The bayonet of Sucha Singh had developed a 10-degree curve due to the force of the impact with the tigress. A most unusual occurrence, as bayonets are usually made of brittle metal designed to pierce and break when it hits a hard surface. Shamsher directed that Sucha Singh’s bayonet must be kept as a trophy. The Quarter Master in his enthusiasm to get Sucha Singh his replacement mistakenly sent the bayonet back to the ordnance depot for replacement. Fortunately, it was located and brought right back to the unit. The bayonet, along with the skin of the tigress and news paper coverage of the event, still adorn the officers’ mess of 17 Sikh — The Tiger Battalion.

While Sucha Singh was being taken to the military military hospital, Shamsher went to the machan to report the success of the mission to Misra and Dargalkar, who were still on the machan. To his amusement and the embarrassment of the VIPs, Shamsher learnt that in the excitement of the whole action, one of the rifles from the VIP machan had accidentally got fired. That was the rifle shot Shamsher had heard!

Later, Misra along with Shamsher went to meet Sucha Singh in the hospital. The brigadier asked Sucha Singh, “Kya aapne hi sherni ko mara tha?” (“Are you the one who killed the tigress?”) A peeved Sucha Singh replied, “Asli bayonet toh mainne hi mara tha, sir, par mari hui sherni par bad mein aur bhi maarte gaye. Aur mainne suna ki dar ke mare VIP machan se, kisi rifle nichhe gir kar fire ho gayee.” (“I’m the one who got her with the bayonet first, but others attacked the dead tigress too. And I heard that up in the VIPmachan, someone got so scared that he dropped his rifle by mistake and fired it.”)

Nine years later, Colonel Shamsher as the Centre Commandant of the Sikh Regimental Centre at Meerut Cantonment, was interviewing soldiers going on pension when he heard the familiar voice of Havaldar Sucha Singh. He reported that he was going on pension. Shamsher took a quick decision and directed the pension orders to be cancelled. Instead, Sucha Singh was promoted to the rank of Jemadar. There were objections from higher headquarters, but Shamsher had a simple reply: “Sucha Singh is probably the only man in history to have killed a tigress with a bayonet. He deserves to be a JCO!”

I was six years old, living in Agra Cantonment, when all this happened. I remember when the Commanding Officer’s jeep came back from the exercise, spread across the bonnet, was the tigress, and it seemed like all of Agra was lined up on Mall Road, to welcome the unit.

But the story with all its details and glory was told to me by someone who was there and had seen the whole thing: Colonel Shamsher Singh, my father.
(By Lt Gen HS Panag)

Chandigarh, Nov 30, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Terming the medium of literature as the most potent weapon to inspire youngsters towards defence services, the Punjab Governor and UT Admisnstrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday said that valour exhibited by sons and daughters of Punjab in different wars was a perennial source of motivation for the entire nation.

The Governor was speaking here after inaugurating the 8th edition of the Military Literature Festival (MLF) being organised at the Lake Sports Complex. The two-day event beginning today is being held here to offer youngsters a peep into the army life and to nurture future defence leaders.

“The festival not only celebrates India’s glorious military heritage but also underscores the role of military literature in enhancing knowledge and fostering patriotism among citizens, the Governor said.

Highlighting the increasing participation of women in the armed forces, the Governor said it marked a progressive step towards gender equality and inclusivity in our forces. The Governor commended the efforts of the Festival organisers to encourage and prepare young boys and girls to join the military, contributing significantly to national security and defense.

India’s strides toward self-reliance in defense under the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat were another focal point of the Governor’s address. He proudly noted that India is not only manufacturing state-of-the-art weapons and military equipment but is also emerging as a key exporter of defense technology to other nations. This, he said, reflects India’s growing stature as a global power in military innovation.

The Governor recalled India’s historic achievement under the leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the Pokhran nuclear tests. “Pokhran was a turning point that showcased to the world India’s capability and resolve. It was a moment of national pride that established our nation as a formidable nuclear power,” he remarked, urging the youth to draw inspiration from such milestones in India’s military history.

The festival’s theme, “Wars Under the Nuclear Umbrella,” aligns with discussions on contemporary global challenges and India’s preparedness for future conflicts. Various panel discussions are scheduled on topics like the war in Ukraine, regional instability, and advancements in defense technology.

In his address, the Governor reiterated the importance of military literature as a tool to inspire future generations. He urged the festival’s organizers to expand its reach to villages across the state, ensuring that stories of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism resonate with every corner of Punjab. The Governor also proposed publishing an annual magazine to preserve and disseminate the event’s rich content to schools and colleges.

The Governor emphasized the need for retired military officers to engage with students, sharing their experiences to inspire them to join the armed forces. “Your life stories, struggles, and achievements can ignite a sense of duty and patriotism in the youth, shaping them as future defenders of our nation,” he said.

The event also features a grand military equipment exhibition organized by the Western Command, showcasing India’s defense capabilities. The Governor lauded the efforts of Lt. Gen. T.S. Shergill and Lt. Gen. Manoj Kumar Katiyar for organizing this world-class festival and urged all citizens to reflect on India’s journey toward self-reliance in defense and military excellence.

The 8th Military Literature Festival Chandigarh continues to be a platform for celebrating the nation’s rich martial legacy while fostering discussions on the challenges and opportunities in modern warfare and global security.

On this occasion, MP from Chandigarh Mr. Manish Tewari and Mayor Chandigarh Mr. Kuldeep Kumar were also present.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has conducted 643 meetings with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) since the onset of political unrest in Bangladesh during the first week of November 2024.

This engagement aims to address security concerns and maintain stability along the Indo-Bangladesh border amid escalating tensions in the neighbouring country.

The Eastern Command of the BSF comprises six frontiers (South Bengal Frontier, North Bengal Frontier, Meghalaya Frontier, Tripura Frontier, Mizoram and Cachar Frontier, and the Assam Frontier) over five States (West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, and Meghalaya). West Bengal shares the longest 2,216-km border with Bangladesh.

The BSF has also deployed 104 companies on law and order duty in Manipur. “Nine Seema Prahris (border guards) sustained injuries, and two Seema Prahris attained martyrdom in the line of duty in Manipur. The BSF has recovered 83 weapons and 768 Rds (rounds) of ammunition of various calibres from the miscreants during operations in Manipur,” the press statement by the BSF’s Eastern Command said.

In response to the unrest, which has included significant protests and political changes, the BSF has heightened its vigilance and operational readiness. The force has also implemented a high alert status along the border, enhancing surveillance and intelligence operations to counter any potential threats arising from the situation in Bangladesh.