For representation only. Photo source: Thinkstock

Islamabad, November 19

The Pakistan Army claimed on Saturday that it had shot down an Indian drone that crossed into Pakistan’s territory across the Line of Control.“Indian quadcopter has been shot down by Pakistani troops at 1645 (hrs), fell in Pak territory & taken over by Pak troops,” army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted.

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He claimed the drone had “intruded 60 metres into the Pakistan side of LoC” and its debris “fell near Agahi Post in Rakhchakri Sector”.There have been some 286 incidents of firing and shelling along the LoC and International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani troops that have resulted in the death of 26 people, including 14 security personnel, since Indian army’s military strike on terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on September 29. The strike came 10 days after a predawn militant strike on an army camp in north Kashmir’s Uri.  — PTI

Simran Sodhi

New Delhi, November 17

The India-Pakistan narrative today returned to a low again with India stating that it had summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission to protest against the ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC). The official was summoned and issued a demarche on Wednesday, the third such demarche this month.India also stated that it has, as of now, received no official confirmation from Pakistan of its participation in the Heart of Asia Conference to be held in Amritsar next month. This was in response to queries about the indications by Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, that he might be attending the conference and that would provide an opportunity to defuse tension between the two neighbours.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)In a briefing today, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that Pakistani forces had committed 12 ceasefire violations between November 9 and 15 this year alone and alleged that the Pakistan Army had “deliberately resorted to calibre escalation by employing artillery and 120 millimetre heavy mortars against Indian posts. These violent acts constitute a clear violation of the Ceasefire Agreement of 2003”.India, in its demarche to Pakistan, has also pointed out that there has been an increase in concentration of terrorists observed along the LoC and during the last week alone there have been ten instances when terrorists have attempted to cross over from Pakistan. India also protested to Pakistan the “deliberate” targeting by the Pakistan army of 14 villages along the LoC this month, which has resulted in four fatal and 25 non-fatal casualties.  India raised its concerns about the safety of sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who “inadvertently” crossed the LoC over a month ago, and sought his early and safe repatriation. 

What it means

• Demarche is a word coined by the diplomatic community and refers to a strongly worded warning by one country to another
• India on Wednesday summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission and protested repeated ceasefire violations on the Line of Control
• India also told Pakistan that there has been a rise in concentration of terrorists along the LoC as well as in incidents of infiltration attempts

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it was in the process of filling up the vacancies in the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT). Of the 15 vacancies in the AFT that had a sanctioned strength of 34 members, three had been filled up while four appointments were in the final process. Five of the vacancies that had arisen recently were considered by the selection committee headed by Justice JS Khehar last month. Solicitor General Ranjit Singh assured a Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur that the government was according priority to AFT appointments. The Bench asked the government to file another status report in a month. tns

Islamabad warns India of ‘strategic miscalculation’

In this handout photograph released by Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations, Pakistani army chief Raheel Sharif and other military officials offer funeral prayers for soldiers on Monday.

Islamabad, November 14

In a rare admission, Pakistan today said seven of its soldiers were killed in “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops across the Line of Control, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India’s “belligerent” attitude may lead to a “strategic miscalculation”.Pakistani troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian firing and targeted Indian posts “effectively”, a statement by the Pakistan army said.Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the “unprovoked ceasefire” violation.Chaudhry emphasised that the “belligerent attitude” of Indian forces was a “serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation. It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned the Indian High Commissioner.On November 10, Bambawale was summoned to the Foreign Office to protest alleged ceasefire violations by Indian troops.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country was “fully capable” of defending its territory against “any aggression”. He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the “latest violation of LoC by Indian forces” . He claimed the Indian forces resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to “uselessly divert” world’s attention from the “grave human rights situation” in Kashmir. Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to “effectively” respond to firing by India. Pakistan’s Adviser to the PM  Sartaj Aziz also condemned the “unprovoked Indian firing”, the Foreign Office said. — PTI 

Terror funding down to zero in Valley: ParrikarS

ince the demonetisation of high currency notes, terror funding has come down to zero and there hasn’t been stone-pelting on security forces (in Kashmir). Earlier, there were rates: Rs 500 for stone pelting (on security forces) and Rs 1,000 for doing something else. PM has brought terror funding to zero. —Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister  

Pak says 7 soldiers killed on LoC; warns India against attack

A general view of part of the electric fence along the LoC between India and Pakistan is seen in Noushera sector, some 150kms from Jammu. AFP photo

Islamabad, November 14

Pakistan on Monday said seven of its soldiers were killed in “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops across the LoC, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India’s “belligerent” attitude may lead to a “strategic miscalculation”.

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Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed at the LoC in the Bhimber sector in an alleged ceasefire violation by Indian troops late last night, according to a statement by the Army.

Pakistani troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian firing and targeted Indian posts “effectively”, it said.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the “unprovoked ceasefire” violation by the Indian forces on the Line of Control (LoC).

The Foreign Secretary deplored the increasing Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary, especially in the last two months, a statement said.

He emphasised that this “belligerent attitude” of Indian forces was a “serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation”, the statement added.

The Foreign Secretary asked the Indian High Commissioner to convey to his government that it must stop the provocative firing and observe the ceasefire.

Pakistan is pursuing a policy of restraint, which should not be construed as a sign of weakness, the statement quoted him as saying.

He underlined that the Armed Forces of Pakistan do not initiate fire, but will always respond in a befitting manner, if fired upon, the statement said.

It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned Indian High Commissioner.

Pakistan on November 10 summoned Bambawale to the Foreign Office to protest over alleged ceasefire violations and use of artillery by the Indian forces.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country is “fully capable” of defending its territory against “any aggression”.

Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the “latest violation of Line of Control (LoC) by the Indian forces” and said “it is extremely unfortunate that Indian forces have continuously violated ceasefire agreement at the LoC in the recent days”, Press Information Department Pakistan said.

“We are fully capable of defending our soil against any aggression,” it quoted Sharif as saying.

The Prime Minister also claimed that the Indian forces have resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to “uselessly divert” the world’s attention from the “grave human rights situation” in Kashmir.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to “effectively” respond to firing by India. —PTI

Support India on terror, ours not a friendship to hide: Israel Prez

Reuven Rivlin, Israeli President

Mumbai/New Delhi, Nov 14

Friendship between India and Israel is at work “day in, day out” and is not a relationship “we should be hiding”, said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he pledged full support to India in fighting terrorism. Rivlin arrived today in Mumbai on an eight-day visit to India, the first by any Israeli President in nearly two decades.According to the Israeli mission in India, Rivlin is being accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen and academicians. Rivlin was welcomed at the Mumbai airport by Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon.The Israeli President, who is in India on the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee, later left for New Delhi where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. The last Israeli President to visit India was Ezer Weizman in January 1997.Officials said Rivlin is due to open an agro-tech conference in Chandigarh. He will also visit the sites of several Indo-Israeli projects.On his way back home, Rivlin is due to visit the Chabad House in Mumbai where six Israelis were killed during the November 26, 2008, terror attacks. He is also due to hold a meeting with representatives of the Jewish community in Mumbai.The delegation accompanying Rivlin is due to sign 15 separate agreements between Israeli and Indian educational institutions.The Israeli President acknowledged differences with India on the Palestinian issue but spoke warmly about the growing Indo-Israeli ties. — TNS/PTI

KHATTAR, WHO WAS ADDRESSING RALLY IN BHIWANI, SAYS PM MODI HAS ALREADY DISTRIBUTED `5,600 CR UNDER THE SCHEME

ROHTAK: Having maintained his stand on not giving martyr status to ex-soldier, Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over One Rank One Pension issue, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday did not visit his family despite holding a rally in Bhiwani. Grewal’s house in Bamla village of the district has been buzzing with political leaders of all the major opposition parties, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, coming in to pay their condolences to the bereaved family.Khattar, who held a rally in Tosham in Bhiwani on Monday, defended Modi government on OROP. Addressing the rally, he said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already distributed `5,600 crore under the scheme, while a budget of `9,000 crore has been allotted for its implementation. This is far more than what Congress Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and subsequent governments under the Congress allotted for this scheme.” Earlier, at Grewal’s funeral ceremony on Thursday, Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had attacked Khattar questioning his absence from the ceremony. “If Khattar had any sympathy with the bereaved family, he would have had come here to offer his condolences,” Surjewala had said.

Gursewak Singh of 22 Sikh, Rajinder of 22 Maratha LI martyred in Poonch

Grieving family members of martyr Gursewak Singh in Tarn Taran on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 6

Sepoy Gursewak Singh (24) of 22 Sikh and Naik Rajinder Narayan Tukpare of 22 Maratha Light Infantry were killed as the Pakistani army resorted to heavy shelling and firing in Krishna Ghati and Saujiyan sectors in Poonch district this morning. Subedar Sanjay Solanki, Sepoy Yaqoob Beig, a civilian and a woman SPO were injured in the shelling.Indian troops retaliated, destroying the Kopra post across the border. The Army repulsed two infiltration attempts in KG sector during which Gursewak was seriously injured. He succumbed to his injuries later. Naik Tukpare was killed in Gali Maidan area. He belonged to Karve village in Kohlapur district of Maharashtra.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Defence PRO Lieut-Col Manish Mehta said on the intervening night of November 5-6 in Krishna Ghati sector, “troops challenged infiltrators who opened fire while trying to sneak back into PoK. In the ensuing gunfight, Sepoy Gursewak Singh suffered a gunshot injury and succumbed while being evacuated.”A BSF spokesperson said SI Nitin Kumar, deployed in Poonch sector, had received a splinter injury. His condition was stable.

Chandigarh, November 3

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the OROP scheme, cannot be placed in the category of martyrs.“Only those who lay down their lives while fighting enemies on the borders are called martyrs, not the ones who commit suicide,” Khattar said on the sidelines of the Swaran Jayanti Samaroh of the state Assembly held at the Indradhnush Auditorium at Panchkula today.The CM said while the exact cause of the suicide would be known after investigation, prime facie, Ram Kishan ended his life due to discrepancies in his bank account.Hitting out at the opposition parties for playing politics over Grewal’s suicide, Khattar said no one should politicise the unfortunate incident. — TNS

Reports indicate that the government is embarking on a new blacklisting policy for defence companies that have allegedly crossed the Lakshman Rekha of ethical propriety. The Manohar Parrikar-headed Defence Acquisition Council is tipped to approve this policy for penalising firms suspected of bribing to win defence orders. Under the existing policy, an entire military-industrial complex is blackballed if one of its many companies or employees is suspected of unlawful activity. Under the new policy, the axe will fall only on the subsidiary company or the employee directly involved in bribery and not on the entire group. This is common sense.The need for a realistic and level-headed policy has long been recognised by sober and experienced administrators. The time has come to undo the damage when AK Antony headed the Defence Ministry and institutionalised a populist streak. Indiscriminate blacklisting helped “Saint” Antony to hold on to his pristine image. But his trigger-happy approach left everyone displeased. India’s defence acquisition schedule went haywire and probe agencies dragged on with the cases. The new system of blacklisting proposes a product-specific ban instead of Antony’s blanket bans. In other words, if a company making bullets is banned, its sister company that manufactures rifles won’t be blacklisted just because it belongs to the same group.The proposed policy is eminently realisable. But it will remain prone to misuse because the investigating agencies seem to lack the competence to probe cases with cross-border ramifications. It is also no secret that military-industrial complexes are highly resourceful and influential. They may be encouraged to take the risk of bribing decision-makers. If caught, only one company will be barred while the rest of the group firms can carry on with business. And even if a company is blacklisted, the probe will lead to nowhere. Changes in blacklisting norms may at best let some favourites off the hook. Investigating agencies need to be invested with the capability and confidence to go after the corrupt. No policy on blacklisting can be successful unless the fear of the law is instilled in the shady and the crooked.

An elderly woman shows parts of mortar shells fired from the Pakistan side in Korotana Khurd village of RS Pura sector, about 27 km from Jammu, on Saturday. PTI

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 22

Hours after the Border Security Force said it had killed seven Pakistani Rangers and a terrorist yesterday, Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling on the International Border (IB) during the night in which six cattle were killed in Suchetgarh sector.

The ceasefire violation, witnessed all along the 198-km-long IB of the Jammu frontier, continued till 2 am.

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Heavy shelling was witnessed in Korotana and Bidhipur villages of Suchetgarh sector and around Abdullah and octroi border outposts (BOPs) where the administration advised people to stay indoors. The BSF said it gave a befitting response to the unprovoked fire from the Pakistan side. Pakistan forces used 60 and 82 mm mortars.

With escalation in tension on the IB, the Jammu district administration ordered the closure of 55 to 80 schools in the border areas.

“People have been advised to stay indoors during the day as there is a likelihood of shelling during day time also. SDMs have been told to close schools in vulnerable areas,” Simrandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, said.

Ever since the Army conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control on September 28, it has been witnessing heavy shelling and firing at regular intervals. The International Border had remained peaceful, till an infiltration bid was foiled by the BSF at Bobiyan border outpost in the Hiranagar sector on Thursday. This was followed by ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces, and strong retaliation by the BSF.

Jawan succumbs to injuries

• BSF soldier Gurnam Singh (26), who was battling for life after being grievously wounded in a sniper attack by Pakistani troops on Friday, succumbed to his injuries at Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, on Saturday night.