Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, July 25: Eight persons including two couple and a Head Constable of J&K Police, were killed in three separate road accidents in Reasi and Ramban districts of Jammu region today.
Reports said four persons including an Armed Police Head Constable and a couple from Rajouri, were killed when their car fell into a nallah from a bridge near Pouni in district Reasi this morning. The incident  took place at around 8 am when they were going for mourning on the death of their relative at Bharakh in Reasi. They started from Naban Mohalla in Rajouri in two separate cars early morning.
As the ill-fated Santro car No. JK02AP/ 2426 reached at  `Neela Tub’ , the driver lost control on the speeding car and it landed into the nallah. All the four persons on board, were killed on the spot as the car fell on big boulders/ rocks. Actually the driver of this vehicle was following the other car. Near, Pouni Domail, this vehicle moved in  direction. After reaching Pouni bazaar, the people told that they were on wrong side. Then the driver of this vehicle took turn and started towards Bharakh in speed. At ‘Neela Tub’ there is sharp curve and the bridge has no railings, the vehicle could not be controlled and rolled down from bridge.
The local people alleged that this bridge has no railings and the road is narrow. The GREF has not properly maintained the road at this point. Last year, two youth had been killed at this point as their bike rolled down. The boys were going to distribute marriage cards. A tipper had also fell down from the same point a few months back in which three persons were critically injured and one of them later died.
All the dead bodies were removed to Pouni hospital by police and the occupants of other car also reached there after coming to know about mishap.  The deceased were identified as Head Constable Mohd Rashid (48), his brother- in- law Mohd Zuber, Prevez Akhar  wife of Mohd Zuber and Zuber’s mother Razia Begum (55), all residents of Naban Mohalla Rajouri. Rashid was deployed as PSO with Mustafa Azad, brother of  Ghulam Nabi Azad. Mohd Rashid basically hailed from Behramgalla in Bafliaz but now he has been settled at Rajouri ( Ward No.10).  All the dead bodies were handed over to the family after postmortem at Pouni hospital this afternoon. The burial also took place in Rajouri this evening in which a large number of people from all walks of life attended.
Meanwhile, a couple was killed when a Maruti WagnR bearing registration No. DL3CAW/1981, which was on way to Jammu from Srinagar, skidded off the road and fell into gorge at Ratanbaas, just 3 kms short of  Banihal this afternoon.
A police spokesman said that the vehicle was being driven by one Imran Ahmed Sheikh (35), son of Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, resident of  Nawa Kadal, Srinagar.  Both husband and wife- Shaista Begum were travelling towards Jammu from Srinagar. The dead bodies of the couple were removed to Banihal hospital by police. Later, the family members also reached there. The police after postmortem and performing all the legal formalities handed over the bodies to the family.
Another report said that a truck driver and his cleaner were washed away as their load carrier fell into mighty river Chenab near Ramban bridge early today. Police said the vehicle bearing registration No  JK02A/8496 was on way to Banihal from Udhampur. It was coming from Chanderkot area and heading towards Chenab  bridge, 3 kms short of Ramban. Apparently due to some mechanical failure, the driver could not negotiate curve and the vehicle rolled down into river Chenab. Some onlookers raised alarm and the truck was seen getting washed away in the river for some distance and then it submerged into the river.  Later, Traffic Police men and Ramban Police officials reached there and started search but it could not be traced. Driver of the truck Parshotam Singh hailed from Udhampur area. The identity of cleaner could not be established. The police has taken cognizance of the matter.

DRASS, July 25:
The day on which the nation commemorates its hard-earned victory in the Kargil War is also an occasion that invokes feelings of both pain and pride for the families of the brave jawans who laid down their lives protecting the territory of India from intruders.
As the country celebrates the 15th anniversary of its triumph in Kargil War, both the jawans and the families of those killed in the conflict have come a long way.
The families of the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the country make it a point to visit the war memorial here each year on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
They remember their loved ones with pride, but the feelings of sadness have not waned.
“This place and this day reminds us of those brave-hearts who sacrificed their lives for the country. My son was one of them. I am sad that I lost my son but, at the same time, there is a feeling of pride that he laid down his life for the country,” said Col VN Thapar, father of Capt. Vijyant Thapar, who was martyred while leading an attack of the 2 Rajputana Rifles at Tololing.
Fifteen years and many peace overtures later, the situation on the LoC and the border has not changed much. The troops on the other side occasionally open fire at Indian posts, thereby violating the ceasefire agreed between India and Pakistan in 2003.
The Army says it has not let its guard down and the jawans add that they are motivated and ready for any challenge.
“We are always ready for any challenge. We have the capability of giving a fitting reply to the enemy,” said MK Salam, a jawan.
He said that Vijay Diwas makes the jawans remember the supreme sacrifices of their fellow soldiers and infuses them with a new vigour.
“Seeing the respect given to martyred jawans, we get inspired and filled with a renewed sense of doing something for the country,” he said.
The two-day event to mark Vijay Diwas and commemorate the martyrdom of the jawans was kicked off by Army Chief, Gen. Bikram Singh, who offered floral tributes at the Kargil War Memorial here. Many current and former top Army officers also laid floral wreaths at the memorial this morning.
That was followed by a memorial service and a visit to the ‘Hut of Remembrance’, a museum which has been constructed adjacent to the war memorial.
The celebrations of the 15th anniversary began with the lighting of lamps and a prayer service, which was followed by the traditional Pipe Band and Static Band display as well as the Beating Retreat. (PTI)

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, July 25: Army chief Gen Bikram Singh today assured the nation that the Indian Army is fully capable to safeguard nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and that its preparedness is much better today than what it was 15 years ago when the war was fought with Pakistan in the heights of Kargil in 1999.
In brief interaction with media and address to jawans and war widows at Drass, the world’s second coldest place after Siberia, in Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir, Gen Singh declared that the troops were fully prepared to meet with any eventuality on the borders.
“We are fully geared up to meet with any situation. Our defence preparedness is far better today than what it was 15 years ago when we fought the war in the heights of Kargil,” Gen Singh said and assured the people that the troops were well prepared to guard and protect the borders.
Army had to fight for more than two months along with Indian Air Force to push back Pakistan Army, which had captured the heights at Kargil during the winter. It was on July 26 that entire Kargil sector was cleared of Pakistan Army and infiltrators. July 26 is observed by the country as ‘Vijay Divas’.
Replying to a question on ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC) frequently, the Army chief said: “as you very well know that this kind of firing has been on and this thing has been happening almost every month and every year, but let me assure you that your soldiers are taking necessary action whenever required.”
He said the Army jawans were giving adequate response to ceasefire violations and taking all measures to ensure that the infiltration attempts didn’t succeed.
It may be mentioned here that during past few days, the ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army and infiltration attempts by the militants have both been reported from the LoC and International Border but troops have not allowed designs of the militants to succeed.
Replying to another question, Gen Singh, who is retiring on July 31, said: “the Government is totally committed towards ensuring that the needs of the Army are met and the force is “fully geared” up to take on the challenges”. “As Chief of Army Staff, I want to assure you that your Army is stationed at the border and has the ability to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” he said.
“As you know that I am hanging my boots on July 31 and I thought what better way of saying goodbye to the profession than coming here and laying a wreath on the war memorial by paying tributes to the soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for the nation during Kargil war in 1999,” he said.
Asked if things have changed in terms of deficiencies in the Army since Kargil war, he said: “yes, things have changed. Let me tell you all the armies have deficiencies. It is not only that the Indian Army has deficiencies.
“But things are being made up. The present Government is totally committed towards ensuring that our needs are met. Our deficiencies are met. So let me assure you that your Army is fully geared to take on the challenges. I personally guarantee you that”.
Replying to a question, Gen Singh said the life of a soldier has improved since the Kargil incursions took place in 1999.
“It has improved by leaps and bounds in a very distinct manner,” he said.
“The aspirations of the force with regards to the security needs are being addressed by the government. Let me assure you that the present government is definitely committed towards ensuring that the aspirations of our soldiers are met,” he said.
Asked about the absence of senior Army officers, who were part of Kargil war, from the function today, Gen Singh said he cannot comment on it as they might have had prior commitments.
“Look I cannot comment on that. It is possible that they are abroad, they are busy. They might have prior commitments. But let me assure you that each one of those officers has a commitment towards this cause,” he said.
Gen Singh later interacted with war widows present at the function and distributed gifts among them.
Earlier, Gen was received at Drass by Lt General D S Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command and Lt General B S Negi, General Officer Commanding, Fire and Fury Corps (14 Corps headquartered at Leh).
The visit started with a solemn wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial by the Army chief.
Gen Singh interacted with the next of kin of the martyrs, Veer Naris and the gallantry award winners.
In the somber mood at the event, all those present remembered the losses borne proudly by the families of those who sacrificed their sons, husbands and brothers in Kargil War in 1999.
The event and venue is of a special significance to the General who has not only been the Commander of the Corps at Srinagar but was also the official spokesperson for the Army during the Kargil war.
Gen Singh also complimented the media for their patriotic fervor and thanked them for covering the Kargil Vijay Divas celebrations year after year.
He stated that paying homage to the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the nation’s cause, was the most befitting way for him to mark the culmination of his career in the Army