JAMMU: A total of 22 officers and other ranks of the Northern Command were given gallantry and distinguished service awards on the occasion of the Army Day today.

The awards were given by GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra at a ceremony at Sangha Auditorium in Akhnoor, 30 kms from here, a Defence spokesman said.

Chachra presented two Yudh Seva Medals, 12 Sena Medals (Gallantry), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), five Sena Medal (Distinguished) and two Vishisht Seva Medals, the spokesman said.

The commander also presented GOC-in-C Northern Command’s Unit Citation to 18 units for their outstanding performance in 2013.

Speaking on the occasion, Chachra appreciated all ranks of the Northern Command for their dedication and devotion to duty and congratulated those who were decorated for bravery and distinguished service, the spokesman said.

He urged all ranks, ex-servicemen, civilians and their families to dedicate themselves to the cause of the nation.

The commander acknowledged the contribution of civilians in assisting the Army during operations.

He interacted with the civilians injured in mine accidents and assured them of full support and help from Army, the spokesman said.

The commander also awarded six porters, eight civilians and five ex-servicemen for their exemplary service to the nation.

The ceremony was attended by senior civil and military dignitaries.

Lt Gen D S Hooda, General Officer Commanding White Knight Corps Maj Gen A K Dhar, General Officer Commanding Crossed Swords Divisions were among those present.

On the occasion, President of the Family Welfare Organization of Northern Command Anshul Chachra, Sanjiv Chachra’s wife, interacted with families of the soldiers.

Appreciating their efforts, she presented medallion to five women and six promising students of the service personnel.

The Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the appointment of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, succeeding Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander in 1949. (AGENCIES)

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Jan 15:
The Army today said the talks of withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir was “pre-mature”, even as the state’s political parties mounted their opposition to the law.
The talks of the withdrawal of AFSPA at this moment is “pre-mature” and “let us wait for the situation to stabilise more”, GOC-in-C of Northern Command Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra told reporters after the conclusion of the Investiture Ceremony in the Akhnoor belt of Jammu today.
Referring to Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh remarks that there should be no dilution of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen Chachra said, “The Army Chief has said the right thing. I have also told you that there is peace… It is perceived peace… There is (terror) infrastructure in place. They are already sitting in the launching pads to enter and pollute the atmosphere here, and they have the ability to do so.”
In Srinagar, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in a statement today opposed the Army Chief’s remarks on continuing the AFSPA, and said the law “has outlived its utility and the state is ready for full restoration of fundamental rights” which are severely restricted by such provisions.
The ruling National Conference too had yesterday said the controversial law “has lost its relevance” and “should be phased out and that too in a time bound manner”.
“This is the time to reach out and make sure that there is peace… But we cannot put our guards down,” the GOC-in-C of Northern Command said, adding that human rights violations would not acceptable at all and people should not be disturbed during anti-terror operations.
“The terrorist infrastructure, the camps are in place… Its (Pakistan) intent remains and it has the capability,” Lt Gen Chachra added.
“On the LoC and hinterland, my men and troops have been given clear directions that they will remain alert to any nefarious design that inimical forces want to do against us. We are prepared and 2014 is very important and crucial year for us… We must ensure that this year we achieve more peace in the state,” he said.
“We have also given clear directions that all operations should be people-friendly. No collateral damage should take place. No trigger which anybody can exploit… If a terrorist runs away so be it… We will find them again, but we do not want the people to get disturbed,” he added.
“There was no human rights violations and complaints last year… My directions to my men and my commanders are very explicit that human rights violations will not be acceptable at all… And if there is we will not wait for a complaint to come, we will take action,” he said.
“There has been an increase in terrorist incidents last year. We have lost some boys, police have lost some. We have learnt lessons. We will ensure that there is no complacency and that they (militants) are put on the runs, while there is peace, we will see how it works in 2014,” he said.
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar said, “Laws like AFSPA cannot be a permanent feature of governance. The people of the state have repeatedly reaffirmed their faith in the democratic process, over the past many years, and it is time that the Government of India responds positively to the growing democratic culture in the state.”
Reacting to the statement of the Army Chief on January 13 that there should be no dilution of AFSPA in the state in view of the prevailing situation in the region, including possible terrorist spillover into the valley after the US draw down in Afghanistan, Mehbooba said, “The party strongly objected to the statement of the Army Chief on the subject.”
She said while holding elections and participation of the people are essential for a democratic polity, democracy in the state will lack vibrancy as long as civil institutions, judiciary and elected bodies do not feel fully empowered, as in the rest of the country.
“AFSPA was enacted at a time, when thousands of young people, disillusioned with democratic process that was brazenly subverted in 1987 elections, were forced to pick up guns. But now, according to the government’s own statistics there are only a few militants operating in the state.
“To win over even the last alienated young person, it is necessary that democracy and its institutions are fully functional and able to address and accommodate other views. We have to respond to an idea with a more creative idea, so that nobody is any longer compelled to pick up a gun or fall to philosophy of hatred and violence,” the PDP president said.
The PDP took up the matter with the Prime Minister in 2007, in response to which a high-level committee had also been appointed to review the law, she said, adding her party has time and again emphasised that gun and force from either side will not resolve the problem. (agencies)_

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the meeting between their commerce ministers on Saturday, India and Pakistan today discussed “impediments” hampering the normalisation of trade ties, in a bid to remove them and move forward.

During the meeting between Commerce Secretary S R Rao and his Pakistani counterpart Qasim M Niyaz, both the sides agreed that normalisation and enhancement of trade was a continuous process, sources said.

Happening after a gap of over a year, the secretary- level meeting was also aimed at understanding the viewpoint of the Nawaz Sharif government on normalising Indo-Pak trade ties, officials here said.

“The meeting took place in a positive and amicable environment. Both the sides discussed the impediments including non-trade barriers for trade and ways to remove them to enhance commerce,” a source in the Pakistani side said.

The trade liberalisation process between the two nations was hit after the beheading of an Indian soldier in January last year.

Besides, Pakistan missing the deadline for granting the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India has also not gone down well with Indian authorities.

Pakistan was to grant the status in December 2012 by eliminating the negative list of 1,209 items.

Sources said that secretaries of both the sides reviewed the progress of talks in other areas such as initiation of trade in petroleum products and power export to Pakistan.

“Both the sides agreed that enhancement and normalisation of trade is a continuous process. They also agreed to move forward on all matters,” a source said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s State Minister for Commerce and Textile Khurram Dastagir Khan, in an interview, in Islamabad, said his country is working on granting Non Discriminatory Access status instead of the contentious MFN.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Khan will meet on January 18. Khan is visiting India for the SAARC Business Leaders’ Conclave.

The Commerce Secretaries of India and Pakistan met last time in September, 2012. During that meeting, both the sides had emphasised on the need to increase trade traffic through the Railways.

They had also agreed to encourage two-way investment and enhance investor confidence on both sides. Besides, both had emphasised on the need to eliminate non-trade barriers and enhance air-connectivity between the two nations.

The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 2.60 billion in 2012-13. (AGENCIES)

POONCH: Goods worth over over Rs 90 lakh were traded from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to Jammu and Kashmir along Line of Control (LoC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in district Poonch today, officials said.

As many as 25 trucks rolled out from the Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) here to PoK, they said, adding, these trucks carried bags of chillies, potatoes and herbs worth Rs 69,37,750.

From PoK, 4 truck carrying bags of herbs and dry dates worth Rs 22,56,300 entered India, they said.

Officials from both sides monitored transportation of these goods twice during the day. (AGENCIES)

AKHNOOR :  In view of withdrawal of US troops from the Afghanistan, Northern Command Army Commander Lt Gen Sanjeev Chachra today said the year 2014 will be a year of ‘challenges’ ahead but the Army is fully prepared.    “In 2014, there will be withdrawal of US troops from the Afghanistan and keeping in mind that the impact in the neighbouring country will also have impact in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Army has prepared itself,” Lt Gen Chachra told reporters in his maiden media interaction here after investiture ceremony.
The GOC-in-C, said, “no doubt 2014 will be ‘challenging’ but “We are professional Army and prepared to tackle any situation,” adding that the peace has restored in the state of Jammu and Kashmir but the terrorist infrastructure and camps are still intact across the border.”    “Pakistan has the capability to calibrate violence,” he said and added that there is time to reach out. “On the LoC, our troops are given directions to remain alert and foil any nefarious designs.”
He said terror infrastructure is in place across the border but Indian Army is efficient enough to meet any challenge and give a befitting reply to the enemy any time.    On Border Action Team’s attack on Indian posts in August last year in Poonch in which five soldiers were killed, the Army Commander said, “we have ensured that such BAT actions do not take place in future.”
“We are prepared and every time when there are such actions, Indian Army effectively responded,” he said adding, “we have learnt lessons from every action and accordingly planed our strategies.”     He said security grid has been tightened along the borders and every situation is being closely monitored by the Army.
The Army Officer, further, said peace and tranquility has restored in the state and it was only possible due to the elimination of ‘tanzeem’ (outfit) leaders in assistance with the local police, para-military forces and other agencies.  (AGENCIES)

ISLAMABAD : On the eve of a ministerial visit to India, Pakistan today said it is working on granting Non Discriminatory Access status instead of the contentious MFN.
“There is no rethink. The correct way is to have a normal trading relationship. What we are working on, at the moment, is what we call Non Discriminatory Access (NDA) which essentially means the same thing without any other connotation,” Pakistan Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said in an interview here.
He was replying to a query on whether there was any rethink on the proposal to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India as decided in 2012.
“It is just a name. What we want is normal trading relationship with both countries not having any negative list,” he said.
Various sections in Pakistan, especially the extreme right wing, had objected to the term “Most Favoured” being given to India because of the history of issues between the two sides.
Khan, who is set to travel to India tomorrow and meet with Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on the sidelines of the SAARC business leaders’ conclave, said the purpose of his visit “of course is to put the trading relations back on the rails.”
The commerce secretaries from both countries met today in New Delhi after 16 months.
“The previous road map that was agreed upon, the timeline has expired. So the principal purpose is to put review the road map and revise the timelines. And then start making progress on what we hope will eventually, not in too distant future, take us to normal trading relations with India.”
Asked if he was satisfied with the trade ties between the two countries, Khan said, “Trade does not happen in a vacuum”.
He explained, “What we have found is that substantial progress was made in 2011-12 but then other events intervened and not only blocked diplomatic progress but also trade progress. And this is one of the other things that I wish to convey to my counterpart and the Indian Government.”
“Now after 66 years of independence, we should be able to have a relationship which is not dependent on single events,” Khan said.
The minister said it is a fact that “unfortunate incidents” have happened like LoC tensions and Mumbai terror attacks but talks should go on.
Bilateral trade between India and Pakistan touched USD 2.6 billion in 2012-13, an increase of 34.4 per cent over last year’s USD 1.94 billion.
Asked how both countries can fast track trade progress, he said there are certain steps that both sides need to take.
“So the next step in the roadmap is that we have to facilitate the trade through Wagah. This is what we are going to talk about. As the road map says, we facilitate through Wagah, then India has to reduce SAFTA Sensitive List by 30 per cent. So Wagah is one milestone, India reducing SAFTA Sensitive List by 30 per cent is another milestone. And that is how we make gradual progress,” Khan said.
Asked by when Pakistan will be able to eradicate Negative List, he said, “Not in too distant future, that is the best I can say”.
He said another thing that needs to happen before negative list is abolished is the implementation of the three agreements signed by both countries.
“On visa facilitation, on customs facilitation and mutual recognition of standards. So the three agreements are already in place but they need to be implemented by both countries.”
Asked again for a timeline, he said, “It took 16 months for the commerce secretaries to meet. These things happen in Pakistan-India relationships. When the previous roadmap was agreed, it was very optimistic. But the fact is nothing happened on that roadmap. It is better for me express the commitment of our government.”
The minister said he believes that trade is a confidence building measure between the two countries.
“It is not too far off that there is enough confidence for us to reach the final stage of abolition of negative list,” Khan said. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : The army has drawn up a multi- pronged plan to boost its capabilities and a number of projects, including acquiring of night vision devices, upgrading of mechanised forces and augmentation of artillery firepower, are near completion, Army chief General Bikram Singh said today.
He said the army had also submitted a time-bound plan to the Government to enhance the capabilities of its aviation corps.
“We have made plans. The Government has approved many. Some of them have been completed while others will get approval by the end of the fiscal,” he told an Army Day function here.
Stressing on the importance of superior equipment and firepower for the army, he said a country is respected only when it is economically and militarily powerful.
“For the country to achieve its rightful place globally, it is must that our army becomes a capable, effective, responsible and contemporary power and contributes to the progress of the country,” he said.
Gen Singh also made a mention about the approval granted for raising a mountain strike corps to underline the growing capability of the army and said special attention was being paid to infrastructure development along the borders.
In his 15-minute-long speech, he spoke about the army’s efforts to deal with issues ranging from suicide to shortage of officers and facilities for its present and former personnel, and said the shortfall of officers will come down to 10 per cent by 2018 from existing 20 per cent.
“Unpleasant incidents” like suicides were down by 50 per cent last year, Gen Singh said, crediting the “good administration” of commanding officers for it.
He said army units had begun adopting elderly veterans who were lonely and without a shelter and an old age home would come up in Panchkula by this year end and another would be constructed in Lucknow.
Gen Singh also touched upon other welfare measures undertaken by the army, including increased family pension, cheaper home loans and pension for mentally and physically-challenged children of its personnnel.
The army would continue to push for ‘one rank one pay’, he said, adding there is more equity in pension now. (AGENCIES)

MUMBAI : A local court trying the case of Lashkar-e-Taiba operative and 26/11 key handler Sayed Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal, today issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against 12 more accused in the Mumbai terror attacks case.
The court has issued NBW against 12 more persons, Special Ujjwal Nikam told media persons here. All these accused are allegedly based in Pakistan.
Earlier the court which conducted trial against terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Kasab had issued NBW against 35 accused. With this, the total number of wanted terrorists in the 26/11 case has gone up to 47.
Those against whom NBW have been issued include Major Sameer, Sajid Mir alias Vashi and Commander Yakub.
Sajid, according to police, was present at the control room set up in Pakistan during the strikes, which left 166 dead and many more injured on November 26, 2008.
The Mumbai police, last month, had filed draft charges against Jundal.
In the charge submitted, Jundal was charged on 22 different counts that include criminal conspiracy, waging war against the nation, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for murder, cheating, forgery under the Indian Penal Code.
While other charges are under sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Act, Explosive substance Act Prevention of damage to public property Act, Railways Act and Customs Act.
A native of Beed district in Maharashtra, Jundal was interrogated after he was brought here from Delhi where he had been arrested following his deportation from Saudi Arabia in June 2012.
The chargesheet has details about Jundal’s training in Pakistan, preparations ahead of 26/11, LeT hierarchy, the precise role played those involved, etc.
According to Jundal’s confession, LeT training camps enjoyed full support from local, federal police and paramilitary organisations in Pakistan.
As per the chargesheet, after fleeing Maharashtra, Jundal entered Bangladesh in May 2006, where he was received by an ISI agent. He then used a boarding pass issued in a fictitious name to fly PIA flight to Pakistan.
In Maharashtra, Jundal is also accused of involvement in 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case, 2010 German Bakery blast case in Pune and Nashik police academy attack conspiracy case. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said no sitting MLA of Aam Aadmi Party will contest the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Talking to reporters here, Mr Kejriwal also dismissed MLA Vinod Kumar Binny’s criticism of the AAP Government in Delhi. Mr Kejriwal said Binny has been wanting a AAP ticket to contest the Lok Sabha elections as also a ministerial post in the AAP Government in Delhi.
“Vinod Kumar Binny had come for a minister’s post in December. I denied him that post. Then, he said he will contest the Lok Sabha polls. But the party has decided not to give a Lok Sabha ticket to any sitting MLA,” Mr Kejriwal said.
It is notable that Binny, who had left the Congress to join AAP during the movement for a Jan Lokpal, had earlier expressed his unhappiness with the Arvind Kejriwal-led Government in Delhi. He had said the AAP Government failed to deliver on its promises.
“The Government is not fulfilling the promises we made to the people. There is a huge difference between what was said and what is being done,” Binny said. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : Rajeev Kher, a 1980 batch IAS officer, was today appointed Secretary in the Department of Commerce.
The UP cadre officer is currently Special Secretary in the department in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) named Kher to replace current Secretary S R Rao, who retires on January 31, according to an official statement.
The ACC also extended the tenure of J Sathyanarayana as Secretary in the Department of Electronics and Information Technology beyond March 13 to April 30, the date of his superannuation.
The term of V S Madan, DG and Mission Director of the Unique Identification Authority of India, has been extended for one year beyond April 28. (PTI)