Vivek Katju
Ex-secretary, Ministry of External Affairs

President Donald Trump’s aggressive Afghanistan and South Asia policy has proved to be a hollow bombast. The US is in strategic retreat in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the Taliban is in the ascendant; it has lost the will to militarily stem the Taliban’s creeping influence, if not, control, amid continuing instability. The world’s pre-eminent power has also given in to Taliban demand for direct diplomatic engagement.

US special adviser Zalmay Khalilzad’s meetings with the Taliban and his interactions with regional countries lead to the inevitable conclusion that the peace-making process will not be entirely Afghan led or owned but that deals will be cut between the US and the Taliban who will be guided by Pakistan. Such a process has the danger of further eroding NUG’s (National Unity Government) already strained cohesion and image. The unity of the army depends on Afghan politics holding together. It is important to ensure that different ethnic groups do not adopt independent means to safeguard their individual interests. The recent Taliban assault on the Hazaras in Ghazni may impel them to do so, for instance. President Ashraf Ghani is consulting with all political entities to form a multi-ethnic advisory group so that peace making is broad based. As the Taliban raises atavistic fears among many non-Pushtoons, it is uncertain if Ghani’s attempts to instil confidence will succeed.

Just before Khalilzad began his second regional tour, Russia organised an inter-governmental multilateral meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow on November 9. The Taliban and NUG’s High Peace Council representatives attended the meeting. Afghanistan’s neighbours and other Central Asian states also participated. The US attended as an observer. India attended the meeting through two retired diplomats. In not sending serving officials, India followed the NUG example. India and NUG’s attempts to create ‘non-official’ characters to the representations cannot mask the reality of the two countries being in the room as participants with the Taliban. While in the past Russia had failed in such endeavours, it succeeded on this occasion. This was because regional countries are sensing that international diplomacy on Afghanistan is changing. Therefore, participation in new multilateral processes is in their interest.

The Russian initiative was a valid exercise in the present Afghan context. However, along with some other countries it can only play positive or negative roles, encourage or complicate peace making. It cannot make peace. That can only be done by the principal parties to the continuing conflict — NUG, Taliban, the US and Pakistan. The last two may deny that they have a direct role in making peace. However, there can be no movement without them.

The US-Taliban negotiation process would not be easy, though some goodwill gestures may be made to show apparent progress. These may include the release of some prisoners and occasional ceasefires. Pakistan released Taliban leader Mullah Baradar who had been in its custody for many years, but his present influence on the group is unknown. Major problems between the Taliban and Pakistan, on the one side, and the US and NUG on the other include the presence of foreign troops and power sharing between the Taliban and NUG.

At the Moscow meeting, the Taliban maintained its stand that the first requisite to peace was the departure of foreign forces. Expectedly, it did not show a willingness to engage NUG. It is, though, signalling a readiness to talk to NUG, but only if the US indicates a firm withdrawal time table and some physical movement in that direction takes place. Some months ago, President Ghani had accepted that the withdrawal of foreign forces can be part of NUG and Taliban negotiations. The Taliban had then rejected the entire Ghani package.

Taliban’s intransigence flows from the US and NUG’s inability to militarily weaken it. Therefore, it has no need to be flexible. Besides, the Taliban retains full Pakistani support. It remains to be seen if it has modified its approaches on governance and human rights. Power sharing will not be easy if it wishes to restore the entire theological structure of the Islamic emirate as obtained under Mullah Omar. At the Moscow meeting, the Taliban claimed credit for eliminating opium cultivation during its rule in Afghanistan. This was no doubt to demonstrate the efficacy of its administrative systems in comparison to NUG’s weak governance and continued opium production. These Taliban claims are false: opium production was stopped for a year during its rule to staunch oversupply, and today, it benefits from the opium trade.

As a new chapter opens in Afghan affairs, India has to employ a supple strategy to safeguard its interests. This should include the continuance of full support for the Afghan government and also vigorous pursuit of its assistance programme. This is a fundamental basis of the goodwill that India has across all sections in Afghanistan. India should separately interact with all ethnic groups, especially those with whom it has had excellent ties in the past. There is a coincidence of interests with them both in the Afghan and the regional contexts.

The Modi government did well to send representatives to the Moscow meeting even if they had formally only a listening brief. It is inconceivable though that on the meeting’s sidelines Indian representatives would not have exchanged salaams, and, perhaps, more with Taliban representatives. These contacts should continue. In the past Pakistan ensured that India was out of international diplomacy on Afghanistan. Now, it will be a pity if India voluntarily shuts itself out by refusing to develop contacts with the Taliban. Contacts do not imply either support or endorsement but generally they are essential for participation in the game of nations.

The government said HAL required 2.7 times higher man-hours compared to the French side for the manufacture of Rafale aircraft in India.

New Delhi: The Centre told the Supreme Court on Monday that state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) failed to become an offset partner in the Rafale deal as there were several unresolved issues it had with French company Dassault.

In the documents submitted before the top court, the government claimed that the issues pertained to lack of common understanding between HAL and Dassault Aviation.

“The contract negotiations could not conclude mainly due to unresolved issues related to 108 aircraft to be manufactured in India. These issues pertained to lack of common understanding between HAL and Dassault Aviation on following,” the documents said.

It said HAL required “2.7 times higher man-hours compared to the French side for the manufacture of Rafale aircraft in India”.

Congress has claimed that Dassault has been pressurised by the government to do away with the HAL as strategic offset partner by saying the future of India’s aerospace industry has been destroyed by snatching Rafale from HAL.

Referring to earlier aborted deal, the document said Dassault was required to undertake necessary contractual obligation for 126 aircraft (18 direct flyaway and 108 aircraft manufactured in India) as per request for proposal  requirements and contractual issues with HAL on manufacturing of 108 jets in India could not be resolved.

The submissions were made in the document titled “Details of the steps in the decision making process leading to the award of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft order”, which were made public by the Centre on Monday. The inter-government agreement (IGA) was signed by the defence ministers of both countries on Sept 23, 2016.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of forcing the French company to select a Reliance group firm of Anil Ambani as an offset partner to help it “pocket” Rs 30,000 crore.

Congress has also alleged the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by UPA government when it was negotiating a deal for procurement of 126 Rafale jets.

However, the document, placed by the NDA government, said, “It is reiterated that the procurement process as laid down in the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP)-2013 was followed in procurement of 36 Rafale aircraft.

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 13

Even the cold statistics speak a lot. Today, when the number of terrorists killed this year so far crossed 200 in Kashmir, it became clear that the unorthodox counter-terrorism strategy of coordination and compassion was working.

On Tuesday, the Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps that has been fighting Pakistan-sponsored terrorism almost for 30 years in the Valley found that with the killing of two terrorists along the Line of Control in the Keran sector in north-west Kashmir this morning, the number of terrorists killed reached 201.

This number inspired mixed feelings – one, that those who picked up the gun against the state at the behest of Pakistan and the Islamic extremist forces had been neutralised for the good of the people and the state at large. The poignant point, however, was that 102 of them were local militants who could have survived and gone back to their families had they heeded the repeated calls to realise the

futility of violence.

This year offered unique challenges to the Army as anti-militancy operations had to be put on hold during the unilateral ceasefire period of Ramzan and there was restrained action during the two-month-long Amarnath yatra.

This means that 200-plus militants were killed in less than eight months. Some of the top militants who fell this year were Abu Mateen, Abu Hamaas, Samir “Tiger”, Saddam Paddar, Abu Qasim and Abu Maviya. As many as 27 militants were neutralised in the month of October alone – the prominent among them were Manan Wani, Sabzar Sofi and Meraj-ud-Din Bangroo. South Kashmir witnessed 109 deaths of militants while north recorded 45 and 47 others were neutralised at the LoC.

Lt Gen A K Bhatt, Commander of 15 Corps and the author of this strategy, wanted that the local militants be given all options before they were taken on, sources told The Tribune.

This led to a drastic reduction in local recruitment, as confirmed by Governor Satya Pal Malik, who recently observed that “the recruitment level has come down to zero.”

The Army has had bigger challenges to confront —— machinations of the deep state of Pakistan that wanted to bleed Kashmir to force India to talk. The designs are being defeated as evident by the killing of 47 terrorists along the LoC.

Now the next challenge is how to deal with the militants sitting across the LoC during winter. And, the Army hopes that the strategy would yield further dividend during the period of snow.

AT FINE ARTS COLLEGE MUSEUM

SECTOR 10

CHANDIGARH

Calling out to Surviving family members/successors/children/grandchildren of Victoria Cross/Military cross/George Cross awardees of World War-I. 

Join us in honoring the Service, Courage ,Supreme sacrifice and Valour of our War heroes.

Interested Participants may submit details by Nov 20,2018.

The successors/surviving children/grandchildren of Waqr heros are also requested to share their Names,Supporting Documents, Medals along with residential adres, email adress and Contact Numbers

for further details Contact

Col Jarnail Singh,Dy Dir ( Monitory ),Dept of Defence Services Welfare Punjab,phone- +91  8146264455

Victoria X

George X

Washington, November 7

The United States has exempted India from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the strategically-located Chabahar Port in Iran, along with the construction of the railway line connecting it with Afghanistan, a State Department spokesperson said.

The decision by the Trump administration, which a day earlier imposed the toughest ever sanctions on Iran and is very restrictive in giving exemptions, is a seen as a recognition by Washington of India’s major role in the development of the port on the Gulf of Oman, which is of immense strategic importance for the reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan.

“After extensive consideration, the Secretary (of State) has provided for an exception from imposition of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, with respect to the development of Chabahar Port, construction of an associated railway and for shipment of non-sanctionable goods through the port for Afghanistan’s use, as well as the country’s continued imports of Iranian petroleum products,” a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

The US on Monday imposed “the toughest ever” sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime’s “behaviour”. The sanctions cover Iran’s banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports.

However, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said eight countries-India, China, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey-were temporarily allowed to continue buying Iranian oil as they showed “significant reduction” in oil purchase from the Persian Gulf country.

To a question on the fate of Chabahar Port after the US reimposed all its sanctions on Iran, the spokesperson said, “This exception relates to reconstruction assistance and economic development for Afghanistan. These activities are vital for the ongoing support of Afghanistan’s growth and humanitarian relief.”  In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan inked a pact which entailed establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three countries using Chabahar Port as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation in Iran, besides multi-modal transport of goods and passengers across the three nations.

The port in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich nations southern coast is easily accessible from India’s western coast and is increasingly seen as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment and is located at distance of around 80 kms from Chabahar.

The Chabahar Port is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by India, Iran and Afghanistan with central Asian countries besides ramping up trade among the three countries after Pakistan denied transit access to India.

Pompeo’s decision to give India exemption from imposition of certain sanctions for the development of the port is driven by the South Asian strategy, which was announced by President Donald Trump in August. It states that India has a major role in bringing peace and development in Afghanistan.

“The president’s South Asia strategy underscores our ongoing support of Afghanistan’s economic growth and development as well as our close partnership with India,” the state department spokesperson said.

“We seek to build on our close relationships with both the countries as we execute a policy of maximum pressure to change the Iranian regime’s destabilising policies in the region and beyond,” the spokesperson added.

Reacting to the Trump administration’s decision, US experts said it was a “right move”.

“Trump administration made the right move by exempting India for the development of the Chabahar port,” Jeff Smith of the Heritage Foundation told PTI.

India, Smith argued, “made a convincing case” that its principal interest in the port was to develop alternative infrastructure links to Afghanistan that bypass Pakistan, which also serves the US national security interests.

“Delhi also made clear that it does not support Iran’s destabilising activities in the Middle East or an Iranian nuclear weapons program, and that any involvement in Chabahar will not advance those two agenda,” he said.

Smith said, Delhi credibly argued that if it were to abandon development efforts at Chabahar the void would most likely be filled by others, including China.

“Combined with the importance, this administration places on developing good ties with India, there was a compelling geopolitical case to be made for a waiver,” he said.

Aparna Pande of Houston Institute think-tank said that to give an exemption to India’s development of Chabahar port was a welcome decision that comes on the heels of the US granting India – along with a few others – a waiver and temporarily allowing these countries to import oil in reduced quantities from Iran.

“Both these decisions demonstrate that the Trump administration values the deep strategic relationship with India. It understands India’s national security interests. Where Chabahar is critical to India’s access to and assistance towards ensuring a stable Afghanistan, India’s energy needs require a basket of energy suppliers,” Pande said.

Rick Rossow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said: “Chabahar’s role to transport key logistics to Afghanistan will continue to grow over time. So this waiver is squarely aligned with the US interests,” he said. – PTI

With SSB interviews lined up over the next couple of months, it is time to gear up for this prestigious exam. Wear the most positive and outright attitude to ace this test of endurance and intelligence

Gauri Chhabra

One of the most prestigious and coveted body known for analysing candidates holistically is the Services Selection Board (SSB). It conducts personality and intelligence tests and interviews to determine suitability of a candidate applying for Indian armed forces. With SSB interviews lined up over the next couple of months, here’s a look at what this test is all about:

SSB Examination

Candidates applying for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force have to secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in written test and clear the “officer potential” test. Candidates applying for the flying branch of the Indian Air Force,  also have to qualify the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) & Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) separately.

SSB Interview for NDA 142 course will commence in  January 2019.

SSB (Service Selection Board) is an organisation set-up by the Ministry of Defence that schedules, organises and conducts the SSB interview of the candidates applying for comissioned officers’ posts in short service and permanent commission. SSB interview is a five-day-long procedure, which includes two stages of testing as stage I & stage II. This test is organised at the SSB Centers (designated by SSB). The interview  includes intelligence & personality tests.

Interview procedure

Only those candidates that qualify the Stage I on the first day of reporting to the board are permitted to appear for Stage II. In case you do not clear Stage 1 screening test, then be prepared to be sent back on the very first day itself.

Stage 1: This stage consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT). Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of combined performance in OIR Test and PP & DT.

Stage 2: This stage is usually comprises a bateery of tests spread over a period of four days. The tests include  psychology tests, Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO), Interview & Conference.

Scoring pattern

For selection in SSB, all three techniques — Psychology, Interview and Group Testing —  are important. Each technique has equal weightage. SSB is assessed out of 900 marks. Out of this, 225 marks are reserved for board conference and the remaining 675 marks are divided between the three techniques which mean each assessor has 225 marks to award. The conference marks are divided into three parts with the Interviewing Officer having a slightly larger share.It is not important to pass in all three techniques. In fact, most successful candidates  clear two out of the three techniques. Very few candidates clear all three, there are also a few candidates who actually pass in only one technique but get cleared by the Board after discussions during the board conference. It’s also possible that a candidate initially clears in all three techniques and yet fails at the Board conference.

When should you start preparing?

Well, the earlier you start  the better. The quantity of time never matters for preparations, what matters is the quality of time you put in and how sincerely you are preparing. The OLQ’s which are the most important aspect of SSB can’t be developed in a day.

Have an in depth knowledge of the pattern

To get through the SSB,  you should know what all would be asked in each test. What would be the pattern? What kind of candidates normally make it? The knowledge of all this would hold you in good stead since you will start practicing early. In the psychological tests, you cannot fake it. Give ample amount of time to know yourself, and analyse your positives and negative.

Introspect

Do a SWOT analysis of yourself. Write down everything you need to know about yourself and your near ones. This includes your positives, negatives, achievements. Basically an introspection of your personality. Your hobbies, interests and information related to that. Information related to your friends, family and their likes dislikes, and your likes and dislikes in them. Remember, you can’t fake it in SSB so either you have the personality they want or you don’t.

You come to know whether you have the right ethical values and whether you are cut out for the role.

Discipline your mind & body

The singular quality that would set you apart from others is discipline that becomes evident in the way you walk and talk. It is not just about walking in line and reaching on time. To be an officer you need to develop the qualities of an officer, and these cannot be developed overnight.

Therefore, if you have to gear up for the SSB, start preparing now. Wear the most positive and outright attitude you can and steal the show.

Selection drill

Day 0 (Reporting):

On this day candidates have to report at the selection center. Candidates’ original documents along with photocopies are verified on arrival. After this Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ) forms are filled. In this form, the candidates have to fill their personal details regarding educational profile, family background, etc.

Day 1 (Screening Test):

Candidates have to take  an Intelligence Test (verbal & non-verbal) & Picture Perception Test. In PP test, slide (hazy or clear) is shown for 30 seconds and candidates have to write a story based on their perception. After this test, the group discussion round takes place. This sequence is commonly known as Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT).

Intelligence Test: It comprises verbal as well as non-verbal questions. It is a written test that includes multiple choice questions. The time allotted to answering each question is 30 seconds.

Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PP & DT): This test includes story writing and discussion. A picture will be shown to the candidates for 30 seconds and candidates have to write a story based on the picture in 3 minutes.

Day 2 (Psychology Tests):

It is a set of written tests wherein candidates’ psychological suitability for the job is tested. These tests may include:

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): It is called as picture story writing. This test is very similar to PPDT. In this test, about 11 pictures are shown. Each picture is displayed just for 30 seconds, after that candidates have to write a story based on the picture within four minutes. After four minutes another picture is  displayed and the same procedure is followed till the last slide. The twelfth slide is blank where a candidate is supposed to write any story of his own choice.

Word Association Test (WAT): It is the second psychological test of SSB selection procedure. In this test, 60 words are shown back to back for a period of 50 seconds. The candidates have to write the first thought that comes to their mind for those words.

Situation Reaction Test (SRT): In this test, candidates get a booklet with 60 situations written on it and  they have to write their responses based on those 60 situations.

Self Description Test (SD): In this test, candidates have to write their opinion about their parents, themselves, friends, teachers & others. The time will be allotted 15 minutes.

Day 3 & Day 4 – Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO Tasks):

These tests involve interactive indoor and outdoor activities as a combination of mental and physical work. These tests are as follows:

Group Discussion: In this round, a certain situation or topic (mostly current affairs) is given to a group of candidates. They are expected to discuss the various aspects of the issue. Group Task Officer observes each candidate during the course of the group discussion.

Group Planning Exercise (Military Planning Exercise): In this round, a model of real life practical circumstances is presented to a group of applicants. They have to write their own plan of action for the mentioned problem.

Progressive Group Tasks (PGT): In this round, a group of candidates has to cross some obstacles with the help of supporting materials such as rope, plank, wood log etc.

Half Group Tasks: This round is the same as PGT,  but the number of group members is half. Thus, candidates get more chance to show their potential.

Individual Obstacles: In this round, candidates are required to attempt 10 obstacles individually.

Group obstacles race or snake race: In this round, all group members compete with other groups. Candidates are required to cross certain obstacles with the snake-like rope.

Command Task: In this task, one candidate is given the “role” of a commander. He will be required to cross some obstacles with the help of 2-3 subordinates.

Lecturette: In this round, each individual has to give a lecture for three minutes on a topic selected by them.

Final Group Task: It is same as PGT. Candidates have another chance to show their potential.

Day 5 (Conference):

On the final day, all candidates and SSB members sit together and have a chat wherein the candidates are asked a few general questions. The conference is just to decide whether a particular candidate has been recommended as an officer or not.

Medical

After the SSB result, the recommended candidates have to appear before the medical board for their medical test. This also takes 4 to 5 days.  NDA candidates are examined both for Army and Navy unless otherwise instructed and endorsement of fitness status will be made accordingly.

Gen. Rawat pays tribute to infantry soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi. PTI photo

New Delhi, October 27

Stone-pelters in Jammu and Kashmir are overground workers of terror groups and should be dealt with sternly,  Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday, a day after a 22-year-old jawan was killed in stone-pelting in Kashmir, even as he warned Pakistan to desist from supporting cross-border terrorism.

Sending a tough message to Pakistan, Gen. Rawat said if Islamabad continues to support cross-border terrorism, then the Indian Army can resort to “other actions” too.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to mark the Infantry Day, the Army Chief, however, did not elaborate on what could be the possible action he was talking about.

The Army had carried out “surgical strikes” on terror launchpads across the Line of Actual Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on September 28, 2016, following a string of terror attacks on military installations in India by Pakistan-based terror groups.

The Army Chief also asked Pakistan to desist from aiding and abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the Indian State was “strong enough” to ensure that the border state remains a part of India and no one can take it away by force or any other means.

On the death of jawan Rajendra Singh in stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Gen. Rawat reiterated his earlier stand that the stone-pelters are nothing but overground workers of terror outfits. “I still say the same… If they (stone-pelters) can kill people with such acts, are they not becoming like terrorists.” The 22-year-old Singh died at a hospital in Srinagar Friday after he sustained head injuries during stone-pelting by a group of youths on Thursday.

“I want to tell them (stone-pelters) that no one will benefit from stone-pelting,” said the Army Chief, adding tough action should be taken against them. He said the Army has got an FIR lodged in the case.

Talking about Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism, Gen. Rawat suggested that the neighbouring country was resorting to a “proxy war” to avenge its defeat at the hands of India in the 1971 War when Bangladesh was liberated.

The aim of Pakistan, he said, is to keep the Indian Army “embroiled in this proxy war that they have lost.” “But, let me assure you, Indian Army and the Indian State is strong enough to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir remain part of India… No one else can take it away by force or by any other means, because legally, legitimately J&K is an integral part of India,” he said.

Asked about the cross-border infiltration, he said Pakistan would be wise to know that by indulging in such activities, harm is coming to Pakistan only.

“We are capable of finishing any infiltrators who reach our side. But, if Pakistan continues to support infiltration, we can use other kind of action too,” Rawat said. He said Pakistan was continuing to fuel disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir, fully knowing that they will never succeed.

“Legitimately, legally and by all rights, J and K is part of India. Pakistan somehow has been trying to annex this part of the country, more so after they lost East Pakistan with liberation of Bangladesh,” he said.

The Army Chief said despite the passage of so many years, Pakistan still has a desire to succeed in that.

“And, with liberation of Bangladesh they decided to create a similar situation in Kashmir… Has Pakistan succeeded? They have not. And, Pakistan is fully aware they cannot succeed in Jammu and Kashmir, but they still hope they can succeed. It is just another way to keep the turmoil going and not allow development in the state,” he said.

The Infantry Day is observed every year to commemorate supreme sacrifices made by Indian Army’s infantry against Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rawat earlier laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti to pay tribute to numerous infantry soldiers who died in the line of duty. PTI

Our Correspondent

Una, October 26

A pal of gloom descended on Nanavin village in the Dhundla panchayat of Bangana subdivision after the news of the death of an Army jawan, belonging to the village, reached here.

Brijesh Sharma (36) was killed in a grenade attack by terrorists while on duty in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

He is survived by his mother, wife and a six-year-old daughter. Recruited in 2003 in the 14 Punjab Regiment, Brijesh was currently deployed with the 22 Rashtriya Rifles.

His wife Shweta was inconsolable. It is learnt that Brijesh had rejoined duty after vacation 20 days ago. Bangana SDM Sanjeev Kumar said the body was expected to reach the village on Saturday. He would be cremated with full military honours. Local MLA and Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar expressed grief over the jawan’s death.

Mandi, October 19

Ex-servicemen chairperson Brigadier Khushal Thakur (Retd) said the proposed Kargil War memorial would to be constructed at Indira Market, Mandi. The project has been hanging fire since long. He said on Thursday, a delegation of ex servicemen met Deputy Commissioner Rugved Thakur to discuss the issue.

He said earlier, the war memorial was proposed to be constructed at Kargil Park in Mandi town, but due to some reasons it could not executed. Now, the district administration had decided to construct it at Indira Market. “The apathy of the state government has led to the inordinate delay in the construction of the Kargil War memorial,” he added.

He said the thought of constructing war memorial at Kargil Park had come up post Kargil War by the then state government as there were 12 martyrs from Mandi district alone. The objective of the war memorial was aimed to honour the martyrs who laid down their life for the country.

Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh for the war memorial, while Mandi MP Ramswaroop Sharma had announced Rs 20 lakh, but the project did not see the light of day. — TNS