PTI

Chandigarh, December 17

Two alumnae of the Punjab government’s Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls in Mohali were commissioned as Flying Officers on Saturday, according to an official statement.

Sehajpreet Kaur and Komalpreet Kaur were commissioned as Flying Officers at a ceremony at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal in Hyderabad.

According to the Punjab government statement, Sehajpreet Kaur, who will be joining the Flying Transport Branch, is the daughter of a serving Subedar Major of the Indian Army and hails from Amritsar district.

Komalpreet Kaur’s father is serving in Punjab Police and belongs to Gurdaspur district. She will be joining the Navigation Branch of the Air Force.

The Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls, established by the Punjab government, is a fully residential campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Its director, Maj Gen (retired) Jasbir Singh Sandhu, said that so far its 23 alumnae have joined various armed forces training academies, of whom 13 have been commissioned as officers.

The One Man Judicial Committee (OMJC) had submitted its report on October 26, 2016

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, December 18

The much-awaited recommendations of the One Man Judicial Committee (OMJC) constituted to redress anomalies in the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, pending with the government since 2016, could see the light of the day with the Supreme Court directing action on the same within a period of four months.

While issuing orders for implementation of OROP for the armed forces in 2015, the government had announced an OMJC, comprising Justice Narasimha Reddy, to look into the anomalies arising in the fixation of pension under the scheme, if any. 

Though the OMJC was not expected to amend or tinker with the basic tenets of OROP scheme, which was also recently upheld by the Supreme Court, it was supposed to go into anomalies arising while implementing the scheme, such as aberrations in tables, procedural matters, inter-service issues or any other matter referred to it.

The OMJC had submitted its report on October 26, 2016 and the Ministry of Defence had consequently constituted another internal anomalies committee on July 19, 2017 to examine its recommendations. The final orders were not issued thereafter and the matter remained pending with the ministry.

In the meantime, several retired officers of the rank of Lieutenant Commander of the Navy (equivalent to Major), led by Lt Cdr Mathew Joseph, had approached the Kochi Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT). They averred that pensions under OROP were to be fixed on the average of the live data of current retirees, but their pensions could not be fixed correctly because of non-availability of such data in the absence of officers retiring as Majors on completion of full service under the current promotional system. The issue affected officers of the rank of Captain also.

While the defence ministry admitted before the AFT that there was an anomaly in fixation of pension of Majors, it stated that the matter had been considered by the OMJC on which the decision of the government was still awaited and the correct pension would be released when the report of the OMJC is implemented. The AFT had then directed the government to act upon the removal of the anomalies within six months.

Rather than acting upon the directions, the Union of India went into direct appeal to the Supreme Court against the order of the AFT. However, earlier this week the Supreme Court’s bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice MM Sundresh dismissed the appeal and ordered that the matter be decided expeditiously by the anomalies committee, within a period of four months.Sources point out that the removal of anomalies in the existing OROP tables would not cause any substantial financial burden on the government. Rather, it would result in amelioration of certain basic incongruities and procedural shortcomings which have affected the ranks of Captain and Majors the most, the resolution of which was being eagerly awaited for last six years.

A fierce three-day battle took place between the Indian and Pakistani security forces in a forested finger-shaped village in a swampy area prior to the final victory in the 1971 war that resulted in the formation of Bangladesh, according to the military records.

Dhaka emerged as the free capital of independent Bangladesh on December 16, 1971 after the war between India and Pakistan broke out on December 3 when the Indian troops directly stood beside the Mukti Bahini soldiers.

Bangladesh’s wartime history records that even before the Liberation War of Bangladesh started, a little-discussed but fierce three-day battle known as the ‘Battle of Garibpur’ was fought on the western borders of what at that time called East Pakistan.

The battle took place between the two forces and both sides used their tanks and airpower from November 20 to November 23.

India used Russian-made PT-76 tanks against Pakistan’s US-made M-24 Chaffee tanks, and Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Jinaat fighter jets countered attacks by Pakistani Saber F-86 fighter jets. The Pakistani side suffered disastrous losses in terms of both men and machines.

According to military strategists, the tactics of the Indian armoured troops backed by crucial artillery and Mukti Bahini support were key to the success of this crucial strategic battle, which the victors preferred to keep in a low key since the two countries were yet to enter a declared war.

“If we were allowed on that day, we could have directly driven to Joshore (deep inside Bangladesh) expediting the victory, bringing the war itself to an end,” retired armoured core brigadier Balram Singh Mehta, who took part in the battle, told PTI.

Mehta, who is in Dhaka as part of an Indian veterans’ delegation coinciding with the Victory Day celebrations, led the tank troops during the battle as the commander of his ‘C’ Squadron of Indian 45 Cavalry Major DS Narang’ was killed at the very beginning of the encounter.

Several military experts have described the ‘Battle of Garibpur’ as the biggest tank battle of the 1971 war that took place in foggy weather in a forested finger-shaped village in a swampy area on the Chuadanga border.

“After this war, the defense system of the Pakistani invaders became unbalanced…both sides fought to the best of their ability and left a large number of war lessons,” said retired Bangladeshi major general Imamuz Zaman, who is also a 1971 veteran

Liberation War veteran retired major Nasir Uddin, who was an armoured core officer of the Bangladesh Army, said despite being light in weight with thin armour, the allied troops won the battle with an element of surprise and backup support, particularly the air power and artillery shells.

Garibpur is located 6 kilometres inside Bangladesh along India’s Boyra, on both sides of the highway from India to Jessore via Chougacha. For this reason, Garibpur is considered an important road connection between the two countries.

According to Pakistani military experts, their high command was of the opinion that this swampy area was “inaccessible to tanks” and was shocked by the presence of Indian tanks.

On the other hand, the soldiers of Mukti Bahini continuously harassed the Pakistanis there from the beginning with their hit-and-run tactics.

Various writings suggest that an accidental skirmish resulted in a Mukti Bahini patrol being spotted by a Pakistani reconnaissance group in the area, and the allies lost an opportunity for a complete surprise attack.

Then Pakistani military spokesman Major Siddique Salik later wrote in his book “Witness to Surrender” that their troops always believed the area was “inaccessible for tanks” while the battle proved that their troops had lost their staying power and, simultaneously, the fact that the “allied forces were fully determined”.

“Enemy forces (allied forces) crossed the border near Boyra (Jesore sector) on November 13. They hid there for seven days. At this time, the Indians formed two full battalions. We came to know about their presence around November 19,” he wrote.

“The attack was launched at 6 am on November 21. It progressed well initially (for Pakistanis) when the (Pakistani) attacking force advanced towards the enemy position in a grove of trees, and enemy tanks opened up from hidden positions. This was a major surprise for us because we had always regarded it as an ‘untankable’ area,” he wrote.

The military records suggested that Indian artillery forces crossed the border quickly and joined the battle. There, Pakistani troops sought the assistance of PAF fighter jets and soon after, three Pakistani Saber fighter jets were seen circling in the sky to counter the India’s Gnats fighter jets.

“The attack was then withdrawn,” Salik said.

Mehta said against the backdrop of a well-assumed imminent full-scale military warfare, the Indian forces needed some assault launching pads against Pakistani troops and “Garibpur was among the key launch pads because of its proximity to Jessore”.

Imamuz Zaman supplemented Mehta, saying the allied forces in a preliminary operation plan in mid-November decided to use as a launching pad the area around Chaugacha in Jashore for subsequent operations in enemy-occupied western region.

Bangladesh’s wartime army records suggest the Mukti Bahini guerillas found the Garibpur area to be largely uncared by Pakistanis for a major battle, a piece of intelligence, that helped the plan formulation.

Residents in the neighbourhood recalled Mukti Bahini soldier Abdus Sattar escorted the Indian tanks to the site escaping enemy eyes while fellow guerillas with villagers’ support paved the way for the tanks by putting trees on muddy paths.

Then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi herself highlighted the success and importance of the war in Parliament while Salik wrote that their top commander Niazi, felt that this frontal battle had “started his all-out war”.

“The attack on Garibpur was the strongest that Pakistan launched in the war…(but) eventually as a result of this battle, Pakistan had been completely unbalanced,” Brigadier Hayat Khan, who led the Pakistan side in the battle, later said.

A total of 28 allied troops including affiliated Mukti Bahini soldiers lost their lives while 42 were wounded in the battle the Pakistani casualty was estimated to be around 300 soldiers, including three officers. Six enemy Prisoners of War were apprehended.

The international boundary along the region remained in allied hands until the final victory.

PTI

New Delhi, December 17

The Indian Army remains prepared for all military contingencies emanating out of the “collusive threat” from the military modernisation and aggressive actions by India’s adversaries, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday, in an apparent reference to China and its all-weather ally Pakistan.

It also said the Army is primarily focused on maintaining its operational preparedness in sync with India’s desire to ensure stability and dominance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and Line of Control (LoC) while constantly monitoring and reviewing emerging threats to national security.

The Defence Ministry mentioned this in a year-end review.

Referring to the situation along the LoC (with Pakistan), it said the situation has been relatively peaceful with both Indian and Pakistani armies observing ceasefire understanding since February last year.

“As compared to 4,645 ceasefire violations during its peak in 2020, only three minor incidents have been recorded since the understanding in February 2021 with only one incident during 2022,” the ministry said.

It said Pakistan continued to retain “proxy war infrastructure” and that the “functionality” of terrorist training camps, presence of terrorists in “launch pads” and continuing infiltration attempts vindicate that country’s “persistent intent”.

It said Pakistan continues to exploit the “narco-terror nexus” to radicalise and motivate innocent youth undertake targeting of vulnerable civilians using pistols and grenades.

On its brief on the Army, the ministry said it primarily focused on maintaining its operational preparedness in line with India’s desire to ensure “stability and dominance along the Line of Actual Control, Line of Control”.

It said the Army carried out relentless counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations and maintained high training standards while constantly monitoring and reviewing emerging and future threats to national security.

“The Indian Army remains prepared for all military contingencies emanating out of the collusive threat from the military modernisation and aggressive actions by the country’s adversaries while, creating capacities to deal with emerging threats in cyber, space and info domains due to blurring of physical borders,” it said.

There have been concerns in the military establishment over possible challenges emanating from the “collusive threat” from China and Pakistan.

On reforms in the military, the ministry said all formations of the Indian Army will be structured on an Integrated Battle Group (IBG) model in a phased manner to transform the force into a leaner and agile Army. “IBG-isation is progressing well and Phase 1 is near completion.” Under the IBG initiative, the Army aims to integrate different components of the force into the new formation that will feature artillery guns, tanks, air defence and logistical elements.

On the situation along the border with China, the ministry said Chinese PLA troops on December 9 tried to transgress the LAC in Yangtse area of Tawang sector and unilaterally change the status quo.

Referring to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Parliament on the incident, it said he informed that the Chinese attempt was contested by Indian troops in a “firm and resolute manner”.

Mentioning the eastern Ladakh row, the ministry said talks are being scheduled to discuss disengagement in the “balance friction” areas in the region.

“With diplomatic and military efforts, effective disengagement with PLA forces was achieved from the area of PP 15 (Eastern Ladakh) in September,” it said.

Giving statements in both House, the Defence Minister also assured that “our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it”.

A face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh on December 9 led to minor injuries “to a few personnel” from both sides, sources said and noted that both sides immediately disengaged from the area.

The sources said on December 9, 2022, PLA troops came on the LAC in the Tawang Sector of Arunachal Pradesh which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

“This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area,” a source said.

They said as a follow-up of the incident, India’s commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity.

The sources said that in certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang Sector in Arunachal Pradesh there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006.

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, December 17

The Navy is seeking approval from the Ministry of Defence to get another indigenously built aircraft carrier after INS Vikrant, which was commissioned in September.

Race to match China

• India is racing to match China’s naval strength that has two operational aircraft carriers — Liaoning and Shandong
• In July, it launched another one — Fujian — expected to be commissioned in 2025
• A US Department of Defence report, ‘Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2021’, warns “People’s Republic of China continues to build a multi-carrier force”
• The need for India to have a third carrier arises as these ships have lengthy maintenance schedules
• The cycle of maintenance can lead to an absence of a carrier for two years

The Navy had been pushing for a 70,000-tonne carrier, but the demand has been put on hold due to expenses and technologies needed on board. The case for having another 45,000-tonne class carrier, same as INS Vikrant, is being processed. The matter will be taken up with the ministry, sources in the Navy said.

INS Vikrant was manufactured by Cochin Ship Yard Limited at Kochi over 13 years at a cost of Rs 23,000 crore. With the expertise gained, the shipyard has promised to do the next one in seven-eight years.

One of the key elements of the aircraft carrier is the launch mechanism technology it uses to allow a fighter jet to take off from and land on its deck. The Navy plans to stick to the short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) technique and not adopt the catapult take-off.

INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant both uses the STOBAR technology.

The decision on the warship engines will come later.

The sources said a delay in getting on with the next carrier could jeopardise the hard-earned skill of making such warships. The makers of specialised steel and suppliers of pneumatics, wires, cables and several parts have acquired skills as part of making INS Vikrant.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

Praising the Indian Army, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the force for showing unmatched bravery during the Galwan and Tawang incidents and added “India has no intention to capture the land of other countries, but will always be ready if anyone tries to cast an evil eye on us”.

He was addressing the 95th annual convention of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here when he spoke about the Galwan incident in eastern Ladakh of June 15, 2020 and the incident at Yangtse (Tawang), Arunachal Pradesh, on December 9.

On both occasions, the Army had countered the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), pushing it back.

Rajnath Singh said India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is touching newer heights of success and has entered the category of ‘fabulous five’ from ‘fragile five’, as he referred to the term coined by an international investment firm in 2014.

“India is now among the top five economies of the world. It took us 31 years from 1991 to become a $3 trillion economy. I am confident that the next $3 trillion will be added in the next seven years,” the minister added.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

Chairing the 25th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting in Kolkata today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah impressed upon the participating Chief Ministers that the states having borders with Bangladesh also have a responsibility along with the BSF for the security of India’s frontiers.

Sharing details of deliberations at the meeting, sources said illegal infiltration, trans-border smuggling and the vulnerable India-Bangladesh boundary were among several issued discussed.

With West Bengal being the host state, the meeting was held at the state secretariat in Kolkata.

Issues like transportation facilities and water-sharing among states were also discussed during the meeting, which was attended by Chief Ministers of West Bengal and Jharkhand Mamata Banerjee and Hemant Soren, respectively. Bihar was represented by Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and from Odisha, state minister Pradeep Amat attended the meeting.

The role of the BSF was discussed in light of the increase in the operational area of the border force earlier this year.

The meeting also discussed resurgence of Maoist activities in the tri-junction of Jharkhand-Odisha-West Bengal. It was decided that states and the Centre would share real-time information on Maoist activities in the red zone, the officials said.

Mamata highlighted that arms are being smuggled into West Bengal from neighbouring states and coordinated steps were needed to check the menace.

Warship is packed with sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors

PTI

Mumbai, December 18

The stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Sunday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Goa CM Pramod Sawant were among those present at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai.

Singh said the warship’s commissioning will boost India’s maritime power. He termed INS Mormugao as the most technologically advanced warship.

Indian economy is among the top five economies in the world, and according to experts, will be among the top three in 2027, Singh said.

The Navy chief said the commissioning of the warship, on the eve of the Goa Liberation Day, is indicative of the large strides taken in warship design and building capability over the last decade.

INS Mormugao is the second of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.

Named after the historic port city of Goa on the West coast, Mormugao coincidentally undertook her first sea sortie on December 19, 2021 when Goa celebrated 60 years of liberation from the Portuguese rule.

The warship is packed with sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors such as surface to surface missile and surface to air missiles. It is fitted with a modern surveillance radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems on board.

Respected ESMs and Veer Narees
1.Writ petition has been filed for further extension of OROP arrears
2.All ESM and Veer Narees are requested to take out Rosh Rallies in respective Districts/Tehsil/Blocks on 20 Dec 22.
3.Vernacular media coverage in respect of Pathankot is enclosed
May I request all Ex Dist Heads to pl organize Rosh Rallies at Dist and Tehsil levels.

For 20 Dec 22 Motorcycle Rosh Rallies Shall have Two Mudhas

1. Implement OROP web 01Jul 19.
   2.Implement GoG Scheme Pan India as was done by Ex CM of Punjab for Punjab State

Warm Regards
Brig Prahlad Singh Veteran