Five militants were killed as the Army foiled two infiltration attempts in north Kashmir on Monday.Three militants were killed when an infiltration bid was foiled in Tangdhar in the frontier Kupwara district —- the sector that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited on September 29 during her two-day trip to the state.In Tangdhar, over 150 km from Srinagar, the infiltration was foiled in the wee hours when the Army noticed suspicious movement. The group opened fire when challenged, triggering a fierce gunfight. “Three terrorists have been killed in the sector,” Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said.While the search operation was being carried out in the dense forest of Tangdhar, two militants were killed in a gunfight in Rampur, Uri. The infiltration at Torna in the Rampur sector, over 110 km from Srinagar, was foiled when soldiers noticed the movement of armed militants close to the Line of Control. The militants when challenged, opened fire, leading to a gunfight.“Two terrorists were killed in the gunfight and two weapons were recovered. The search operation is still in progress,” said Colonel Kalia. The identity of the slain militants could not be established. Maj Gen RP Kalita, General Officer Commanding of the Baramulla-based 19 Infantry Division, said that 60 to 70 militants were waiting at the launch pads along the LoC from Gulmarg to Nowgam, which is being guarded by his division. He stated this on the sidelines of a function in Gulmarg.In the past eight days, four infiltration attempts, mostly in and around the Uri sector, have been foiled by the Army, leaving ten militants dead.
Cop shot dead by ultras in PulwamaA policeman was gunned down by militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday evening. The police said Head Constable Ashiq Hussain was shot and critically wounded at Padgampora in Awantipora when he was on his way home. Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt.
Two policemen injured in Baramulla grenade blastSrinagar: Two policemen were injured on Monday evening when militants lobbed a grenade at a joint police and Army checkpoint at Juhama in Baramulla. “Around 7 pm, militants riding a motorcycle made an about-turn while seeing a naka party. As they were challenged to stop, one of the two militants on the motorcycle hurled a grenade towards the naka party. Two policemen received minor injuries in the blast,” a police spokesman said. The area was cordoned off to trace the militants.
India shouldn’t hesitate to strike back at Pakistan if it has adequate evidence Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd)
An Indian Army paratrooper with the 50th Independent Para Brigade examines an M4 carbine. | Source: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod)
There have been multiple attempts to attack India around the anniversary of the 2016 surgical strikes. India shouldn’t hesitate to strike back at Pakistan.
Over the last many years it is an expected phenomenon that when an important international personality, especially from the US, visits New Delhi there is an attempt by Pakistan and its proxies to grab headlines in the media through some spectacular acts of violence. The most important such event one can recall was the high profile visit of then President Bill Clinton on 19 March 2000, which saw the Chittisinghpura carnage in Anantnag district with 36 members of the minority Sikh community being gunned down.
US Defence Secretary James Mattis, a man credited with having withstood the Trump idiosyncrasies and protected the space of the US Military, came calling to New Delhi at a significant time. In the follow up after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with President Trump, the US has made some relevant noises against Pakistan and its insincerity with reference to transnational terrorism and the pursuit of peace in Afghanistan. None of that has manifested in any action against Pakistan and that country merrily continues to exercise its strategic independence and pursue its interests including further strengthening its relationship with China.
Perhaps just coincidentally the visit of the US Defence Secretary comes just around the first anniversary of India’s surgical strikes in 2016, which were in response to the Pakistan-sponsored terror attack at the Uri brigade headquarters base six kilometres inside the LoC. The LoC and Kashmir have been rife with attempts at resurgence of violence this week.
Four terrorists appear to have infiltrated through the South Jhelum defensive line in Uri sector with the aim of probably targeting the artillery gun positions near village Kalgai on the Uri – Kaman Post – Muzaffarabad road. The aim appeared to have been a repeat of the Uri attack with a possible intent of sending a message of capability to hit an even more important military asset than just an administrative base. In such situations psychological messaging is usually attempted, but Pakistan probably attempted to bite more than it could chew.
I recall, as a former Commander of the Uri Brigade, that we had sightings of terrorists near Kalgai on more than one occasion even 15 years ago. The Indian Army’s active patrolling and intelligence system is effective as has been proven this time; the sighting of terrorists in army uniforms and a quick response saved the day with the killing of all four terrorists.
However, South Jhelum is getting increasingly more vulnerable. The LoC between Kaman Post (Aman Setu) and Salamabad where the transit facility for the Muzaffarabad bus service exists, is a stretch which was extremely active and very prone to infiltration through the Nineties. The Commander of the Uri Brigade, late Brigadier Sridhar was killed in an IED attack on his vehicle placed probably by infiltrators in the mid-Nineties. However, for the last few years this has been a quiet area compared to the activities in the North Jhelum sector from where routes go directly along the mountainous jungle tracts to Baramula.
It is in North Jhelum that the other operation was almost simultaneously undertaken which resulted in the killing of the notorious Qayoom Najjar of Hizbul Mujahideen at a village called Lachhipura on the north bank. Najjar became well known after his feud with Hurriyat leader SAS Geelani and the targeting of mobile towers two years ago. He apparently had made up with the Hizbul Mujahideen leadership after exfiltration last year.
In a probable act of desperation, Hizbul Mujahideen was trying to infiltrate him from a difficult route over a 12,000 feet high pass when he met his doom down below in Lachhipura. The obvious deduction is that there is a lack of leadership within the Hizbul Mujahideen and Zakir Moosa’s (leader of the al Qaeda sponsored Ghazwat ul-Hind) presence is causing some ripples, hence the desperation to get Qayoom Najjar back. Operation All Out of the Indian security forces has definitely had its impact. Sustaining that through winter will be the key.
There is also a report of an attempted action by a small Border Action Team of the Pakistan Army, which usually combines with a few highly trained terrorists, against one of our deployments in Keran sector. This was expected around the anniversary of the surgical strikes. The BAT action has been beaten back, but more can be expected in some of the remote parts of the LoC where response takes time. Parts of Gurez and Gulmarg sector remain vulnerable to this.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s warning that his troops could execute another surgical strike is a timely one at a time when much of the analytical strategic literature is alluding to the surgical strikes being something which cannot be easily repeated. It is good to see this notion being laid to rest by the Army Chief.
The successful action by Indian Special Forces against the NSCN (K) in the Mon sector of Nagaland also could not have come at a better time. It adds to the required confidence.
A reverse action against a Pakistan post on the LoC will very much be in order without the usual garb of having to target terror launch pads. When we have the fullest evidence of Pakistani troops being involved in operations against our soldiers there needs to be no remorse at striking back.
The writer is a former GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, is associated with the Vivekanand International Foundation and the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
A YEAR AFTER SURGICAL STRIKES Little change on Ground Zero in Kashmir
Almost a year after the Army carried out surgical strikes on militant launch pads along the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, militancy-related violence as well as infiltration attempts haven’t abated.After the surgical strikes on September 29 morning, 78 security men (including 58 this year) have been killed in militant attacks or ceasefire violations in the region. At least 175 militants (24 last year) have also been killed in Kashmir during the same period.On September 18, 2016, an Army base close to the LoC was stormed by a group of four fidayeen of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. The deadly attack, which claimed lives of 19 soldiers, was followed by the Army Special Forces launching surgical strikes on militant launch pads in PoK. After the strikes, the Army had claimed to have destroyed several launch pads of militants.However, these launch pads, sources said, had become active again. After the strikes, militants haven’t stopped coming from across. While the infiltration attempts have been more this year, the Army has been able to eliminate 56 militants along the LoC since January. Last year, in the three months after the surgical strikes at least six militants were killed along the LoC while attempting to sneak into the Valley.The intentions from across had become clear only days after the surgical strikes. On October 6, four militants were killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid in the Nowgam sector — wherefrom the strikes were carried out. It was the first infiltration bid after the strikes.The Army officers on the ground say that the surgical strikes were not aimed at finishing militancy, but it was aimed at conveying a strong message to Pakistan and to the world.“With surgical strikes we were able to achieve the aim at the geopolitical and strategic levels. A strong message was also conveyed to Pakistan. Yes, on a day-to-day basis probably it has not helped as the number of attempts from across to push militants has not reduced. It has also not deterred Pakistan on this front. But the other side has a clear message now that any action will have a reaction and that is what they had never thought,” said an Army officer, wishing not to be named.He said the number of fatalities was on rise as the security forces had been on an offensive after the last year’s unrest.“This year, policemen were targeted and with incidents like lynching in mind, they have hit back. With intelligence inputs, the police and forces have been jointly been able to kill a large number of militants, including top commanders,” he added.Another officer said there were high fatalities of the forces as operations against militants had been stepped up.A section of police officers on the ground maintain that nothing has changed after the strikes. “There is no change in the Pakistan policy on Kashmir. It continues to push in militants to keep the pot boiling in the Valley,” a police officer of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police said.‘A strong message for Pakistan’
Army officers on the ground say that the surgical strikes were not aimed at finishing militancy, but it was aimed at conveying a strong message to Pakistan and to the world
“On a day-to-day basis probably it has not helped as the number of attempts from across to push militants has not reduced. But the other side has a clear message now that any action will have a reaction,” said an Army officer
After surgical strikes
Militants killed 175 (73 locals, 102 foreigners) Security men killed 78 (38 from Army 30 police, 7 CRPF, 2 BSF, 1 SSB)2016 (Before surgical strikes)
Security forces killed 62
Militants killed 103Entire 2016
Security men killed 88
Militants killed 1652015
Security men killed 36
Militants killed 952014
Security men killed 40
Militants killed 1012013
Security men killed 53
Militants killed 672012
Security men killed 17
Militants killed 84
India not to send troops to be based in Afghanistan: Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman with James Mattis. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 26India on Tuesday made it clear that it would not send its troops to be based in Afghanistan. There would be no Indian boots on the ground, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while addressing a joint press conference with US Defence Secretary James Mattis in New Delhi.‘Boots on the ground’ in military parlance means putting troops on ground.In the last week of August, US President Donald Trump had announced a new Afghanistan policy that articulated Washington’s desire that New Delhi “does more for Kabul”. India welcomed the policy while underscoring its contribution in capacity-building of the war-torn country.
Indian line of not sending troops to Afghanistan is consistent since 2001 when the US announced its war of terror post 9/11 strikes. Sitharaman was responding to a question posed by a US journalist accompanying Mattis.When asked, “The US is seeking more contribution from India. Do you rule out troops on the ground?” Sitharaman said, “We have built dams, hospitals and roads; that has been India’s contribution and that will continue.”Mattis’ is the first Cabinet-level visit from the US to India since Trump took over in January.From New Delhi’s perspective, India is already part of the Russia-led six-nation group on consultations on reconciliation with Taliban. At the military level, New Delhi has trained more than 4,000 Afghan army officers and provided helicopters, small arms and is also examining a long wish list, that includes artillery guns, short-range missiles, military support vehicles and even the Russian built T-90 tanks.Indian-built civilian projects include a large hydroelectric dam and a highway.Earlier, in the joint statement, both sides, without naming any country, spoke about freedom of navigation and resolution of disputes within the ‘rules-based global order’. This was an obvious reference to the South China Sea and the ongoing dispute with China.“We have very substantive forward-looking talks. I am confident that this will deepen cooperation with the US,” Sitharaman said, adding that she appreciated Secretary Mattis’s willingness to share technology that would help meet security challenges.When asked if India raised the issue of the US continuing its aid to Pakistan, Sitharaman said she had raised the matter with her US counterpart. “The same forces that find havens in Pakistan hit at New York and Mumbai. My request is that Secretary Mattis speaks out when he visits Pakistan.”
Brig Sandeep Vohra, Commander, Kharga Sappers, flags off a trekking expedition at Ambala Cantonment on Wednesday. Tribune photo
Ambala, September 20
To commemorate the 53rd Raising Day of the Sarvashresth Engineers Regiment, a trekking expedition was flagged off from Ambala Cantonment here today.Brig Sandeep Vohra, Commander, Kharga Sappers, who flagged off the event, said, “To infuse the sense of adventure among troops and encourage junior leadership, esprit de corps and camaraderie among all ranks, the regiment is undertaking an expedition. It will cover a total distance of 151 km from Ambala to Sangla and back via Dehradun–Dhaula–Rupin Pass–Chitkul–Shimla-Chandigarh within 25 days.”The team, comprising 12 members, will cross over Rupin Pass at a height of over 15,000 ft. The expedition members will interact with ex-servicemen as well as college/school students and organise lectures and talks with youth to educate and motivate them to join armed forces. — TNS
TOGETHER WE CAN: Chandan K Anand and Sara Arfeen Khan
Brand endorsements and commercials are a big part of an actor’s career and what is more fun than doing these with your best co-star. Recently, Sara Arfeen Khan and Chandan K Anand shot for a commercial together and they can’t stop talking about the great equation they shared. “We did a digital advertisement together for Army officers’ insurance and it was an absolute pleasure working with Chandan. We got to know each other on the set. He is a very sweet person. Even when we were working overtime and got late, he made me comfortable,” says Sara.Chandan, too, has only good memories of working with Sara, “I have worked with Sara for the first time. She is an intelligent actress. I cherished the time we spent on the set.”
Following a spate of braid-chopping incidents and protests in the Gool tehsil of Ramban district, the administration has requested the Army to intensify patrolling outside the localities today.According to SDM Pankaj Bagotra, as many as four suspected cases of braid chopping had been reported recently in the Sangaldan area of Gool tehsil which resulted into protests by people and blocking of roads.The protests were held at Dhalwa and Kentha Mod following an alleged incident of braid chopping in Jabbad village last night.“The administration has asked the police to intensify patrolling, especially during night and school timings, and form village and ward-wise committees. We have also asked for setting up village defence committees which should include ten volunteers and two responsible and reliable persons of the village or hamlet. I have personally requested the Commanding Officer, Rashtriya Rifles, to intensify their patrolling outside the residential areas at Asthan Marg and Dashan,” said Subdivisional Police Officer, Gool, Mohammed Amin Bhat.
Day after Army chief Bipin Rawat said that India should be prepared for a two-front war, adding that the threat of conflict was real on both western and northern borders, and deterrence in form of nuclear bombs or military power may not actually stop it; Lt Gen D Ambu on Thursday said that the army is dealing with any infiltration bid in a very firm way and assured that the situation on line of control under control.
Lt Gen D Ambu also said that the Indian Army can strike across the border whenever necessary. “When we want to we will be able to breach it (LoC), go across & strike when we need. Subtle message we wanted to convey,” he said
Speaking to the media, Devraj Anbu GoC in C Northern Command, said that Army doesn’t expect Doklam type situation in Ladakh and if anything happens we are ready to deal the situation says Commander Northern Command.
He also said that India started about 10 to 15 later in infrastructure as compare to China on LAC in eastern Ladakh but now we are doing it and in progress.
“Situation of LoC is plunder control and we are ready to deal any kind of challenge ” We have a mechanism to deal with .. in hinterland we are dealing with military and killed more than 100 militant in Kashmir ” We take care of civilian casualties,” he said
He said the terrorists continue to try to infiltrate in the region, “We have been foiling their attempts to infiltrate into Kashmir valley and Jammu region,” he added.
State Stalwarts
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ALL HUMANS ARE ONE CREATED BY GOD
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MAJOR GEN HARVIJAY SINGH, SENA MEDAL ,corps of signals
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PRESIDENT CHANDIGARH ZONE
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Minister Rajnath Singh
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General Anil Chauhan PVSM UYSM AVSM SM VSM
INDIAN FORCES CHIEFS
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General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM (30 Jun 2024 to Till Date)
