Sanjha Morcha

Rafale deal unlikely during Hollande visit

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 15

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India and France are not likely to ink the much-awaited deal for the Rafale fighter jets when French President Francois Hollande arrives in India on a three-day visit as chief guest at the Republic Day function. As some issues still remain, India will go for a better price than take a hasty step at this stage, top sources said, indicating the deal may not be inked during Hollande’s visit.In April last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France in a “fly-away” condition. After that, the cost negotiation committee met to fix a price for the jets and also the arsenal. Initially, the IAF had projected the need for 126 such fighter jets and a global tender was floated, which is now in cold storage after the decision to buy Rafale was announced.Already faced with a dwindling fleet of fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally told the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that it needs at least 80 Rafale-type multi-role combat fighter jets to be battle ready in the next few years. These need not be the Rafale, but should be jets of similar capability.The IAF has conveyed the need for five squadrons and estimated a squadron at 16 jets each, instead of the normal number of 18 jets, as the Rafale with its high-end technology is available to fly at short notice and has a shorter maintenance “turn-around”.This works out to be 80 jets of Rafale or planes of such type. The number is more in tune with creating minimum facilities for servicing and training of pilots and on-ground technicians. A “mere” 36 jets – presently on order — would not meet the shortfall due to the phasing out of fleet of MiG-21 and MiG-27 jets by 2022. There are some 260 obsolete MiG-21s and MiG-27s (Soviet Union-era single-engine fighter jets) in the fleet. The IAF needs 400 jets over the next 10 years. As of now, the IAF has 35 fighter jet squadrons (having 16-18 planes each) against its projected requirement of 42 squadrons to tackle any simultaneous war with China and Pakistan.


French troops for R-Day parade

Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 8

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In a first, a military contingent of a foreign country will take part in the Republic Day Parade on January 26. A contingent of the French army, which is already in India for a joint military exercise, will take part in the parade along with Indian armed forces.In 2009, the Indian armed forces had achieved a similar landmark when a contingent led the massive Bastille Day military parade down Paris’s majestic Champs Elysee. Then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was the Chief Guest of Honour in that event. This year, French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. This will be the fifth time that a French leader will be a chief guest at R-Day celebrations.

100 flights delayed

  • Dense fog blanketed many areas in and around Delhi on Friday with poor visibility affecting over 100 flights and hitting rail traffic
  • The Northern Railway said 24 trains were cancelled, 16 others were running late and 11 were rescheduled due to the fog which severely curtailed visibility

Fresh alert along border in Pathankot

Pathankot, January 8

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Security personnel during a combing operation at Bhullaechak village near Tibri Cantt in Gurdaspur on Friday. PT

Amidst a fresh alert following reports of the sighting of two more suspects by villagers in Pathankot near the Indo-Pak border, the combing operation at the Air Force station here was declared completed on Friday.The Punjab Police and BSF have started a search operation in the area where the two suspects were spotted.Seven days after six terrorists struck, Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts remained on high alert. Two days ago in the  also two suspecious men in Army fatigues were reported seen in Gurdaspur area.“The combing operation at the Air Force station is over,” a senior IAF official said, adding the entire area has been sanitised.The sanitisation operation had been going on for the last three days ever since the six terrorists were gunned down.The operation to ensure that no terrorist was hiding was carried out jointly by Army, NSG and IAF’s Garud commandos.The official said the IAF was “sharing and supporting” the NIA with the inputs.The NIA has investigated the personnel of Defence Services Corps (DSC) in connection with the terror attack.However, Pathankot and Gurdaspur are still on high alert in the wake of claims by locals in a village that they had seen two men in army fatigues moving in a suspicious manner on Wednesday.The Army and police, including the SWAT commandos, are carrying out search and combing operations in these two districts, particularly near the Tibri Cantonment area of Gurdaspur, where the suspected terrorists are believed to have been sighted.Pathankot SSP R.K. Bakshi said all vehicles and individuals in Pathankot and nearby villages and towns are being thoroughly checked as a precautionary measure.“We are not taking any chances,” he said today.The Army is using drone helicopters to locate possible terrorists and pressed into service bullet-proof vehicles, officials said.The Army has installed flood lights and the police is conducting door-to-door searches to flush out the suspected terrorists, they said.Punjab Police have pressed into service the SWAT and dog squads are also assisting in the combing operation, officials said. — PTI


Memorial to be build for slain Commando Gursewak: Khattar

Haryana CM announces memorial for martyr

by Aarushi Maheshwari / 06:35 pm on 05 Jan 2016,Tuesday
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that a memorial would be set up for slain Garud Commando Gursewak Singh, after meeting the martyr’s family on Tuesday. Khattar further promised that a job would be provided to a member of Singh’s family. Singh lost his life in the Pathankot terror attack.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday met the family of Garud Commando Gursewak Singh who was killed in Pathankot terror attack, promising a job to one member and a memorial for the slain soldier.

Khattar along with Health Minister Anil Vij, who represents Ambala Cantt assembly constituency, reached Gursewak’s native Garnala village here this morning.

He expressed his condolence to the bereaved family. The chief minister assured Gursewak’s father Sucha Singh that a job would be provided to any one member of the family.

He also said that a memorial would be set up.

Khattar said that Haryana and the entire country were proud of the “supreme sacrifice” by 25-year-old Gursewak.

He noted that Gursewak came from a family which has a tradition of making contribution to the defence forces as his elder brother Hardeep Singh is in the Army while father Sucha Singh too is an ex-serviceman.

Khattar assured Gursewak’s father that the entire country was with them in this hour of grief.

Gursewak had married in November last year.

When reporters asked him about Pathankot terror incident, Khattar said that India was all for peace, “but there are some elements who are against peace initiatives we make and they keep fomenting trouble”.

When asked if India should stop having talks with Pakistan in the wake of Pathankot incident, Khattar said that it was for the Centre to take a call on the matter.

At the same time, he added, Pathankot incident was a serious one and cannot be ignored.

Pathankot attack: Parrikar admits ‘gaps’ in security, says terrorists used ‘Pak-made’ equipment : 

Chhavi Tyagi / 06:28 pm on 05 Jan 2016,Tuesday
Parrikar said that he was worried as to how the terrorists had managed to come inside the base which has a perimeter of 24 kms and located in an area of about 2,000 acres.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said that several materials recovered from Pathankot terror attack site were made in Pakistan. Further, accepting that there have been “some gaps”, Parrikar added, “I don’t think there is any compromise on security.” He added while there were no more terrorists at the site, final statement will be given after combing operations get over.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday admitted to “blind spots” and “some gaps” that led to the terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in which all the six infiltrators have been killed.

Addressing a press conference at the Air Force base, Parrikar who was accompanied by Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag said the terrorists were armed with AK 47, under barrel grenades, knives, swiss knives commando knives and at least 40 to 50 kilograms of bullets, besides three to four dozens of magazines.

 He said the terrorists were firing the mortars from modified under barrel guns. The minister said the bodies of two terrorists were badly charred and their body parts were recovered strewn at two different places. He added that the National Investigation Agency after getting conducted the DNA tests on the parts twice has confirmed that sixth terrorist was also dead.

Parikkar said combing operation was on. “This (combing operation) is only for safety purpose,” he said, adding that the operation was aimed at destroying live and unexploded forms of explosives, some of which he said was very “high quality”. “One of the terrorists has still had body vest where they (security forces) can see a grenade stuck up…I am very very clear they should not take any risk. We have already lost one person in booby trap so no more losses. Parikkar said though combing operation was likely to end on Wednesday, it would be the call of the NSG commanders. He pointed out that combing operation was very difficult because bomb disposal suit cannot be worn for more than 10 to 15 minutes as it heats up the body. He congratulated the security forces for doing an “excellent job of containing these highly motivated terrorist on suicide mission within practically 250 meter by 250 meter” in the operation. Parikkar said the operation was done without compromising any asset. He said not only strategic asset, but other buildings were also safe. Only one building, Parikkar said, where a terrorist was hiding was damaged a bit. “The kind of complex structure which exists in that area ….when I saw it now, it is a commendable job because of so many blind spots.. you just cannot stop someone from running away from that area,” Parikkar said, adding that he would like media to be taken to the operation site once the combing operation was over. He termed the death of Gursewak as operational loss and of 5 DSCs due to timing and “more of a bad luck”. Underlining that Jagdish Chand gave priority to the country, Parikkar said, “I congratulate Jagdish Chand. Jagdish Chand virtually grappled with terrorist and killed him… courageous… and country was before his own life.” Parikkar said all those killed in the operation would deemed to be considered as “battle casualty” and would get benefits as are given in war like situation. He said Punjab government had also announced Rs 25 lakh and jobs for their kin. Responding to a query on bilateral talks between India and Pakistan, Parikkar said the decision would be taken after the NIA probe. He added that some of the material recovered was made in Pakistan. “To whom the terrorists were related, who sent them would be cleared once the investigation is complete and then we will take a call on such issues (bilateral talks),” he said. “I can see some gaps, but I do not think we have compromised with security. Security forces were well prepared to guard such a huge complex spread in 1900 acres and having a periphery of 24.7 kilometers,” Parrikar said. “My worry is how they were managed to enter. I congratulate (security forces that) they managed to contain them in corner (but I am) still worried how they managed to enter,” Parikkar said, adding that NIA investigations would make things clearer. To a question about terrorists entering the airbase despite information about them well in advance, Parrikar said, “Army cannot perform civil duty to set up check posts on the passages”. He refused to comment on the state government’s role saying he was union Defence Minister.

6terrorists have been neutralized in this operation.Combing operations underway for safety purpose-Manohar Parrikar

6 terrorists dead as combing continues: Parrikar

short by Ankur Vyas / 05:04 pm on 05 Jan 2016,Tuesday
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday congratulated the security forces in Pathankot and announced that six terrorists have been killed in the encounter. Parrikar added that the combing operations will continue till the base is fully secured. He also conferred ‘battle casualty status’ to all the martyrs and announced ₹25 lakh in compensation to the families of the deceased.

Lt Colonel Niranjan laid to rest with full state honours

Lt Col Niranjan buried with full state honours

short by Ankur Vyas / 04:16 pm on 05 Jan 2016,Tuesday
Lieutenant Colonel E K Niranjan, who was martyred while defusing an explosive during the terrorist attack at the Pathankot IAF base, was on Tuesday given a funeral with full military honours near Palakkad in Kerala. The 32-year-old member of the NSG bomb squad was commissioned in the Army in 2004, and is survived by his wife and an 18-month-old daughter.

Palakkad (Ker), Jan 5 (PTI) People bid an emotional farewell to Lieutenant Colonel E K Niranjan, who was killed while defusing a grenade during the terror attack at the Pathankot IAF base, as he was today laid to rest with full military honours at his ancestral home near here.The body of the 32-year-old bomb expert with the National Security Guard was buried on the premises of his paternal home at Elambulassery here, amidst chanting of Hare Rama Hare krishna mantras.He was accorded full military honours, including gun salute as Army personnel sounded the bugle.Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala represented the state government at the funeral ceremony.Niranjans father E K Sivarajan and his other relatives were among those present at the programme.Earlier in the day, the body was kept at the KUP School where hundreds of people, including school children, lined up to pay their homage.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his cabinet colleagues K Babu and A P Anil Kumar visited the house and paid homage late last night.

Yesterday, after the mortal remains were brought here from Bengaluru in a helicopter, it was taken to the ancestral village in a flower-decked army truck.People lined up in many places on both sides of the road to have a glimpse of the brave-heart and threw flowers as a mark of respect.Emotional scenes were witnessed when the body reached Elambulassery with locals thronging the roads and throwing flowers on the cortege and raising patriotic slogans in many places.Niranjan was commissioned in the Engineers Regiment of the Army in 2004. Niranjan, head of the elite bomb squad of the NSG, was killed while defusing an IED at Pathankot IAF base, yesterday. He was among seven security personnel killed in the terrorist attack there.He is survived by his wife and an 18-month-old daughter. PTI COR/LGK JRK BN DBS

Kerala man arrested for derogatory comment about Pathankot martyr Lt Col Niranjan

Police arrested a 24-year-old for posting derogatory comments about Lt Col Niranjan Kumar.

New Delhi, January 5, 2016 | Posted by Vivek Surendran | UPDATED 14:29 IST

Lt Col Niranjan Kumar

Lt Col Niranjan Kumar laid down his life fighting terrorists who attacked the Pathankot Air Force station on January 2, 2016 and the new year began in grief for the country.

Social media users across the nation have been saluting Niranjan and other 6 martyers of the Pathankot terror attack for their sacrifice. In the comments section of one such post Anwar Sadhik posted derogatory comments about Niranjan.His comment said “One trouble less, now! His wife will be given financial aid and a job, common man gets nothing! What a stinking democracy!”

Malappuram district police arrested 24-year-old Anwar on charges of sedition (Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code) from his house in Kodur around 1.30 pm today.

He was bashed on social media by others and his profile said he worked for a Malayalam newspaper Madhyamam. It was the management of the newspaper that filed a complaint against Anwar Sadhik, denying he never worked for them.Anwar works as a salesman in a ration shop. He mentioned he works with Madhyamam so that people would take him seriously. He didn’t realise he could get into trouble for the comment, reports Azhimukham.Lt Col Niranjan, who was with NSG’s bomb detection squad, will be laid to rest at Elambulassery, a village in Palakkad district of Kerala today.

Man arrested for insulting Lt Col Niranjan

short by Ankur Vyas / 04:12 pm on 05 Jan 2016,Tuesday
Kerala police on Tuesday arrested a man on charges of sedition for posting derogatory comments against the Pathankot martyr Lt Col Niranjan. Anwar had pretended to be working for with a Malayalam newspaper Madhyamam in an attempt to be taken seriously, while working as a salesman in a ration shop. The newspaper later filed a complaint leading to his arrest.

Pathankot: Tribute paid to NSG martyr Lt. Col. Niranjan in Palakad

Kerala pays tribute to martyred Lt Col Niranjan

short by Smrithin Satishan / 10:56 am on 05 Jan 2016,Tuesday
Keralites on Tuesday continued to pay tributes to Lt Colonel Niranjan Kumar in Palakkad who was martyred on Sunday while disposing a bomb at the Pathankot IAF base. The officer’s mortal remains were flown in from BEL grounds Bengaluru on Monday where hundreds had thronged to pay tributes. Meanwhile, combing operations at the airbase are still on.Palakad (Kerala), Jan. 5 (ANI): Kerala on Tuesday paid their tribute to NSG commando Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar, who was killed while defusing a grenade at the scene of the terror attack at Pathankot IAF base, as his mortal remains were brought to his hometown here.

The slain officer’s body was flown in from Bengalaru yesterday where hundreds of people thronged the BEL grounds to pay homage to the martyr.

Lt. Col. Kumar, a bomb disposal expert, was killed while defusing a grenade after terrorists attacked an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, Punjab.

Lt. Col. Kumar, 34, is survived by his father, his wife Dr KG Radhika, a dentist, and a two-year-old daughter. The Army officer was promoted to Lt. Col. in the elite NSG a few months ago.

Meanwhile, combing operations continue at Pathankot Air Base, which has entered day four today. (ANI)


Pathankot siege over, Modi wants Pak to act

AIRBASE ATTACK 6th terrorist killed by security forces as guns fall silent after 82-hour operation ASSURANCE Nawaz Sharif says his govt is working on leads provided by India; will investigate the matter VITAL LEADS Parrikar says NIA, which is probing atta

Whenever a serious effort to bring peace between (the) two countries is underway, terrorists try to derail the process.
NAWAZ SHARIF, Pak PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday sought “prompt and decisive action” from his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif when the latter called him to discuss the attack on the air force base in Pathankot that security agencies have blamed on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

Taking a strong stand, Modi emphasised the need for Pakistan to take “firm and immediate action” against organisations and individuals responsible for the Pathankot attack on the basis of “specific and actionable information” provided by India, the external affairs ministry said in a statement. The brazen attack on the airbase left seven security personnel dead. Six attackers were also killed.

Sharif, currently on a visit to Sri Lanka, spoke to Modi hours after a conversation between India’s national security adviser Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Naseer Khan Janjua.

It is learnt that Doval asked Janjua to extend the Pakistan Army’s Zarbe Azab anti-terrorist operation — focussed on northwest Pakistan — to Bahawalpur in Punjab province, the stronghold of the JeM, and said the foreign secretary-level talks could happen after visible action against JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar. During his conversation, Janjua condemned the attack and assured Doval of immediate action.

A statement by the Pakistani PM’s office quoted Sharif as saying: “Our government was working on the leads and information provided by the Indian government.” Pakistan “would investigate this matter,” it added.

Reports have suggested that India has linked a planned meeting of the foreign secretaries on January 15 to action being taken against the JeM.

According to the Pakistani statement, Sharif pointed out to Modi that “whenever a serious effort to bring peace between (the) two countries was underway, terrorists try to derail the process”. Sharif also “appreciated the maturity” shown by the Indian government in its statements. “Both the PMs agreed that a cordial and cooperative relationship between the two countries would be the most appropriate response to the nefarious designs of the terrorists,” the statement said.

Sources said New Delhi had shared with Islamabad intercepts of calls made to Pakistan-based handlers by the terrorists who attacked the airbase. Details of the Pakistani numbers which the attackers called were also shared with Pakistani authorities.

The US has said it expects Pakistan to bring to justice the elements responsible for the Pathankot attack.

Referring to the discussions between the prime ministers and the NSAs, an Indian official said: “These conversations amply reflect India’s concerns over the Pakistanbased group staging an attack in Pathankot. There are enough leads for them. They need to match their words with action.”

Parrikar admits there were ‘gaps’

It was a difficult operation and was executed without compromising any strategic asset. Security forces have done an excellent job.
MANOHAR PARRIKAR, defence minister

PATHANKOT: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Tuesday some “gaps” in security may have led to the deadly terrorist attack at the Pathankot air force station and though six gunmen have been killed, efforts to secure the base were still on.

RAVI KUMAR/HTDefence minister Manohar Parrikar and army chief Gen Dalbir Singh (right) during a press conference at the Pathankot airbase on Tuesday.While visiting the sprawling military compound in Punjab, the minister announced that the NIA had got major leads in the case about how the attackers entered the base while he congratulated the defence forces for restricting the “highly motivated” terrorists to a small area.

“I can see certain gaps, which will be known only after investigation,” he said. “But I don’t think that we have made any compromise with security.”

Security sources say the attack may have been carried out by Pakistan-based Jaishe-Mohammed, though the United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of several terror groups, claimed Kashmiri militants were responsible.

Parrikar said the attackers were carrying AK-47 assault rifles with makeshift rocket launchers attached, mortar rounds that could be fired from the launchers, pistols, and 50-60 kilograms of ammunition.

Though the minister remained tightlipped on questions about any Pakistani involvement, Punjab police has already registered a case against the Pakistan- based jihadist group Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The terror strike came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, in Islamabad and it has cast a shadow over planned talks between the foreign secretaries of the two countries on January 15.

A combing operation is still on at the airbase for safety purposes, Parrikar said, and this is expected to end by Wednesday. The National Security Guard (NSG) would take the final call on calling off the operation.

“There are live bombs and the high-quality explosives that need to be detonated. One of the terrorists still has body vest with grenades stuck,” the minister said.

“So, I have told them to take no risk because we have already lost one person to a booby trap. The operation was very difficult and it has been done without compromising with any strategic asset or other building. Only one building where two terrorists were holed up has been damaged.”

The minister maintained that the air force base was a “complicated area” spread over nearly 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) and housing 3,000 families. He was accompanied by army chief General Dalbir Singh, IAF’s Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and NIA chief Sharad Kumar.

MESSAGE IN BLOOD LINKS AF TO PATHANKOT

NEW DELHI: Even as security forces were wrapping up the operation to clear the Pathankot airbase, it emerged Tuesday that the attack blamed on Pakistan-based Jaishe-Mohammad was linked to the assault on the Indian consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

The three terrorists who stormed a house from which they targeted the consulate left two messages in blood on the walls of a strong room. Both were in broken Urdu and one described the attack as “revenge for Afzal Guru”, hanged for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack.

The terrorists in Pathankot had told Rajesh Verma, a Gurdaspur resident they’d taken hostage, they were going to attack the airbase to avenge Afzal Guru’s hanging. The messages in Mazar-i-Sharif read “Afzal Guru ka inteqaam (revenge for Afzal Guru)” and “Ek shaheed, hazar fidayeen (one martyr, thousand fidayeen).”

The Pajhwok Afghan News service posted photos of the messages that were scribbled in blood on walls that appeared to have been hit by bullets and shrapnel.

Security sources said the JeM’s affinity to Afzal Guru was understandable as he was convicted for the Parliament attack that was blamed on the group based at Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The attackers in Mazari-Sharif were initially thwarted by ITBP personnel guarding the Indian consulate. Afghan special forces then launched an assault and killed the attackers late on Monday, ending a 24-hour siege.

Eight Afghan security personnel were injured in the operation and all staff of the Indian mission escaped unharmed.

The attack began late Sunday after the terrorists tried to break into the consulate, taking advantage of the fact that many people were watching a football match between Afghanistan and India.

Afghan authorities have launched a probe to identify the attackers and provincial governor Atta Mohammad Noor blamed “enemies of peace and stability” for the attack.

Heavily armed terrorists were ready for long haul

Had carried high-quality explosives to target strategic assets

PATHANKOT: Though the authorities have yet to reveal the identity of the six terrorists killed in the Pathankot airbase attack, what’s clear is this — they were highly trained and wanted a long fight and heavy damage.

SAMEER SEHGAL/HTSecurity personnel on guard outside the Pathankot airbase.

OFFICIALS SAY THE TERRORISTS WERE HIGHLY TRAINED FOR CARRYING SUCH A HUGE QUANTITY OF EXPLOSIVE

Besides AK-47 rifles and around 40 to 50kg of bullets, the terrorists carried a large number of grenades, explo-sive vests, under barrel grenade launchers (UBGL) and mortars. The security forces have already recovered three to four dozen assault rifles magazines.

The terrorists who had sneaked into the airbase had wanted to target strategic assets, including choppers and other aircraft, and for that purpose alone carried high-quality explosives, something which even defence minister Manohar Parrikar, who was in Pathankot on Tuesday, admitted. It is the sheer range of the arms and ammunition, and the quantity, that the terrorists were able to hold on for so long.

Security officials say the terrorists, believed to be in their 20s, were highly trained as only then could they have carried so much of explosive material.

Four terrorists were killed hours after the gunfight erupted in the wee hours on Saturday. The fifth and the sixth terrorist were killed on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Punjab Police under fire for not ‘believing’ Gurdaspur SP

TOP POLICE OFFICERS FROM THE STATE ADMIT THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION GIVEN BY SP OVER THE PHONE ABOUT HIS KIDNAPPING WITH A PINCH OF SALT. INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY THE TERRORISTS, WHO KILLED THE DRIVER OF ANOTHER CAR THEY HIJACKED, RELEASED THE SP I did my duty by informing the seniors about the sequence of events. Whether they believed me or not, only they can answer.
SALWINDER SINGH, Gurdaspur SP

1 GURDASPUR: As the guns fell silent at the Pathankot airbase on Tuesday with security personnel killing six heavily armed terrorists and investigators trying to retrace the attackers’ steps, the spotlight once again fell on the curious case of a police officer allegedly abducted and later released by the militants.

Though superintendent of police Salwinder Singh says the information he provided helped minimise loss of life, he has been questioned by authorities and the NIA too is examining him and his cook Madan Gopal.

Punjab police denied having caused any delay in sharing inputs provided by Singh but they are increasingly coming under fire for alleged lapses in collating the information in the first few hours after receiving it.

Sources say investigators are trying to determine why the terrorists, who killed the driver of another car they hijacked, released the SP and those with him.

While top police officers from the state admit they took the information given by Singh over the phone about his kidnapping with a pinch of salt, they added that once the matter was verified, no efforts were spared in alerting all the agencies that needed to be in the loop.

“Salwinder has a certain reputation and we were wary of him,” said a top cop. “Moreover, he was under transfer and was facing a departmental inquiry for a serious complaint. It did cross our mind that he might just be cooking up information.”

Singh told HT he stopped his car on Friday when four to five men in military-style clothing signalled him to halt and he had no reason to believe or could tell in the darkness they were terrorists in disguise moving in an area where army movements are routine. “I did not have any weapon. Nor were my guards with me,” he said. “Had they been with me or had I been carrying my gun, I would have killed the terrorists.”

The gunmen allegedly used the vehicle to reach the airbase which they attacked over the weekend, with six militants and seven Indian soldiers killed in a days-long operation.

Singh said the terrorists abducted him along with his friend Rajesh Verma, who’s a Gurdaspur-based jeweller, as well as his cook Madan Gopal at Kohlian village in Pathankot district.

The officer said the kidnappers left him at Gulpur Simbli village after about 45 minutes of travel while they later slit the jeweller’s throat before dumping him and the cook near another village. Verma is receiving care at a hospital. Singh said the gunmen learnt his identity only when a constable called up on his cellphone which they had snatched.

Police sources said the district’s top officers reached the police station where Singh was waiting and the exercise of corroborating what he was saying began almost immediately.

“Based on his information, a massive manhunt was launched for his car. Police stations were informed and even nakas laid for checking of moving vehicles,” added an officer.

While the search for the vehicle began, Singh was questioned about the details of his statement. What was the SP, who had been transferred and was to take up his duties in Jalandhar, doing in Gurdaspur and that too in the middle of the night on a road so close to the Pakistan border?

Also, why was the SP moving without any weapon and gunmen despite the fact that the area had seen a terrorist attack barely five months ago? In his defence, Singh told HT he was without his gunmen and his own weapon as he was going to a shrine on New Year’s Eve and he routinely visits such religious places.

Controversy swirled when intelligence officials in Punjab police were informed that the SP’s mobile phone was with the terrorists. “By 7am, we had information that his phone had indeed been used to make calls to Pakistan,” added a senior officer. “A little later the vehicle was also located outside the air force station. All agencies which needed to know this information were given the details.” Though Punjab police has assessed that the SP’s account is true, he has been questioned by central agencies and is likely to be examined again. (with inputs from Kamaljit

Kamal, Gurdaspur)

 

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आतंक से मुकाबला जारी, 7 जांबाज शहीद

आतंक से मुकाबला जारी, 7 जांबाज शहीद

Posted On January – 3 – 2016

नयी दिल्ली, 3 जनवरी (ट्रिन्यू/ एजेंसी)
पठानकोट एयरबेस पर हमले के दूसरे दिन रविवार देर रात तक आतंकियों से मुठभेड़ जारी रही। एयरबेस में शनिवार तड़के करीब 3 बजे घुसे आतंकियों में से 4 को शनिवार रात तक मार गिराया गया था। इसके बाद सुरक्षा बल इसको लेकर आश्वस्त नहीं थे वहां और आतंकवादी हैं या नहीं। तलाशी अभियान के दौरान रविवार को आतंकवादियों ने दो स्थानों से गोलीबारी शुरू कर दी। इसके बाद रात तक गोलियां चलने की आवाजें आती रहीं। कम से कम दो आतंकवादियों के छुपे होने का अनुमान था। इस अभियान में एनएसजी के लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल निरंजन कुमार समेत वायु सेना के सात जांबाज शहीद हुए हैं। एनएसजी के 12 कमांडो और वायुसेना के आठ कर्मी घायल भी हुए हैं।
आतंकी हमले को लेकर खुफिया जानकारी और तैयारी के बावजूद इतनी ज्यादा संख्या में सैन्य कर्मियों के शहीद होने पर सवाल उठ रहे हैं। हालांकि केंद्रीय गृह सचिव राजीव महर्षि ने कहा, ‘कोई चूक नहीं हुई। जब इस पैमाने पर अभियान होता है तो कुछ का हताहत होना स्वभाविक है। अग्रिम सूचना और त्वरित कार्रवाई किये जाने से एयरबेस के तकनीकी क्षेत्र में नुकसान नहीं हुआ है। आतंकवादी अपने मंसूबे में कामयाब नहीं हो सके हैं।’ इस बीच रविवार रात प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने उच्चस्तरीय बैठक बुलाई। दिल्ली सहित देश के कई हिस्सों में हाई अलर्ट किया गया है।

दिल्ली में आतंकियों के घुसने की सूचना, कानपुर शताब्दी में बम की अफवाह

नयी दिल्ली : दिल्ली में भी जैश-ए-मोहम्मद के 2 आतंकियों के घुसने की सूचना मिली है। पुलिस के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने बताया कि दिल्ली पुलिस को आतंकवादियों की मौजूदगी के बारे में खुफिया जानकारी मिली है। पुलिस आयुक्त बीएस बस्सी ने रविवार को शीर्ष अधिकारियों के साथ बैठक की और विभिन्न जगहों पर सुरक्षा मुहैया कराने के लिए केंद्रीय अर्द्धसैनिक बल से सहयोग मांगा गया है। इस बीच दिल्ली से कानपुर जा रही ट्रेनों को बम से उड़ाने की आतंकी धमकी के बाद उत्तर प्रदेश से गुजरने वाली सभी महत्वपूर्ण ट्रेनों की गहन तलाशी की गई। जीआरपी प्रवक्ता ने बताया कि रविवार सुबह नयी दिल्ली से लखनऊ जा रही शताब्दी एक्सप्रेस में बम की अफवाह के बाद ट्रेन को गाजियाबाद स्टेशन पर रोककर बम निरोधक दस्तों से जांच करायी गयी।

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Spectators’ gallery at Attari-Wagah gets a facelift

Rs 6 cr project to be ready by March 2017, will accommodate 20,000 people

Spectators’ gallery at Attari-Wagah gets a facelift
The new spectators’ gallery in Attari. Photo: vishal kumar

GS Paul

Tribune News Service,Amritsar, January 27

The spectators’ gallery at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post (JCP) is being redesigned not only to expand its capacity but to raise the sitting pedestals’ height to provide a better viewing angle to watch the flag-lowering Retreat ceremony between the two border forces of India and Pakistan. The ‘Swarn Jyanti’ dwar (gate) is also being dismantled for a fresh structure.In the wake of the revamp, scores of people throng the spot, especially during weekends. The existing gallery can accommodate 5,000 people and has been partially dismantled to pave way for the new one meant for 20,000 visitors.The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which is undertaking the project, has targeted to execute it within 13 months. The work is being carried out in a phased manner so that the lowering of the flags ceremony, which attracts thousands of tourists daily, doesn’t get affected.Officials said the project had commenced in May 2015 after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh laid its foundation stone on March 22, 2015.Sumer Singh, BSF DIG, Amritsar Sector, said the expansion of gallery would be readied by March 2017. “The work is on war footing. It will cost around Rs 6 crore. Special emphasis is on giving the gallery a curve so that people sitting at the last get better viewing angle. Normally, over 15,000 people visit the spot daily,” he said.However, once executed, it will also be a big relief for the BSF too. The extraordinary rush at the check-post is no less a headache for the on-duty jawans who virtually struggle to accommodate people. Sometimes, they have to remove the chairs to accommodate the visitors while being standing. The construction underway for new gallery had also reduced the sitting capacity. Consequently, a large number of tourists had to return without being able to see the ceremony.On their part, the BSF authorities have put up an LED screen at the ‘Swarn Jayanti’ dwar so that tourists, who could not sit inside the gallery, should at least watch the ceremony on the screen.Another added attraction would be the museum coming up parallel to this project. It has been learnt that this museum would depict the glorious history of Border Security Force (BSF), its achievements, weapons and other related aspects.


A trimmed R-Day Parade this year

Celebrations cut short by 25 mins to break monotony, address security concerns

Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 1

This year’s Republic Day Parade will be shorter by 25 minutes to address security concerns and break the monotony of witnessing repetitive marching contingents of uniformed personnel.The parade, which marks the country’s annual show of military might and cultural diversity, will be 90 minutes long, down from 116 minutes in 2015. Even “Beating the Retreat” on January 29 to mark the end of the Republic Day celebrations will see new “fusion” music instead of the long tradition of only military music.The march-past — conducted down the Rajpath, New Delhi’s central vista at the India Gate — has been trimmed in terms of number of marching contingents. The parade is organised by the Ministry of Defence.Officials said the decision had been taken at the “highest level”. After a review of last year’s parade, in which US President Barack Obama was the chief guest, it was felt the march-past was too long, said senior officials today.The authorities also took into view the monotony of witnessing almost-identical marching contingents and the security risk surrounding VVIPs, who remained seated for longer periods out in the open.Unlike previous R-Day celebrations, all tableaux and music bands will be showcased for three days — till January 29 — at the Red Fort. The bands will play at regular intervals. Sources said the number of Army marching contingents had been reduced from eight to six. Marching contingents of the Navy had also been reduced. The IAF will put up a single marching contingent.Unlike previous years, veterans will also not march past the Rajpath this year. Instead, they will ride in a truck-mounted tableau.The six central paramilitary forces will put up only three marching contingents instead of one each. The flypast by the IAF, however, has been retained.The Navy will showcase its “Make in India” efforts by putting up models of under-production indigenously made aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and submarine INS Kalvari.The IAF will showcase its “Humanitarian and Disaster Relief” activity during the year. The force had last year rescued 14,000 people in different operations in Yemen, Nepal and Chennai.The Army will go out with its theme “Marching ahead with Incredible India”. The bullet proof enclosure this year will have a roof, unlike last year when dignitaries sat through pouring rain. French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest this year.

The changes

  • This year’s parade will be 90 minutes long, down from 116 minutes in 2015
  • The ‘Beating the Retreat’ on January 29 will see ‘fusion’ music, besides military music
  • All tableaux and music bands will be showcased for three days at the Red Fort
  • Veterans will not march past the Rajpath and will be part of a tableau
  • The bullet proof enclosure will have a roof

Indo-China border personnel meet held on the eve of New Year

A ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) was conducted on January 1, 2016 at Chinese BPM hut at Moldo Garrison of Chushul Sector of eastern Ladakh.

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 A ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) was conducted on January 1, 2016 at Chinese BPM hut at Moldo Garrison of Chushul Sector of eastern Ladakh. The delegations were led by Brig Vijyant Yadav, from the Indian side and Senior Colonel Fan Jun from the Chinese side.The ceremonial border personnel meeting was marked by saluting the National flag of China by both the delegations members. This was followed by the ceremonial address by both delegations leaders. Greetings were exchanged, wishes and vote of thanks and reflected the mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border. Thereafter, a culture programme showcasing vibrant Chinese culture and traditional grandeur was organised, followed by sumptuous lunch.Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegation parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the LAC. Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquility  along the LAC.During the recent visit of Lt Gen DS Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command to Lanzhou Military Region, measures to maintain cordial relations, peace & tranquility were discussed between the two top military commanders of Northern Command & Lanzhou Military Region.