Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopters perform aerobatic stunts during rehearsals for the 87th Indian Air Force Day celebrations at Hindon Airbase, Ghaziabad. PTI

New Delhi, October 6

The Indian Air Force on Sunday conducted a full dress rehearsal, including air drills of both vintage aircraft and modern fleet, at its Hindon base for the 87^th IAF Day on October 8.

The air display will commence with flag-bearing sky divers of the famous Akash Ganga team dropping out of an AN-32 aircraft in their colourful canopies, an Air Force official said.

The flypast would include vintage and modern transport aircraft and frontline fighters, the official added.

The ceremony will conclude with a spell-binding aerobatic display.

Every year, the Air Force Day is celebrated at Hindon base in presence of IAF chief and senior officials of the three armed forces.

The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, and the force has participated in several crucial wars and landmark missions. — PT

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 11

Future progress on the India-Pakistan engagement especially in regard to terror will be driven by outcome on the issues New Delhi flagged during the first formal talks between the National Security Advisers.The Bangkok meeting between NSA Ajit Doval and his Pakistan counterpart Lt Gen Naseer Khan Janjua (retd) last Sunday is part of a well thought out and crafted strategy based on two foundations — continue response in a strong measure to any provocative acts on the border and engage in discussions across the table on all issues, senior government officials privy to discussions told The Tribune here.The Modi government is clear the resumption of talks with Pakistan was to convey New Delhi’s preparedness to hold talks with authorities in Islamabad that takes forward the spirit of Ufa where terrorism was put high on agenda while moving towards discussion on outstanding issues.There is a clear demarcation in the nature of engagement, one that takes forward the issue of terrorism that India wants Pakistan to address, including progress in trial against perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and the bilateral dialogue whose nomenclature stood changed from Resumed Dialogue to Comprehensive Dialogue.The future of the engagement (on terror) will be “outcome-driven”, officials who are part of the formulation said adding unlike the past when the talk about terror would be explained away as result of problems on account developments in Jammu and Kashmir and its fallout, there was greater receptivity from the other side.Devoting a good part of the four-hour NSA-level talks to terror, India put on the table evidence it accumulated in cases. While giving the benefit of the doubt to Islamabad in a few instances, India managed to convey its concerns backed by firm and watertight evidence, they said.The Foreign Secretaries of both countries are to meet next month to work out the modalities of the comprehensive dialogue and the level of interaction in various working groups, the modalities and scheduled of the meetings.
India, Pak Foreign Secys to meet in Jan
Joint statement largely welcomed in Pakistan
The decision to hold India-Pakistan comprehensive dialogue has been largely welcomed by the media and analysts, though certain politicians and ex-diplomats believe the joint statement issued after Sushma Swaraj’s meetings in Islamabad tilted towards India
Opposition in the National Assembly, especially Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrike Insaf and Jamit Ulema Islam’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, demanded that PM Nawaz Sharif should brief the House on what transpired during talks with the Indian delegation
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “I firmly believe that we have no option, neither first nor last, but peace. Any other course would be disastrous for one-and-a-half billion people in the sub-continent.” —Afzal Khan in Islamabad
The Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan will meet next month to work out the details of the newly announced “comprehensive bilateral dialogue” and also to decide the level of interactions among various working groups.
Announcing this in the Pakistan National Assembly today, Sartaj Aziz, Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Pakistan PM, said the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the two countries would discuss terrorism as part of this comprehensive dialogue.
The talks are expected to be held in New Delhi. In March, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had travelled to Islamabad and met his Pakistan counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry. But Jaishankar’s visit was part of the PM’s SAARC ‘yatra’ rather than a formal and structured Foreign Secretary-level talks.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is yet to make a statement in this regard in Parliament due to continuous disruptions.
Aziz briefed the Pakistan Assembly about the recently concluded Heart of Asia conference and “the latest developments in relations between Pakistan and India, including the joint statement issued after he met Sushma.
Aziz said all issues, including Kashmir, would be part of the peace talks under the agreed formula for the fresh re-engagement with India. “During the bilateral meeting, it was decided that the two Foreign Secretaries will meet next month to work out the details of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue and the level of interaction among various working groups. The Foreign Secretaries will also decide the modalities and schedule of the meetings under the dialogue,” Aziz said.
He said: “It was also decided that terrorism would be discussed by the two NSAs as part of this comprehensive bilateral dialogue. We had emphasised that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism.” Aziz outlined the process leading from the Paris handshake between the Prime Ministers of the two countries to the NSAs meeting in Bangkok to the recent visit of Swaraj. Aziz said that in Bangkok, both delegations were guided by the vision of the two leaders for a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia.
On Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan and the consequent announcement of the resumption of a comprehensive dialogue between the two countries, Aziz said: “Following the successful meeting of the NSAs, the Indian External Affairs Minister visited Pakistan to attend the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process. She called on PM Nawaz Sharif and held bilateral talks in the Foreign Office. It was decided to continue the constructive engagement between Pakistan and India. As announced in the joint statement, the two sides agreed to a comprehensive bilateral dialogue, which includes all subjects of the composite dialogue, with some additions.”
Joint statement largely welcomed in Pakistan
The decision to hold India-Pakistan comprehensive dialogue has been largely welcomed by the media and analysts, though certain politicians and ex-diplomats believe the joint statement issued after Sushma Swaraj’s meetings in Islamabad tilted towards India
Opposition in the National Assembly, especially Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrike Insaf and Jamit Ulema Islam’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, demanded that PM Nawaz Sharif should brief the House on what transpired during talks with the Indian delegation
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “I firmly believe that we have no option, neither first nor last, but peace. Any other course would be disastrous for one-and-a-half billion people in the sub-continent.” —Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Our Correspondent
UNA, NOVEMBER 9
The Una unit of the Indian Ex-services League today expressed resentment over the Union government’s notification on one rank, one pension which was not in lines with the OROP definition accepted by the government in Parliament.
As per a press note issued here by Lt SP Sharma (retd.), general secretary of the District Ex-services League, a meeting of veterans from all three services was held here. All members unanimously expressed anguish over the notification, claiming that most of the veterans would not get any relief.
Sharma said the inclusion of voluntary retirement clause in the notification was wrong since this did not apply to the armed forces due to the peculiar nature of the services. He claimed that since the services need to maintain a young profile of officers and other ranks, early retirement was an accepted norm.
The general secretary said the OROP should be implemented in its true spirit. He said their unit has expressed solidarity with ex-servicemen protesting at Jantar Mantar, adding that the protests should continue till the notification was amended.

Operational preparedness will be the key focus area of Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria. “Ramping-up operational preparedness, improving serviceability of the fleet, acquiring more technology will be my priority,” Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said when asked about his priorities as head of the IAF. Not only is the Indian Air Force short of fighters, but serviceability of its fighter fleet has also been a major cause of concern. The IAF has been battling a lack of spares and delays in maintenance.

Asked whether IAF had the capability to hit terror training camps in Pakistan, the Air Chief said, “We in the IAF are always prepared to meet any contingency that these challenges may pose against the defence of our nation.” Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria also said, “I am confident to take-up any threat and fight a full spectrum war.”

“I am speaking theoretically. We do not start an attack, we do not plan like that. If they (Pakistan) do anything, then we will respond according to the orders given by the government. Whatever be the targets given to us by the government, they will be taken care of,” Air Chief Bhadauria said when asked whether the force can take out 40 terror camps operating in Pakistan simultaneously. “The IAF is prepared to deal with any eventuality although there is no separate plan for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We have plans for everything,” the IAF Chief said.
Importantly, the Air Chief said that new secure communications inducted by the Indian Air Force will now ensure that communications cannot be jammed. Inquires, into how Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman continued to chase Pakistani fighters on February 27 – when the Pakistan Air Force had launched a counter-attack– had revealed that radio communications between the fighter control and fighters had been jammed by Pakistan.

The Air Chief also said that India will not be looking to import any platforms or equipment. For 5th generation fighters, IAF is “not looking” at foreign manufacturers, Air Chief Bahadauria said. The IAF is putting all its energies into the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, he said. The 114 fighters IAF is acquiring is also through the “Strategic Partnership” route and will be made in India.

Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 6
Almost 13 months after the killing of two youths at Chattergam in Budgam, Army men will depose before the police for recording their statements for the first time.
The police have been blaming the Army for the delay in filing a challan in the case in the competent court, alleging that the Army had not been cooperating with their investigation.
Two youths — Faisal Yousuf (17) and Meraj-u-din Dar (21) — were killed and two others injured on November 3 when Army men of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, manning a checkpoint at Chattergam village in Budgam, opened fire on the car they were travelling in.
The killing sparked outrage across the Valley and the Army later termed the killing as “a mistake”. The state police had already recorded the statements of the two injured boys and other civilian eyewitnesses during the investigation into the case.
“The investigating officer forwarded nearly a dozen communications to the Army unit in the last one year, asking it to record the statements of men deployed at the naka, but it had not responded so far. This is the precise reason for not being able to complete our investigation,” said a senior police officer.
The Army was yet to deposit the weapons for forensic examination, which it had not done so far, the officer said. The Army authorities said deposition of witnesses in the case would commence from Monday.
“The Army has been extending full cooperation to the civil administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Police with respect to the Chattergam incident. Senior Army officers are maintaining constant liaison with the Budgam Senior Superintendent of Police. Deposition by witnesses is scheduled to commence tomorrow,” said a senior Army officer in Srinagar.
The Army had completed a court of inquiry into the case and was waiting for the police and magisterial probe to move ahead in the case.
Sources said the court of inquiry had indicted nearly a dozen soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles, for violating rules of engagement in Chattergam.

Probe update

• Police investigation status: The police had registered a case under Section 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code and Sections 7 and 27 of the Arms Act against the 53 Rashtriya Rifles. They are yet to file a challan in the case. The Army has not shared its court of inquiry with the police
• Army investigation status: The Army has completed its court of inquiry. It will move further in the case once the magisterial inquiry and police investigation into the case are complete. On the court of inquiry not being shared, the Army says the police are required to conduct an independent inquiry without reference to any departmental inquiry
• Magisterial probe status: The Jammu and Kashmir Government had named the Khan Sahib SDM as the inquiry officer. The official is yet to complete the probe

According to an ANI report, the proposal for the acquisition will soon be placed in front of the Defence Acquisition Council. The IAF has three squadrons of MiG-29 and they are looking to arm them with indigenous weapons. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadu…

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/iaf-wants-new-mig-29s-coupled-with-indigenous-weapons-768072.html

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath. — PTI

New Delhi, September 23

In more trouble for senior Congress leader and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Mukhtyar Singh, a witness in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to record his statement.

Singh arrived at the SIT office in south Delhi’s area of Khan Market and shared the details of the incidents that took place with the SIT members. This was for the first time that Singh appeared before the three-member SIT team to record his statement.

After coming out of the SIT, Singh said he cannot reveal what he told the SIT as the matter was under investigation.

According to sources, Singh apprised the SIT members consisting of a senior IPS officer, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and a retired District and Sessions judge. The case pertains to the killing of Sikhs in Gurdwara Rakabganj on November 1, 1984 by a charged mob.

On September 9, the Union Home Ministry has given its nod for reopening the case, as a result of which Kamal Nath will face a fresh inquiry for his alleged role in the massacre of Sikhs in the aftermath of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination in New Delhi on October 31, 1984.

Kamal Nath was an accused in the case initially, but the court had found no evidence against him. The 72-year-old veteran Congress leader and a Gandhi family loyalist, is facing trouble as London-based journalist Sanjay Suri has also expressed readiness to depose in the case. Suri had written to the SIT on September 15 asking it to give him the appropriate time and date to appear.

Suri’s letter was shared by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Sirsa on Twitter. The SIT is likely to consider fresh evidence against the veteran Congress leader, which allegedly mentions that he had instigated a mob near the capital’s Gurdwara Rakabganj during the 1984 riots.

The Modi government had set up the SIT in 2015 to probe the 1984 riots.

Pressure on Kamal Nath has been building since last year after the conviction of Sajjan Kumar in the same case by the Delhi High Court. Kumar, after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, was accused of inciting and orchestrating mob violence against the Sikh community across Delhi. — IANS

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 7

China’s reaction to Ladakh becoming a Union Territory seems to be stemmed from the un-demarcated 823-km frontier. In reality, there are only two spots along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) recognised as disputed by India and China.

Another half-a-dozen spots along the LAC have troops patrolling as per their perception of the LAC, however, not a bullet has been fired since November 1962 in Ladakh. The difference in ‘perception’ is between 2 and 20 km at various points, hence the dispute.

“The reaction of Beijing was to make an on-record diplomatic protest as Aksai Chin, the north-eastern corner of now bifurcated state of J&K, is claimed by India even as China is in illegal custody,” said a senior functionary in the know of matters related to China.

China characterised the move as “unacceptable” and asked New Delhi to avoid actions that unilaterally change the status quo.

In Delhi, observers in the South Block point out there are only two disputed areas along the LAC. One is at Trig Heights located in the north-eastern edge of Ladakh and the other is Demchok, the south-eastern edge. Besides, tensions brew occasionally as both sides carry out patrolling along the northern edge of Pangong Tso (lake), Sppangur Gap, Kongka La, Chumur, Mount Sajun and Samar Lung pa. All these matters are being dealt at the level of the Special Representatives for boundary talks.

In 2016, the two countries carried out their first-ever joint military exercise at a tactical level in Ladakh. In September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, proposed the LAC demarcation on ground to end the dispute.

Historically, the frontier of Ladakh with Tibet has never been demarcated. The British took control of J&K in 1846 after defeating the Sikh Army. The British proposed boundaries — five separate ones in 1846, 1865, 1873, 1899 and 1914, China rejected each of them.

Major Alexandar Cunnigham, who was part of the British attempt in 1846 to demarcate the boundary, details this in his 1854 published book ‘Ladak Physical, Statistical and Geographical’. He narrates “The settlement of this boundary (between Ladakh and Tibet) was one of some importance”.

The existing LAC partially adheres to the 1873 British ‘foreign office line’ and is considered the most realistic on the internationally accepted principle that the water shed will decide the boundary. India’s point is the LAC lies along the alignment where its troops were in 1962 before the war commenced

SATARA (Maha): Hundreds of people from all walks of life on Thursday converged at a small village here as the mortal remains of Colonel Santosh Mahadik, who laid down his life battling militants near LoC in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, were consigned to flames with full military honours.

The 39-year-old martyr’s body was brought to Pogarwadi village in Maharashtra’s Satara district this moring where his last rites were performed.
The body was kept for sometime at his mother’s house in the neighbouring Aaray village where defence minister Manohar Parrikar paid homage to him. A large number of villagers from various communities gathered at the cremation site to pay their respects to the martyr.

With teary eyes, the mourning villagers bid adieu to their son who made them proud and shouted slogans like “Col Mahadik Amar Rahe” as his mortal remains were consigned to flames.
Earlier, his mortal remains wrapped in the tricolour were brought in a procession escorted by Army personnel.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had paid tributes to Col Mahadik in Pune last night when the the Army officer’s mortal remains were brought there en route to his native Satara district.
Col Mahadik, the Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles, was critically injured during an operation in the Haji Naka forest area of Kupwara near the LoC in Kashmir on Tuesday. He succumbed to his injuries at a hospital later.