Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava assumed command of the strategic Kashmir-based Chinar Corps on Saturday. Srinagar-based Public Relation Officer (Defence), in a statement, said Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai handed over the reins of the Chinar Corps after being at the helm…

Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava assumed command of the strategic Kashmir-based Chinar Corps on Saturday.

Srinagar-based Public Relation Officer (Defence), in a statement, said Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai handed over the reins of the Chinar Corps after being at the helm for the past 16 months.

On assumption of command, the new corps commander paid obeisance at the Chinar War Memorial at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar, honouring the sacrifices of the bravehearts of the nation.

A battle-hardened soldier, Lieutenant General Srivastava, during his 34-year military career, has held numerous prestigious command and staff appointments.

He also extended warm greetings to the people of Kashmir, reaffirming his commitment to work closely with the civil administration and the community to build a peaceful and prosperous future.

Saurabh Pal had joined the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme in 2023

Agniveer killed in fire extinguisher blast during mock drill in Rajasthan   

Saurabh Pal had joined the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme in 2023

A 24-year-old Agniveer died due to an explosion in a fire extinguisher during a mock drill in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, police said Saturday.

During a mock drill in a training camp of Golpura Army Area on Friday, a fire extinguisher exploded and Agniveer Saurabh Pal got injured, DSP Anil Jasoria said.

Pal, a resident of Bhakhara village in Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj, succumbed during treatment at a hospital, he said.

His father Rakesh Pal was informed about the incident and the body was handed over to the family today, the officer said.

Pal had joined the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme in 2023.

It’s been a tough ride, but the Vietnamese have gone from strength to strength

Rajbir Deswa

In typhoon-torn Vietnam, though being room-bound for two days, we had interesting experiences last month. Some fellow golfers, who had visited the country a couple of months earlier, told us that the Vietnamese were a friendly people with values to cherish. And that, with fortitude and valour in their blood, they had rebuilt their war-ravaged country. The typhoon was to hit our city Hanoi at 7 in the evening, when we ventured out, walking up to a lake nearby. Soon, we realised that we had made a foolish decision, for we were caught in heavy downpour and wild, gusty winds.

While hobbling back to the hotel, and mindful of the uprooted trees, my wife, Koumdi, harboured a fishing bait, flung unknowingly by a boy, on her trouser. While trying to remove it, she suffered an injury on her finger and it started bleeding profusely. Panicked, we shouted for help when a 10-year-old girl came running from her shop-cum-home.

She made Koumdi sit on a chair and ran inside to bring a first-aid box. She put the band-aid on the finger, saying something which we could not understand. But her smile said it all. The boy kept standing on one side, being an epitome of an apology. For the next hour or so, we were sheltered in their tiny house.

In Ho Chi Minh City, our guide, Danh Hong Puch, told us interesting facets about the Vietnamese. We were surprised to know that the kids in the country generally do not want to go to school; instead, they stay on their land and pursue their parents’ profession.

Puch, who spoke monk-like, talked about the Buddha and his teachings, especially compassion. He too wanted to go back and live with his parents in a few months.

We saw the fields with built-up ornamental graves; according to Puch, the Vietnamese liked to be buried only on their property. I was reminded of the man in New Orleans, who wanted to be buried ‘above land’ since he had lived in swamps all his life! Pretentious human desires do not leave them even after death.

Puch introduced us to families on Unicorn Island, located in Mekong river, who have been living there for generations, rearing cattle, growing fruits and crops, and even raising beehives for honey.

Some distance away from Ho Chi Minh City, we saw bunkers, which stretched up to a distance of 250 km, used by Vietnamese guerillas and their families during the war with the US. The design of these bunkers is so scientific that despite having kitchens and wells inside to subsist, these are difficult for the enemy to detect. Guerrillas even wore sandals in the reverse manner, so that the enemy was fooled into believing that they were going in a particular direction, whereas it was just the opposite.

While in Da Nang and heading up to Ba Na Hills, we met Minh, a Vietnamese who had stayed for 22 years in California, USA, and who had returned to his moorings. He was in our group as just another member, but took care of everyone around. With us, he was extra helpful. He would caution, “Mind your head please!” and “Mind your step please!” He would offer to take pictures and suggest angles and the perfect light options.

Minh limped a bit since he had undergone a knee replacement surgery, but it did not deter him from offering a hand to Koumdi if it was a steep climb. At our luncheon, he guided us to the vegetarian counter. I couldn’t help telling him, “Minh, you are a good man!” He smiled and said, “ You are in my country. How can I not be good to you!” Whoever said war makes people rugged and insensitive!

— The writer is a retired IPS officer

Fay Manners from the UK and Michelle Devcak from the US were stranded at 18,500 ft

Ajay Banerjee

The Indian Air Force has rescued two women mountaineers – one from the US and other from the UK – who had got lost their climbing gear and satellite phone following an accident near the Chaukhamba peak in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Fay Manners from the UK and Michelle Devcak from the US were rescued on Sunday, three days after they sent an SOS using a radio device that emits a signal to locate mountaineers in distress. They were airlifted from an altitude of 18,500 ft by two separate IAF helicopters, commanded by Wing Commander Girish and Squadron Leader Anshul Singh. The weather was not conducive for the helicopter that had been flying for the past two days. Today, the duo was located and airlifted.

The two women mountaineers faced an accident when a boulder fell on their climbing rope, and the force of the boulder sheared the equipment that dropped down in the valley. A satellite phone, which mountaineers carry for emergency, was in the bag that that was lost.

Luckily the duo was carrying a rescue signal device – known as bioevac in mountaineering circles — using which they signalled the Indian Mountaineering Federation. The District Magistrate at Chamoli informed the IAF.

The IAF operates in the Siachen glacier as a matter of routine and has decades of experience in high-altitude flying.

The Greater Chennai Police will deploy 6,500 cops and 1,500 Home Guards for the Chennai air show to be held here on Sunday. The IAF has in a state ment said that around 15 lakh people will attend the air show which is the third outside New Delhi and the first in South India. The air show is conducted as part of the 92nd Air Force Day celebrations and over 20 different types of aircraft will be showcased during the event, taking off from air force stations in Tambaram, Thanjavur, Sulur and the training command base in Bengaluru. Each participating team will converge above the East Coast Road and then fly to the Marina Beach. The Sunday event will be the third Air Force Day cel ebration conducted outside New Delhi, and the first in a southern state and the entire display on the skies will be controlled by the Air Traf fic Controller in Chennai Airport. The aircrafts that will be on show are Dassault Ra fale, Sukhoi-30, Suryakiran, the indigenously developed HAL Tejas among others. The IAF also said that there was a concern over bird strikes and has requested the people not to bring eatables while attending the air show. The Greater Chennai po lice have issued traffic diver sions on Sunday. In a statement the police said that on Kamarajar Sa lai, only vehicles with passes are allowed between Gandhi Statue and war memorial. Motorists without passes are requested to use Wallajah Salai instead of R.K Salai for better parking arrangements. Vehicles coming from Thiruvanmiyur towards Par rys via Kamarajar Salai will be diverted via Sardar Patel Road – Gandhi Mandapam Road – Anna Salai. Vehicles coming from Parrys to Thiruvanmiyur will be diverted along Anna Salai-Teynampet-Gandhi Mandapam. Commercial vehicles are restricted in Kamarajar Salai, Anna Salai, Santhome High Road, R.K. Salai, Cathedral Road, Wallajah Road from 7 A.M. to 4 P.M. To reach the venue, the motorists are advised to use Anna Salai, Wallajah Road and Swami Sivananda Salai. The police further said that parking details are available on social media handles of the Greater Chennai Traffic Police.

In recent years, the Pakistani government has implemented significant alterations to the powers and authorities of its security forces, which carry profound implications for the inter nal security dynamics of the nation, particularly in Balochistan. This province, abundant in natural resources and characterised by a mul tifaceted socio-political landscape, has been a focal point for various insurgent movements advocating for greater autonomy and rights. The latest government policies signify a strategic maneuver to ad dress these challenges, aimed at con solidating control over the region. However, this approach raises serious concerns regarding human rights and the increasing alienation of the Baloch populace from the state. The recent policy shifts by the gov ernment entail multiple amend ments to existing laws, significantly broadening the operational latitude of military and paramilitary forces in Pakistan. These changes empow er security personnel to undertake operations with reduced oversight, enabling them to act without prior judicial consent in urgent scenarios. Such legal provisions extend the detention periods for suspects and authorise authorities to designate particular regions as conflict zones. The government has rational ised these measures as essential for countering terrorism and separatist movements, especially in Balochistan, where groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) remain active. This revised legal framework has been designed to facilitate the swift and ef fective execution of security operations. For instance, amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act have expanded the definition of terrorism, thereby allowing a broader spectrum of ac tions to be classified as terrorist ac tivities. This expansion has granted security forces increased discretion to detain individuals suspected of any dissent or opposition to the state, often leading to widespread human rights abuses. The context of Balochistan Balochistan, a province abundant in mineral resources, paradoxically stands as one of the most impover ished and underdeveloped areas in Pakistan. The Baloch people, who possess a unique cultural identity and a long history of grievances against the Central government, have per sistently pursued greater autonomy and rights. The ongoing conflict be tween the state and various Baloch insurgent factions has resulted in a vicious cycle of violence, with secu rity forces frequently resorting to heavy-handed tactics in retaliation for insurgent assaults. Recent government policies seem to be a direct response to the inten sifying violence in the region. The military has markedly increased its presence in Balochistan, deploying additional troops and establishing checkpoints across multiple districts. This militarisation is perceived by many Baloch individuals as an occu pation rather than a protective mea sure, exacerbating the rift between the state and the local populace. The impact of internment camps One of the most contentious as pects of the government’s strategy is the establishment of internment camps, a practice that has garnered international attention due to its parallels with authoritarian mea sures employed by states like China. These camps serve as a legal pretext for detaining individuals accused of insurgency or terrorism indefi nitely without trial, under the guise of deradicalisation and rehabilitation programmes designed to safeguard national security. However, the lack of judicial over sight in these facilities raises grave ethical concerns, as detainees are often subjected to harsh conditions and may face torture or other forms of abuse, as documented by human rights organisations. The Baloch people, who already feel margin alised and oppressed, perceive these camps as further evidence of state repression, viewing them as tools for silencing dissent and erasing Baloch cultural identity. The psychological impact of internment, combined with the broader climate of fear, can foster resentment and deepen the desire for autonomy among the Baloch populace, who feel their fun damental rights and due process are being violated by these measures. Strengthening the grip over Balochistan The government’s enhanced secu rity measures are not merely reactive to immediate threats; they represent a strategic long-term initiative to consolidate power in Balochistan. By augmenting military presence and broadening the powers of secu rity forces, the state aims to tighten its grip on the province, effectively sidelining local political movements and dissent. The military’s opera tional strategy encompasses not only direct confrontations with insurgent groups but also extensive campaigns designed to manipulate public opin ion and stifle political opposition. The utilisation of state media to propagate narratives that frame mili tary actions as essential for national security further complicates the re lationship between the state and the Baloch populace. Moreover, the government’s approach to develop ment projects in Balochistan, often executed with minimal local input, exacerbates existing tensions. Large-scale initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are viewed by many Baloch activists as exploitative, benefiting external stakeholders while neglect ing local needs. This sentiment that their resources are being extracted without adequate compensation or acknowledgment fuels resentment and opposition towards the state. While the government may con tend that an increased military pres ence and expanded security powers are essential for maintaining order, these measures risk further alienating the Baloch people. The heavy-handed tactics employed by security forces can be perceived as acts of aggression rather than genuine efforts to ensure safety. Such perceptions can create a vicious cycle where state repression incites further unrest and violence. Understanding the historical con text of Baloch nationalism is crucial to grasping the current dynamics. The Baloch people have enduring grievances regarding political rep resentation, economic disparity, and cultural suppression. The state’s military-centric approach to these is sues only exacerbates the divide and alienates the population. Moreover, prioritising security over dialogue fosters a vacuum in which extremist ideologies can flourish. Disillusioned young Baloch individu als, frustrated by state policies and the lack of meaningful engagement, may become more vulnerable to radi calisation. This cycle of violence and repression perpetuates instability in the region, rendering genuine resolution increasingly elusive. The international dimension Pakistan’s policies in Balochistan are not occurring in isolation; they are significantly shaped by interna tional dynamics and relationships. While the Pakistani government may receive backing for its coun terterrorism initiatives, increasing scrutiny from international human rights organisations complicates its narrative. Countries that prioritise human rights and democratic values may express concern over Pakistan’s treatment of the Baloch population, potentially affecting diplomatic rela tions. The geopolitical importance of Balochistan, especially regard ing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its strategic location, adds further complexity to the situation. External actors, including China, have vested interests in the region, which can lead to conflicting pri orities. The necessity for stability to protect investments may clash with the local population’s aspirations for rights and representation. Addressing the challenges in Balochistan requires a nuanced strategy that transcends militarisation and repression. The government must engage in authentic dialogue with the Baloch people, rec ognising their historical grievances and aspirations. This engagement could involve political reforms that grant greater autonomy, economic development that prioritises local needs, and cultural recognition that respects Baloch identity. A comprehensive approach that combines security measures with com munity engagement and development initiatives can pave the way for endur ing peace. By tackling the root causes of discontent, the government can create an environment conducive to dialogue and reconciliation, ultimately breaking the cycle of violence and repression. The recent expansion of powers granted to Pakistan’s security forces signifies a notable shift in the government’s strategy for addressing the complexities of Balochistan. While these policies aim to consolidate con trol and combat insurgency, they risk alienating the very population they in tend to stabilise. The establishment of internment camps and the broadening of military authority without judicial oversight raise significant ethical and legal concerns. IAN

In a significant victory for reservist sepoys, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld an Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) judgment directing the government to restore pension protection for re servist sepoys as per regu lations, entitling them to higher pensions. Under the ‘Colour + Reserve’ enrolment sys tem, sepoys served 15 years, including eight years in colour service and seven years in re serve, qualifying them for “reservist pension”. This pension was initially set at Rs 10 per month, with the lowest grade se poy receiving Rs 15 per month. Over time, the government formalised the two-third formula in 1986 to ensure reservists didn’t receive more than two-thirds of a sepoy’s pension. However, the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme intro duced in 2014 disrupted this protection, reduc ing reservist pensions to less than half of what a lowest-grade sepoy re ceived. AFT intervened in July 2023, ruling that reservists, although con sidered sepoys, weren’t entitled to equal OROP but deserved two-thirds pension protection.

Two militants were killed after security forces foiled an infiltration bid in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Saturday. According to the Army, over the past few weeks, there have been multiple intelligence inputs about infiltration attempts planned through…

Two militants were killed after security forces foiled an infiltration bid in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Saturday.

According to the Army, over the past few weeks, there have been multiple intelligence inputs about infiltration attempts planned through the Keran Sector in the district.

A defence spokesperson said that on Thursday, a specific input was received which was corroborated by Jammu and Kashmir Police and Intelligence Bureau about likely infiltration through thick jungles of Keran Sector.Soon after, a joint operation was launched by Army, Border Security Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police along “appreciated infiltration routes.”

The spokesperson said that on Friday evening at 8.10 pm, movement was observed by the troops from the area across the Line of Control and as they came close, vigilant troops challenged them. This resulted in infiltrating terrorists opening indiscriminate fire.

“In the ensuing firefight, two terrorists were neutralised alongside recovery of large quantities of warlike stores,” the spokesperson said, adding that from the recoveries, “it is evident that these suspected Pakistani terrorists were heavily armed, well-trained and equipped.”

The Army said, “This successful intelligence-based operation is yet another example of the synergy amongst intelligence agencies, Indian Army & JKP.”

“Chinar Warriors stand steadfast to defeat the nefarious design of inimical elements to disrupt peace and harmony in Kashmir,” the spokesperson said.

Today’s operation by the security forces comes as the Kupwara district has recently witnessed many such operations against the infiltrators. Several infiltration attempts have been foiled by the Army on the Line of Control, killing many militants this year.

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, on Thursday said the infiltration attempts from the LoC in Kashmir were less this time.

Tanks push into northern Gaza for first time in months; Army says it is attacking military targets, terrorist structures

At least 24 people were killed and 93 others wounded when Israeli airstrikes hit a mosque and a school sheltering displaced people in the Gaza Strip early on Sunday, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said.

Smoke and flames rise over Beirut’s southern suburbs after a strike, amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon, October 6, 2024. Reuters

At least 24 people were killed and 93 others wounded when Israeli airstrikes hit a mosque and a school sheltering displaced people in the Gaza Strip early on Sunday, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said.

Palestinian health officials said at least another 20 people had been killed since Saturday night in northern Gaza, after the Army sent tanks into areas there for the first time in months, while urging residents to go to what it called safe zones in the south.

The Israeli military said it had conducted “precise strikes on Hamas terrorists” who were operating within command and control centres embedded in Ibn Rushd School and the Shuhada al-Aqsa Mosque in the area of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

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Hamas rejects Israeli accusations it uses civilian facilities such as schools, hospitals and mosques for military purposes.

The strikes on the mosque and the school came as the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the enclave approaches its first anniversary, and as Israel has been expanding its actions in Lebanon.

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Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel’s subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

It has also displaced nearly all of the enclave’s 2.3 million people, caused a hunger crisis and led to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Israel had struck 27 houses, schools and displacement shelters across Gaza in the past 48 hours.

“These crimes take place amid difficult health conditions in Gaza Strip, and where the remaining hospitals are unable to provide good medical and health care as the number of injured and patients increase everyday,” it said.

The Army on Saturday issued new evacuation orders in parts of Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, just north of Deir al-Balah, forcing hundreds of families to leave their houses.

The military statement said its forces aimed to operate against Hamas militants who waged attacks from the territory.

Tanks push into northern Gaza

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks pushed into the northern Gaza areas of Beit Lahiya and Jabalia overnight, and planes hit several houses, killing at least 20 people, according to medics.

The Israeli military said its forces had encircled the area Jabalia, the focus of its operations.

In one air strike, 10 people were killed in one house, and five others in another strike on a second home and residents described it as one of the worst nights in many months.

The Israeli military said its forces were operating in Jabalia, the largest of Gaza Strip’s eight historic refugee camps, to fight Hamas militants, dismantle military infrastructure and prevent Hamas from regrouping.

“Before the start of the operation, the Air Force attacked dozens of military targets to support the manoeuvring forces, including weapons depots, underground structures, terrorist cells, and additional military structures,” the Israeli military statement said.

“The operation will continue as necessary, with systematic strikes and the radical destruction of terrorist structures in the region,” it added.

It directed residents to head towards humanitarian-designated area in Al-Mawasi in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian and UN officials say no place in the enclave is safe including the humanitarian zones where Israeli missiles have hit several times.

“The war is back,” said Raed, 52, from Jabalia, before he and his family left for Gaza City on Sunday.

“Dozens of explosions from air strikes and tank shelling shook the ground and buildings, it felt like the early days of the war,” he told Reuters via a chat app.

Asked whether they would go to Al-Mawasi as the army requested, he replied: “As if they didn’t kill people displaced in the so-called humanitarian areas? We will not leave northern Gaza.”

The Israeli army has said Hamas militants have exploited the civilian population in humanitarian-designated areas, an allegation Hamas denies.

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he Army is documenting weapons of American origin which might have reached Kashmir via Afghanistan, a top Army officer in the valley said. Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Army’s strategic Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, told reporters…

The Army is documenting weapons of American origin which might have reached Kashmir via Afghanistan, a top Army officer in the valley said.

Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Army’s strategic Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, told reporters that efforts are being made to pursue the issue with the US to track such weapons. He was responding to a question about the concerns over recovery of US-origin weapons from Afghanistan in the valley.

“The process still takes place, and it happens immediately after such a weapon is recovered. As far as the trail is concerned, I think to most people who are discernible, the trail is clear. However, I do not want to comment on that, as it falls under the specific field of our intelligence agencies, and I believe they will be able to provide more information about where these weapons are originating from and how they are finding their way into the hands of people who are inimical to our country,” he said.

Lt Gen Ghai said as for the process of documenting these weapons and informing those who need to know about them, “that is definitely continuing, and I can definitely authenticate that”.

Security forces have recovered M4 carbine assault rifles from terrorists killed in encounters in Jammu and Kashmir. The weapons left behind by the US Army after their withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 appear to have reached the terrorists through Pakistan handlers.

The M4 carbine rifles, designed and developed in the 1980s, have been extensively used by NATO and reportedly by several militaries, including Pakistani special forces and the Special Security Unit of the Sindh Police.

These rifles have been employed in numerous conflicts worldwide, such as the Syrian civil war, Iraqi civil war, Yemeni civil war, Colombian conflict, Kosovo war, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars following 9/11. The increased maneuverability of the M4 carbine makes it a favoured choice among military forces.