he second and concluding day of the Military Literature Festival, 2024 saw large crowds witness the many attractions of the event and listen in rapt attention to the panel discussions, book reviews and talks.

The day got off to a flying start with a sentimental look at the legacy of the late, great Punjabi poet Surjit Pattar. Speaking in Punjabi the panel consisting of Principal Attamjit Singh, Dr Manmohan Singh, IPS and Manraj Pattar paid rich tributes to Pattar Sahib’s memory.

Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma and Maj Gens Govind Dwivedi and Sudhakar Jee discussed Domains of Modern Warfare with Regard to India, Pakistan and China with gravitas displaying their expertise born out of rich combat experience.

Shifting Geo-Strategic Significance of the Af-Pak Region was discussed by Mr RK Kaushik, IAS, Lt Gen Kamal Davar and Sumeer Bhasin. Grey Zone Warfare, Disruptive Technologies and Non-State Actors in the West Asian Conflicts was the last panel discussion of the day. It featured the former naval Chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Maj Gen Neeraj Bali and Maj Gen Harvijay Singh in an animated discussion over a conflict-ridden geographical area where low intensity warfare has divided the world with the potential of igniting a Third World War.

Shifting Geo-Strategic Significance of the Af-Pak Region was discussed by Mr RK Kaushik, IAS, Lt Gen Kamal Davar and Sumeer Bhasin. Grey Zone Warfare, Disruptive Technologies and Non-State Actors in the West Asian Conflicts was the last panel discussion of the day. It featured the former naval Chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Maj Gen Neeraj Bali and Maj Gen Harvijay Singh in an animated discussion over a conflict-ridden geographical area where low intensity warfare has divided the world with the potential of igniting a Third World War.

BOOK DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS  

The 8th Military Literature Festival held at the Lake Club, Chandigarh concluded successfully with insightful sessions that celebrated military history and contemporary defence strategies. The event brought together veterans, scholars and military enthusiasts, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of armed forces through compelling literary works. 

During the book discussion session in the first session today, author, journalist and war correspondent Vikram Jit Singh held forth on his book “Flowers on a Kargil Cliff”. The author offered a moving reflection on the bravery and sacrifices of ordinary soldiers and non-combatants during the Kargil conflict of 1999. Lt Gen PM Bali who discussed the book with the author highlighted the book’s vivid portrayal of the human spirit in warfare, emphasizing the emotional and strategic lessons drawn from the Kargil experience.  

During the second session, renowned author, editor and analyst Pravin Sawhney gave a talk on the topic “PLA’s Modern Warfare”. He provided a comprehensive analysis of the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its implications for India. Discussions centred on China’s evolving military strategies, technological advancements, and their impact on the geopolitical stability of the region. 

In the last session the book “Military History of the Sikhs: From the Battle of Bhangani to World War II” by  Jashandeep Singh Kang and Col DS Cheema was discussed. The discussion was led by. Lt Gen RS Sujlana. In this engaging session the authors traced the valorous journey of the Sikh military tradition, from early battles like Bhangani to significant contributions during World War II.

The Clarion Call theatre was as usual a big hit with its mix of military documentaries and informative shorts. 

The festival reinforced its commitment to honouring the armed forces’ legacy and promoting discourse on modern and historical military issues.

The Organising Committee wishes to thank the Punjab Govt, Western Command, the Chandigarh Administration and the people of the region for their wholehearted support once again to the Festival. The Festival could not have been possible without the devoted hard work of a large number of enthusiastic volunteers, added Mr. Mandeep Singh Bajwa, Chairman, Media Committee.

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Jammu area is characterised by cross-border tunnels, dense forests and mountainous terrain

The Border Security Force (BSF) has completed the deployment of two fresh battalions, comprising more than 2,000 personnel, in the Jammu region to better plug infiltration from across the Pakistan front and check the recent spurt of terrorist activities in the area.

Officials in the security establishment told PTI that the new troops of these units have been deployed “in depth areas” as the “second line of defence” just behind the BSF border deployment along the international border (IB) with Pakistan.

These two BSF battalions were recently withdrawn from the anti-Naxal operations theatre of Odisha and have now been deployed fully in the Jammu region. This was a task to be accomplished before the onset of winters when securing the IB against infiltration from Pakistan becomes challenging, the sources said.

The personnel of the new units have been deployed around the Samba area, some other vulnerable patches in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir and along the Punjab boundary that abuts Jammu, they said.

Multiple deployment points aided by CCTV cameras have also been created, the sources said.

The force guards more than 2,289 km of the international boundary that runs along Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat along India’s western flank. The Jammu region accounts for 485 km of this border interspersed with dense forests and mountainous terrain. About a dozen BSF battalions are deployed along the Jammu IB region.

Making logistical arrangements for the personnel of these two units is going on. Temporary and permanent bases and patrolling halts are being prepared, they said.

These two battalions were withdrawn in July-August from the Koraput and Malkangiri districts of Odisha where they were deployed for conducting anti-Naxal operations.

Security in the Jammu area came into focus following a series of terrorist attacks in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts this year that has killed more than 40 people, including 18 security personnel and village defence guard (VDG) members.

A number of terrorists have also been killed by security forces in this region during 2024.

The Jammu area is characterised by cross-border tunnels, dense forests and mountainous terrain making it an ideal ground for terrorists to launch attacks against civilians and security forces.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has also informed a special court, which is hearing the agency’s plea for further probe into the matter, about the developments

CBI to send judicial request to US seeking info in Bofors case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has also informed a special court, which is hearing the agency’s plea for further probe into the matter, about the developments

PTI

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The CBI will soon send a judicial request to the United States seeking information from private investigator Michael Hershman who had expressed willingness to share with Indian agencies crucial details about the Rs 64-crore Bofors bribery scandal of the 1980s, officials said on Sunday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also informed a special court, which is hearing the agency’s plea for further probe into the matter, about the developments.

The process to send the Letters Rogatory (LR) was initiated in October this year, and it is expected to take around 90 days before the formal request is sent to the US, aimed at obtaining information to further investigate the alleged bribery case, the officials said.

A Letter Rogatory is a written request sent by the court of one country to the court of another country to obtain assistance in the investigation or prosecution of a criminal matter.

Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, the alleged middleman in the payoff case, was discharged in 2011 by a court which allowed the CBI to withdraw prosecution against him.

The case involves allegations of a Rs 64-crore bribe in a Rs 1,437-crore deal with Swedish firm Bofors in the 1980s during the then Congress government for the supply of 400 155mm field howitzers, which played a significant role in India’s victory during the Kargil war. The case was closed in 2011.

Hershman, head of the Fairfax Group, visited India in 2017 to attend a conference of private detectives. During his stay, he appeared on various platforms, alleging that the investigation into the scam was derailed by the Congress government and stated he was willing to share details with the CBI.

The CBI took note of his claims in several interviews and announced in 2017 that the matter would be investigated according to due process.

The agency informed the special court that, following Hershman’s revelations, it plans to reopen the investigation.

The CBI had previously sent letters and reminders to US authorities on November 8, 2023, December 21, 2023, May 13, 2024, and August 14, 2024, but received no information, with the US authorities requesting additional time.

The central agency has now opted to pursue the LR route, where a competent court sends a formal request for information to the relevant authorities in the US, subject to clearance from the Indian government.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria today appreciated the achievements made by Indian scientists in indigenisation of weapons systems and said such weapons now being exported is a testimony of their success. Speaking at the inaugural session of the 8th edition…

Tribune News Service

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria (centre), Lt Gen (retd) TS Shergill (3rd from right), MP Manish Tewari (2nd from right) and others at the inauguration of the 8th Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria today appreciated the achievements made by Indian scientists in indigenisation of weapons systems and said such weapons now being exported is a testimony of their success.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 8th edition of the Military Literature Festival (MLF) in Chandigarh, the Governor said while there was no dearth of talent in the country, opportunities had been missing.

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“Now, that opportunities are available, we have shown to the world what our talent can produce and that we are no less in any sphere,” he said. “This is a step towards self-reliance and it is for the first time other countries have shown an interest in procuring weapons systems from India,” he added.

Kataria also lauded the increasing role of women in the armed forces, stating that they are performing all types of roles, including deployment at the borders and flying modern fighter aircraft.

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Commending the sacrifices and devotion to duty by defence personnel, he said that their exploits and achievements must be recorded and passed down to future generations, for which literature is the appropriate medium.

Sacrifices have made soldiers immortal and these will inspire the younger generation and attract them towards the forces, he added.

Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari said for the first time since the end of World War II, we have three conflicts going on simultaneously — the Russia-Ukraine war, the conflict in the Middle East and tensions in the South China Sea. He added that collectively they have the profound capability to impact the world order.

He flagged the emergence of a loose alliance of nuclear and quasi-nuclear states, including China, North Korea, Pakistan and Iran in Asia and said it would be India’s biggest security dilemma in the coming decade and pose a challenge for strategic planners to deal with.

Tewari suggested an inexorable decline of Russia in the coming years due to its dependence on a war economy and said that which country could fill in this vacuum, be it China or China along with another nation, is a question that requires serious perusal.

Touching upon the prevailing geo-economic environment, he pointed out the gold is back in reckoning due to the insecurities created by the three ongoing conflicts, with central banks now holding about 12 per cent of the gold reserves as compared to 5 per cent in 2008. He said this raises the possibility of de-dollarisation of the global economy and if that happens, then the mechanisms for international transactions and trade will have to be considered by economists and planners.

Tewari said the fourth industrial revolution with artificial intelligence, genomics and robotics had a profound impact on revolution in military affairs. With the battlefield scenario changing as militaries move from an informationalised paradigm to an intelligensised template, the Indian strategic community has to figure where the country figures in this transition, given the fact that it is in the process of reorganisation of its higher defence management.

Lt Gen Tejinder Singh Shergill (retd), chairman of the MLF Association, gave an overview of the prevailing geopolitical environment and the past and future global events that have shaped the current world order.

Incident occurred during combing operation in forest area of Eturnagaram

Seven Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire (EoF) with the police in a forest area in Mulugu district of Telangana on Sunday.

The incident occurred during a combing operation in the forest area of Eturnagaram between Greyhounds, an elite anti-naxal force of Telangana Police and the ultras, police said.

“Seven Maoists were killed in the exchange of fire”, a senior police official told PTI, adding two AK 47 rifles were among the weapons seized from the scene.

Among those killed was Kursam Mangu alias Bhadru, Secretary of Telangana State Committee (Yellandu Narsampet) of the banned CPI (Maoist), he said.