Medal winning swimmers of KC Public School posing for a group photograph alongwith the Principal and coaches.
Medal winning swimmers of KC Public School posing for a group photograph alongwith the Principal and coaches.
Senior Army commander reviews security situation in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: A senior Army commander today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir Valley.
“Lt General D S Hooda, Northern Army Commander, arrived here today and carried out review of security situation,” a Defence spokesman said.
He said the Army Commander was on his way to Udhampur after attending Vijay Diwas function at Kargil.
Lt Gen Hooda was received by Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, Chinar Corps Commander, on his arrival and briefed on the current operational situation along the Line of Control and internal security prevailing in the hinterland.
The Army Commander later visited forward post in Lolab, Kupwara.
The Army officers updated the Army Commander on the conduct of recent operations, the spokesman said. (AGENCIES)
Pistols recovered in Ramban
JAMMU : Security forces today busted a militant hideout and recovered cache or arms and ammunition including pistols in mountainous Ramban district.
“Based on specific intelligence inputs about presence of hideout, a joint operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifle troops and police at Nachlana in Gudber area,” official spokesman here said.
He said during searches two pistols, ammunition, equipment and war like stores were recovered from the hideout. (AGENCIES)
150-200 militants staged in camps across LoC: Army
JAMMU : Stating that militants attempt to enter into J&K before the onset of winter, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 16 Corps Lt Gen K H Singh today claimed there are “150 to 200 militants” staged in various camps on the other side of the border in a bid to infiltrate into this side.
“In South of Pir Panchal 150 to 200 militants are staged in militant camps (set to infiltrate to this side),” Lt Gen Singh told reporters here.
He said, “This is the time… During July, August and September — before the onset of winter — the militants try to infiltrate into our territory.”
Lt Gen Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to mark the 15th Anniversary of Vijay Diwas at Corps Headquarters, Nagrota on the city outskirts.
The Army commander maintained that the militants keep moving up and down at the launching pads and the Army is maintaining tight vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) to foil their bid.
On the issue of recent attacks on troops along the LoC, he said, “In Akhnoor there were two incidents in last two months or so. They are carrying out such attacks and we are taking adequate action and many militants have been killed on the LoC.”
On a query regarding the involvement of Pakistani Army in these attacks, he said, “We cannot confirm or deny the involvement of the Pakistani Army, but we have a reason to believe that if they are serious, the Pakistani Army can also discourage them from coming across to our side.” (AGENCIES)
Infrastructure development, faculty strengthening focused area:Omar
SRINAGAR : Asserting that the state government is keen to upgrade infrastructure and strengthen the faculties in higher educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said such a move is imperative in imparting quality education to the students in a palatable and conducive atmosphere. Mr Abdullah said while various faculty blocks have been completed and commissioned in degree colleges and universities in the State during the last over five years, many more are under various stages of the execution. He said attention is also being paid to construct lecture halls and auditoria in these institutions. Laying foundation stone of a modern Auditorium at Amar Singh College in Srinagar today, the Chief Minister said up to the mark infrastructure and well qualified faculties are imperative in imparting quality education to the students in a palatable and conducive atmosphere. The Auditorium, which is scheduled to be completed in August 2015, is coming up at a cost Rs 12.28 crore. The Auditorium will have the capacity of 500 seats besides an Academic section in the ground floor and backstage facilities at level second and control room at level third.
The ground floor area will be on 2,608 Sft, 1st floor on an area of 10,709 Sft and 2nd floor on an area of 6655 Sft. (AGENCIES)
Ghazwa-e-Hind: Is only India threatened
Brig Anil Gupta
A sensational story published last week in Daily Mail, UK revealed the ideological goal of Al Qaeda as Ghazwa-e-Hind, or the final battle in India. It also quoted intelligence agencies to say that the terror network is making inroads into India, ‘sowing the seeds of a final war across the country.’ It further stated” not only Kashmir groups but Taliban and Al Qaeda groups have stakes in the larger scheme of Ghazwa-e-Hind where Indiais regarded as next battleground in the ‘End of Times’ battle.” This ideology is likely to be used to drive Taliban and Al Qaeda affiliates into Kashmir. What is this ideology? What does ‘Hind’ mean?
Ghazwa-e-Hind
Ghazwa-e-Hind is a prophesied battle in which Muslim armies would invade Indian subcontinent and would be victorious and will establish Islamic law in the subcontinent. Flag the word Indian subcontinent. Hind does not mean only India but includes Pakistan as well. But anti-Indian Pakistanis have spin doctored the ideology to mislead the community and create a hatred for India. This school of thought is also promoted by the Pakistani Army because it suits itsambition of subverting the supremacy of the elected government. As per them, ‘the concept of Khilafat, armies of greater Khorasan led by Pakistan and invasion and capturing of India in the end times is a mainstream Islamic concept. It would reshape the geopolitics of the present and future world.’ Note how cleverly Hind (which included Pakistan as well) has been replaced by India. Syed Zaman, a jihadist turned religious scholar and mouth-piece of Pakistani Army says, “The modern geopolitics support this spiritual intelligence as well. India is betting itself with crusader Zionists of the West. History is a witness that it is the armies from Greater Khorasan which have always invaded and destroyed the myth of Hindu power. This will be done once again – for one final time led by the Pakistani Army.”
Some Pakistanis led by the ISI harbour the idea of a ‘Greater Pakistan.’ The envisioned map of Greater Pakistan and the ISIS’s Caliphate of Khorasan are almost mirror copies of each other. The idea draws inspiration from the doctrine of Ghazwa-e-Hind. Major parts of India and Afghanistan are included in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan or the “Greater Pakistan.” Isn’t this a fantasy? Such fantasies and ideologies were needed to motivate and rejuvenate the Pakistani Army after it suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Indian Army in 1971. By no stretch of imagination Pakistan, even in its wildest dreams, can think to push across India like this. Such visions are fanatical but far removed from ground reality.
What is the reality?
The doctrine of Ghazwa-e-Hind is being used by terrorists, extremists and fundamentalists to incite hatred against India and give it a religious colour and justification. Buoyed by the unprecedented success achieved by ISIS in the recent months the international jihadi outfits want to expand the conflict zone in order to achieve their cherished dream of World Dominion of Caliphates. In mid- June this yearAl Qaeda released a video titled ‘War should continue, message to the Muslims of Kashmir.’ In this video Al Qaeda called upon Muslims of Kashmir to follow example of their brothers in Syria and Iraq and revolt against the authorities. It asked the Kashmiris to seek inspiration from the “new Afghanistan being created in Syria.” In the video Maulana Asim Umar, Al Qaeda’s Pakistani propagandist exhorted Muslims living in India and Pakistan as well as the two parts of Kashmir to join the global jihadi movement seeking to re-establish an Islamic Caliphate-as envisioned in Ghazwatulhind. The video promises a ‘caravan’ of ‘heroic martyrs’ coming from Afghanistan via Pakistan to ‘liberate Kashmir.’ This was followed by the call made by the self-styled Khaliffah Ibrahim of Caliph of Islamic State at the beginning of the pious month of Ramzan. He called upon all believers to take up arms and terrify the enemies of Allah. Among the enemy countries he named both India and Pakistan. In another development, the parts of North-West India and the whole of Pakistan were included in the Caliphate of Khorasan, in a map issued by the ISIS.
In yet another development Syed Salahuddin, chairman of Pak based United Jihad Council and Hizbul Mujahedeen supremo has invited Al Qaeda and Taliban and like- minded groups to extend a helping hand to ‘oppressed Kashmiris.’ He announced “Jihad on the lines of ISIS in Iraq is the solution to Kashmir.”
Are these actions a mere coincidence or ominous warnings to the rulers in India and Pakistan?
Global Jihad
The dark clouds of Jihad are hovering all over. The international terrorist outfits are shifting their focus towards the Indian subcontinent. ISIS has donned the role of premier international terrorist outfit. All others including Al Qaeda appear to have accepted its supremacy.Pakistan’s ISI can go to any extent to harm India. It also appears to have joined the band wagon. Having failed to realise the dream of Greater Pakistan it is now trying to destabilise India and attack its basic core value of secularism through the so called Global Jihad. The concept of Ghazwa-e -Hind and the intent of Global Jihad is same. Global Jihad is the campaign under which Islamist terrorist outfits are urging Muslims in India to wage war against their own country with the intention of turning it into an Islamic State. Their aim is to establish Islamist world supremacy. However, ISI is ignoring to its own peril the threat posed by the Islamist terrorist outfits to Pakistan as well. A network of militant Islamist groups stretches from Arabian Sea to Persian Gulf and from the Hindu Kush to Indian Ocean. For them anybody who does not subscribe to their interpretation of Islam is not a Muslim and needs to be killed. They have pronounced the regimes in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India as “oppressive.” Al Qaeda is the most infamous of these groups. In a video released by Al Qaeda in March 2012, its Chief Ayman al Zawahiri called on Pakistanis to revolt against their government and military. He said, “O our brothers in Pakistan! O our people in Pakistan! This treacherous army and bribe-taking government have plundered your wealth. They have ruined your economy and destroyed your world as well as your hereafter. What then are you waiting for? Take a lead from your brothers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria who are standing up against oppression and oppressors with their bare chests exposed and offering sacrifices so that victory may be ordained for them.”
Despite whatever Pakistan Army may say Tehrik-e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP) is a close associate of Al Qaeda. Jamat-e-Islami and its student wing are known to provide shelter to Al Qaeda cadre in its urban centres. Radicalisation of rank and file in the Pakistan Army is also well known. There are hard line militant sympathisers among senior ranks in the Army. The details about the arrest in June 2011 of Brig Ali Khan, a third generation soldier, are already in the public domain. He was linked to a banned terrorist organisation Hizb-ut-Tehrir (HUT) that rejects democracy and calls for the establishment of a global Islamic caliphate. Pakistan therefore can ill-afford to dismiss the threat to its existence from Islamist jihadi outfits.
The battle cry of Ghazwa-e-Hind is being used by the terrorist outfits to motivate and indoctrinate their cadres. ISIS has evolved different strategy for different nations to fulfil its cherished dream of World Dominion of Caliphates. According to my hypothesis, which needs to be confirmed by the intelligence agencies, Al Qaeda has been made responsible for waging jihad in the proposed Caliphate of Khorasan. The centre of gravity of this jihad is going to be Kashmir and would spread across the entire Indian subcontinent. Al Qaeda to prove its relevance is going to use all resources at its disposal including Taliban and its various factions, Pak based terrorist outfits, Hizbul Mujahedeen (HM) and Indian Mujahedeen (IM). The later would be used outside Kashmir while the LET and Jaish would be used to support HM as well as IM. TTP supported by Uzbeks, Chechens and Uighurs would take care of Pakistan. Talibans would challenge the Afghan National Security Forces. The likely time of launch would coincide with the US drawdown in end 2014. There are enough indicators to support my hypothesis. It would be in best interest of India and Pakistan to contain these terrorist outfits and prevent their free movement. If we do not fight the international terrorist outfits across the Durand line, we may have to then fight them across the Radcliffe line. A scenario both India and Pakistan would dread.
Conclusion
The concept of Caliphates does not recognise national boundaries. Pakistan has to realise that the Global jihad is as dangerous for her existence as it is for destabilising India. Ghazwa-e-Hind as prophesied includes the entire Indian subcontinent. Pakistan no longer can ignore the ominous signals. It is for both India and Pakistan to bury the hatchet and get ready to face the common enemy in the form of Islamist terror. Both countries need to evolve a joint mechanism to fight the growing menace. One sincerely hopes that reality would dawn on the Pakistani authorities to change their anti-India outlook lest they are determined to implode. For the Indian authorities it would be advisable to take China on board. China is not merely a threat but provides a lot of opportunities as well, particularly when Pakistan has hurt China also by supporting the Uighur Islamist militants and separatist movement in Xinjiang. China may be more than willing to support us if Pakistan
(The author a political commentator, security and strategic analyst. The views expressed in this article are entirely personal. He can be contacted at anil5457@gmail.com.)
Chhari-Mubarak taken to historic Shankaracharya temple
SRINAGAR : ‘ Chhari Mubarak’ the Silver Mace of Lord Shiva was taken to historic Shankaracharya temple amidst chanting of vedic hymns this morning on the occasion of ‘Shravan-Amavasya’ (Haryali-Amavasya) as per age-old traditions. As the Muslims were concluding the night-long Shab-e-Qadr prayers in mosques, shrine and Khankhas, Mahant Deependra Giri, custodian of Chhari Mubarak led devotees to take the Silver Mace to Shankaracharya temple.
Chanting Bvm Bvm Bhole and Har Har Mahadev, the Chhari left Deshnami Akhara near here at 0615 hrs. Puja was performed at the temple amidst chanting of Vedic hymns in which a sizable number of sadhus and pilgrims participated.
Chhari- Mubarak returned to its abode Dashnami Akhara later. The Silver Mace shall be taken to ‘Sharika-Bhawani’ Temple, on the hill of Kohi-e-Maran where the shrine of Hazrat Mehboob-ul-Alam is also located to pay obeisance to the Goddess tomorrow.
(AGENCIES)
Situation on LAC peaceful: Army
DRASS : Against the backdrop of repeated incursions by China into Indian territory, a top Army commander today said the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was “absolutely peaceful and calm” and such incidents happen due to differences in perception.
“The situation on the China border is absolutely peaceful and calm. There are no problems. There has been no incident of firing at the LAC. There are some areas where there is a difference of perception on the alignment of the LAC. We think it is some area and they think of some other,” General Officer Commanding in Chief, Lt Gen D S Hooda, told reporters here.
He said there was no demarcation of the LAC on the land and in such areas both Indian soldiers as well as Chinese soldiers do patrolling.
“But even in those areas, whenever there are any face-offs, everything is settled peacefully. I cannot comment on the political or the diplomatic level, but soldier-to- soldier contact is handled very peacefully,” he said.
He said there was no real concern of the transgressions by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the rules and protocols were largely followed by both the sides.
“Transgressions are always there. Also, let me say that as the infrastructure there is getting developed and roads are coming up…Even our presence is slightly increased in various areas. So, sometimes it is also because of that that you are actually seeing more of what is happening. There is greater visibility also from our side on what they are doing.
“There are rules and agreements and protocols that are defined and largely these protocols are being followed by both sides. Really, there is no cause of real concern that they are doing something which is out of the ordinary,” he said.
On reports of deployment of Chinese troops in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), the army commander said it does not pose any immediate threat.
“There are some media reports that there are Chinese troops in PoK, but mostly they are related to developmental activities. We are not getting anything that is close to the LoC or poses an immediate threat.
“Yesterday, there was one ceasefire violation in Poonch-Mendhar and also one in Akhnoor sector. We had a few ceasefire violations there and they are continuing. Although, let me state that they are not (of) the same intensity as was last year. Last year, the firing was much much heavier. But yes, there is a problem,” Lt Gen Hooda said.
He said ceasefire along the borders with Pakistan was a biggest Confidence Building Measure (CBM) and it would be better for the relations between the two nations if it holds.
“See I cannot answer for India Pakistan relations. These are being handled at a particular level. But definitely, on the border the incidents which are happening…Even the Foreign Secretary made that comment that the biggest CBM was ceasefire along the borders. And if the situation on the LoC and borders is calm, then it will definitely help and it will be good for the development of overall relations,” he said.
The army commander said the force is prepared for the contingencies which may arise in the wake of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“We have to be prepared for contingencies. That is my job to look at what sort of contingencies can arrive. And how it can impact on the security situation in JK. So, the threat (of spillover from Afghanistan) is there. There could be a spillover.
“It is not as if nobody is talking about it. You are getting the statements by HM (Hizbul Mujhadeen) chief saying that I will take support from al-Qaeda and Taliban. We are hearing statements from Taliban side saying Kashmir is the next battle ground. Terms like ‘Ghazve Hind’ are being used. It has not yet manifested itself, but these are things that you have to look at and be prepared,” he said.
Lt Gen Hooda also expressed concern over reports of ISIS flags being hoisted in Srinagar.
“Yes, all these things bother us. But we are looking at various contingencies and seeing how we need to deal with them in case they come up to us,” he said.
The army commander rubbished apprehensions that Vijay Diwas was losing its importance.
“No, the importance of the Diwas is not waning. It is very significant for the relatives of the martyrs. But yes, we will do more to make it better and increase public participation. It is a very important event for us and we will do what we can,” he said. (AGENCIES)
PM remembers indomitable courage of Kargil martyrs
NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tributes to Kargil martyrs on the occasion of ‘Vijay Diwas’, a day commemorated as India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1999 conflict.
“We remember the indomitable courage & sacrifice of our Armed Forces on Kargil Vijay Diwas. The nation salutes these brave martyrs,” Modi said on Twitter.
Every year July 26 is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ and today is the 15th anniversary of India’s victory in the conflict. (PTI)