Latest news with #OperationVijay
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor & its long pause: Figuring out the fallout
India is in a state of frozen conflict with an officially declared pause on Operation Sindoor . This is possibly aimed at keeping the enemy in a state of confusion or suspense. The obvious corollaries are: A) How long can this state be maintained? B) Does it really have constraining influence on our adversaries? How does it impact us internally? It is fairly apparent that both sides had restricted objectives and limited stamina, specially for non-contact, kinetic warfare, in terms of missiles and drones. A defined, short pause can help to reset, introspect, re-arm and rebuild arsenals. The law of diminishing marginal returns also applies to this extended pause. Defining New Normal Pakistan is already using ISPR/lobbyists to drum up the narrative of India being irresponsible, war-mongering hegemon, insisting on bilateralism, ruling out external influences. On the contrary, as a responsible nation, India has acted in a proportionate, non-escalatory manner, with calibrated targeting. Operation Sindoor, as a short, surgical operation was indeed commendable, and it delivered a potent, effective message. Following up on Balakot, it curated an additional space below the nuclear threshold and debunked Pakistan's narrative of irrational escalation to nuclear domain. The new doctrine defines altered realities: guaranteed retribution after terrorist misadventure; debunking of nuclear blackmail; and that terror sponsors will have to bear the consequences. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Pakistan attempted an economic façade at Pahalgam, to derail tourism and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. We need to bounce back and not get bogged down, since Pakistan has really nothing to lose. In any case, Pakistan is running spectacle of visits, lunches and even hosting tutorials on its version of air combat for foreign delegations. Learning from the pastIt will be appropriate to constitute a time-bound, fast-track Kargil Review Committee (KRC) type of a task force. It was indeed commendable that PM Atal Behari Vajpayee ordered KRC within a week after the culmination of Operation Vijay in Kargil. Even more noteworthy was the constitution of a group of ministers (GoM) under the then deputy PM, L K Advani. We implemented some reforms, but we lost traction. Few recommendations still need to be taken to a logical conclusion. It is important to take a call on the pending issues of theatre commands, raising cyber command, and upgrading aero-space and special forces agencies, from two-star to three-star led. It is time to put the NDU debate to rest by officially accepting RRU, which has acquired de facto status. However, in keeping with global norms, there is a requirement to reinforce faculties and apex management, with more services representation. Another important issue is empowering CAPFs with integral cadres. ITBP and BSF deployed in operational grid should be placed under theatre and regional commanders to implement 'One Border, One Force' to build accountability and specialisation. It is relevant to recount the unpleasant experience of a prolonged mobilisation during Operation Parakram, after the terrorist attack on Parliament on Dec 13, 1991, which stretched for more than ten months. In keeping with bureaucratic ambiguity, mobilisation was managed without invoking the war book. Much after demobilisation, Indian Army was battling auditors who refused to clear bills for civil transport hired to keep ammunition on wheels in a ready-to-move state. Recently, Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari, who has multiple tenures in the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and is a constitutional lawyer, raised some seemingly valid questions on the declaration of national emergency and war. It will be prudent to address them and lay clearcut norms. The most discouraging thing is when even after stellar performance, the forces are literally abandoned to fend for themselves, with a maze of vague and rigid regulations. This is also relevant for ongoing emergency procurement where guard-rails need to be reinforced, and accountability shared. Viksit dialogue Mercifully, the present template is different with no large-scale mobilisation or move of formations. To maintain surprise, no general 'recall from leave' orders were promulgated. The surprise was only in timing, as the nation was rooting for instant retribution. As they say that revenge is best served cold, could we have kept Pakistan on tenterhooks for a longer duration, imposing penalties and costs, in a guessing and scrambling game? Considering the dangerous hype created by war-mongering TV channels, there is a need to develop the culture of 'Viksit Samvad' (informed dialogue) for 'Viksit Bharat'. It is time to dispel the misinformation on our aircraft losses. In any case, some losses are an acceptable part of occupational hazard. At present, the Pakistan narrative seems to have found better traction. The confusion is becoming more baffling with floating of new theories of spoofing, with towed decoys. Way forward It would be realistic to infer that while deterrence against Pakistan are in place, there may be attempts to test the redlines coupled with deniability. The next round may be entirely different, especially with Chinese having got considerable amount of data, on our vectors. Hence, we need to have serious discussions on designing force level and platform-mix. It is time we develop an optimum combination of manned-unmanned platforms. The guiding rule is agile platforms with minimal electronic signatures. We should build a potent, but smaller manned fighter fleet, integrated with drones, loitering munitions, missiles and layered air defence. Discussions on the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) have to be progressed in the light of water stress, climate change, need for clean hydro-energy, de-silting of dams for safety and livelihood issues like minimum draft in Jhelum for navigation. The treaty requires a review, taking into account altered realities, but only when the other party mends its ways. Meanwhile, work on dams and reservoirs must be expedited. It is time Pakistan learns to live with the new water regime in the Indus basin. (The author is former GOC-in-C, Western Command, Indian Army)
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- The Hindu
Ganja peddlers travelling in trains targeted to check smuggling from AOB region
Officials of the Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) targeted the trains coming to Andhra Pradesh from Odisha to check ganja smuggling. As ganja was being smuggled through trains from Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) region, police were focussing on transportation to curb the menace. 'Under 'Operation Vijay', EAGLE police, in association with the Government Railway Police (GRP), Prohibition of Excise (P&E), Law and Order, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducted raids in railway stations and on running trains in the last two days. They seized ganja from four trains and registered cases,' said EAGLE Head and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ake Ravi Krishna. Speaking to The Hindu on Tuesday, Mr. Ravi Krishna said that police confiscated 17 kg of ganja from Konark Express at Anakapalli railway station. Similarly, the joint teams seized 15 kg ganja from Rayagada Passenger at Parvathipuram. Meanwhile, ganja chocolates were seized in separate raids from the Tambaram Express, near Tenali, and Coromandel Express in Vijayawada, Mr. Ravi Krishna said. 'Police took the peddlers into custody and produced them in court. The ganja chocolates were being transported to Chennai and other places,' the IGP said. Explaining the modus operandi of the accused, Mr. Ravi Krishna said that the smugglers were transporting low quantity ganja from tribal habitations in Odisha. 'The smuggler would board an unreserved (general) coach, keep the bag containing ganja under a seat, a short distance away. When police seize the bag, they will pretend as if they are unaware,' the EAGLE chief said. Instructions have been given to check all the passenger and express trains coming from Odisha to check ganja smuggling. 'Operation Vijay' will continue in all railway stations in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Ravi Krishna said.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Army, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pay tribute to Capt Vikram Batra on 26th death anniversary
The Army on Monday paid rich tributes to Capt Vikram Batra , recalling his heroics during the 1999 Kargil war when he had displayed the "most conspicuous courage and valour" and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid homage to Capt Batra on his death anniversary, and said his "unmatched bravery and sacrifice" during the Kargil war remains a glorious example of courage in service of the nation. The Army is gearing up to mark 26 years since its victory in Operation Vijay when Indian soldiers and other personnel had fought a decisive battle against Pakistani forces at the icy heights of Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir . The Indian Army since then commemorates July 26 as Kargil Vijay Diwas . "#26YearsofKargilVijay Captain Vikram Batra 07 July 1999 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAK RIF) During #Kargil War, Captain Vikram Batra had earlier led his Company to successfully capture #Pt5140, in which he had daringly neutralised four enemy personnel in hand-to-hand combat ," the Army said in a post on X Live Events It also shared a small video clip with the post. "In yet another battle to capture #Pt4875, he displayed most conspicuous courage & valour in the face of enemy and achieved a near impossible mission. In this operation he led the assault and neutralised five enemy soldiers at point blank range and pressed on the attack despite sustaining grievous injuries," the Army said. "Inspired by his super human act and exemplary leadership, the troops charged on and captured Pt 4875. Awarded with the Param Vir Chakra #PVC (Posthumous). We pay our tribute.#KVD2025," the Indian Army wrote in the tribute post. Defence Minister Singh paid homage to the Kargil braveheart in a post on X. "Remembering the supreme sacrifice made by Captain Vikram Batra on his Balidan Diwas. His unmatched bravery and sacrifice during the Kargil War remain a glorious example of courage in service of the nation. My tributes to him on his 'Balidan Diwas'," he said.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- The Hindu
Ganja chocolate smuggler arrested in Vijayawada
The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested a ganja chocolate smuggler Subhash Kumar Yadav of Bihar in Coromandel Express train during 'Operation Vijay'. Vijayawada GRP Circle Inspector J.V. Ramana said that Subhash was transporting chocolates made of Cannabis (ganja), weighing about 445 grams. The team led by Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) head and IGP Ake Ravi Krishna arrested the accused and seized the ganja chocolates on Thursday. During questioning, the accused reportedly admitted that he was smuggling the chocolates, also known as 'Bung' in local parlance (in Bihar), to Chennai. Subhash, a native of Badia village in Darbanga district, was running a tea stall in Chennai. The accused was produced in the court and the case is under investigation, Mr. Ramana told The Hindu on Saturday.
Hans India
04-07-2025
- Hans India
Surprise checks of trains to prevent drugs conducted
Eluru: Eagle Team Inspector General of Police Ravi Krishna, Eluru District SP K Pratap Shiva Kishore and Eagle Team SP Nageswara Rao conducted surprise checks in trains in the district on Thursday to prevent illegal trafficking of ganja and narcotics from Odisha to other parts of the country. Railway Police, Eagle Team, District Police conducted the joint operation to eradicate trafficking of marijuana and narcotics from Odisha. The Eagle Team specially formed by the state government, Government Railway Police (GRP), and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have expanded the Operation Vijay programme with the joint participation of the district police personnel to eradicate illegal trafficking of drugs in Andhra Pradesh. As part of these activities, surprise checks were conducted on several trains, including the Coromandel Express, at the Eluru railway station. Review of authorities and progress in cannabis eradication Eluru District Additional SP (Admin) N Suryachandra Rao, Eluru DSP D Shravan Kumar and GRP and RPF personnel participated. Speaking on the occasion, IGP Ravi Krishna said that 21,736 kg marijuana has been seized across the state so far. SP Pratap Shiva Kishore said that several awareness programmes have already been organised to make Eluru a cannabis-free district. He explained that so far, 700 kgs of ganja was seized in 20 cases in Eluru district besides arresting 45 accused. A special programme called 'Drugs Bro' has been organised across the district in collaboration with the district authorities. If anyone is selling or consuming ganja in their vicinity, they should provide information to 1972, dial 112, or WhatsApp number 9550351100, and the details of those who provide information will be kept confidential, the district SP reiterated. The SP made a special appeal to the parents to abandon the misconception that their children will be sent to jail, if their children get addicted to marijuana or other intoxicants. They should provide that information to the police. He assured that the police will help such children by providing counselling through de-addiction centres and keeping them away from intoxicants. He also said that the details of the sellers and suppliers of intoxicants will be collected and strict action will be taken against them as per the law. Eluru Two Town Inspector Ashok Kumar, Three Town Inspector Koteswara Rao, Eluru Excise Inspector Dhanaraju, Government Railway Police DSP Ratan Raju, Line Inspector MB Durga Rao, Eluru Government Railway Police Station SI P Simon, Eluru RPF Inspector Bay Benny, SI Dhanush, ASI VV Ratnam and other police officers participated in these inspections.
