Assistance to Families of Martyred Soldiers of Indian Military

[Hindustani78]

New Delhi, September 07, 2017 12:00 IST
Updated: September 07, 2017 15:41 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ce-minister/article19635065.ece?homepage=true

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with her predecessor Arun Jaitley after she took charge, in New Delhi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

She becomes the first full-time woman Defence Minister and the second woman to take charge of the key portfolio after Indira Gandhi.
Nirmala Sitharaman who took charge as the Defence Minister on Thursday said her priorities were military preparedness, ‘Make in India’ and welfare of soldiers and their families.

“My priority will definitely be the armed forces preparedness. It is important that the Indian armed forces receive the attention in terms of giving them every endowment and equipment necessary for them to perform their duty with the best of equipment available,” she said in a message after assuming charge.

She took charge of the ministry from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who was holding additional charge since March, becoming the first full-time woman Defence Minister of the country.

“I shall attend to all the long pending issues and in consultation and the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) ensure that those pending issues are resolved,” Ms. Sitharaman stated.

Talking of India’s defence capabilities, she laid emphasis on having a major role for ‘Make in India’ in our defence production and said, “We shall ensure that the important characters of what makes ‘Make in India’ an important flagship programme of the Prime Minister is given full play for defence production because India as you know is a very big defence equipment procurer.”

Ms. Sitharaman said her other priority was armed forces families and their welfare. “Let us not for a moment forget that it is in their welfare, in their families welfare that we can ensure that the soldier at the very toughest borders, challenging zones in which they are protecting this country remain absolutely assured that their interests are being taken care of,” she said.

Pledging to do her best to ensure that “defence and defence priorities are well attended to,” she added, “I shall be round the clock available.”

Speaking later at an event organised by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), she said it was a privilege to hand over indigenous products on her first engagement after assuming office.

The DRDO event which also attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh saw the handing over of armoured bus, bullet proof jacket, Unmanned Arial Vehicles (UAV) and small arms among others to Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

Noting that the country's “import dependence has gone up,” Mr. Singh said that the systems being developed by DPSUs under the 'Make in India' initiative will reduce the dependence.

Observing that defence procurements for home ministry done through defence ministry are delayed for the CAPFs, Mr. Singh said a framework was needed for the supply of defence equipment.

 

[Hindustani78]

Google Maps image locates General Bus Stand in Anantnag.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...in-anantnag/article19651286.ece?homepage=true

The attack took place a kilometre away from the proposed venue of the September 10 meeting of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with CRPF personnel.

Militants on September 9 attacked a police party in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district leaving a constable dead, striking barely a kilometre from the venue of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s scheduled meeting with security personnel on September 10, a police official said.

Militants fired indiscriminately on the police personnel near the general bus stand Anantnag, the official said. He said constable Imtiyaz Ahmad was killed while constable Shabir Ahmad was injured in the firing.

The attack took place a kilometre away from the proposed venue of the meeting of the Home Minister with CRPF personnel tomorrow, the official said. The area has been cordoned off and a manhunt has been launched to nab the attackers.

Mr. Singh is on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. He met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar on September 9. He will also travel to Anantnag, Jammu and Rajouri and meet civil society members, leaders of political and social outfits, business leaders and others, a move seen as a follow-up to the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh paying floral tributes to the martyrs, during his visit to the Jammu and Kashmir Police Lines, in Anantnag district on September 10, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/633153/bsf-man-killed-cow-smuggler.html
Press Trust of India, Barasat (WB), Sep 14 2017, 21:07 IST

Superintendent of police P Sudhakar said Tushar Kanti Das of BSF 64 Battalion had spotted the minitruck at Gaighata in the morning and had given it a chase on a cycle along with a local.

A BSF personnel was killed near the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas today when he tried to stop a mini truck smuggling cows across the border.

Superintendent of police P Sudhakar said Tushar Kanti Das of BSF 64 Battalion had spotted the minitruck at Gaighata in the morning and had given it a chase on a cycle along with a local.

He was hit fatally by the fleeing truck and was rushed to a local hospital, which declared him brought dead.

The truck also hit against a wayside shop while speeding away and the driver jumped down and escaped. The helper was caught by the locals and handed over to the police.

The truck with four cows was seized by the police, Sudhakar added.

 

[Hindustani78]

Jammu, September 15, 2017 09:31 IST
Updated: September 15, 2017 09:31 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-pak-troops/article19689406.ece?homepage=true

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire for the third consecutive day on Friday along the International Border (IB) in Jammu district.

Constable Bijender Bahadur was on duty at forward point along the fence in Arnia sector along the IB when Pakistani Rangers resorted to mortar shelling and small arms fire at about 0020 hours today.

A bullet hit the jawan on the left side of his abdomen and he succumbed to injuries on the way to hospital, a BSF officer said.

“BSF troops retaliated strongly and gave befitting reply,” he said.

“Intermittent fire continued from both side from mid night till morning,” the officer said.

Bahadur, 32, hailed from Vidya Bhawan Naraypur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Balia district. He is survived by his wife Sushmita Singh.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C) and Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore unveiling the statue of Shahid Ramkumar Meena, in Indragarh, Jaipur on September 23, 2017.

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C) and Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore awarding the winners of Mahakhel Kabaddi Competition, in Nayala, Jaipur on September 23, 2017.

The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (I/C) and Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore addressing at the Mahakhel Kabaddi Competition, in Nayala, Jaipur on September 23, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

‘Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh’s strategic vision, foresight and hard work provided the framework for the strategic victory in 1971’
columns Updated: Sep 24, 2017 15:29 IST

Mandeep Singh Bajwa
Hindustan Times

The then Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh visiting the MiG-21 squadrons based at Tezpur in Assam in the late 1960s.(Bharat-Rakshak.com)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/colum...971-victory/story-SdGY1JV62ybwwrEB6TPv4N.html


Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh made an outstanding contribution to the country’s defence and air force. By far, his most exceptional role was in analysing the IAF’s strengths and weaknesses, which showed up during the 1965 war, and applying necessary correctives. The major lesson learned was that the Service had been preparing for a medium to long-duration war. What was needed was a change in mindset, planning, logistics and operational dynamics for a short war of intense proportions. This was done through detailed planning and operational discussions. Personnel at all levels were briefed on the changed strategy for future wars. We saw that this worked perfectly in 1971 as the IAF achieved air supremacy over East Pakistan within three days and caused heavy attrition to the Pakistan Air Force in the West.

The Army had been crying itself hoarse about the lack of adequate air support with some reason. The reasons therein were analysed and solutions produced after joint consultations. Arjan Singh went down to micro-levels in this matter. He correctly deduced that the unreliability of World War-2 vintage wireless sets prevented forward air controllers from communicating with the aircraft and providing targets and feedback. Therefore, state-of-the-art communications equipment was sourced. The Army was thoroughly impressed with the ground support provided in East Pakistan in 1971.

Focusing on leadership at the higher level, Arjan Singh advocated joint planning with other Services, which was lacking in 1965. This paid rich dividends during the later confrontation with Pakistan. The IAF embarked on a concentrated period of modernisation, expansion and solidification. Many new fighter aircraft, equipment and systems such as the MiG-21, Sukhoi-7, HF-24 and SAM-3 surface-to-air missiles were inducted. Arjan Singh’s foresight, hard work and strategic vision truly provided the underpinnings of our stirring victory in 1971.

1st Maharaja Yadvindra Singh lecture

Tony McClenaghan will deliver the 1st Maharaja Yadvindra Singh Memorial Lecture on the princely states’ contribution to World War 1 under the aegis of the Centre for Indian Military History at the CRRID auditorium on Tuesday, September 26. He is a world authority on the Indian States Forces and is currently the secretary of the Indian Military Historical Society.

Dograi Day commemoration

It was an emotional moment to represent my late father at his old formation’s Dograi Day commemoration, place a wreath on the war memorial and interact with officers and Jawans. Located in a neat and clean new military station, the formation organised the remembrance in the Army’s usual style with grace and meticulousness. Defending a vital sector of the border, we can be rest assured that the conquerors of Dograi in 1965 will perform their tasks with the same aplomb and grit.

Women’s AFPI

The Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Women at Mohali has grown from strength to strength. The efforts of it’s dynamic director, General IP Singh and his staff are soon to bear fruit. I’m informed that the first batch to appear for the Combined Defence Services examination will do so in November this year. The best of luck to them! The girls are currently studying for their graduation at MCM DAV College, Chandigarh.

Nathu La

Why is there no commemoration of the bloody nose given by our troops to the Chinese fifty years ago at Nathu La?

 

[Hindustani78]

Rinky Singh, wife of slain armyman Santosh Kumar Singh, in Patna on Monday.(Santosh Kumar/HT photo)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...se-in-patna/story-0GWAhmVcymHlh8z5hdLGzI.html


The bodies of two soldiers of the Indian Army were found at a rented house on the outskirts of Patna near the Danapur Cantonment area late on Sunday evening, police said on Monday.

The Patna Police recovered the bodies from a private house at Judges’s Colony near the Danapur Cantonment on Monday morning. The two were shot from close range, the police said.

The dead soldiers have been identified as Santosh Kumar Singh, 30, and Rinkesh Kumar Singh, 22.

Rinkesh worked in the records section of the Bihar Regiment Centre (BRC) in Danapur. Santosh, a soldier with the first Bihar Regiment, an infantry regiment of the army, was posted in Arunachal Pradesh.

His wife lived in Patna in a two-room rented accommodation. Santosh, a resident of Chakia village under Masrakh police station of Saran district, had come to visit his wife for Dussehra. His wife and father had left the house for their native village two days ago.

Rinkesh, a bachelor and Santosh’s friend, lived at the army barrack in Danapur.

Their bodies were found by Rinkesh’s sister, Pinky, and her husband Manoj, who came Santosh’s house to look for her brother. Pinky received a call from the army barrack, seeking to know from her about Rinkesh’s whereabouts after he did not sign the entry register at the barrack the previous evening.

Pinky said she found Rinkesh’s body near the bathroom and that of Santosh close by. The licensed rifle of Santosh was found on his body.

House owner Rajendra Singh, who immediately informed the local police, said four to five people visited Santosh on Sunday evening. Neither the neighbours nor house owner claimed to have heard any gunshot.

Police suspect the soldiers opened fire and killed each other following an altercation.

“We will be able to confirm if it is a murder or a suicide only after the forensic team examines the two bodies,” city superintendent of police (west) Rabindra Kumar said.

However, army officials negated the police’s version.

“If anyone were to kill oneself with a 315 rifle, the face and head would bear the brunt of the injury,” an army official said.

A team led by chief records officer Lt Col Balkrishnan along with army intelligence officers reached the spot. Later, BRC Commandant Brig M Natrajan also visited the scene of the crime.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...n-bandipora/article19768828.ece?homepage=true

Deputy Inspector General, northern Kashmir, Nitish Kumar said the LeT militant outfit was behind the attack.
Slain Border Security Force (BSF) jawan, who was killed inside his house in Bandipora on Wednesday night, was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon, as the BSF and the police paid tributes.

The body of the victim, Ramzaan Ahmad Parray, 28, was shifted to local police station around noon where senior officers of the police and the BSF paid tributes.

At around 1:15 p.m., Parray, who worked with 73rd Battalion of the BSF in Baramulla, was buried at his ancestral graveyard in Bandipora’s Hajin.

Hundreds of locals participated in the funeral.

“Parray was in BSF for over seven years but he was never threatened by militants,” said a relative of the deceased.

Deputy Inspector General, northern Kashmir, Nitish Kumar said the LeT militant outfit was behind the attack . “LeT commander Mehmood Bhai carried out the killing of Parrey. He was accompanied by few more militants when the killing took place,” said DIG Kumar.

Former chief minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah termed the killing as “abominable”.

“What a terrible incident. This is abominable. Heartfelt condolences to the family of Rameez Parrey. Hope the injured recover soon,” Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

Four members of Parray’s family, including the father and two brothers, were also injured in the attack.

Seriously injured Mohammad Maqbool Parrey, father of slain BSF Jawan Rameez Parrey being treated at a hospital in Srinagar on Thursday. Rameez was killed by militants in an attack at his home in which three of his family members including his father were seriously injured.

Women wail during funeral procession of BSF personnel Rameez Ahmed Parray at Hajin in Bandipora distrct of north Kashmir on Thursday. Parray was killed by the militants at his home last night.

Relatives wait for the body of BSF soldier Ramzan Parray, who was killed by militants late Wednesday night at his house in Hajin, Bandipora district, north of Srinagar. (Waseem Andrabi/HT Photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

Shantanu Sarkar, who was a Corporal with the IAF, was rescued along with Amit Kumar, also a Corporal with the IAF. Both were a part of a 15-member IAF team that was on an expedition to Trishul.
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...edition-to-mount-trishul-uttarakhand-4865987/

By: Express News Service | Dehradun | Published:September 28, 2017 9:07 pm

Trishul Peak before Sunset from Chaukhamba Lodge at Kausani, Uttarakhand (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

An Indian Air Force personnel died, on Thursday, after being rescued from an IAF expedition to Mount Trishul, which, at over 7,000 metres, is a major peak in Uttarakhand Himalaya.

Shantanu Sarkar, who was a Corporal with the IAF, was rescued along with Amit Kumar, also a Corporal with the IAF. Both were a part of a 15-member IAF team that was on an expedition to Trishul.

“The two fell ill and were not in a position to trek to Trishul. That’s when they were rescued [on Thursday],” SHO at Joshimath police station Sanjay Kumar said.

The two were receiving treatment at the Army hospital in Joshimath, in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, but Shantanu, who was from West Bengal, died during treatment, Kumar said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Torn apart by grief: Relatives wail during the funeral procession of slain BSF jawan Ramzan Parray in Bandipora district of north Kashmir on Thursday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ints-to-rise-in-militancy/article19772227.ece

BSF issues advisory asking personnel to be cautious

As the police blame Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) hand in the killing of an off-duty Border Security Force (BSF) jawan inside his house in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, the incident only points to the heightened militant movement in an otherwise militant-free zone.

“LeT commander Mehmood Bhai carried out the killing of [Muhammad Ramzan] Parrey. He was accompanied by a few more militants,” said Nitish Kumar, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), north Kashmir.

The body of Parray, 30 was buried in his ancestral graveyard at Bandipora’s Hajin on Thursday afternoon.

Police sources said around 26 militants had succeeded in entering the district in the recent past. The area had near-zero militancy only until two years ago. The BSF had “advised its personnel to remain cautious during leave period.” “Constable Parray was also advised before proceeding on the leave,” a BSF spokesman said. Arvinder Singh, DIG, BSF, said, “It will in no way impact the morale of the BSF. We are grief-stricken but will not rest till this terror design ends.”

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, former CM and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah condemned the killing. “It’s unfortunate that Parray was killed when he was home,” Ms. Mufti said. “This is abominable,” Mr. Abdullah said.

 

[Hindustani78]

A sailor on duty at the naval base sustained fatal bullet injury due to the firing of his duty weapon, a defence spokesperson said.(AFP File Photo/Representative Image)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...-kochi-base/story-ydmCXCPtX7buvxUnpiqdUM.html


A 23-year-old sailor was found dead with gunshot wounds at the Kochi naval base on Sunday morning, sources said.

It was not immediately clear if Rakshith Kumar was killed in an accidental fire, committed suicide or was shot dead.

A sailor on duty at the naval base sustained fatal bullet injury due to the firing of his duty weapon, a defence spokesperson said.

Coastal police officials, however, suspect it to be a suicide and ruled out foul play.

Kumar, who hailed from Gujarat, was found dead on board INS Jamuna berthed at Kochi, the headquarters of the southern naval command, sources said. On sentry duty, he reported for work at 6.30am and was found dead two hours later.

The southern naval command, one of the three formations of the Indian Navy, said it would release a statement in the evening.

(With agency inputs)

 

[Hindustani78]

The incident was reported hours after the Army today foiled two infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rampur and Tangdhar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, killing three militants in the process.

By: Express Web Desk | Updated: October 2, 2017 10:56 pm

Awantipura sector lies in the Phulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. (File)

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-police-constable-shot-dead-by-militants-in-awantipora/


A police head constable named Ashiq Hussain was shot dead by militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Awantipora sector on Monday, as reported by news agency ANI. The incident was reported hours after the Army today foiled two infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rampur and Tangdhar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, killing three militants in the process.

This is a developing story, more details awaited.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Home Affairs03-October, 2017 17:02 IST
Shri Rajnath Singh distributes scholarship cheques

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh distributed eleven scholarship cheques at a function here today to the school going children of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. Remaining 172 scholarship funds were digitally transferred to the beneficiaries by the sponsors, Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF).

The SDF initiated the provision of scholarship to children of CAPFs personnel in the year 2016. MHA carried out an exercise and identified 295 children from different CAPFs and AR families and decided about scholarship in consultation with SDF of Rs.6000/- per child. This year 183 children have been identified from different CAPFs and MHA and SDF decided to provide scholarship to these children for subsequent years.

In his brief address, the Union Home Minister complimented Shri S.D. Shibulal, Managing Trustee, Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) for undertaking a noble task and his contribution to nation-building. Shri Rajnath Singh said the SDF has been engaged in several philanthropic activities including care for the elderly and the weaker sections of society.

Senior Officers of MHA & CAPFs, Smt. Kumari Shibulal, Patron, SDF and family members of CAPF personnel attended the function.



*****

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh distributing the scholarship cheques to the school going children of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel, who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation, at a function, in New Delhi on October 03, 2017.

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh addressing during a function to distribute the scholarship cheque to the school going children of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel, who sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation, in New Delhi on October 03, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Caught in the crossfire: People at Qasba village in Poonch on Tuesday. Shelling is posing a threat to their lives. | Photo Credit: AP

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...pak-sniper-fire-in-poonch/article19791939.ece

One soldier was killed in sniper fire by Pakistani troops in the Balakote sector of Poonch in the Pir Panchal Valley on Tuesday.

A police officer said Naik Mohandera Chenjung of 7/11 GR Regiment was hit on the head while manning a post on the Line of Control at Chera around 1.30 p.m. He was rushed to a nearby medical emergency room where doctors declared him brought dead.

The incident, which triggered an exchange of fire that lasted several hours, comes a day after two children were killed in Pakistani shelling in Poonch.