India can address its concerns over China’s growing hypersonic missile arsenal by seeking cooperation with Russia in developing similar missiles through the bilateral BrahMos cruise missile programme, a security analyst has said.

As India and Russia’s most productive and beneficial joint venture defence programme, the Brahmos is an ideal vehicle for developing hypersonic cruise missiles, which in turn could further strengthen bilateral ties between both countries, Indian security analyst Pravin Sawhney said in an opinion piece in Indian daily The Tribune.

Hypersonic missiles incorporate the speed of a ballistic missile with the manoeuvring capabilities of a cruise missile. Such missiles refer to weapons that travel faster than Mach 5 (6174 mph) and have the capability to manoeuvre during their entire flight.
Sawhney’s observation about New Delhi’s concerns was made in the context of China recently showcasing its Dongfeng 100 (DF-100) hypersonic cruise missile and Dongfeng-17 (DF-17) medium-range ballistic missile fitted with Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), each with a range of 2,000 km.

“Hypersonic missiles will be the new disruptive, game-changing technology in this century, which would, between India and China, replace nuclear deterrence with non-nuclear deterrence, Sawhney opined.

Apart from China only two other countries – the US and Russia – have made significant strides in creating, procuring, harnessing and exploiting this technology, he said, adding that once in active use, these missiles will “reshape the rules of conventional war-fighting and transform geopolitics.”

Highlighting the differences between ballistic cruise missiles and hypersonic missiles, Sawhney said the former stay within the atmosphere; fly at low altitude to evade ground-based radars at Mach 3 speed (3,704 mph) are powered and guided throughout their flight in a near-flat trajectory till they hit the designated target.

Hypersonic missiles, he said, have a speed upwards of Mach 5 (6,174 mph), follow a defined elliptical trajectory to intercept and neutralise ballistic missile warheads before they cause damage. Their kinetic energy (derived from motion) itself is enough to destroy hardened and underground facilities.

Hypersonic missiles also fly at low altitudes and are challenging to detect by terrestrial or land-based radars because of their ability to change course rapidly.

“There is a need for India to urgently review its nuclear deterrence capability vis-à-vis China,” Sawhney said, adding that in spite of the huge infusion of funds for indigenous ballistic missile defence, (the investment ) has “unfortunately not demonstrated satisfactory results.”

slamabad: A major right-wing religious party in Pakistan announced on Thursday that it will begin its ‘Azadi March’ on October 27 to oust the “incompetent” government of Prime Minister Imran Khan, blaming him for the economic woes of the cash-strapped country.

This was announced by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, two days after the leadership of top Opposition parties, PML-N and PPP opposed any “solo flight” for the ouster of the government and decided to hold a conference of all parties to develop consensus among them.

They agreed that the “incompetent and incapable” government of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that has completed one year in power must be ousted.

“The government is the result of a fake election,” Rehman, flanked by his close party aides, told a press conference on Thursday.

“We will gather at D-Chowk,” he said, adding, “We are not ones to disperse easily.” D-Chowk, also known as Democracy Chowk, is a large square located in Islamabad which is often used for political rallies and public gatherings.

“The country is under economic crisis due to the government’s incompetency,” Rehman said. “The current government is the result of a fake election and fake results,” Rehman added.

The JUI-F chief said that all Opposition parties had rejected the July 25 elections and had called for fresh elections.

He said that JUI-F delegations from across the country would converge on the federal capital on October 27 to “rid the country of incompetent government” of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf which, according to him, has destroyed the economy.

“As a result of this illegal government and its incompetencies, the country’s economy has sunk […] traders have shut down businesses as a result of heavy taxation. The Muslims of Pakistan are in anguish over the state of religion in the country,” he was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune newspaper.

The Pakistan government’s biggest challenge was to save an economy facing a balance of severe payments crisis.

Within the first eight months, Khan has made visits to long-time allies China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, securing some USD 9 billion in loans to shore up the economy.

But the economic woes persists as growth continues to be slow, the rupee plummeting and inflation rising beyond 10 per cent.

Opposition parties have alleged that Khan, the 66-year-old cricketer-turned-politician won the 2018 general election with the tacit backing of the powerful military, which plays a dominant role in politics in Pakistan.

“All Opposition parties agree that fresh elections should be held to find out who has the real mandate of the people,” he said.

The cleric said all Opposition parties have consensus on the fact that the incumbent government has come to power as result of a rigged election and that it has to go.

The JUI-F chief rejected the impression that he was “going solo” and said that the party is “in touch with all the other parties and making decisions in consultation with them”.

“We met Bilawal Bhutto sahib today and some very positive developments took place during our meeting. Yesterday you must have seen the PML-N delegation speak. Some positive developments took place then, as well,” Rehman was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

When asked by reporters whether the Pakistan Peoples Party of Bhutto and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz will also participate in the sit-in alongside JUI-F or only the march that day, Rehman responded by saying: “The entire country is showing up. The trader community will be there. Doctors, lawyers are coming. We are in direct contact with people from all walks of life. I can speak for the readiness all these people have shown.”

To a question regarding the one demand from which the party will not budge during the sit-in, Rehman stressed that the protest will continue “until the government steps down”.

He said the party will also work towards bringing in election reforms so a more transparent process is carried out for the “new elections”.

Security personnel stand guard during shutdown, in Srinagar on Thursday, October 3, 2019. PTI

Jammu, October 3

Political leaders under house arrest in Kashmir will be released in a phased manner after proper analysis of every individual, the Jammu and Kashmir administration said on Thursday.

Replying to a question on the future course of action regarding the detention of Kashmiri leaders after leaders in Jammu were released, the governor’s adviser Farooq Khan said, “Have hope. They will be released one by one, after proper analysis of every individual and proper review.”

On Wednesday, leaders of non-BJP parties in Jammu claimed that the administration has lifted the nearly two-month-long restrictions ‘imposed’ on them.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sanjeev Verma, however, said these leaders were never detained and were free to participate in political activities.

“We never restrained them… They were under self-imposed restriction,” he had said.

Over 500 leaders and political activists have been under house arrest for more than 50 days, following revoking of provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution.

Khan also ruled out that militancy has increased in Jammu and Kashmir after scrapping of special status in the state. — PTI

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 1

There is a need to merge the Directorate General of Military Training with Army Training Command so that a single point advice is available to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on all training matters, said Lt Gen PC Thimmaya, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, while speaking on the 29th Raising Day of Headquarters Army Training Command (HQ Artrac) here today.

A special Sainik Sammelan was organised in which Lt Gen PC Thimmaya, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, commended all ranks and the civilian staff for their dedication and urged them to maintain the highest professional standards.

He exhorted all ranks to put in sustained efforts towards propelling this great organisation further towards reaching the pinnacle of glory and advised them to be prepared to face the challenges ahead. A ‘Barakhana’ was organized for the troops on the same day.

Lt Gen PC Thimmaya highlighted the need to impart training on war gaming, simulation, artificial intelligence, cyber and space and stressed on the need for leadership training to be imparted to all ranks to keep pace with the changing battlefield milieu. He also presented outstanding individuals, including police officials, with commendation cards in appreciation for their outstanding contribution and devotion to duty.

The Army Training Command through its 32 training establishments spread all over the country imparts institutionalized training to Army personnel.

Chandigarh, September 30

Accepting Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s request for special trains for Sultanpur Lodhi to meet the rush of pilgrims expected there during the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Ministry of Railways has decided to run 14 special intra-state and long distance inter-state trains connecting the historic town from November 1, 2019.

These special passenger and express trains will facilitate devotees from Punjab and other regions, significantly Nanded and Patna Sahib, according to an official spokesperson. Earlier this month, the Centre had accepted the state government’s proposal to announce a special express train connecting New Delhi with Sultanpur Lodhi.

The ongoing works to upgrade the Sultanpur Lodhi Railway Station would be completed by the Railways before the historic celebrations scheduled to be held in November, the spokesperson said.

As per the communiqué issued by the Northern Railway, the Amritsar-Dera Baba Nanak diesel multiple unit (DEMU) would ply 60 times, between 1st and 16th November, 2019, starting from Amritsar at 9:10 PM to reach Dera Baba Nanak at 2:30 AM.

Anticipating a heavy inflow of pilgrims, the Railways would also be running another train connecting the historic towns of Dera Baba Nanak daily and Sultanpur Lodhi, which would leave Dera Baba Nanak at 7:15 PM to reach its destination at 1:30 AM. The frequency of the train would be doubled from 4th November.

The Ferozpur-Patna Junction express would run thrice between 1st to 16th November, 2019, departing from Patna Sahib at 10:45 PM on November 6, 10 and 16. For return journey it would start from Ferozpur at 12:40 AM on November 5, 9 and 14, to reach Nanded at 6:05 PM.

The weekly Ferozpur-Nanded express would start from Nanded on Saturday at 9:00 AM and reach Ferozpur via Bhopal, Agra, and Bhatinda at 10:50 PM. It would depart for its return journey from Ferozpur on Thursday at 1:30 AM and reach Nanded at 1:00 PM.  The Hissar – Sultanpur Lodhi would run 28 trips every day, as would the Sultanpur Lodhi to Ganganagar, Sultanpur to Nawanshar Doaba, and Fazilka–Sultanpur Lodhi trains. Old Delhi-Lohian Khas would run 40 trips on alternate days, leaving Delhi at 11:50 PM on Mondays.

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 27

At her home in Peerbagh locality of Srinagar, Rutba Mustafa, 18, a class XII is teaching few kids, her relatives and neighbors who study in lower classes. Voluntarily she is helping them to complete the syllabus at home as the schools continue to be shut for the last 53 days in Kashmir after Article-370 was abrogated.

“They show little interest to study as they have been disconnected from books as they have not been to schools for a long time,” says Rutba who is herself a student of Class XII.

“The atmosphere in Kashmir is very disturbing for all young people”.

The schools and colleges in Kashmir continue to be shut for last 53 days with no signs of them opening any soon as the annual exam season nears in the region’s schools sparking fears among the students of delay in the academic year and an uncertainty over their future prospects in their careers.

Some students were studying for competitive exams. Some were supposed to apply for national exams like Graduate Aptitude Test Exam (GATE). But overall, the students are in dilemma in Kashmir due to the closure of educational institutions and blockade of internet.

“The government has not any clear idea how much education is suffering and we also do not know whom to approach for any kind of help. The students are a forgotten lot. We are now taking our own initiatives to help ourselves. They will talk about education only when it is a matter of politics,” said  Muntaha Khursheed, a student of Government College for Women in Srinagar.

Earlier ,the government in August had announced to open schools in the areas where restrictions were eased but now there is no talk about schools even from the government making the students furious. Some private schools provided the students with assignments to be undertaken at home till the schools are opened. But there is a little relief for the student of government schools as no such measure has been taken.

“We have not been given any study material from our schools,” said a 17-year-old student of Government Higher Secondary School, Amira Kadal.

Students in the region are in a fix as the exam session is nearing in school but the students have neither completed the syllabus not there are any signs yet that the schools will be opened any soon.

“We do not know when the schools will open and we fear that the day it opens we should not be forced to appear in the exams when we have not completed syllabus yet,” said Misbah Rashid, a student of New Era School in Srinagar. “There is no clarity on any side”.

Another students Zainab from Linton Hall School in city said that they are studying at home but that does not suffice for the board exams.

“The main issue is that at home we remain under stress because there is only discussion about the current turmoil, there is no such atmosphere where we can study. We fear that it will affect our whole year,” she said. “There is also a rumor that situation will further worsen which makes us more anxious”.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat addressing after taking over as the new Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) in New Delhi. PTI

New Delhi, September 27  

Army chief General Bipin Rawat formally took over the baton of Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) in New Delhi on Friday.

Outgoing CoSC Chairman, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, handed over the baton to General Rawat in a ceremonial function in South Block.

Rawat, who was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1978, has taken over as the chief of CoSC by virtue of being the senior-most officer from among the heads of the three armed services of the country.

General Rawat will continue holding the post till December this year when he retires.

Rawat, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), had been commissioned into the 11 Gorkha Rifles of the Army. He has vast experience in operations across a wide spectrum of conflict and terrain profiles.

The post of Chairman of CoSC assumes the position of Primus Inter Pares, or first among equals, amongst all the three service chiefs. The Chairman of CoSC is assisted by the Integrated Defence Staff, which is an agency that coordinates amongst various branches of the Indian armed forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15 this year that there will be a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) for the country.

The Defence Ministry is at present working out various modalities and protocols that will be instituted into the office of the CDS.

As per sources, if the office of the CDS takes shape before the end of this year, Gen Rawat might be the last person to have been appointed as the Chairman of CoSC.

The post of CoSC Chairman will be abolished after the formation of the office of the CDS which will be responsible for coordinating amongst all the three armed forces. — IANS

Ranjit Thakur

Jammu, September 24

The Dogra Art Museum at the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex is being temporarily shifted to the Army headquarters building after the government sanctioned funds to facilitate renovation work.

The government has sanctioned Rs 65.38 crore under the Jammu & Kashmir Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation for six projects for renovation. The work on two projects has been started while tendering and technical evaluation process is on for three projects and tendering is under process for one project.

For the conservation of the Durbar Hall, Rs 6.74 crore has been approved, whereas Rs 3.37 crore for Dogra Museum, Rs 13.23 crore for Raja Ram Singh Palace, Rs 14.81 crore for the conservation of Mahal of Raja Ram Queens, Rs 14.73 crore for Raja Amar Singh Palace and for the redevelopment of central court yard, Rs 13.71 crore has been approved.

Assistant Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Dr Sangeeta Sharma said, “Though we gave anti-termite treatment every year for preserving the historical items of Dogra rulers such as textiles, arms, world famous Basoli paintings and portraits of rulers, the building needed an immediate repair and preservation.”

“We have already started the process of shifting to the Army headquarters. The entire museum will be shifted to the Army headquarters in the next few weeks,” she added.

“We have also urged the departments concerned to provide security as we have been facing a shortage of staff,” she added.

The renovation work at the historic Mubarak Mandi Complex, the royal residence of erstwhile Dogra rulers in Jammu and Kashmir, continues at snail’s pace as only 5 per cent amount out of the estimated cost of Rs 298.86 crore has been spent on the project during the past 11 years.