Some 200 of twin-engine Dhruv are in use at present, though the requirement is quite high.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 11

Following an accident two days ago, the Army has suspended the use of advanced light helicopters Dhruv for ‘slither down’ operations by its troops.‘Slithering down’ is a technique by which troops are inserted into an operation and they have to ‘come down’ from the helicopter using a special rope attached to the helicopter through a contraption.The twin-engine Dhruv, a sturdy machine — some 200 of these are in use — is produced by the Ministry of Defence-owned public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).Top sources confirmed to The Tribune that “slithering operations had been suspended till the cause of the accident could be known”. The Army is suspecting material failure—in simpler words, a fault with the material and its sturdiness on the copter.On January 9, three para-commandos were injured, one of them seriously, while practising slithering operations at New Delhi parade ground. The contraption fitted onto the helicopter had broken off. The HAL, headquartered at Bengaluru, produces 22 to 24 Dhruv annually and some 200 of these are flying even though the requirement is huge. Other than the Army, the Air Force and the Navy also use it.In September last, two top Army officers had a narrow escape when an Army Aviation helicopter carrying them crashed-landed in eastern Ladakh. The copter crashed at a location close to the Line of Actual Control, the de-facto boundary with China.Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps Lt Gen SK Uphadya and the Division Commander of the Karu-based 3 Infantry Division Maj Gen Savneet Singh were on board the copter. The crash occurred near the area called ‘Hot springs’. India is making a new road between ‘Hot springs’ and Marsimkla. The location was north of the Pangong Tso (lake).

Sepoy’s death: Pall of gloom descends on Ferozepur village

Photo for representational purpose only. AFP

New Delhi, December 27

A total of 92 personnel from the three armed forces have committed suicide in 2017, with the Army having the highest number, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told Lok Sabha, in a written reply, that as per the figures, two officers, and 67 Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO) and Other Ranks (OR) committed suicide in the Indian Army. The number of JCOs and ORs who committed suicide was 100 in 2016, 77 in 2015, and 82 in 2014.

Among the Army officers, there were four suicides in 2016, one in 2015 and two in 2014.

In the Navy, which has lowest suicide rate in the three services, there were no incidents of suicide among the officers in 2014, and 2015, while in 2016 and 2017 saw one suicide each. Among the sailors, there have been four suicides this year, five in 2016, three in 2015 and four in 2014.

In the Indian Air Force, three officers committed suicide in 2016, and two in 2014.

Among the airmen, there were 18 suicides this year, 16 in 2016, 14 in 2015, and 19 in 2014.

Bhamre said reasons for committing suicide include “family issues, domestic problems, marital discord, perceived grievances and personal issues”. — IANS

‘Humbled’ China may go for ‘salami slicing’ of disputed areas

Keep the peace: Confrontation shouldn’t be met with jingoism; a sure recipe for a flareup.

Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd)WITH the reported presence through winter of enhanced strength of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China opposite Doklam, with improved operational and logistics infrastructure, is a Chinese military standoff or more with India almost a surety in 2018? The end of the 72-day standoff over Doklam was hailed as pragmatic; an example of political maturity and military astuteness by all. That was the need of the hour for China. It was about to conduct its five-yearly signature political event, the Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) from October 18, 2017. Xi Jinping’s image would not be very high if China was seen to be in the middle of an ugly border spat with a neighbour, which could turn violent with an innocuous trigger. It was also hosting the BRICS Summit at Xiamen, and, presumably, could not be seen to be in an armed border standoff with one of the members. If China did actually pull back from the standoff, albeit reluctantly and without clarity and with those events now over, what holds it back from pressing its claims in the next season and instigating a similar situation? The Army Chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, to his credit, did mention that we have to be prepared for more such standoffs with China, which could resort to “salami slicing” and muscle flexing by it to nibble away at areas claimed by it and under dispute with India.The 19th CPC was about bigger things. It set the tone for China’s future superpower status by 2050 and capability to win wars. Doklam was just an aberration, but for Jinping’s personal ego and that of the PLA, it was enough of a setback, temporarily papered over. India won fulsome praise for its ability not to back down in the face of severe intimidation. This model is being examined by various nations in East and South East Asia, perhaps much to the embarrassment of the PLA and Xi himself. So, is China likely to be in a hurry to retrieve lost prestige from the perceived slight or remain pragmatic and patient? It needs to be remembered that in the leadership provided by Xi in the last five years and more, diplomacy and economic leveraging have played a major role. Yet the restructuring of the military and Xi’s ability to push new strategy has dominated the scene. In its stance towards the disputes in the South China Sea and with Japan in East Asia, China has continued to follow the “Three Warfares” principles adopted in 2003. These relate to intense psychological operations, media manipulation and legal warfare designed to manipulate perception of target audiences on claims put forth by China. The manifestation of this, in practice, really commenced more robustly under Xi although “war under informationised conditions” was a strategy first mooted in the early ’90s. This is the broad strategy it has played out in Ladakh over the last seven to eight years with “walk in operations” aimed to see the capitulation of Indian leadership under persistent claims pressed through military pressure, albeit without firing a shot.  It could always have triggered an armed standoff and hoped to secure its claim lines under imposed robust duress on the Indian forces. Yet, China has long been the exponent of Sun Tzu’s concept of winning wars without fighting; “to subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill”, wrote Sun Tzu, thus giving Chinese military thought a supposed pearl. In Xi’s assumed slight due to Doklam there exists the greatest potential of employing Sun Tzu’s age-old philosophy juxtaposed with the modern concept of “Three Warfares”. This should rest some minds which assume war fighting as the only realm of Chinese strategy. Xi should, and probably will, not be in any hurry to restore his pride after the slight at Doklam because he has gained enough stature after the 19th Congress of the CPC. The enhanced military presence opposite Doklam is a part of the three warfares strategy. However, winning without going to war in the context of the Doklam involves two things. First is to build the disputed road unhindered on the territory claimed by it, but currently technically under Bhutan’s control; second, to establish a closer diplomatic relationship with Bhutan as a breakthrough and wean it away from Indian “stranglehold”, much as Nepal has been weaned away.For India, it will be a win-win if it can continue to retain Bhutan’s loyalty and thereby play up the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007 for mutual consultation and prevention of use of each other’s territory for inimical purposes. Thus in Bhutan lies the key and the focal point. If China really wishes to follow the wisdom of its ancient sage with the technology of the modern times, it will focus on Bhutan, while continually intimidating India through low-level military standoff, but high-energy media and psychological war with persistence on claims to keep the legal pressure at a high, almost akin to the South China Sea dispute. Military brinkmanship will, no doubt, form a part of it, but the area where China is likely to be more cautious and probably review its strategy is in the field of media manipulation. Its information strategy in 2017 backfired as state mouthpieces, The Global Times and People’s Daily just could not make that difference. In a ham-handed show of information warfare, China failed to intimidate India, placate Bhutan or win support internationally. That is a sphere it will now concentrate upon, although it is an area much more difficult to convert to advantage. Thus while keeping our powder dry,  which must anyway be a part of considered prudence, it is the sphere of information warfare and local regional diplomacy in which India must prepare itself much better. The feasibility of China displaying a trailer of its cyber capability focused on a sphere of Indian military or non-military activity also remains a reality for which India must prepare itself. 2018 may well be the year when threats of war fighting may be overtaken by threats of cyber and information warfare. The last reminder: Bhutan will remain the key to the standoff and the retention by India of the current relationship will be the decisive factor. The last time, Indian strategic thinking hit the bull. If the basics are right it will do so again. The writer is former GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps

NN Vohra honours a war widow at a function to mark the Armed Forces Flag Day celebrations in Jammu. Tribune Photo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20

Governor NN Vohra today complimented and thanked all those people and organisations who are helping the Rajya Sainik Board in raising funds for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.During a function organised by the Rajya Sainik Board in connection with the Armed Forces Flag Day celebrations at Tiger Auditorium here, the Governor observed that Armed Forces Flag Day, observed on December 7 every year, was an important occasion to remember the valiant soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.He lauded the crucial role of the Armed Forces, both during war and peace, and observed that their sacrifices were founded in their bravery, devotion and dedication.The Governor stressed the need to make the civil society aware about the role played by the Army in safeguarding the country and maintaining a vigil along the border.He observed that it was our moral responsibility to take special care of the families of the ex-servicemen, particularly martyrs, and expressed concern about the difficulties faced by the families of non-pensioner widows. He noted that consequent upon his taking up the matter with the Defence Minister, their pensions had been recently revised to Rs 48,000 per annum.He said: “We need to work hard to mitigate their sufferings by providing them timely support.”Brig Harcharan Singh (retd), Director, Rajya Sainik Board, spoke about the board’s activities and the funds raised.The Governor gave cheques of Rs 10,000 each to 34 war widows and prizes to winners of painting and patriotic song competitions. The competitions among schoolchildren were organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and the Rajya Sainik Board.Vohra also gave certificates of appreciation to Jammu citizens working for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. Brigadier TK Chopra, Station Commander, and RS Chib, former minister, were present on the occasion.

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Kulbhushan Jadhav

Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Indian spy sentenced to death by Pakistan in a Field General Court Marshal, may be the most prominent individual to be tried on espionage charges in recent times — but Pakistan and India have a long history of arresting and trying ‘spies’.

Sarabjit Singh

Sarabjit Singh was arrested by Pakistani authorities in August 1990. At the time, India said that an inebriated 27-year-old Singh had strayed across the border while ploughing his field. He was arrested on charges of carrying out four bombings in Faisalabad, Multan and Lahore which killed 14 Pakistani citizens. He was later sentenced to death.Singh was fatally assaulted on April 26, 2013, by two fellow prisoners in Kot Lakhpat jail. Singh suffered severe injuries in the head and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital where a medical board comprising senior neurosurgeons treated him.He died on May 2, 2013. The Indian government conducted a state funeral after his body was brought back to India by his family members. 

Kashmir Singh

Kashmir Singh was a convicted Indian spy on death row and spent 35 years in prison in Pakistan. Throughout his incarceration, he insisted he was not a spy. He was arrested in 1973. Singh was pardoned by then President Pervez Musharraf and returned to India where he was given a hero’s welcome. “I was a spy and did my duty,” admitted Singh after crossing the border, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, adding he was paid about 400 rupees a month for his work. “I went to serve the country,” he told reporters in Chandigarh after his release. “Even Pakistan authorities failed to get this information from me,” he added. 

Ravindra Kaushik

Ravindra Kaushik was born in India’s Rajasthan and was recruited by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) while working as a theatre artist. After receiving two years of training, he was sent to Pakistan in 1975, where he enrolled in Karachi University under the alias of Nabi Ahmad Shakir. After graduation, Kaushik joined the Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer and got promoted to the rank of Major.During 1979-83, he passed on sensitive information to RAW. His run as a spy ended when another Indian spy was caught by Pakistani forces. The arrested spy blew Kaushik’s cover.  Kaushik was incarcerated for 16 years and died in 2001 while imprisoned in Multan Jail after contracting pulmonary tuberculosis.

Sheikh Shamim

Sheikh Shamim was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 1989 and was charged with spying for RAW, reported AFP.Authorities said he was caught “red-handed” near the Pak-India border while spying. He was hanged by the authorities in 1999. By arrangement with the Dawn

(From left) Col Avnish Sharma, Col Ajai Shukla, Maj Navdeep Zaidi, Suman Sharma, Gurmehar Kaur during a session at the Military Literature Festival at Lake Club in Chandigarh on December 9, 2017. Tribune photo: Ravi Kumar

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

While social media has several benefits, it is hazardous for military from security point of view and the military must understand how to deal with it.Stating this at a session on ‘The Latest Military Challenge — Social Media’, Col Ajai Shukla (retd) said another social media fallout was reduction in soldier-to-soldier interaction, which was key for camaraderie. Off-duty soldiers are spending more time on social media than with their buddies, he said, adding among the officers, introspection on social media was missing.Cautioning about attempts by foreign intelligence agencies to target Indian military personnel, Shukla said there was a need to educate and understand the social media and exploit its positives as a force multiplier.Maj Navdeep Singh said social media could be used effectively for communication across the military hierarchy and blogs within the military networks could be created for grievance redressal. Stating that sensitive information should be kept out of the domain of social media, he said it could be used to take up matters like pension grievances and implementation of welfare schemes.Col Avnish Sharma said serving and retired officers had to be careful of their conduct and the use of the social media had to be managed effectively rather than being avoided.

HAFIZ Saeed, the man accused by India to be the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, has walked out of his house arrest in Pakistan.  The man has earned a  well-deserved  notoriety with India as well as many other Western countries as an undesirable prophet of terror. The Pakistani judicial system, on the other hand, found no substantial evidence to deny the Lashkar-e-Taiba ideologue his freedom. Predictably, after his release, he made familiar incendiary speeches, spewing venom against India and part of the Pakistani political establishment. New Delhi has rightly expressed its indignation and disapproval that a self-confessed terrorist has been allowed to walk free. The United States has demanded, somewhat perfunctorily, that he be rearrested. All this is part of a familiar pattern.  Hafiz Saeed is an albatross around Islamabad’s neck; the “deep state” and its security establishment can neither own nor disown him. He is a relatively cost-free bogeyman who can be used at Pakistan’s convenience to give New Delhi pinpricks, just as he can be rounded up whenever the Americans make their periodic tut-tutting noises. The Pakistani foreign office seems to have made a fairly correct assessment of the Trump administration’s geostrategic needs and compulsions in this region and seemed to have concluded that it is business as usual in Washington. Pakistani politicians and generals find themselves stuck with the Islamic fundamentalist forces they have encouraged all these years. The violence in the streets of Islamabad over the weekend was yet another reminder of the swamp the scheming generals have created in Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed is a minor, though not entirely inconsequential, symbol of Pakistan’s entrenched malevolence towards India. On our part, we have not been able to evolve a narrative that would minimise this evil man’s importance without diluting our determined fight against terrorism. Our competitive domestic discourse does not permit an attitude of “benign neglect”. It is now the BJP’s turn, as a ruling party, to find itself taunted by the Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, over Hafiz Saeed’s release. Boys will be boys. The challenge before successive governments remains how not to end up according an exaggerated space and importance to this evil man.