Olympic bronze medal-winning men’s hockey team players from the state during a felicitation ceremony organised by the Punjab Government in Chandigarh. TRIBUNE PHOTO

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 12

The Punjab Government today honoured the state players who brought laurels to the country in the Tokyo Olympics with cash awards amounting to Rs 28.36 crore.

Gold medallist Neeraj skips event

Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra skipped the ceremony. The government had said it would honour Chopra with a cash award of Rs2.51 crore. “We will surely honour him whenever he comes here,” said CM Capt Amarinder Singh

CM says will cook for players, their kin

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced he would host the Olympic players soon and cook their favourite food. “Let me take the liberty to invite you (medal winners) and your family at lunch. I would like to cook food for all of you,” he said

Felicitating the players, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh announced that the government would offer jobs to medal winners and those already in government service would get a promotion. “I am happy to promote Mandeep Singh as a Superintendent of Police (SP),” he said.

State hockey players, who were part of the Olympic bronze medal-winning team, were given Rs 2.51 crore each. Capt Manpreet Singh, vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Simranjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Dilpreet Singh, Hardik Singh and Krishan Pathak were among the awardees.

Women’s hockey team members Reena Khokhar and Gurjit Kaur along with discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur were honoured with a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh each.

“The Indian contingent put up an exceptional show at the Tokyo Olympics. The 2024 Olympics isn’t far and I am sure we will achieve more,” said Kamalpreet.

Pugilist Simranjit Kaur, shooters Anjum Moudgill and Angadveer Singh, athletes Tejinder Pal Singh Toor and Gurpreet Singh and Paralympic badminton player Palak Kohli (who will represent the country at Paralympics), were also awarded Rs 21 lakh each. As a token of gratitude, the women hockey players presented a hockey stick to the Chief Minister with signatures of all team members.

The Chief Minister also announced to name the schools and approach roads leading to their native villages after the names of the players. The event was also attended by Governor VP Singh Badnore, Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi and state MLAs.

However, PCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu was conspicuous by his absence at the function.

For the first time in its 42-year-old history, the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) has decided not to boycott the Independence Day celebrations this year or call for a shutdown on the occasion.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Rumel Asom, a member of the outfit’s publicity wing, also expressed willingness to talk to the Centre on the question of Assam’s sovereignty. HT has seen a copy of the two-page statement written in Assamese.
“In view of the Covid-19 situation….and other problems like flood, erosion and unemployment affecting indigenous populations, ULFA-I has refrained itself this time from armed protest of the fake Independence Day of colonial India or called for a ‘bandh’,” the statement read.
Since its inception in 1979 with the aim of an armed struggle to create an independent Assam, ULFA has been boycotting Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations and indulged in violent activities on those days.
Though it refrained from issuing a boycott call this time, the outfit asked the public to protest against Independence Day celebrations by wearing black badges, flying the ULFA-I flag and other means while following Covid-19 protocols.
“Our organization is not against talks or belligerent. But it is not possible to deny historic facts or waver from our ideological goals in the name of talks. Indian authorities have maintained that talks with ULFA-I can’t include the question of (Assam’s) sovereignty,” the statement added.
The statement cited the Treaty of Yandaboo, 1826 signed between the king of Myanmar (Burma) and the British, which ended Myanmar’s claim on Assam and Manipur, to claim Assam has always been “independent and autonomous”.
ULFA-I sought “restoration of sovereignty on historical facts” as a pre-condition for talks with the Centre.
“The constitution of India has been amended nearly 100 times. Why can’t it be amended again to allow for talks with ULFA-I? If India wants talks, it should amend the constitution to approve the right to secede by communities or allow a plebiscite participated by bonafide indigenous communities,” it added.

If tanks succeed, victory follows,” said Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, a German general during World War II. A tank warfare strategist, Guderian was a firm believer in the utility of the armoured behemoths
India’s own main battle tank has been in the making for 50 years. In November last year, while visiting soldiers at the border town of Longewala in Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode an armoured beast—Arjun Mk-IA, a third-generation main battle tank indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, in association with 15 academic institutions, eight labs and several micro, small and medium enterprises. Modi’s ride was a proud moment for the team of 500 scientists and technicians who developed Arjun. The Army will now order 118 units of the upgraded tank, in what is expected to mark the finest chapter in the Make in India story.
With around 4,300 tanks and 8,700 armoured vehicles, India’s armoured strength is one of the best in the world. “Though every country boasts tank capability, the way Arjun has been tested is beyond what any army in the world can do,” said V. Balamurugan, director of Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) at Avadi near Chennai, the DRDO’s lead laboratory that designed the tank. “Arjun (upgraded version) has done over 7,000km of trial runs, which does not happen in any country. It is on par with other main battle tanks in the world.”
When THE WEEK visited Avadi, the mood was upbeat. The developers expect Arjun to replace the Russian T-72 that is still in service. And when it happens, it will be a dream come true. The need to develop a battle tank had become clear in 1971, when India fought its last full-fledged war with Pakistan with the help of Russian tanks.
Tank development is based on two philosophies—eastern and western. The eastern philosophy, dominated by the Russians, lays stress on smaller, lightweight tanks for en masse attacks. The western philosophy, followed by the British, Americans and Germans, focuses on heavy tanks. While building Arjun, the DRDO chose the western philosophy—and emulated German tanks in particular.
A tank requires firepower, mobility and protection as basic features. The specifications for Arjun, however, kept changing for more than two decades as the Army kept upgrading requirements. Also, India’s diverse terrain conditions—from the rocky parts of Jammu and Kashmir to the alluvial soil of Punjab and northern Rajasthan to the marshy Rann of Kutch—posed a huge challenge in terms of cross-country mobility capability. Though India had been making Vijayanta tanks under license from Vickers in the UK, developing a main battle tank was an altogether different ball game.
In 2007, almost 24 years after its first prototype rolled out, and four years after it formally entered service in the Army, Arjun was fielded against the Russian T-90 and T-72 in Rajasthan. Unimpressed, the Army pointed out several deficiencies—inadequate fire control system, inaccurate guns, low speeds in tactical areas, and persistent inability to operate in temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius. Within two years, though, the DRDO solved the problems.
With the induction of the first batch of Arjun, India entered a select group of 10 countries that have designed and developed their own main battle tanks. The group includes the UK, France, Germany, the US, Israel, South Korea, Russia, Japan and China. As it prepares to become India’s main battle tank, Arjun would also have to face additional threats from air, particularly from low-flying aircraft. “Therefore, an air-defence gun would have to be added,” said Balamurugan.
The latest version of Arjun (Mk-1A) is considered to be one of the world’s most advanced tanks. It carries 39 rounds of different types of ammunition, including thermobaric shells designed as bunker-busters. It is also armed with a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun that is remotely operated from within the crew compartment.
Arjun weighs 68 tonnes, though, making deployments tough. Existing culverts and bridges are not designed to carry such a heavyweight tank. The DRDO says the upgrade is heavier because of modifications sought by the Army and the stipulated inclusion of an extra crew member. Unlike Russian tanks, which has a crew of three (commander, driver and gunner) Arjun has to accommodate four (including a loader). Russian tanks are autoloaders.
“With additional protection and armaments, the tank’s weight increased,” said V. Balaguru, additional director of CVRDE. According to him, though, Arjun’s weight is more or less equal to that of several main battle tanks. Challenger 2 of the UK weighs 62.5 tons (combat-ready weight of 75 tons), Leopard 2A6M of Canada weighs 62.5 tons and Abrams M1A1 of the US weighs 67.5 tons.
Arjun’s suspension running system—which stabilises the tank while firing—was one of the most difficult technologies to develop. “Besides providing a stable platform to the tank that is essential for ensuring fire-on-the move capability, it also gives excellent ride comfort for the crew, minimising fatigue even on extended runs,” said S. Ganesan, additional director (mechanical), at CVRDE.
In 2000, the Army had inducted 124 Arjun Mk-1 tanks, with 62 per cent of equipment sourced from abroad. More than two decades later, the DRDO is preparing to roll out the next-gen Arjun. Four years from now, most of the items that are currently imported will be manufactured in India as part of the Atmanirbhar initiative.
“We have waited 22 years to convince the military that Arjun (with 81 improvements) is the best tank,” said Balamurugan. “And finally, we are getting an order for 118 units.”

New Delhi: With China being the new focus of the Indian defence establishment, the Army is looking at ordering another 40 of the K9 Vajra Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzers for mountainous terrain, ThePrint has learnt. 

Sources in the defence and security establishment said the trials of three K9 Vajra, which were sent to Ladakh earlier this year, have been successful.https://f2f3eda55dac28a105ee3bc05209a08d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Plans are now being finalised to order at least two more regiments of the 155mm/52 calibre howitzers that would be deployed in the mountains.

The Army had initially ordered 100 (five regiments) of the gun system under a Rs 4,500 crore contract in 2017.

The order for the initial 100 guns, basically meant for the deserts, was placed with leading Indian private defence major Larsen and Toubro (L&T). The company had successfully completed the order in February this year.

L&T has signed a transfer of technology contract with the South Korean firm, Hanwha Corporation, which is the original manufacturer of the gun system known as K9 Thunder. 

“Vajra is a beautiful and formidable gun system. It has a high range and because it is tracked, the movement in the mountains becomes easier,” a source said. “With its range and motion capability, the system can be deployed strategically.”

Sources said that a cost criteria for the next 40 Vajras is yet to be worked out but the process is on.

Also read: Tejas flying record world’s best, criticism unfortunate, says IAF veteran who flew LCA at 78

Washington: U.S. military aircraft have been hitting ground targets in Afghanistan in an effort to protect allies, according to U.S. Central Command, as the Taliban makes rapid advances in the void left by withdrawing American and North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops.

“U.S. forces have conducted several airstrikes in defense of our Afghan partners in recent days,” U.S. Air Force Maj. Nicole Ferrara, a U.S. Central Command spokesperson, said by email.

She declined to provide specifics on the aircraft involved. President Joe Biden ordered B-52 bombers and AC-130 Spectre gunships to strike enemy fighters advancing toward Kandahar and other cities, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday. A National Security Council spokesman referred questions to the Defense Department.

The Taliban will avenge U.S. airstrikes with “full strength,” spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said in an emailed statement on Sunday, adding that the U.S. targeted civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools in the southern Helmand province.

The last U.S. ground forces are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by Aug. 31. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul on Saturday urged U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately “using available commercial flight options,” according to a statement on its website that cited “the security conditions and reduced staffing.”

The Taliban has been gaining territory and taking over customs posts at Afghan border crossings, seizing much of the government’s revenue. It now controls half of the country’s 419 districts, and the militants are putting pressure on the provincial capitals, General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month. Afghan security forces are consolidating around the cities as Taliban fighters attempt to isolate those population centers, he said. –Bloomberg

Also read: India plans ‘direct communication’ with Taliban as world prepares for life after US pullout

Two Army pilots have been missing since an Army helicopter crashed into the Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir on 3 August.

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New Delhi: A week after search operations for two Army pilots, who went missing after a helicopter crashed into the Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir, yielded no results, India is likely to seek help from Israel for specialised equipment, ThePrint has learnt.

The helicopter of the pilots crashed into the reservoir in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on 3 August and the two have been missing ever since. Search operations by the Army and the Navy have been underway since the day of the crash.

According to sources in the defence and security establishment, the authorities concerned will approach Israel for special equipment that can operate underwater at a much lower depth than Indian systems.

While there are systems with India which can operate at much deeper levels, they are larger in size and on board naval ships. So, bringing them to a reservoir is not possible, they added.

Sources explained that there are only particular depths to which divers can go. To go beyond that one needs compression chambers or specialised vessels.

The international help is being coordinated by the Army headquarters.

The development comes as the brother of one of the missing pilots, Neel Joshi, took to Twitter Monday to express his anguish.

Also read: Trials in Ladakh a success, Army looks at ordering 40 more K9 Vajra howitzers for mountains

Multi-beam sonars, underwater manipulators being used 

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Western Army Command late Monday noted that military authorities are “leaving no stone unturned to search for the helicopter” and the pilots, adding that “international assistance is also being sought”.

The statement also noted that the expansive reservoir measures 25-km in length, 8-km in width and is more than 500 feet deep.

The Western Command also responded to Joshi’s tweet and said that the Army has been coordinating the search and rescue efforts of Indian Navy (two Officers, fpur Junior Commissioned Officers and 24 other ranks) and Indian Army Special Forces divers (two officers, one Junior Commissioned Officer and 24 other ranks).

It noted that multi-beam sonars, side scanners, remotely operated vehicles and underwater manipulators have also been flown in from Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.

The Command explained that the deep underwater operation is especially challenging due to the near-zero visibility below 50 meters due to the colloidal nature of water in this season, which adversely impacts accuracy of sonars and other sensors.

“Experts, specialised equipment and divers are being continuously flown in and international assistance is also being sought,” it said.

A small area measuring 60 x 60 metre has been localised and special sonar equipment, flown in from Kochi, has also been used to enable search operations to enter their final phase, according to the Command.

(Edited by Rachel John)

Also read: Tejas flying record world’s best, criticism unfortunate, says IAF veteran who flew LCA at 78

New Delhi: India is unlikely to heed any request from the Afghanistan government for active military aid amid the Taliban’s rapid advances in the country, ThePrint has learnt.

Government sources said any active Indian military intervention in Afghanistan is not being considered at any level, adding that the focus right now is to ensure peace is maintained through dialogue.https://8fd3139a930516259a2cb14d93dd2276.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

However, sources added, “benign support”, like maintenance of military equipment, training and spare parts are issues that are always under discussion.

Sources in the government as well as the security and defence establishment said any military involvement in the war-torn country will “pull India into a vortex”. 

The comments follow requests from the Afghan government that India provide “robust air support” — airpower is seen to be a crucial factor in the battle against the Taliban — to aid Kabul’s efforts to address the nation’s deteriorating security situation. 

The demand is being “aggressively pushed” by Kabul in light of concerns that the Taliban will escalate the level of violence once international troops complete their drawdown by 31 August, Afghan officials had told ThePrint earlier on the condition of anonymity.

Indian government sources didn’t respond to a query on whether such a request has been made by Kabul. However, they pointed out that the official stand is that there will be no Indian boots on the ground in Afghanistan.

In 2017, then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had made the same statement amid US calls for Indian participation in strengthening Afghanistan’s security situation.

The stand was reiterated by Army chief General M.M. Naravane earlier this year.

Also Read: India right to wait till Taliban comes in full view. No need to rush into an ‘Afghan strategy’

‘Benign support vs active support’

Sources said India, which has also initiated talks with the Taliban, would not like to be “overtly seen doing anything” in Afghanistan. “Right now, the approach is to talk to everybody and actively observe the developments,” a source said.

Last month, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaeen said in an interview that India should not give any military support to the current Afghan government.

Sources in the governmenthad earlier made it clear that while New Delhi may look at extending any technical help the Afghan forces need to maintain the equipment India had given them in the past, there are no plans to send any fresh military systems.

Over the past few years, India has gifted four Mi-24V attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force as well as three Cheetah light utility helicopters, among other equipment.

Discussing India’s potential role in Afghanistan in the coming days, sources said training and maintenance issues are something that could be looked into. Afghan military officers do get trained in India at various training establishments.

Sources said India providing any kind of air support in Afghanistan is not going to be the solution. “The US has been bombing for the last 20 years. Why would India want to replace it,” a second source said.

What Afghanistan needs, a third source said, is “peace and cessation of fighting”.

(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)

Also Read: Five myths about Afghanistan that India must overcome, along with its timidity

Maintaining passes and roads and tracks in the vicinity of the border is the responsibility of the BRO that was established in May 1960

Photo for representational purpose only. PTI file

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 9

To commemorate 75 years of Independence, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will unfurl the National Flag at 75 highest passes in India on August 15, besides undertaking several other activities.

The Himalayan range that spreads across India’s northern frontier has the highest passes and motorable roads in the world, the highest being the Kalindi Pass in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 19,521 feet.

Earlier this month, the BRO completed the black-topping of the world’s highest motorable roads that passes over the 19,300-foot-high Umling La Pass in south-easten Ladakh connecting the town of Demchok in the vicinity of the Line of Actual Control.

The mountain passes and roads are of immense strategic importance and some of them are approachable only on foot or horseback, though the Indian Army has successfully driven tanks over a few of them. Many of the passes that lie close to the border with China are off limits to civilian visitors.

Till Umling La was opened to vehicles, the 17,582-foot-high Khardung La in Ladakh, also a popular tourist destination, was said to be the highest motorable pass in the world. Other passes that lie above 18,000 feet include Gyong La (Siachen, Muling la (Uttarakhand), Sia La (Siachen), Marsimik La (Ladakh), Mana Pass and Sin La (both in Uttarakhand).

Maintaining passes and roads and tracks in the vicinity of the border is the responsibility of the BRO that was established in May 1960. Functioning under the Ministry of Defence, its operations spread across 19 states and three union territories as well as neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

Besides those in the Himalayas, many of which are well known and popular with tourists and adventurers, there are other passes in the country that lie at much lower elevations, including those in the Western Ghats and Nilgiris in peninsular India

Other activities by the BRO in various parts of the country to commemorate the Independence Day this year include 75 medical camps, plantation drives at 75 locations and 75 school samvad to motivate children through interactions and lectures.

In addition, gallantry award recipients and war heroes are also being felicitated, a defence spokesperson said. Two such events were organised in Uttarakhand and Sikkim earlier this week

The 100-ft-high National Flag at Gulmarg in Baramulla. PTI

Srinagar, August 10

The Army on Tuesday dedicated to the nation a 100-foot tall National Flag at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg as part of the celebrations of 75 years of Independence. Lieutenant General YK Joshi, Commander, Northern Command, presided over the ceremony, Srinagar-based Defence PRO Colonel Emron Musavi said.

Col Emron Musavi, Defence PRO

Tourist attraction

The flag adds to the tourist attraction of the town.

The flag adds to the tourist attraction of the location, he said. During the ceremony, the Commander said the flag was a tribute to the countless Kashmiris, who made “the ultimate sacrifice” while safeguarding the nation’s integrity.

Colonel Musavi said Joshi also honoured the next of kin of soldiers who had made sacrifice in the service to the nation. — PTI

Promotes Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh as SP in Punjab Police

The chief minister along with Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore also transferred the cash prize money online in the accounts of the Olympic medallists and participants. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 12

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday announced that the state government would soon work out modalities for providing jobs to the medallists and asked the state chief secretary to examine the matter on the top priority before taking a final decision.

In his address on the occasion to honour the Olympic medallists and participants of Tokyo Olympics-2020 with cash prize of Rs 28.36 crore here at a glittering ceremony in Punjab Bhawan this evening who brought laurels to the country especially the state, the chief minister said Punjab has rewritten the history in the sporting annals of the country.

The chief minister along with Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore also transferred the cash prize money online in the accounts of the Olympic medallists and participants.https://bb3788e2584deeb0a012df48be5af23f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

As a token of respect and gratitude, the women hockey players presented a hockey stick to the chief minister with signatures of its entire team members.

Complimenting the stellar performance of the men’s hockey team in clinching the bronze medal after a gap of 41 years in Tokyo Olympics, the Punjab chief minister termed it as a beginning towards revival of India’s lost glory in hockey.

In recognition of the stupendous performance of state players in Tokyo Olympics, Capt Amarinder Singh announced to name the schools and approach roads leading to their native villages after the names of the players. He also asked PWD and School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla to identify such schools and roads so as to give due honour to the players who made every Punjabi proud.

On the occasion, the chief minister promoted the men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh as Superintendent of Police from DSP in Punjab Police.https://bb3788e2584deeb0a012df48be5af23f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Reiterating his government’s commitment to provide the state-of-the-art infrastructure to the players so as to enable them to further excel in world class tournaments, the chief minister said that ‘The Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala’ would be instrumental in showcasing the rare talent of sportspersons from Punjab on global map.

He also asked the sports minister to chalk out a blueprint for developing ultra-modern stadiums for different sports in consultation with the players and their coaches so that they could practice in a professional manner as per world class standards and assured that there would be no dearth of funds for this purpose..

While making a special mention of hockey legend Balbir Singh Senior and iconic athlete Milkha Singh, he said nobody would have been happier than these two stalwarts at this rare achievement, had they been alive today.

He said the state government would also honour gold medal winner javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra the first ever Indian athlete to achieve the unique accomplishment, having roots in Punjab, who could not make it to attend this function.https://bb3788e2584deeb0a012df48be5af23f.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

Pointing out further, the chief minister said that the historic win in men’s hockey and indomitable spirit displayed by women’s hockey team and athlete Kamalpreet Kaur would ever inspire the budding players to further achieve the new heights of glory in national as well as international tournaments.

He also highly lauded the participation of Punjab players in boxing, shooting and athletics.

In his address, Punjab governor appreciated the spirit of these players to join the police force and also made an offer to the willing players for joining the Chandigarh Police.

He said that the talent pool in sports must come from the villages and well-equipped sports academies are required in our rural areas where the energies of the youth can be channelized towards sports.