New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today questioned the “loyalty” of those who doubted the Army and sought proof of “surgical strikes across the LoC” even as he made it clear that there is no need to give out any video of the operation.
Category: National
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No need to give out video of ‘cross-LoC operation’: Parrikar
Describing the “cross-LoC operation as 100 per cent perfect surgical strike”, he said the borders of the country are secure under the Narendra Modi government.However, he warned that one has to remain vigilant against “certain elements” who don’t owe their loyalty to the country completely.“No one had doubted bravery of our forces ever, but for the first time recently some people are doubting,” he said, maintaining that he would not like to take names.Highlighting the news report of CNN News18 in which a “Pakistani police officer has admitted” that surgical strikes did happen, Parrikar said, “There is now no more reason to release video or to give any proof.”Parrikar, who was speaking at a BJP organised public meeting, said that many ex-servicemen have shown willingness to fight on the border if required.“Some ex-servicemen wrote to me and said that they are ready to fight on the border if need arises. I salute them,” said the minister, adding, “Our nation carries the heart and courage to carry this task out.”He also said that the forces and citizens will have to be vigilant against “frustrated” terrorists who will try and attack because of the shame they have been put to as a result of the surgical strikes. PTI -
Further discussions on surgical strikes is an insult to Indian Army: Naidu
New Delhi: Hitting out at those “seeking proof” of the army-conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said further discussions of the same would be an “insult” to the “commendable” task.
“There is no need to respond to such irresponsible comments and demands. Fortunately, Congress has also realised its mistake and distanced itself from the comments of its leaders… AAP has also made it very clear,” he said.
Stating that further discussions regarding the merit of the operations will be an “insult” to the force, Naidu said, “I don’t think any Indian citizen has got any doubt. Nobody is doubting the credentials and commitment of the Indian Army. It did a commendable job… It would be an insult to the Army if we further discuss (it).”
The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) had announced of the army’s surgical strikes on September 29 in a press meet, giving sparse details of the mission. He however stated that seven militant launchpads had been damaged in the attack.
He later also shared the information at an all-party meeting.
Observing that the country had reacted positively to the news, and so had many global nations, Naidu said giving further details may not necessarily be in the best interest of the nation.
“Only Pakistan is saying something because they have to say something. They are not in a position to conduct funeral or last rites of their own citizens…This is their culture,” he said.
Reiterating the Modi-led NDA’s government’s stand, the minister said India did not want war with anybody, but would respond if continuously provoked.
“…We never want a war with anybody. If somebody continuously provokes us, we will give them a befitting reply like our jawans gave the reply recently,” he said.
Naidu was referring to the constant ceasefire violations that have been occurring along the Line of Control, especially since the surgical attack was announced.
The border, however, has been tense since last month when a group of militants, who India blames Pakistan of sponsoring, attacked an army camp in Kashmir’s Uri sector, killing 19 soldiers. The army’s surgical strike has largely been regarded as a response to the militant attack.
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Surgical strikes: Bodies taken away on trucks, loud explosions, eyewitnesses give graphic details
From classified intelligence documents accessed by The Indian Express, it appears the assault caught the Lashkar and other jihadist groups by surprise.
New Delhi: Eyewitnesses living across the Line of Control (LoC) have provided The Indian Express with graphic accounts of last week’s Indian Army special forces strikes on jihadists’ staging posts, describing how bodies of those killed in clashes before dawn on September 29 were loaded onto trucks for secret burials. The eyewitnesses also described brief but intense fire engagements that destroyed makeshift buildings that housed jihadists before they left for the last stage of their journeys across the LoC.
Their accounts corroborate India’s claims that it carried out strikes against terror launch pads a claim Pakistan has denied, saying, instead, that its military’s forward positions were targeted with small-arms and mortar fire.
They also provide, for the first time, details on some of the locations targeted in the operation, information which the governments of India and Pakistan have not made public.
However, eyewitness accounts, as well as intelligence records obtained by The Indian Express, suggest that fatalities in the raids may have been lower than the 38-50 killed attributed to Indian officials in reports, including in this newspaper, and have caused little damage to jihadist logistics and infrastructure.
Lethal strike
Five eyewitnesses were contacted by The Indian Express through their kin living on the Indian side of the LoC and questions were sent to them using a commercially available encrypted chat system. The eyewitnesses’ identities are being withheld for their safety at the request of their families.
Indian journalists have no access to the Pakistani side of the LoC and the only Pakistan media reporting from these regions has been after a team of journalists were taken to some areas by the military there.
The most detailed account of the fighting came from two eyewitnesses who visited Dudhnial, a small hamlet some 4 km across the LoC from India’s nearest forward post, Gulab, ahead of the town of Kupwara. The eyewitness reported seeing a gutted building across the Al-Haawi bridge from the hamlet’s main bazaar, where a military outpost and a compound used by the Lashkar are both sited.
Al-Haawi bridge is the last point where infiltrating groups are loaded with supplies before beginning their climb up to the LoC towards Kupwara, both eyewitnesses said.
Local residents told one of the eyewitnesses that loud explosions — possibly rounds fired from 84-mm Carl Gustav rifles — were heard from across the Al-Haawi bridge late in the night, along with intense small-arms fire. “People did not come out to see what was going on,” the eyewitness reported, “so did not see Indian soldiers but they gathered from the Lashkar people the next day that they had been attacked.”
Five, perhaps six, bodies were loaded on to a truck early next morning, and possibly transported to the nearest major Lashkar camp at Chalhana, across the Neelum river from Teetwal, on the Indian side of the LoC, the eyewitness said he was told by local residents.
The Indian Army has made no official claim on casualties, but Director General of Military Operations Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh said the strikes caused “significant casualties” to “terrorists and those providing support to them.”
Friday prayers at a Lashkar-affiliated mosque in Chalhana, another eyewitness said, ended with a cleric vowing to avenge the deaths of the men killed the previous day. “The Lashkar men gathered there were blaming the Pak Army for failing to defend the border”, he said in one message, “and saying they would soon give India an answer it would never forget”.
From classified intelligence documents accessed by The Indian Express, it appears the assault caught the Lashkar and other jihadist groups by surprise. Intelligence Bureau records, one released on September 30 for a scheduled inter-agency meeting in New Delhi, spoke only of one major build-up, saying up to 40 jihadists had massed in Kél, facing India’s Machil sector. This unusual number was interpreted to be a preparation for a last-ditch infiltration push before the passes closed in early winter.
Terrorists unprepared
Elsewhere, though, nine intelligence alerts seen by The Indian Express, and issued in the week prior to the strike, flagged only small groups of five to 10 infiltrators biding their time at so-called “launch-pads”, essentially rural homes located close to military facilities, from where jihadists are guided towards India’s LoC defences.
“They were basically sitting around thinking it was business as usual”, an official familiar with the intelligence said. “Many of them would have died crossing the LoC anyway, when they hit our defences but this (the strikes) has made them feel unsafe one step back in their journeys”.
Leepa, a complex of some 25 hamlets located at the bottom of the Qazi Nag stream flowing down from the mountains above Naugam, on the Indian side of the LoC, was among the “launch-pads” targeted in the cross-LoC raids, one eyewitness said. Though the eyewitness was unable to visit the area, he said he spoken to villagers who had seen a Lashkar-occupied three-storied wooden building destroyed by Indian troops near the hamlet of Khairati Bagh.
Khairati Bagh was, until 2003, a major Lashkar base, which was slowly scaled down once the LoC ceasefire went into place and the terrorist group’s cross-LoC operations slowly declined. It remains, though, of key importance to the group, offering multiple lines of access into northern Kashmir through Chowkibal and the Bangas bowl.
The eyewitness said local residents said “three or four” Lashkar personnel were thought to have been killed in the raid, while others fled into the adjoining forests after the firing began.
Interestingly, the eyewitness said the Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s charitable wing, the Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation, had held a major eye-surgery camp in Khairati Bagh in August, using the opportunity to deliver speeches on alleged atrocities by Indian soldiers in Kashmir. Fire and explosions were also heard, an eyewitness said, from the east bank of the Neelum river in Athmuqam, the district headquarters of the region.
Next to Pak Army
The fighting, the eyewitness said, appeared to have taken place near military camps along the Katha Nar stream that empties into the Neelum river just north of the town. A bustling town that serves as a hub for tourism and commerce, Athmuqam is also a major military hub, with several army facilities on the ridges the east bank of the river, sheltered from artillery bombardment.
The ghost villages of Bicchwal and Bugna, almost entirely abandoned by their residents who fled when the long jihad in Kashmir began in 1990, are barely 2 km from Salkhanna, the first village on the Pakistani side of the LoC, and the last loading point for jihadist infiltrators.
An eyewitness who visited the Neelum District Hospital in Athmuqam said he heard several Lashkar personnel had been killed and injured in the clash last Thursday but said no bodies had been buried locally.
Neelum valley residents, tied by kinship to mountain peoples on the other side of the LoC, have had a fraught relationship with jihadists operating in the area, fearing the collapse of the India-Pakistan ceasefire could lead to the return of the artillery exchanges which claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians before 2003.
In 2011, India-Pakistan military clashes led scores of Athmuqam women and children to march to the local army unit, demanding that it stop cross-border movement by jihadists.
The Pakistan Army responded by locating jihadist launch-pads alongside its camps, thus minimising contact between local residents and groups like the Lashkar. However, the massive street violence in Kashmir has led to a surge in the visibility of jihadists across the Neelum valley.
Written by Praveen Swami Indian Express
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Om Puri accused of insulting soldiers, complaint filed
The 65-year-old actor was speaking on the controversy over the ban on Pakistani actors by a Hindi film producers” association in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack, in which 19 soldiers were killed.
A complaint has been filed against veteran actor Om Puri for comments on Indian soldiers that many said were insensitive.
During a TV debate on Monday, Puri said: “Did we force them to join the army? My father was also in the army… We are proud of them (soldiers)… I am asking you: Do you want India and Pakistan to become Israel and Palestine?The 65-year-old actor was speaking on the controversy over the ban on Pakistani actors by a Hindi film producers’ association in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack, in which 19 soldiers were killed.
“I don’t give a damn to Salman Khan or some other Khan… Go to Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and cancel their (Pakistani actors’) visas. Prepare 15-20 people as suicide bombers and send them to Pakistan,” the actor said
Reacting to his comment, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit tweeted: “Om Puriji, Pak artistes banned isn’t a solution, but show of solidarity to our martyrs. We can’t be lighting pyres while continuing to perform with them.”Anupam Kher wrote that while he respected Mr Puri, “watching him on the TV show and hearing his views related to Indian soldiers was very sad”.
Puri visited Pakistan in August to promote the Pakistani film “Actor in Law”, in which he plays a key role.
The actor had said during the debate that the ban on Pakistani artistes will not change the situation and that it will only cause immense losses to Indian producers.
While he has won some support for this view, his comments on soldiers has left many on social media seething. IANS -
People will demand proof of ‘surgical strikes’: Chidambaram
Talking to a TV news channel, Chidambaram said that unlike the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, the Narendra Modi government has deliberately taken political ownership of military action.
Claiming that cross-border pre-emptive military actions took place during the UPA regime also, Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said there will be public demands for releasing the video footage of the recent “surgical strikes carried across the Line of Control (LoC),” as the Narendra Modi government has taken political ownership of the military action.Talking to a TV news channel, Chidambaram said that unlike the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, the Narendra Modi government has deliberately taken political ownership of military action.“Such cross-border pre-emptive actions have taken place in the past. At least one such strike has been confirmed by then Chief of Army staff Gen. Bikram singh in January 2013. There have been others, but I don’t want to get into details,” Chidambaram told CNNNews18.“Having taken political ownership for the cross-border action and having publicised it so much, it is only to be expected that people will demand that the video be released. So I am sure the government has thought through about the consequences of taking the political ownership for a purely military action.“And having thought through the consequences, let the government respond to the demand for releasing videos,”said the former Union Home Minister.The Congress leader attributed “policy of strategic restraint” behind the UPA not publicising such military action conducted during its regime.“Our government took the call that cross-border action should be a military call and it is for (Army) Generals to say what they want to say. We did not take political ownership of military action. This government has taken that responsibility.”“We pursued the correct strategy, our policy was strategic restrain. It is of course the privilege of every government to adapt or modify policies. If the NDA government modified, altered the polices of strategic restraint, its their call, they have to face the consequences of that call,” he said.“As the Opposition we support the government but the consequences of that call to modify and to take political ownership of military action, entirely is the responsibility of the NDA,” he said, adding that during the UPA regime between 2004-2014, “more terrorists were arrested and killed” than in any other period.Indian Army’s Special Forces claimed that it carried out “surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC)” on the night of September 28-29. -
Hema Malini appreciates Pakistani actors
The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association has decided to ban Pakistani artistes from working in Indian movies following an attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir that left 19 soldiers dead.
Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini says she appreciates the work of Pakistani actors but cannot say if they should work in India or not.Asked about her view on the ban on Pakistani artistes in India, Hema Malini, a BJP MP, said: “I don’t want to comment much on this controversial question. But all I can say is that we are artistes and so are those who come from there (Pakistan) to perform here.“As an artiste, I can appreciate their work. But whether they should stay here or not, I can’t comment,” she added. Hema Malini was launching a new campaign of the brand Kent RO.The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association has decided to ban Pakistani artistes from working in Indian movies following an attack on Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir that left 19 soldiers dead. IANS -
Congress leader Nirupam says surgical strikes a fake claim to draw political benefits
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Tuesday termed the “surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir” (PaK) as fake and accused the BJP of making political capital out of it.“Every Indian wants Surgical Strikes Against Pakistan but not a fake one to extract just political benefit by BJP. Politics over national interest,” Nirupam tweeted.The Maharashtra Congress leader’s remarks came after India said that its soldiers carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control in PaK and destroyed “seven terror launch pads on September 28 night.” IANS -
UAVs seen close to Indo-Pak border; tension prevailing: BSF
The BSF today said “tension” prevails along the western front in the wake of “surgical strikes” and it has witnessed movement of UAVs very close to the Indo-Pak border in the recent past.As part of measures to beef up overall security, the border guarding force has also reviewed the preparedness of security mechanisms along the eastern front with Bangladesh so that terrorists are not able to use that country to sneak into India and launch attacks.“No doubt, the overall vigil has been increased (along western borders). All the defence and security forces establishments are on their highest alert. There is tension on the western border..we are having active engagement (with Pakistan) at the Line of Control and we are receiving shelling from the other side. However, we are in supportive role at the LoC (to army),” BSF Director General K K Sharma told reporters here.He said the BSF and their Bangladeshi counterparts Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), as part of the bi-annual talks that concluded here today, also did “touch upon” the security situation post the surgical strikes conducted by army across the LoC and that both the forces are on “high vigil.”“There is no new input (about Bangladeshi territory being used by terrorists)…however, vigil has been increased along the Indo-Bangla border too,” he said.Sharma added that while there is “tension” at the International Border (IB) that runs along Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujrat, there has been no ceasefire violation till now in these areas.“We have noticed UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) coming 100 meters upto the border…may be they (Pakistani forces) want to check our preparedness but I can assure you that we are fully capable of giving a befitting reply and we will not allow any nefarious design of terrorists to succeed,” he said.The BSF chief added the force has not issued any order for vacating villages on the border and such directives may have been issued by the respective civil administrations of the states.“We are even allowing Indian farmers to go to their farms which are beyond the Indo-Pak fence. We have never said vacate villages, people may have shifted out as precautionary measure. Now, people who had gone are coming back. There has been no untoward incident at the IB till now,” he said.Talking about a recent incident at the Attari-Wagah retreat ceremony, Sharma said an incident was reported where a “stone” was thrown towards the Indian side but it did not hit anyone and the matter was brought to the notice of their counterparts Pakistan Rangers. PTI -
India asks Pak to return soldier
Director General of Military Operations, Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh has written to his Pakistan counterpart for returning the soldier.
India has sought return of its soldier who was captured by Pakistan, but has not got a positive response yet, said informed sources on Monday.
The soldier, Chandu Babulal Chouhan had crossed the Line of Control and was captured by Pakistani troops.Indian Army has said that the soldier, who belongs to the Rashtriya Rifles, was not involved in the surgical strike.
Director General of Military Operations, Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh has written to his Pakistan counterpart for returning the soldier.
The sources however said on Monday that while the message has been received, there is no response from the other side yet.“They have received the message, but there is no response yet,” a source said.
An official said straying across LoC happens at times as soldiers may get disoriented and lose their way.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said on Sunday that the the mechanism through the DGMO has been activated seeking return of the soldier.
Chavan’s grandmother had passed away after hearing the news of his crossing over to Pakistan.
Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention protects captured military personnel, some guerrilla fighters, and certain civilians. It applies from the moment a prisoner is captured until he or she is released/repatriated. One of the main provisions of the convention makes it illegal to torture prisoners and states that a prisoner can only be required to give their name, date of birth, rank and service number if applicable. -
Arundhati to come out with fiction work after 19 years
Arundhati Roy will come out with her next work of fiction in June 2017, 19 years after her Booker prize-winning novel “The God of Small Things” was published.
“The Ministry of Utmost Happiness” will be published by Hamish Hamilton UK and Penguin India, a statement said. “I am glad to report that the mad souls (even the wicked ones) in ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ have found a way into the world, and that I have found my publishers,” Roy said.“To publish this book is both a pleasure and an honour. What an incredible book it is – on multiple levels; one of the finest we have read in recent times,” said Simon Prosser, Publishing Director of Hamish Hamilton & Penguin Books UK; and Meru Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief, Literary Publishing of Penguin Random House India.
“The writing is extraordinary and so too are the characters – brought to life with such generosity and empathy, in language of the utmost freshness, joyfully reminding us that words are alive too, that they can wake us up and lend us new ways of seeing, feeling, hearing, engaging. It makes the novel new – in the original meaning of novels,” the statement said.
According to Roy’s literary agent David Godwin, “Only Arundhati could have written this novel. Utterly original. It has been 20 years in the making. And well worth the wait.”