Soldiers during a special event for narrating the stories of Operation Vijay at Lamochen near Dras in Ladakh on Sunday. PTI
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 25
Under a unique effort, the Northern Command on Sunday organised a session under which gallantry awardees narrated stories of how the battles were fought during the Kargil conflict from May to July, 1999.
Called Operation Vijay, July 26 is observed as the Vijay Diwas. The storytelling was organised by the Army at Lamochen near Drass where the epic battles on Tololing, Tiger Hill, Pt 4875 and other prominent features were narrated.
Kargil War heroes — Subedars Sanjay Kumar and Yogendra Singh Yadav — both Paramvir Chakra awardees were present.
Among the visitors were other gallantry award winners, widows and families of the brave men who lost their lives. The narration took everyone down the memory lane.
Intake into IAF from Punjab, Haryana increases but dips in Army and Navy
Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh have deep-rooted martial legacy
Photo for representation only. Source: iStock.
Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 26
Recruitment of airmen in the Air Force from Punjab and Haryana has witnessed an increase over the past three years while intake into the Army from these states has dipped.
The number of airmen recruited from Haryana in 2018, 2019 and 2020 was 859, 1501 and 1719, respectively. Even the intake of sailors into the Navy from Haryana has seen a noticeable increase, with 637, 659 and 404 persons opting to join the maritime force over the aforementioned years.
On the other hand, recruitment of personnel below officer rank from Haryana dipped from 4, 994 in 2018 to 3,859 in 2019 and 3,825 in 2020, according to figures placed by the Ministry of Defence in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Haryana is among the top states in the country to contribute manpower for the defence services, both in the officer cadre as well as the ranks. The Infantry’s Jat Regiment predominately draws troops from this state.
While recruitment of airmen from Punjab has also seen a consistent increase from 69 in 2018 to 78 in 2019 and 100 in 2020, intake into the other two services have declined.
In 2018, the number of soldiers recruited from Punjab was 7.079. This fell to 5,117 in 2019 and then rose to 5,821 in 2020. The number of sailors joining the Navy from Punjab and Chandigarh was 115 in 2018, 133 in 2019 and 66 in 2020.
Punjab, like neighbouring Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, has a deep-rooted martial legacy and family tradition to join the defence forces. Besides forming a significant part of various arms and services, most troops in the Infantry’s Punjab Regiment, Sikh Regiment and Sikh Light Infantry hail from Punjab. The Dogra Regiment and a part of the Punjab Regiment draw troops from Himachal Pradesh.
While the intake of soldiers in the Army from Himachal Pradesh rose from 3,266 in 2018 to 3,309 in 2019 and 3,571 in 2020, the numbers for the other two services have fallen. In 2018, 38 persons from the hill state joined the Air Force, which fell to 19 each in the succeeding two years. In the Navy, recruitment of sailors fell from 57 in 2018 to 50 in 2019 and 20 in 2020.
Intake into the armed forces varies each year and depends upon retirements, premature release and attrition due to casualties and injuries. At present, as many 1,10,877 posts in the rank and file of the three services are lying vacant. According to MoD’s data, this includes 90,640 in the Army, 7,104 in the Air Force and 11,927 in the Navy besides another 1,206 in the medical stream.
As far as the officer cadre is concerned, the total shortage is 10,849, which includes 7,912 in the Army, 610 in the Air Force and 1,190 in the Navy. In addition, the services are short of 444 medical and 693 military nursing officers.
Indian Army soldiers during a special event narrating the stories of Operation Vijay at Lamochen near Drass in Ladakh, on Sunday, July 25, 2021. PTI
Ladakh, July 25
The epic battles of Tololing, Tiger Hill and others were recalled and 559 lamps lit in a tribute to the martyrs at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass area of Ladakh as events to mark the 22nd Kargil Vijay Diwas commenced on Sunday in the presence of top military officers, family members of the army personnel and others.
President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to visit Drass on Monday to pay homage at the Memorial, located on the foothills of the Tololing.
A special meet recalling the many inspiring stories of Operation Vijay was organised by the Army at Lamochen near Drass early this morning which was attended by a number of military personnel including the gallantry award winners and families of Kargil War heroes.
An account of the battles on Tololing, Tiger Hill, Pt 4875 and other prominent features of the daring feat achieved by the valiant soldiers of the Indian Army were narrated with these very landmarks visible to the audience as they were taken down memory lane, PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said.
At the Memorial, 559 lamps were lit, symbolic of the lives sacrificed for the nation, he said.
A fusion of military bands put up a display which was followed by a solemn ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony.
A memorial service was held where the attendees paid silent tribute to the fallen heroes with moist eyes.
Col Musavi said the last event of the day was ‘A Twilight with Brave Hearts’ with the soldiers at Polo Ground, Drass.
Later in the evening, a performance by the fusion band of Indian Army along with their lighted pipers was conducted, the PRO said.
He said the trailer of Captain Vikram Batra’s biopic, ‘Shershah’ – produced by Dharma Productions – was also released and ‘Maa Teri Kasam’, a soulful and emotive song, conceptualised by Northern Command screened.
Batra sacrificed his life fighting Pakistani forces during the Kargil War in 1999 at the age of 24 and was posthumously awarded the highest wartime gallantry award—the Param Vir Chakra.https://963a554f49f9916d14c8fa206fd65a7c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Kargil war was declared over on July 26, 1999, after Indian soldiers pushed back Pakistani troops, a bulk of them drawn from the neighbouring country’s Northern Light Infantry, from the captured peaks in Kargil.
The day is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to commemorate India’s victory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly ‘Mann ki baat’ radio address, mentioned Kargil Vijay Diwas and asked the people of the country to pay tributes to those who made the nation proud in 1999. PTI
More than 15 months into the military stand-off in eastern Ladakh, the deadlock persists as India and China are not agreeable on the sequence of pulling back troops.
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 25
More than 15 months into the military stand-off in eastern Ladakh, the deadlock persists as India and China are not agreeable on the sequence of pulling back troops.
Sticking point
India says troops in close proximity should ‘disengage’ first, while de-escalation and de-induction can take place later
China says de-escalation and de-induction should take place first, while troops in close proximity can ‘disengage’ thereafter
Kargil Vijay Diwas today
HUMBLED BY SACRIFICES
I pay tribute to the bravehearts who fought for and defended the sovereignty and integrity of our great nation. I am humbled by the sacrifices of our families that unflinchingly sent their loved ones into battle. On this day, let us rededicate ourselves to be resilient and fearless in the face of adversity. – Gen MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff
Salute to bravehearts
The Kargil war is a symbol of the valour and discipline of our armed forces, which the entire world has witnessed. This time, this glorious day will be celebrated in the middle of ‘Amrit Mahotsav’. That’s why it becomes even more special… Let us all salute the bravehearts of Kargil. – Narendra Modi, Prime Minister
Both sides have around 75,000 troops lined up on either side of the 832-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. India wants a three-step process to be followed. The first step being disengagement from areas where troops are within close proximity. The next two steps — de-escalation and de-induction —would entail pulling back troops and equipment to the pre-April 2020 home bases.
Commanders of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) want that “de-escalation and de-induction” should take place first. The troops in close proximity can “disengage” thereafter, sources say.https://9b7d56225b55455ce2806a86c4d5ef96.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Indian side sees a red flag in the sequence suggested by China. The terrain of Tibetan plateau is flat on the Chinese side, which means the PLA can induct troops quite rapidly. In some cases, it may take less than 8-10 hours by road or rail.
In case of India, the two roads leading to Ladakh (one via Srinagar-Zojila and the other via Manali) remain closed due to snow for around seven months in a year. For India, the terrain does not allow rapid induction as several high passes, which get snowbound from October, can hold back even the infantry. Senior military commanders (Lt Gen-level) of either side last met on April 9. Since then, the dates and agenda for the next round of talks are being firmed up. PLA’s insistence on its own sequence of pullback is the stumbling block. Negotiations will take some time, sources say. On February 10, troops of either side started “disengagement” along the banks of Pangong Tso, a 135-km glacial lake. Following disengagement from that area, the process remains stalled.
The present position of troops from both sides is not face-to-face, but they are within the striking range from where rapid redeployment is possible. There have been no face-offs and no escalation since February. Both sides remain in touch. “We continue to hold dialogue,” sources maintain.
There have 1,450 contacts made through either the phone or physical meetings at designated meeting points at Daulat Baig Oldie and Chusul, sources say. A hotline exists between these points, they add.
Rajya Sabha pays homage to soldiers killed in Kargil conflict
The House also compliments weightlifter Mirabai Chanu for wining a silver in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics
M Venkaiah Naidu. PTI file
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 26
On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Monday, Rajya Sabha paid homage to soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict that took place between India and Pakistan in the icy heights of the Himalayas in 1999.
“The display of exemplary courage, selfless dedication and unflinching determination towards the goal of the mission by our soldiers in treacherous terrain in inclement weather will remain etched in our memory forever. The saga of their unparalleled valour and gallantry will continue to inspire generations after generations to dedicate themselves to the cause of the nation. Today, on behalf of the whole House and on my own behalf I pay glowing tributes to the indomitable spirit and supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers who went above and beyond their call of duty to protect our motherland and secure our lives,” Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said reading out from a written statement.
The House then observed silence in memory of the soldiers who died.
The House also complimented weightlifter Mirabai Chanu for wining a silver in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Naidu said she had made all Indians proud.
Rs 3,000 cr paid to 42L ineligible ‘farmers’ to be recovered: Govt
At 5.62 lakh, Punjab has the third highest number of ineligible beneficiaries under PM-Kisan scheme. – File photo
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 20
The Centre has transferred nearly Rs 3,000 into the accounts of over 42.16 lakh ineligible farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme and it was now in the process of recovering the amount.
The maximum ineligible beneficiaries who received the money were in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Punjab, according to a written reply by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in the Lok Sabha to a question related to disbursal of funds under the scheme. Under PM-Kisan, the Centre transfers Rs 6,000 each year to farmers across the country in three equal instalments. The scheme has eligibility criteria, like the farmer should not be an income tax payee.
Tomar said Rs 2,992 crore was to be recovered from 42.16 lakh ineligible farmers who had got money under the scheme. The maximum ineligible farmers who got the benefit were in Assam (8,35,268), followed by Tamil Nadu (7,22,271), Punjab (5,62,256), Maharashtra (4,45,497), UP (2,65,321) and Gujarat (2,36,543). The money to be recovered is around Rs 554 crore in Assam, Rs 437 crore in Punjab, Rs 358 crore in Maharashtra, Rs 340 crore in Tamil Nadu, Rs 258 crore in UP and Rs 220 crore in Gujarat.
Incidentally, around Rs 41 crore is to be recovered from 41,445 ineligible persons in Haryana, Rs 16.4 crore from 15,503 persons in HP and Rs 3,28,000 from 30 persons in Chandigarh. Among the large states, the smallest number of ineligible beneficiaries was in West Bengal where Rs 76,000 is to be recovered from 19 persons.
Maximum ‘beneficiaries’ in Assam
The maximum ineligible farmers who got the benefit were in Assam (8,35,268), followed by Tamil Nadu (7,22,271), Punjab (5,62,256), Maharashtra (4,45,497), UP (2,65,321) and Gujarat (2,36,543)
The money to be recovered is around Rs554 crore in Assam, Rs437 crore in Punjab, Rs358 crore in Maharashtra, Rs340 crore in Tamil Nadu, Rs258 crore in UP and Rs220 crore in Gujarat.
TVS, DRDO IN TALKS TO MANUFACTURE ‘MAKE-IN-INDIA’ AWACS
Chennai: The Defence Corridor in Tamil Nadu could be instrumental in placing India on the global map with a landmark manufacturing deal that is taking shape. A consortium of industries, spearheaded by TVS and Sons, is preparing to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will enable the manufacture of Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). When this fructifies, India will join the group of elite nations, and emerge as the fifth country in the world that can produce indigenous AWACS. It is learnt from multiple sources including the Aerospace Industries Development Association of TN, that discussions are on with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) to develop a vendor ecosystem for this investment-heavy proposal. “Talks are still at a preliminary stage but the idea is to create a ‘Made-in-India’ SPV, to strengthen the defence sector,” confirmed an official. TVS and Sons is taking the lead to set up the SPV unit, multiple sources confirmed to DT Next. “As this is an investment-intensive business, the Chennai-based group has been in talks with stakeholders such as the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and the state government in this regard,” added the official. Entering the defence business will also mark a significant diversification for the logistics player. This new direction would envisage an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore and with the Centre accelerating the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, especially in the defence front, it is being seen as a timely decision. When contacted, R Dinesh, Joint MD of TVS and Sons did not confirm the developments. Former DRDO Chairman S Christopher, whose dream has been to produce an aircraft in TN, is at the forefront of this project. When DT Next reached out to confirm the development, he replied in the affirmative. “My aim is to get the TN Defence Corridor started as fast as possible,” said the IIT-M alumni. Creating an ancillary ecosystem requires a long gestation project, involving huge investments, however, once the infrastructure is set, it can be used to execute smaller projects, making this a pioneering initiative to kick-start the entire defence corridor, he added. The IAF currently has just three Israeli Phalcon AWACS, with a 400-km range and 360-degree radar coverage, and two indigenous ‘Netra AEW&C aircraft. During Dr Christopher’s stint at the DRDO as Chief Designer and Program Director, he was instrumental in giving the indigenous touch to AWACS, used by IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of Balakot-fame. As per a KPMG report, Data Patterns (a leader in indigenously developed electronic systems in the defence and aerospace domain, Chennai), Mistral Solutions (Bengaluru), Astra Microwave (Hyderabad), TUNGA (Technology Upgradation of Naval, Ground, and Air Systems, an original equipment manufacturer of new-age drone technologies based out of Chennai with its Centre of Excellence in Design Engineering located at IIT Madras research park) and Airworks (Hosur) are the five companies that will be involved in the prestigious project, while TVS and Sons will act as the nodal company driving it.
THE INDIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (MOD) WILL ALLOCATE FUNDING WORTH INR 714.38 BILLION (USD 9.5 BILLION): UK MEDIA
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) will allocate funding worth INR 714.38 billion (USD9.5 billion) towards “domestic capital procurements” in fiscal year (FY) 2021–22, Ajay Bhatt, India’s Minister of State for Defence, said in parliament on 19 July. In a parliamentary reply, Bhatt said the figure represents 64% of total defence capital acquisition funding for 2021–22, which he said totalled INR 1.11 trillion. He added that in the past three fiscal years the MoD has signed 102 capital procurement contracts with Indian defence companies. In another reply, Bhatt said that since FY 2018-19 the MoD had approved 119 defence procurement contracts worth INR 2.15 trillion. He indicated that the majority of these contracts supported domestic manufacturing programs. Bhatt said that India’s emphasis on boosting local defence production had been bolstered by the issuance of two ‘indigenisation lists’ since August 2020. These lists contain 209 military platforms, items, and related systems that will be progressively sourced from local manufacturers over a four-year period starting this year. Further import substitution efforts, said Bhatt, have been channelled through the MoD’s ‘Srijan’ web portal, which was launched in August 2020 to identify opportunities for local companies to manufacture products that are currently provided by overseas suppliers. Bhatt said that since its launch the portal had identified nearly 11,000 imported defence items for local production. He added that local firms had expressed interest in producing about 28% of these items and that Indian state-owned enterprises are currently engaging with the firms to support local production.
China revises Galwan Valley clash toll to 5, says PLA troops were ‘besieged’
Five months after claiming that four of its soldiers were killed in clashes with Indian troops in June last year, China has now revised the toll to five.
Giving fresh details of the Galwan Valley clash, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported Monday that “several soldiers were besieged including regimental commander Qi Fabao”.
The report, which was quoted by Global Times, focussed on “details of how Chinese officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives in the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, including martyr Chen Hongjun”.
It said that 33-year-old Chen Hongjun, a Battalion Commander, sacrificed his life to the “frontline defense confrontation with India in the Galwan Valley in June 2020, along with other four of his comrades-in-arms, who had stationed in the Karakoram Mountains with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Xinjiang Military Command.”
A Battalion Commander in China is the same rank as the Commanding Officer of a Battalion in the Indian Army.
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Different estimates from China
In February this year, China had admitted for the first time that four PLA soldiers were killed in the clash.
This admission came at a time when India and China were disengaging from the southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso.
However, Indian defence and security sources believed the toll was much higher than what China had officially claimed. This was because during various levels of talks with India, Chinese officials have — unofficially — given contradictory figures for their Galwan clash casualties, as reported by ThePrint.
The figures, shared informally, especially in breaktime conversations during dialogue sessions, varied from five to 14.
ThePrint had also reported that contrary to the perception that the Indian side was outnumbered by the PLA in the Galwan Valley, it was the Chinese that faced the brunt and they had to call in reinforcements, which came at night.
This is something that the fresh reports by the Chinese media have also reported.
Focusing on Chen Hongjun, the report said, “during the battle, when regimental commander Qi Fabao was besieged by Indian troops at the vanguard, Chen Hongjun took two other soldiers and rushed forward against the stones that were being hurled and the blows from sticks wielded by Indian troops. Using his body as a shield, Chen rescued Qi.
As he saw several soldiers were besieged by the Indian troops, Chen Hongjun, once again, turned around without hesitation and led the soldiers to charge again at the battleground”.
While some of the deaths were the result of the clashes, a large number of soldiers died of hypothermia after falling into the cold waters of the river.
The project under the strategic partnership model will be the first that allows domestic firms to collaborate with foreign players to produce high-end military platforms in India.
Nuclear submarine INS Chakra (representational image) | Indian Navy
New Delhi: The Defence Ministry on Tuesday issued the request for proposal (RFP) or the formal tender to domestically build six conventional submarines for the Navy at a cost of over Rs 40,000 crore, over a month after the mega acquisition project was cleared.
It will be the first project to be implemented under the strategic partnership (SP) model that allows domestic firms to collaborate with foreign players to produce high-end military platforms in India.
The RFP was issued to the Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the two Indian companies shortlisted following a long-drawn process, according to the defence ministry.
Both L&T and MDL will have to collaborate with one of the five already short-listed foreign shipyards — Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea), ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany), Navantia (Spain) and Naval Group (France) and JSC ROE(Russia).
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“Foreign OEMs will enable SP for construction of submarines, achieving high levels of indigenization, and transfer of technology (ToT),” it said in a statement.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) last month approved the issuance of the request for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition programme named Project-75(I).
The ministry said the OEMs would enable the setting up of dedicated manufacturing lines for the submarines in India by providing ToT for submarine design and other technologies and make India the global hub for submarine design and production.
“The project would not only aid in boosting the core submarine, shipbuilding industry but would also greatly enhance manufacturing/industrial sector, especially the MSME by the development of an industrial ecosystem for the manufacture of associated spares, systems and equipment related to submarines,” the ministry said.
In order to achieve these objectives, the RFP has key features like mandatory level of indigenous manufacture of platforms, ToT for design, manufacture and maintenance of submarines and a few critical equipment and systems.
Under the strategic partnership model, domestic defence manufacturers are allowed to join hands with leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence.
The Indian Navy planned to acquire 24 new submarines, including six nuclear attack submarines, to bolster its underwater fighting capability under a 30-year programme that will end in 2030.
It currently has 15 conventional submarines and two nuclear submarines.
The Navy has been focusing on significantly bolstering its overall capabilities in view of China’s growing efforts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to the country’s strategic interests.
According to global naval analysts, the Chinese navy currently has over 50 submarines and about 350 ships. The total number of ships and submarines is projected to go past 500 in the next 8-10 years.
The Indian Navy is also in the process of procuring 57 carrier-borne fighter jets, 111 Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH) and 123 multi-role helicopters under the strategic partnership model.
