Tribune News Service,New Delhi, February 9

The next 48 hours are medically crucial for the Army jawan who was miraculously found alive after being buried under 25 feet of snow following an avalanche atop the Siachen glacier.A medical bulletin of the Army today said Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who was evacuated to Delhi this morning, is comatose but has no frostbite that would have permanently damaged the affected body part. But the bulletin, which was issued by Army spokesperson Col Rohan Anand, added: “He remains extremely critical and is expected to have a stormy course in the next 24 to 48 hours due to complications by re-warming and establishment of blood flow to the cold parts of the body.”Army doctors treating people with long exposure to cold follow a procedure of re-warming the human body by slowly infusing medication that facilitates blood flow to parts of the body that would have gone numb due to lack of oxygen and cold.The rescued soldier is being treated with fluids and drugs to bring up his blood pressure. He has been placed on a ventilator and is being given “humidified warm oxygen” and passive external re-warming.  Rescue teams looking under the avalanche site at 20,000 feet atop the glacier, had last night found Hanamanthappa buried under 25 feet of ice. He was conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was severely dehydrated, in shock and was resuscitated by the doctors at the site.Explaining his miraculous survival, sources said he was probably lucky to be wedged between two ice blocks which created a “pocket” around him, stopping wind and thus keeping him alive despite night temperature dropping to minus 55 °Celsius. The thick alpine clothing and specialised snow boots prevented him from freezing to death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh visited the Army Hospital Research and Referral (R&R) and commended the braveheart for his indomitable mental robustness.

150 soldiers, two canines were on rescue mission

• Over 150 soldiers, equipped with earth penetrating radars and ice-cutting tools, along with canines Dot and Misha helped rescue Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad (pic)
• They worked round the clock in rotations of an hour each to beat lack of oxygen. Using the specialised equipment, the rescuers were able to identify the location of the soldier and pull him out alive
• Koppad was conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was severely dehydrated, hypothermic and in shock. Resuscitated on the spot, he was moved to Thoise, before being shifted to Delhi.
• The bodies of the remaining nine soldiers have been found from the avalanche site

Army teams pull off miracle at Siachen; survivor critical

Miracle at Siachen, survivor critical

Efforts are on to trace the bodies of nine other soldiers who were killed in an avalanche at Siachen. A Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 8

Following the avalanche that hit an Army post at Siachen Glacier on February 3, search parties today recovered the mortal remains of one soldier. The identity of the martyr was yet to be ascertained.“After intense and exhausting search operations which entered the sixth day, rescue parties hit the camp site and recovered the mortal remains of one martyr,” said Defence spokesperson Col SD Goswami. A new camp had been established at the location to coordinate rescue efforts and continue the vigil in the sensitive area, he added.“Rescue teams are cutting through up to 30 feet of ice at multiple locations where soldiers are believed to be buried. Probable locations are identified by using specialised equipment sent along with the rescue teams,” he said.Reports from the ground indicated that the efforts were hampered by frequent blizzards, extreme freezing temperatures and low visibility, apart from effects of rarefied atmosphere at such a high altitude, said Colonel Goswami.The teams were working round the clock and observing all precautions since unstable ice and snow in the region could trigger fresh avalanches. The rescue efforts would continue till all soldiers were found.At least nine soldiers and a Junior Commissioned Officer were feared dead after an avalanche hit the camp on February 3. Siachen is the highest battlefield in the world, where weather takes more toll on men in olive green than the enemy.

The armed forces are unhappy with certain recommendations of the 7th pay commission. A file photo

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, February 4

The armed forces have approached the Defence Ministry saying by no yardstick can they be compared, let alone be lowered, in hierarchy to the paramilitary forces.The three forces — Army, Navy and the Force — have petitioned Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar seeking a restoration of earlier status, which has been “disturbed” after the recommendations of the 7th pay commission. The government is yet to announce what all it has accepted or rejected.The representation has termed comparisons with paramilitary as “wrong and misplaced”, citing suggestions made by 7th pay commission.It talks about “progressive decline of status of the forces” and warns that self-esteem of the armed forces’ officers has been hit. Such is the seriousness of the matter that Parrikar called in Chiefs of the three services for a 90-minute meeting on the matter on February 2.The paramilitary forces included the Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).In their representation, which covers an entire gamut of issues, the armed forces have said there can be no comparison with the paramilitary in terms of the mandate, duties, risks in service conditions and tasks assigned.Citing past records, the forces claim the 7th pay panel recommendations will upset laid-down seniorities and placing armed forces’ allowances lower than those of paramilitary forces will change rules for risk allowances like those applicable in the north-east or J&K. It points out the base levels to calculate pensions for the forces are lower than the others.The disability pension for armed forces has been lowered, but it has been maintained at same levels for paramilitary forces. Parrikar has been informed that the pay panel has disturbed the parity between Lieut-Colonels and Commandants of the paramilitary forces.

President Pranab Mukherjee confers the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army on the chief of the army staff, Napalese army, General Rajendra Chhetri, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. PTI

Tribune News Service,New Delhi, February 3

In a minor diplomatic coup, India, despite its existing strained relations with Nepal, today conferred Nepalese army chief General Rajendra Chhetri with the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army.Notably, despite the prevailing irksome issues, New Delhi was keen that General Chhetri visits India first instead of opting to visit China. As India maintains a large hold over Nepal, China has been trying to woo the Himalayan country with sops. This is General Chhetri’s first ‘port of call’ after taking over as chief of Nepalese army in September 2015.General Chhetri was accorded the rank by President Pranab Mukherjee at an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.It is a custom and tradition between the Indian and Nepalese army to confer this honour on each other’s chief to signify close and special military to military ties. Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh was conferred the rank of General of the Nepalese army in November 2014 when he visited the Himalayan nation.General Chhetri is on a six-day visit to India. He shall be visiting the Infantry School and Army War College at Mhow and the Artillery School at Deolali wherein he shall be witnessing the training and facilities at Indian Army premier training institutes. During his visit to Lucknow, the General shall be interacting with top military hierarchy of Headquarters Central Command and shall also visit the Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre.

A file photo of the seven historic daggers recovered in Amritsar.

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service,Amritsar, January 28

A year has passed since the incident of theft of historical daggers from the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, located in historic Ram Bagh here, but the police have failed to crack the case and arrest the culprits, who stole the artifacts. The daggers were later left at a gurdwara few days after the incident.Police officials are banking upon the finger prints taken from the glass box and the room from where it the daggers were stolen. As many as 80 persons are suspects in the case. The finger prints were sent to forensic science laboratories in Mumbai, besides Chandigarh and Finger Print Bureau in Phillaur. The reports are yet to be received by the Police Department.Investigating officer Parveen Kumar, in charge Lawrence Road police chowki said, “We are awaiting the final reports.” He said finger prints of nearly 24 persons were not clear. These finger prints were taken and sent to these laboratories again, he added. He said the report was likely to arrive in the next few days. “It will be clear, who has stolen the daggers,” he added.Till now, officials of the Police Department are groping in dark as to who stole these daggers and what was the motive behind the theft. Around seven historical daggers belonging to Sikh warriors of the 19th century were stolen from the first floor of the panorama. These daggers were in the possession of the Department of Punjab Cultural Affairs, Archaeological and Museum. These artifacts were displayed in a room, which was opened only during VIPs visit.Therefore, taking the advantage of the lax of security arrangements and defunct CCTV cameras, unidentified robbers decamped with the seven daggers. These daggers are beautifully carved and have ivory handles. Since the theft, the police were suspecting the involvement on an insider.The police also took fingerprints of all the staff members of the Department of Punjab Cultural Affairs, Archaeological and Museum and employees of the Municipal Corporation, who are deputed for the upkeep of the panorama.Incidentally, these daggers were later recovered after an unidentified woman left these at a gurdwara with a note that no insider was involved in the crime and the artifacts should be showcased to the general public also.

Awards go up in public esteem if given on merit, and decline if extraneous considerations prevail. Of all the Padma awardees this year the most controversial is the choice of veteran actor Anupam Kher.  That his wife is a BJP MP can be ignored. What cannot be forgotten and forgiven is his doublespeak. In 2010 he said, “Awards in our country have become a mockery of our system. There is no authenticity left in any one of them. Be it films, national or now Padma.” After getting a Republic Day award this year, he tweeted: “Happy, Humbled & Honoured to share that i have been awarded The PADMA BHUSHAN by the Govt. of India. Greatest news of my life:) #JaiHind” (sic). Anupam Kher is a hugely talented actor who fully deserves the award. But the timing is wrong. Getting awarded soon after leading a pro-BJP drive to counter the political fallout of the nationwide debate on intolerance and the return of awards by distinguished citizens from various fields reduces the significance of the honour. The impression has gained ground that he has been rewarded for the political services he has rendered rather than for his acting talent. The Modi government could have escaped the charge of politicisation of awards had it also chosen one of its critics in the intolerance debate — be it Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan or Karan Johar instead of say Madhur Bhandarkar, the maker of “Calendar Girls”. A once secular, highly professional film industry stands divided today — those who see India as a tolerant nation under Modi and those who do not. The “Incredible India” campaign has been taken away from Aamir Khan and handed over to Amitabh Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra. Whether newspaper owners, journalists, retired bureaucrats and CAGs should accept awards is debatable. There are some who do not feel any sense of guilt in being partial towards a politician or a party, or flaunting their political connections and lobbying for favours, while others — and their number is shrinking — maintain a distance from politicians and governments in a bid to remain independent and objective.

ribune News Service,Dehradun, January 24

Security has been stepped up at all sensitive places in the city ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.Additional police force has been deployed at busy markets, crowded places and near the Parade Ground to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the celebrations.Four DSPs, nine SHOs, 17 sub-inspectors, 10 head constables, 85 constables and 23 women constables have been deployed in the Parade Ground while one DSP, two SHOs, 11 sub-inspectors, 30 constables, three women constables and 2.5 section of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been deployed outside the Parade Ground.A bomb disposal squad, two quick-reaction teams and a dog squad have also been deployed.Vehicles entering Dehradun from the neighbouring states are being checked. Barricades have been installed at the Asharodi check post, Natraj Chowk (Rishikesh), Jogiwala, Raiwala, Premnagar, Kulhal, Bhaniyawala, Naogaon, Mussoorie diversion, Ranipokhri and Sahastradhara for checking.IGP, Garhwal, Sanjay Gunjyal said inter-state borders would be sealed on Monday night. Patrolling had been intensified at railway stations, main bus stations, markets and tourist destinations to keep an eye on suspected activities.SSP Sadanand Datte said SHOs had been instructed to carry out a verification drive in slums, hotels and inns and immediately detain if anyone found suspicious. The road leading to the Parade Ground is under high security surveillance. The police would thoroughly check vehicles passing near the Parade Ground area.Datte said vehicles parked at places other than parking lots would be towed away to avoid traffic jams near the Parade Ground. Private and commercial vehicles would be diverted at Kanak Chowk, Orient crossing, Ashley Hall Chowk, Lansdowne Chowk, Buddha Chowk, CJM Chowk and Survey Chowk to avoid congestion before and after the Repuublic Day celebrations at the Parade Ground.The vehicles of spectators would be parked at the Pavilion ground, Parade Ground, Rangers Ground, and Mangla Devi Inter College in the city.Meanwhile, Dehradun District Magistrate Ravinath Raman along with senior police officials visited the Parade Ground, the venue of the RD parade, and reviewed the security arrangements.

Ahead of R-Day, missing Santro raises security concern in Delhi