“The Indian Air Force has irrefutable evidence to prove not only the fact that F-16 was used by PAF on February 27 but also that an IAF MiG 21 Bison shot down a PAF F-16,” Air Vice Marshal RG Kapoor said while addressing a press conference here.
Explaining the entire action of February 27 with the help of slides and images from the ground-based radars, Kapoor said: “PAF package of fighter jets were in three groups. One was to the north, and the other ones in central (Jhanagar) and southern (Naushera) sector which were picked by AWACS. The northern group was JF-17 while the central and southern group were F-16s.”
“IAF aircraft were vectored to shoot down the PAF aircraft. PAF aircraft fired multiple AMRAAM missiles which were defeated by countermeasures and tactical manoeuvres,” he said.
“In the aerial combat that followed, one MiG 21 Bison piloted by the Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down one F-16 of the PAF. The F-16 crashed and fell across the LoC in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“Indian Army posts located in the vicinity of the action area witnessed two separate parachutes. The first sighting was due West, in general area Sabzkot and the second, was after a few minutes, South West, general area Tandar,” the senior Air Force officer said.
“There is no doubt that two aircraft went down in the aerial engagement on February 27, one of which was the Bison of IAF while the other was F-16 of Pakistan Air Force conclusively identified by its electronic signature and radio transcripts,” the Air Vice Marshal said.
Highlighting the contradictions in the statements made by the DG, ISPR and Pakistani Prime Minister, the IAF said, “In his initial statement on Feb 27, DG ISPR categorically said ‘3 pilots- one in custody, and two in the area’. DG ISPR also stated on camera in a press briefing that they had two pilots.”
“One in custody and the other had been admitted to hospital and was being given treatment. The same was corroborated by the statement by the Pakistan Prime Minister on camera also indicating more than one pilot.”
The IAF said that all of these conclusively prove that a total of two aircraft had gone down that day in the same area separated by approximately 1 to 1:30 minutes of time.
“Analysis of electronic emissions have shown that the aircraft picked by the ELINT intercepts from AWCS and radio transcripts indicated F-16s in the area directly in front of Wing Commander Abhinandan’s aircraft,” the IAF officer said.
“The IAF achieved its objective of successfully striking the terrorist camp at Balakot and thwarting PAF attack against Indian Military Installations while PAF was unable to achieve its military objective,” he said.
“The Indian Air Force has more credible information and evidence that is clearly indicative of the fact that Pakistan Air Force has lost one F-16 during the entire action. However, due to security and confidentiality concerns are restricting the information being shared in the public domain.”
The Indian Air Force had bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammad, a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan, camp in Pakistan’s Balakot on February 26. This was in retaliation to Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which more than 40 CRPF soldiers lost their lives. (ANI)
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Terming the manifesto as a vision document for the “New India”, the manifesto promised to create growth opportunities for the people of India as the BJP sought continuity for the sake of stability.
The party that has been highlighting crackdowns on the terror groups by the way of surgical and air strikes in Pakistan, and putting the separatist elements under tight leash, stated in its manifesto that it will “firmly continue” the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ against terrorism and extremism and will continue to follow the policy of “giving a free hand to our security forces in combating terrorism.”
In order to strengthen the armed forces, the BJP claims to speed up the purchases of outstanding defense related equipment and weapons. “In order to equip the Armed Forces with modern equipment, we will continue to take focused steps to strengthen the strike capability of the Armed Forces,” the party manifesto stated.
For the welfare of soldiers, the party promises to create a more effective framework for the resettlement of Armed Forces veterans. “Under this effort, the Armed Forces will start planning for the resettlement of soldiers three years before their retirement and in accordance with their preferences. This will include provision for skills training, so skills training, and financial support for higher education, for housing and for starting an enterprise,” the manifesto said.
For combating infiltration, BJP claims to “implement the NRC in a phased manner in other parts of the country.”
The party in its manifesto states that it is “committed to the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouring countries escaping persecution.
“We will make all efforts to clarify the issues to the sections of population from the Northeastern states who have expressed apprehensions regarding the legislation. We reiterate our commitment to protect the linguistic, cultural and social identity of the people of Northeast. Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs escaping persecution from India’s neighbouring countries will be given citizenship in India,” the party stated.
The party has also reiterated its demand for “abrogation” of Article 370, “annulling” Article 35A in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the Agriculture sector, the party reiterated its commitment to providing Rs 6,000 per year to the farmers as mentioned by the NDA government in its interim budget. “We have launched Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to ensure fnancial support to farmers owning land up to 2 hectares. We will further expand the coverage of the scheme to all the farmers in the country…We will launch a pension scheme for all small and marginal farmers in the country so as to ensure social security to them on reaching 60 years of age. We are committed to making an investment of Rs. 25 lakh crore to improve the productivity of the farm sector. We will provide short-term new agriculture loans up to Rs. 1 lakh at a 0% interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount. Our scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has ensured risk mitigation and provided insurance cover for all farmers. We will make enrolment of farmers under the scheme voluntary,” the manifesto read.
In addition it talked about launching Oilseeds Mission, building efficient storage and transport mechanism for agriculture produce, launching National Bee-keeping and Honey Mission to ensure additional returns to the farmers.
The manifesto said that in order to make India the third largest economy of the world by 2030, and committed to make India a $5 trillion economy by 2025 and $10 trillion economy by 2032.
For the welfare of small traders, the party promises to “establish National Traders’ Welfare Board and create a National Policy for Retail Trade for the growth of retail businesses. The BJP stated that it aims to take the Credit Guarantee Scheme credit to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024.
To ensure urban development, the party has vowed to set up five regional centres of excellence on urban issues. These centres will provide support to states and local bodies on issues of urban governance and growth.”
“We will launch a National Urban Mobility Mission to provide technology based urbanmobility solutions to all urban local bodies and increase the use of public transport, enhance walkability and cycle use… In the next five years, we will ensure that 50 cities are covered with a strong metro network,” the manifesto states. (ANI)
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Consequently, Mallya now has five working days, till April 12, to renew his application in court for admitting his appeal, a spokesperson of the British home office told ANI.
The order of the District Judge of the High Court of England and Wales was passed on Friday.
The 63-year-old embattled liqour baron had approached the court against the February 5 order signed by the UK Home Secretary approving Mallya’s extradition.
The rejection of Mallya’s appeal is seen as a positive development for authorities in India who have been pushing for the extradition of the businessman who faces charges of loan frauds, money laundering and other economic offences.
“Vijay Mallya is accused in India of conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering offences,” the order said.
A major breakthrough was achieved on December 10 when the Westminster Magistrate’s Court found merit in the charges registered against Mallya in India and approved his extradition.
Sharing details of the development, sources in the Indian government had then said that the completion of the legal process is awaited for the extradition of the fugitive liquor baron.
“We have taken note of the decision of the UK Home Secretary to sign on the order for Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India. While we welcome the UK Government’s decision in the matter, we await the early completion of the legal process for his extradition,” said had sources.
Mallya, who fled India in March 2016 has been living in the United Kingdom since then.
The Patiala House Court in New Delhi has already declared Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in January 2018. The court had also issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant against him for evading summons and law of the land in 2017.
As per the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate, Mallya had allegedly paid $200,000 to a British firm and some European countries for displaying the logo of his now defunct Kingfisher airline in Formula One World Championships in London in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
The investigating agency also claimed that the money was paid without prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in violation of the FERA norms. (ANI)
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I have a family of six to take care of. Two of my children go to school too; their fees and uniforms are a major setback. I sell vegetables and fruits at Khatauli (in western Uttar Pradesh) market every day for a living. My first and foremost concern is how to increase my income. And I have little faith in political parties or their leaders to be take care of my interests. I will have to deal with them myself.
We lead a tough life, with little time for entertainment like these (pointing out to the mad rush at the BJP rally in Amroha). For us, such large gatherings are an opportunity to eke out some extra income. Whenever I come to know about a political rally in the vicinity close to my work place, I grab the opportunity. And I am not alone in this. Take a look at the sugarcane juice sellers or other refreshments.
Your judgment about what you are going to sell works a lot. Since it is getting hot in the day, I chose cucumbers. They are cheap, within the budget of a villager and cools down the parched men. Of course there are several options; one has to choose that one can handle. If I end up with some surplus, I can use it on my vegetable stall for the next few days.
I am teaching these tricks of the trade to my son, Sooraj, who is here with me. He is studying in Class XI. I do not want him to become a vegetable vendor but he is a good helping hand, and it is never too early to learn the ways of the world. The business a bit slow right now. But I am sure, when the rally ends, there will be a rush of thirsty men towards the main road. I hope I am able to return with an empty cart. This is the dream of every vendor that he does not have to carry any of wares back home. I too hope I made the right decision by betting on the cucumber.
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Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi ji is a true leader. If he says something, he will do it. You can see that spirit in his stand on Kashmir and Pakistan. Ghus ke maara, attack ke jawab me, ek baar nahi kai baar (we entered into Pakistan territory to give them a reply in its own coin, not once but twice). Although I was always inclined toward the BJP policies on running the country, I am particularly a great fan of Modi ji. India is blessed to have a leader like him in such corrupt times.
There were many people in my village who wanted to just have a glimpse of Modi ji, and I decided it was a god send opportunity for people of my village to see him in person. Yes, the heat is too much and some of those who came with me could not bear the crowd. Saans nahi aa rahi thi wahan par (it was difficult to breathe at the venue). So, after having seen Modi ji walking down from his copter, we came out. Dekh liya, bas ho gaya (I have had a glimpse of him, that is more than enough).
I firmly believe that this country is safe in Modi ji’s hands and he will create more job opportunities in his next term. It takes time to overhaul the system rotting since many decades. The charge that Modi ji did not keep his word is wrong and false propaganda by opposition Congress. You expect him to cleanse the system which was poisoned over six decades.
I ask you, what do you want from a prime minister? He is one man who is not afraid of wielding a broom to clean the street. This is a symbolic gesture and it sends a message to all government employees to go and work. He has given us self-respect as an Indian, as a farmer and as a Hindu. We have full faith in his word. Under his leadership, India will reach new heights. Our village youth too are his great supporters. If he had not created jobs and other skill India opportunities, do you think the youth would have supported him. Just take a look around you. There are men of all age and class all over. Such is his appeal. You have to agree to this that there is no leader today of his stature and his party will be back by another thumping win this year.
l to Modi ji and contribute in any which way to see him remain seated in the Prime Minister’s chair.
Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi ji is a true leader. If he says something, he will do it. You can see that spirit in his stand on Kashmir and Pakistan. Ghus ke maara, attack ke jawab me, ek baar nahi kai baar (we entered into Pakistan territory to give them a reply in its own coin, not once but twice). Although I was always inclined toward the BJP policies on running the country, I am particularly a great fan of Modi ji. India is blessed to have a leader like him in such corrupt times.
There were many people in my village who wanted to just have a glimpse of Modi ji, and I decided it was a god send opportunity for people of my village to see him in person. Yes, the heat is too much and some of those who came with me could not bear the crowd. Saans nahi aa rahi thi wahan par (it was difficult to breathe at the venue). So, after having seen Modi ji walking down from his copter, we came out. Dekh liya, bas ho gaya (I have had a glimpse of him, that is more than enough).
I firmly believe that this country is safe in Modi ji’s hands and he will create more job opportunities in his next term. It takes time to overhaul the system rotting since many decades. The charge that Modi ji did not keep his word is wrong and false propaganda by opposition Congress. You expect him to cleanse the system which was poisoned over six decades.
I ask you, what do you want from a prime minister? He is one man who is not afraid of wielding a broom to clean the street. This is a symbolic gesture and it sends a message to all government employees to go and work. He has given us self-respect as an Indian, as a farmer and as a Hindu. We have full faith in his word. Under his leadership, India will reach new heights.
Our village youth too are his great supporters. If he had not created jobs and other skill India opportunities, do you think the youth would have supported him. Just take a look around you. There are men of all age and class all over. Such is his appeal. You have to agree to this that there is no leader today of his stature and his party will be back by another thumping win this year.
Sinha, who was denied a Lok Sabha ticket by the BJP for his alleged “anti-party” stance, while joining the party revealed, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav advised him to join the Congress.
“Lalu Prasad has a big role to play in my joining the Congress, he send me here on the day of Navratri. Though I am little upset on leaving the party (BJP) on its foundation day,” said Sinha.
He also said that old-guards are undermined and sidelined in the BJP.
In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, Sinha alleged that BJP is “one-man show and two men Army”.
“The BJP is one man show and two men Army. Condition is such, that ministers there are afraid of appointing their personal secretaries without asking PMO, “said Sinha.
“Yashwant Sinha left BJP as he was compelled to, such circumstances were also created in front of Jaswant Singh, Arun Shorie and others. We all know about what happened with Murli Manohar Joshi and Lal Krishna Advani. My fault is that I always spoke the truth and stood with Advani,” he added.
When asked about his wife Poonam contesting against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow he said: “everything is possible”.
Sinha was elected twice, in 2009 and 2014, from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. Bihar will vote in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
(ANI)
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Prime Ministers will come and go but Indian Army will remain the final bastion of this nation. Our defence forces have a long track record of being apolitical and are respected worldwide for their professionalism. Indian Army is the army of its people and has always acted to save its citizens from external aggression and internal disturbances or insurgencies.
Insurgency in Punjab was controlled largely due to the fact that Indian Army under their Chief General Bipin Chandra Joshi had cleared all rural areas of militants and had left the populated urban areas to the Punjab Police. The Chief had decided that the army would not take any credit but would continue to provide area security and actionable intelligence to the state police, allow it to take the credit and re-establish its credibility. That is the mettle Indian Army is made of and the politicians of all hue and cry must adhere to the opening sentence of the code of conduct laid down by election commission that clearly states that politicisation of the army should not be resorted to.
The fire brand Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath in an election rally has remarked that Indian Army is Modi Ji Ki Sena. It is a well-known fact that this CM also had an army of his own. Indian Army is an instrument of the state and does not belong to any political party in or out of power. The credit for giving a political clearance for operating across the Line of Control should rightly go to PM Modi. Again, the credit of placing all instruments of intelligence gathering or monitoring the movement of inimical forces as also tracing the moment of own troops in territory controlled by the enemy must go to the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The credit of planning and coordinating operations goes to the Director General Military Operations acting in behalf of Army Chief and the Northern Army Commander. The Corps Commander was responsible for coordinating and provision of all resources at his call to support the operation. The actual credit of launching the surgical strikes across the enemy lines goes to the Commanding Officer, the team commanders and the troops of Special Forces who went across and risked their lives and the pilots of Indian Air Force and their base commanders. If the PM, NSA, the then Army Chief or the Army Commander take credit for launching surgical strikes, then they are far from the truth. Unfortunately, for this nation, they are all taking credit, time and again, to gain votes or favours for plum appointments within and outside the country.
Number of movies and web shows like Uri and certain others have misguided the nation in showing that the operational and tactical wisdom flowed down from the PM and the NSA. The PM and NSA have had no formal training in military matters and are not well equipped to lay down operational plans. Such operations had been done earlier also but in a covert manner to impose your will on the erring opponent. The difference is that this time it was made public and the surgical strikes are being milked time and again to score browning point against political opponents. It is but natural that when corned in this issue, the opposition starts doubting the veracity of the claims and starts asking proof of these operations. Both the ruling party and the opposition have done ample harm to the credibility of our armed forces as also the confidentiality of the operational plans.
The time has come when there needs to be a public outcry in support of no politicisation of the armed forces. When you talk to the common man on the street he has a lot of respect for the armed forces. The best way to build nationalism is to have conscription wherein every abled man and woman does military training for a specific period. USA and some European nations have had conscription from time to time. Israel and some of its Arab neighbours still have conscription. It will be argued that India, because of its burgeoning population, cannot afford to have conscription. Shall we then lay it down as a legislation that all individuals aspiring for government jobs and public life must have a compulsory two years military training? That will cover all future politicians and bureaucrats.
Very systematically, the bureaucrats and the politicians over the last seven decades have been bringing down the status of the premier institution of defence forces, in successive pay commissions. The biggest user of the pay commission, the defence forces never have had a representative in the pay commission. The Ministry of Defence has not been integrated with services Headquarters like in all modern democratic nations and behaves like a higher Headquarters without having any practical knowledge of matters military. No modernisation has taken place either in the ten years of UPA government or in the last five years. The civil military relations in the county are at its lowest ebb under the present government. Although in principal, this government has given One Rank One Pay in the beginning of their tenure, the bureaucracy has successfully insulated the politicians from the services and have ensured in holding the government from completing its promises. The rapid changes of Defence Ministers who have been political light weights shows that the PMO has little time for ensuring true national security except for resorting to rhetoric and pushing agendas in the name of national security. This must change with the new government in office this summer otherwise we will get a rap on our knuckles again like 1962.
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