New Delhi: India is already facing trailers of future wars and it is being witnessed in information battlefield, cyber space and unsettled and active borders, said Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Thursday pointing out challenges from China and Pakistan.

Speaking at Pragyan Conclave at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies in Delhi about future wars, Gen Naravne said, “We are already witnessing ‘trailers’ of future conflicts. They are being enacted daily on the information battlefield, in the networks and cyber space. They are also being played along, our yet unsettled and active borders.”

He said that It is for us to ‘visualise’, the battlefield contours of tomorrow, based on these ‘trailers’.

“If you look around, you will realise that the ‘sci-fi’ of yesterday, is the ‘reality’ of today,” said General Naravane adding, “We too have to ‘leap-frog’ to the future, skipping many stages, to an entirely new configuration.”

He said the paradigm shift in warfare is well acknowledged. “We are witnessing conflicts increasingly transcending, time, space and force dimensions, and enveloping new frontiers,” General Naravane said.

These wars blur the distinction, between combatants and non-combatants, front and rear, often avoid direct military engagements, and resort to extensive use of proxy actors.

There are ongoing hostilities between States, in the Cyber, Information, Sub-conventional and Hybrid domains, without a formal pronouncement of War.

He points out that there is no ‘M’ Day or ‘D’ Day, as has been the case earlier.

These, along with Diplomatic, Informational, and Economic coercive activities, are already being prosecuted in the Grey Zone.

The aim remains to incapacitate the adversary, disintegrate his sources of power, and render the command and control systems ineffective, so as to make physical forces redundant.

He pointed out that India has also observed, some Nations challenging the globally accepted norms, and the Rules Based Order. “This challenge has manifested in various forms of, creeping aggression and opportunist actions, to alter the status-quo, keeping the threshold below all out war,” he said.

Talking about developments in Afghanistan, General Naravane said situation in Afghanistan have again brought to focus, the use of proxies and Non-State actors to decisive effects.

“These actors thrive on local conditions, innovatively exploit low cost options, to devastating impact and create conditions, that limit the full use of sophisticated capabilities, available to the State,” he stated.

The concept of sequential, and often graduated application of force, has also undergone significant changes.

“I have said this in the past, and I wish to reiterate, that in future conflicts, the troops, on the forward-most locations, ready and in a high state of alertness, may not be the ones to face the first wave of aggression,” he stated.

He stress that military doctrines and concepts, have struggled to keep pace with this change and stay relevant.AA

“The military lexicon has expanded, and traditional definitions have undergone a review. The concept of Victory itself has changed, as enduring success, especially against Non State actors, has remained elusive for most,” Indian Army chief said.

“However, if we go back in time, we would realise that, even though there have been transformative changes, in the way wars have been fought over time, the nature of war in terms of force and violence, blood and gore, has not changed.”

“Why do I mention this? Because sometimes in our zeal to look at the Future, we forget the lessons that the past brings to us. These defining constituents, force and violence, have only manifested in newer forms.”

He reasons that Hard Power has always been relevant, and will continue to play an important part in the future, albeit in new ways, adapting to the changing strategic context.

“This is also one of the reasons, why our ancient Indian wisdom on State Craft, and application of force, propounded many centuries ago, remains timeless and pertinent even today,” General Naravane said.

In the present context, he said the ceasefire on the Line of Control continues to hold, because India have negotiated from a position of strength.

Talking about situation at border with China, General Naravane said, “The developments on our Northern Borders, have also adequately underscored, the requirement of ready and capable forces, with an optimal component of Boots on Ground, backed by modern technology, to preserve our Sovereignty and Integrity.”

He says any discussion on Future Contours of War, will have an overbearing tilt towards modern technologies. This is obvious because almost all modern technology tools, have the potential for military application, and disruptive impact on modern-day warfare.

“This change is already making traditional core competencies irrelevant, and creating the necessity of acquiring new proficiencies,” he said.

The Indian Army Chief cited Israel and Hamas and UAE and Yemen conflicts.

General Naravane said, “The Israel-Hamas conflict last year, has firmly underscored the power of Artificial Intelligence.”

He pointed that the more recent strikes last month, on the UAE by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, using armed drones and missiles, reflect the rapid proliferation of, these disruptive technologies to a wide range of actors. “The mid-air interception of incoming missiles, by the UAE & US forces stationed there is equally defining,” he pointed out.

He said that improved situational awareness, fusion of sensors, faster decision making, use of autonomous weapons, and integration of Artificial Intelligence, into every facet of warfare, will necessitate changes to war fighting doctrines, our organisations and structures, and not to forget, our training methodology and leadership.

“For militaries across the world as well as for us, this remains an ongoing challenge, and a work in progress,” General Naravane said.

From Indian perspective, we face unique, substantial and multi-domain challenges. Disputed borders with nuclear neighbours, coupled with State sponsored Proxy War, stretches our security apparatus and resources.

“Our adversaries shall continue with their efforts, to achieve their strategic aims, short of conflict, by use of Grey Zone activities, in the political, military and economic domains, and do so in a collusive manner,” he said.

He pointed out the events in 2020 that have been testimony, to the diversity of security threats in all domains, and this has brought the spotlight towards, non-contact and grey-zone warfare.

General Naravane stressed upon that there is need to identify the main drivers of, military technology in the Digital Era Warfare, to improve effectiveness, augmenting our capabilities, in both the non-contact and contact modes of warfare.

And for that the Indian Army has already initiated, adequate modernisation steps to acquire these technologies, he said. (IANS)

New Delhi: At least 38 Peoples Liberation Army troops died due to drowning in the freezing waters of the Galwan river as they attempted a hurried retreat in the dark in the face of a fierce onslaught by the Indian Army, on the night of June 15-16, 2020, a new report states.

The revelation is made by Australian newspaper The Klaxon, which has cited an investigative report filed following long months of tracking Chinese social media reports and accounts, including those that were later deleted by Beijing.

China has confirmed only four casualties, of whom one PLA soldier died by drowning, Junior Sergeant Wang Zhuoran.

The other three — PLA Battalion Commander Major Chen Hongjun, Private Chen Xiangrong and Junior Sergeant Xiao Siyuan –were killed in fighting with Indian forces.

On the fateful night of June 15, 2020, when Indian Army Colonel Santosh Babu came to the buffer zone area in Galwan Valley to dismantle Chinese infrastructure, the Chinese forces led by Colonel Qi Fabao were waiting. Col. Qi Fabao was present along with nearly 150 soldiers, the report states.

It says that Fabao “ordered his troops to form a battle formation, instead of discussing the issue”. The “moment Col. Fabao attacked he was immediately besieged by the Indian army troops”.

In order to rescue him, two of the PLA soldiers (whose names have been acknowledged among the four dead) came forward. “Battalion commander Chen Hongjun and soldier Chen Xiangrong entered the encirclement of the Indian army and started (a) physical scuffle with Indian troops using steel pipes, sticks and stones to provide cover for (their) commander to escape”, the report states.

It says Colonel Qi Fabao was “hit in the head by an Indian army solider”, and “rushed back with serious injuries”. The report says PLA soldiers Hongjun and Xiangrong were “immediately silenced by the Indian army”.

Another Chinese soldier, Xiao Siyuan, “of the Motor Infantry Battalion of the 363rd Regiment, Frontier Defence, Xinjiang Military Region” had been “recording the event”. “In the ongoing scuffle he left the camera and attacked but was severely wounded by an Indian soldier and later succumbed to his injuries,” the report states.

It states that “after Col. Fabao left the arena”, and watching the “bodies of Major Chen Hongrun, Junior Sargeant Xiao Siyan and Private Chen Xianrong,” that “PLA soldiers panicked into retreat”.

“Wang Zhuoran, a 1996-born native of Luohe City, Yancheng County, Henan, came forward along with his companion Ma Ming to help his scattered retreating comrades out of danger by guiding (their) way to retreat back.” “The PLA soldiers didn’t even have time to wear water pants. They decided to cross the icy water of the river in pitch dark under the guidance of Wang. “The river rose suddenly and injured comrades kept slipping and (being) washed downstream”.

The report states: “Information gathered by a blogger from people who attended Wang’s funeral at Luohe Martyrs Cemetary, Henan, reveals that Junior Sergeant Wang Zhuoran pushed four of his comrades across the river successfully but his legs became stuck by stones at the bottom of the river.” “As of this date there is no information about them anywhere in Chinese cyberspace.

Citing “several Weibo users” the report states: “at least 38 PLA troops along with Wang were washed away and drowned that night…of which only Wang was declared among the four officially dead soldiers”.

“After the incident, the bodies of the soldiers were first taken to Shiquanhe Martyr Cemetery, followed by local ceremonies at the local towns of the killed soldiers,” the report states.

“A division of Xinjiang Miltary Region organized officers and soldiers to go to the Shiquane Martyr Cemetery to lay flowers to the revolutionary martyrs, organize party members to take an oath and sweep the tombs for heroes”.

The researchers say the deadly June 15 battle was sparked over a temporary bridge, which Indian soldiers had erected across a stream of the Galwan River three weeks earlier, on May 22.

The report states that on May 22 Indian troops, led by Colonel Santosh Babu, Commander of the 16th Regiment of Bihar, “created a temporary walk-over bridge” over a stream of the Galwan River to allow troops to monitor Chinese activities.

“Though PLA was constructing its own infrastructure in the buffer zone, the construction of a temporary bridge by Indian troops aroused strong opposition by the Chinese,” report states.

“On June 6, 80 PLA soldiers came to dismantle the bridge and nearly 100 troops came to defend it”.

“That is when the video of the standoff was probably shot, which Chinese media claimed to be shot on 15 June, 2020”. The report states that during the June 6, 2020 standoff, officers from both sides “agreed to withdraw all personnel who crossed the buffer zone line” and to “dismantle all the facilities that crossed the line”.

However, the report says China failed to adhere to the agreement.

“PLA did not adhere to its promise…and instead of dismantling its own infrastructure as agreed upon, secretly dismantled the river crossing bridge constructed by the Indian army,” it says.

Three days later, on June 15, Colonel Santosh and his troops returned, and a fierce fight ensued. India has said that China broke protocol and the 1996 agreement by arming soldiers with lethal weapons, including iron rods, batons wrapped in barbed wire and “clubs embedded with nails”. (UNI)

New Delhi: There is no confirmed date for the next round of Corps Commander-level talks between India and China yet, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

The MEA was asked about the border tensions between the two nations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and the diplomatic initiatives taken to resolve them.

“As you know that the senior Commander-level talks between India and China were held last month. Both sides mutually agreed for the resolution of all the issues of conflict between the two nations as early as possible and go ahead to take initiatives to maintain peace along the LAC. They also talked about ways to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and China,” said Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.

“Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Corps Commander-level talks, but we don’t have a date for the next meeting as of now,” added Bagchi.

The 14th round of India-China Corps Commander-level talks were held on January 12 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point.

This Corps Commander-level talks between India and China started after the military face-off in Galwan Valley in June 2020. (IANS)

LG, others express grief

By: M S Nazki

Poonch: Six persons were killed when a vehicle they were traveling in skidded off the road and fell into a gorge near Nagriana in Kishtwar district on Thursday.

A police officer said that eco passenger vehicle (JK17-5089) skidded off the road and rolled down into the gorge near Nagriana. Five persons died on the spot while one person died on way to the hospital. He said that soon after the accident, a massive rescue operation was launched. However he said five persons died on the spot while one person was shifted to hospital in critical condition. However, before he could be admitted to hospital, he was declared brought dead on the arrival.

He identified the deceased as Latief Ahmad Rather son of Abdul Samad, Rehman Butt son of Ahmed Butt, Irfan Ahmad son of Ghulam Haider Shiekh , Ghulam Hassan son of Mohammad Butt , Atta Mohammad son of Ahmed Butt and Zubair Ahmad son of Atta , all residents of Nagriana.

SHO Kishtwar Abid Bukhari confirmed death of six persons in the accident. He said that a case (FIR N0 16/22) under section 279/304 IPC has been registered at police station Kishtwar and investigation has set into the motion.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed anguish at the loss of lives in the accident. “(I’m) deeply anguished at the loss of precious lives in an unfortunate road accident in Keshwan Kishtwar.  My deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”

National Conference President and Member of Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah also expressed “shock and grief” over the death of six persons in the road mishap.

The duo prayed for peace to the departed and much needed strength to the bereaved to bear the irreparable loss. They also urged the divisional administration of Jammu to reach out to the injured with rescue and medical care.

While expressing grief over the accident, Dr Farooq said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the fatal road accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. What is worrying here is the fact that there has been no initiative by the incumbent administration to curb the occurrence of such fatalities.”

Omar while expressing grief over the deadly accident said, “I pray for peace to departed souls and speedy recovery to injured. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families.”

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also expressed profound grief over the loss of precious lives in Kishtiwar road mishap wherein five persons were dead as an Eco van rolled down into a deep gorge.

In a statement issued here, Bukhari termed the hapless road accident as extremely unfortunate while raising concerns over the startling increase in the number of road accidents on high-altitude roads.

“The administration must ensure that the vehicle drivers strictly follow the requisite traffic schedules and guidelines in letter and spirit so that such heart-rending mishaps can be positively avoided,” he said. (GNS)

Srinagar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Balwal Thursday visited SMHS Hospital to oversee the medical treatment levels to the 24-year old acid attack survivor.

During the visit, the DC and SSP interacted with the parents of the acid attack victim. Expressing anguish at the incident, the DC and SSP conveyed their solidarity to the victim and her family in this hour of pain.

On the occasion, the DC handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh out of District Red Cross Fund as an immediate assistance to the victim’s family and also assured all possible support from the District Administration Srinagar.

While interacting with the Medical Superintendent SMHS Hospital, Dr Kanwal Jeet Singh and other Doctors, the DC enquired about the medical treatment being provided to the acid victim.

The DC was informed that all the best medical facilities are being given to the acid survivor and utmost care is being provided. The doctors are monitoring her condition and the survivor is in stable condition, informed the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital.

Meanwhile, the family of the victim also appreciated the District administration Srinagar for extending all possible assistance from their end. They thanked SSP Srinagar for apprehending the accused within no time and demanded harshest punishment under the Law. (GNS)

By: Asif Iqbal

Srinagar: The district administration Srinagar on Thursday reiterated Apex Court guidelines aimed to regulate the sale of acids/corrosive substances in the aftermath of huge public outcry over the heinous acid attack incident on a 24-year-old Srinagar girl – leaving her with grievous facial injuries and paralysed eyesight.

“Pursuant to the directions of Supreme Court of India in order dated 18.07.2013 in W.P. (Cr.) No. 129 of 2006, Laxmi Vs Union of India & others, the following rules/ regulations with respect to sale of acid/ corrosive substances are hereby reiterated: i) Over the counter, sale of acid is completely prohibited unless the seller maintains a log/register recording the sale of acid which will contain the details of the person(s) to whom acid(s) is/are sold and the quantity sold. The log/register shall contain the address of the person to whom it is sold. (ii) All sellers shall sell acid only after the buyer has shown: a) A photo ID issued by the Government which also has the address of the person. b) Specifies the reason/purpose for procuring acid. (iii) All stocks of acid must be declared by the seller with the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) within 15 days. (iv) No acid shall be sold to any person who is below 18 years of age. (V) The educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, Government Departments and the departments of Public Sector Undertakings, who are required to keep and store acid, shall follow prescribed guidelines”, reads an order.

“In view of the recent horrifying acid attack in Srinagar, immediate remedial measures are required to fix the responsibility. Accordingly, a surveillance Task Force to regulate sale of acid/ corrosive substances in district Srinagar is hereby constituted with following composition as well as terms and conditions: 1. Dr. Syed Mohammad Haneef Balki, Additional District Magistrate, Srinagar 2. Arif Shah SP, Headquarter 3. Jatin Kishore IAS, Prob. 4. Shiban Siddarth IPS, Prob. 5. Muzaffar Ahmad Wani Deputy Controller Enforcement Legal Metrology 6. Arshid Qadir Assistant Labour Commissioner 7. Mohammad Aslam Wani SDPO Mahraj Gunj 8. Fayaz Hussain Shah SDPO Shaheed Gunj 9. Mushtaq Ahmad Assistant Director Food, South 10. Mohammad Yousuf Assistant Director Food, North 11. Mohammad Younis Assistant Drug Controller”, the order reads.

The terms and conditions laid for the Committee as per the order are as; 1. The team shall conduct survey regarding unregulated/ unauthorized/ illegal sale of acid/ corrosive substances in light of order dated: 18.07.2013 of Hon’ble Supreme Court in Laxmi Vs Union of India & others case. 2. The team shall furnish a report within 2 weeks along with specific recommendations regarding action to be taken. 3. The team shall be competent to seal premises/ commercial establishments .found indulging in illegal/ unauthorized sale of acid/ corrosive substances and shall ensure that no one is allowed to buy, sell, use, store, distribute, transport acid/ corrosive substances in contravention to rules/ laws governing the same. 4. The team shall ensure that every license-holder shall maintain a register recording all sales of acid/ corrosive substances, other than those used by a chemist and druggist for dispensing or compounding in compliance with the prescription of a medical or veterinary practitioner. The following particulars shall be entered in such register in respect of each sale, namely: a) Serial No. b) Date of sale. c) Name, telephone number and address of the purchaser. d) Name of the acid/ corrosive substance. c) d) Quantity sold. e) Signature of purchaser or thumb impression if illiterate or in case of purchase by post, date of letter or written order and reference to the origins in the file in which is preserved. f) Signature of dealer.

Notably, condemnations have been pouring in from different quarters against the dastard acid attack of the 24-year-old girl, a resident of Eidgah, at Usmani Colony Wantpora earlier this week. (GNS)

Srinagar: Several parts of Kashmir Valley received fresh snowfall since overnight even as night temperature recorded an increase on Thursday, officials said.

A meteorological department official here said that Gulmarg had 19 cms of fresh snowfall till 0830 hours today even as it recorded a low of minus 6.0°C against minus 8.0°C on the previous night, he said. The temperature was 1.6°C above normal for this time of the year in the famous resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

Srinagar, the summer capital of the J&K, had 6.4mm of rain while as it recorded a low of 0.6°C against last night’s minus 1.9°C, he said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, has 2 cms of snowfall during the time while as it recorded a low of minus 2.1°C against minus 2.8°C on the previous night, he said.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded 4 cms of snowfall and had a low of minus 1.0°C against 2.6°C on the previous night, the official said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, had 16 cms of snowfall while as it recorded a low of minus 1.7°C against minus 6.1°C on the last night, he said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir had 2.6 cms of snowfall while as it recorded a low of 0.4°C against minus 2.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Officials said that Lolab area of Sogam, Tarathpora Vilgam and Zachaldara Wader Satkojan recorded 2-3 inches of snowfall. Handwara and Langate, they said, recorded about 1-2 inches of snowfall while upper reaches of Sochalyari and Hafrada had about 3-4 inches of fresh snowfall.

As per reports from Budgam district, Chrar-e-shareef has received 4-8 inches of snowfall, Nagbal Yusmarg 4-8 inches, Dadampore Surasyar 3-5 inches, Khansahib Raiyar 3-4 inches while Khag had 3-4 inches.

Reports from Baramulla district suggest that Rafiabad and Hajibal areas had 3-4 inches of snowfall.

As per reports from Anantnag, besides Pahalgam, snowfall of 2 inches was recorded in Kapran.

While the ‘Chillai Kalan’, the 40-day long harshest period of winter ended on January 30, Kashmir is under the grip of the 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ which would be followed by 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

Jammu recorded a low of 10°C against previous night’s 7.1°C. The temperature was 1.8°C above normal for the J&K’s winter capital during this time of the year, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of minus 2.0°C, Katra had a minimum of 7.5°C while Bhaderwah recorded a low of 1.2°C, the official said.

Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of minus 11.0°C against last night’s minus 13.6°C while mercury at automatic station in Kargil settled at minus 14.6°C. Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 11.4°C against last night’s minus 22.0°C, official said.

The weatherman has forecast “erratic weather” with occasional snowfall at scattered places till February 8.

“Fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain, snow is expected during February 2-4 with main activity on 3rd with possibility of isolated heavy rain and snow mainly in South Kashmir and Jammu region,” the official of the meteorological department said. “Light rain and snow is also most likely at scattered places during February 6 to 7. Some places in Jammu region may receive thunderstorm and hailstorm on February 3,” he said, adding, “Overall, weather likely to remain (erratic) partly to generally cloudy with occasional light snowfall at scattered places till February 8.” (GNS)

Jammu: A Special Police Officer (SPO) died on Thursday while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

Police said SPO Parem Parkesh of Dara Dullian village complained of chest pain during duty at Shiv ji Mandir Kuniyian this afternoon.

“He was immediately shifted to Raja Sukhdav Singh Hospital Poonch. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival. The apparent cause of death seems to be heart failure,” police said.

The SPOs are engaged in J&K on a fixed monthly packet. These are deployed in anti-militancy operations and also to deplete the feeding grounds of militants who mislead youths to join militancy. (IANS)