OFFENSE

ToI: China objects to Dalai meet, calls off boundary talks with India

2011-11-26T12:46:00.001-08:00

This extract of an article from the Times of India needs to be saved for posterity.

China objects to Dalai meet, calls off boundary talks
[with India]

Source: TotallyCoolPix - Coolest Pix of Week 32

NEW DELHI: China demanded that India cancel a Buddhist conference in Delhi which the Dalai Lama was expected to address. The conference coincided with the boundary talks between Dai Bingguo and Shivshankar Menon also to be held here. India refused. China cancelled the talks.

Last week, China sent a message to India asking that the government prevent the Dalai Lama from speaking at the Buddhist conference in the national Capital. A surprised government said the Dalai Lama was a spiritual leader and free to speak on spiritual matters, refusing to agree to China's request.

The Chinese side upped the ante, demanding the Indian government cancel the conference. India refused to comply, saying this was a spiritual conference and the freedom was an essential part of New Delhi. The Indian side even promised full security to the Chinese delegates. Beijing refused and called off the talks. Although later Chinese officials said they wanted to hold the talks "very soon", India has reacted coolly. The ball, said sources, is in Beijing's court.

Remembering 26/11 - The Mumbai Terrorist Attacks by Pakistan

2011-11-25T20:27:00.001-08:00

"On the 26th of November 2008 ten heavily armed gunmen from Pakistan entered the Indian city of Mumbai in a boat and massacred over 160 people in cold blood. Here are excerpts from the conversations they were having with their handlers in Pakistan. The conversations were recorded and made public by Indian intelligence agencies."

"On the 26th of November 2008 a group of ten heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan sneaked into Mumbai harbor in a hijacked Indian boat and then proceeded to crowded places like the Leopold Cafe, the Chatrapati Shivaji Railway terminus, Trident Oberoi hotel, Taj Mahal hotel, Cama hospital and the Nariman (Chabad) house to gun down and kill unarmed people. The terrorists conversations with their controllers/handlers in Pakistan were recorded by Indian intelligence agencies. The terrorist had been told that by killing unbelievers (non Muslims) they would go to heaven and earn paradise with 72 virgins (houris). They had been told that Allah would be grateful and reward them for killing unarmed people. A total of 185 people were killed as the handlers in Pakistan laughed and egged the terrorists on. their conversations are peppered with references to Allah. Inshallah (Allah willing). Alhamdulillah (by the grace of Allah), Bismillah (In the name of Allah) and Allah hafiz."

Ashok Chakra awardees and a brief on their acts of valour:	Kirti Chakra awardee:
	Railway Police Inspector Shashank Shinde Killed in the shooting at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on November 26, 2008, posthumously honoured with the Kirti Chakra.

Ashok Chakra medal	Kirti Chakra medal
IBN Live: 26/11 bravehearts dominate Ashok Chakra list	IBN Live: 26/11 martyr awarded Kirti Chakra

Hemant Kamlakar Karkare, Joint commissioner of police, Maharashtra (Posthumous)

On November 26, 2008 at 2140 hrs IST, joint commissioner of police and chief of the Anti-Terrorist Squad Hemant Kamlakar Karkare received information about a terrorist attack at Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai.Acting swiftly, Karkare dispatched teams to plug the possible escape routes and himself alongwith a small team rushed to Cama Hospital where the terrorists had moved by then. A firefight ensued between the terrorists and the police team. As a result, the terrorists were forced to change their position. Karkare pursued the terrorists but in the process his jeep got ambushed and he was critically injured. He, however, continued to lead the operation and succeeded in injuring one of the terrorists.He displayed courage and leadership of the highest order in fighting the terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Tukaram Gopal Ombale, Assistant sub-inspector of police, Maharashtra, (Posthumous)

On November 26, 2008, Shri Tukaram Gopal Ombale, was on night duty at DB Marg Police Station when the terrorist attack in Mumbai took place.Around midnight, a wireless message was flashed that two terrorists were moving towards Marine Drive in a car. Ombale immediately positioned barricades to block its passage. As soon the car stopped, one of the terrorists inside the car opened fire. Ombale in a daring act rushed to the left side of the car and pounced on one of the terrorists in order to snatch his AK 47 rifle. In the process he got seriously injured and later succumbed to his injuries.Ombale showed raw grit and unparalleled courage in making his supreme sacrifice while fighting the terrorists.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Bihar Regiment / 51 Special Action Group (Posthumous)

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan led the commando operation launched on November 27, 2008, to flush out terrorists from Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai in which he rescued 14 hostages.During the operation, his team came under intense hostile fire, in which one of his team members got grievously injured. Major Sandeep pinned down the terrorists with accurate fire and rescued the injured commando to safety. In the process, he was shot in his right arm. Despite his injuries, he continued to fight the terrorists till his last breath.Major Sandeep displayed most conspicuous bravery besides camaraderie and leadership of the highest order and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Havildar Gajender Singh, Parachute Regiment / 51 Special Action Group (Posthumous)

In the night of November 27, 2008, Havildar Gajender Singh was leading his squad in the operation to rescue hostages from the terrorists at Nariman House, Mumbai.After clearing the top floor of the terrorists, he reached the place where the terrorists had taken position. As he closed in, the terrorists hurled a grenade injuring him. Undeterred, he kept firing and closing in on the terrorists by exposing himself to the hostile fire.In the act, he injured one of the terrorists and forced the others to retreat inside a room. He continued the encounter till he succumbed to his injuries.Havildar Gajender Singh displayed most conspicuous courage against grave odds and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation in combating the terrorists.

Ashok Marutrao Kamte, Additional commissioner of police, Maharashtra, (Posthumous)

On November 26, 2008, 10 heavily armed terrorists launched simultaneous attacks at various places in Mumbai.Ashok Marutrao Kamte was part of the police team which rushed to Cama Hospital where the terrorists had moved in. A firefight ensued between the terrorist and the police team.As a result, the terrorists were forced to change their position. The police team pursued the terrorists but in the process their jeep got ambushed and Kamte was critically injured. He however, continued the fight and played key role in injuring one of the terrorists.Kamte displayed courage and leadership of the highest order in fighting the terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Vijay Shahadev Salaskar, Inspector, Anti-Extortion Cell of Crime Branch, Maharashtra (Posthumous)

On November 26, 2008, 10 heavily armed terrorists launched simultaneous attacks at various places in Mumbai.Vijay Shahadev Salaskar was part of the police team rushed to Cama Hospital where the terrorists had moved in. A firefight ensued between the terrorist and the police team.As a result, the terrorists were forced to change their position. The police team pursued the terrorists but in the process their jeep got ambushed and Salaskar was critically injured. He however, continued the fight and played key role in injuring one of the terrorists.Salaskar showed raw grit and unparalleled courage against grave odds and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

Just a minute, love. Jeeves is talking.

2011-10-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

In response to: CNN: Apple introduces Siri, Web freaks out a little

What would Apple do with the knowledge of the questions you ask Siri?

I'd expect them to do exactly what Google already does – make a detailed profile of you and your habits and try to monetize that knowledge with targeted ads. With no surprise, I predict Google will now build Siri's cousin, with an IQ of 375. You'd be able to name it anything you'd want to, like Jeeves, and give it a personality. Since Google has already perfected the art of finding patterns in your habits, Jeeves wouldn't lazily wait for your question! Jeeves would be far more proactive and ask, "Would you like to know where the nearest Starbucks is, sir?", when he thought you most needed one.

If you agreed Jeeves was on to a good idea, and you probably would, he'd guide you with his calming voice, with GPS at his fingertips, to your over-priced brew. Jeeves would politely inform Starbucks in his own time through his management company, Google, of the patronage that he commands from Starbucks. Starbucks would gladly offer Google a gratuity in the hope of future business from him and other sharp assistants like him in Google's employ.

If you thought Jeeves was off his rails for suggesting a morning joe at midnight, his self respect and sharp intellect would help him assimilate your rejection as a reminder never to make the same mistake again. He'd know then that you probably wouldn't want to listen to news from the stock market then either, not at that time and certainly not while you're driving!

"Would you like to listen to some jazz, sir?", he'd quickly suggest to help you enjoy your drive. He'd remember that's what you chose the last time you had to drive this late.

"Why not, Jeeves! I'd like that.", you'd say, much to your pleasure.

Jeeves would be quite familiar with the kind of jazz echoing in the most happening basements in New Orleans. He wouldn't let you miss out on it either. He'd use his wizardry to stream the latest tracks straight out of YouTube through your 4G connection.

You'd probably think right about then that your life was just as good as it could ever be. Your wife sitting beside you, staring out of the window as you drive, would probably wonder whether you let Jeeves into your life or Jeeves let you into his.

Octoberfest

2011-10-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

In response to The Times of India: Hillary warns Pak about keeping 'wild animal in your backyard'

I didn't believe my eyes at first when I saw this cover article in The Times of India today.

"You think that you can keep a wild animal in the backyard and it will only go after your neighbor?" Clinton asked rhetorically, implicitly referring to Pakistan unleashing terrorism in India and Afghanistan, and adding, "We have too many stories where that doesn't turn out like that."

"We are pressing and pushing on every lever that we have in the relationship...to prevent any attacks against us emanating from Pakistan, as well as to try to help stabilize Pakistan against this internal threat, and to create the best possible circumstances for Afghanistan to be able to have control over its own future," Clinton said. "Those are all extremely difficult, and we are learning it, each piece of that, every single day."

I had to read the rest of it to see if there was a concession from her to Pakistan later in the article because when it comes to US telling Pakistan to do anything, the petulant child usually gets the kid glove treatment. There was indeed a concession, but not from her. The concession came from President Obama himself when he said:

"the intelligence is not as clear as we might like in terms of what exactly that relationship (between ISI and the Haqqani group) is." "But my attitude is, whether there is active engagement with Haqqani on the part of the Pakistanis, or rather just passively allowing them to operate ... they've got to take care of this problem," he warned.

So, it looks like the US is still trying to determine how bad evil is.

When one side of the coin refuses to believe there is another...

2011-10-01T05:53:00.000-07:00

In response to The Guardian: The dead begin to speak up in India

Arundhati Roy's reputation for speaking out to embarrass India at regular intervals is well documented and for every article she writes, there are dozens of counterpoints that come out as well. She gets press because she got a Booker prize a long time ago. Her awards in literature have nothing to do with her credibility in journalism. The key instigator of conflict in Kashmir is Pakistan. Unsurprisingly for what can be expected from Arundhati Roy, Pakistan gets no credit in her article. Even the stone throwers get paid Rs. 300 a day for throwing stones. Yes, that is the going market rate. Where do you think the money comes from? Why is money even necessary? If this is a "freedom struggle" would you require money to protest?

Every month militants try to infiltrate the India-Pakistan border, to keep arming the hapless unemployed in Kashmir against the army because when one is hungry, one takes money from wherever it comes. Is the Army supposed to celebrate them with a 21 gun salute, a marked grave honoring their efforts and a garland to boot?

It is entirely to India's credit and due to Indian persistence that Kashmir hasn't been Talibanised by now. Articles about oppression and suppression of people's rights to free travel are very romantic. In the meanwhile, girls still go to school in Kashmir. Their Afghani sisters must stop going to school within weeks of an American withdrawal because acid gets thrown on them or gas bombs are blown in their classrooms. It takes maturity to recognise that Kashmir might be far from perfect, but it is also far from hell. Arundhati Roy doesn't understand that. Her understanding doesn't matter in the least either.

Added later: I am posting, in full, a comment by one "jaimen" to the Guardian article on 2 October 2011 2:00PM. I could not agree with this person more.

Just a small technical point, in case some of you are not aware, most of the graves in Jammu & Kashmir are unmarked, especially in rural areas. So "unmarked graves" is not something unusual there. Some fool journalist (probably Western, but not necessarily, we have our own vast reserves of idiots) raised the issue without back-checking and the story has snowballed.

Now "mass grave" is a different ballgame. It has been openly admitted by the police that large numbers (literally thousands) of terrorists are killed in Kashmir (mainly after they came from across the border from Pakistan, which they of course vehemently - and no doubt truthfully - deny, just like in Afghanistan). Pakistan of course won't take the bodies back, despite these large numbers of young men and boys in their teens and twenties often carrying their identity cards, family photos, etc. on their way to martyrdom. Another technical point: according to the Indian Army the life-span of the average terrorist after he crosses the border from Pakistan in order to kill Kashmiris (both Muslims and Hindus) is 2 months.

So as you can imagine, as Pakistan has been sending these often naive - but religiously fired up and drug-addicted - youngster across the Line of Control since the late 1980s, quite a few of them - including a not insubstantial number from UK I might add - have been sent to their heavenly abode where the 72 virgins await. Their bodies, meanwhile, lie unclaimed by their parents (who often don't know what happened to their children) and unwanted by the Kashmiris who, while they might want freedom, they are not referring to freedom to spend their hard earned rupees burying Pakistanis stupid enough to get killed on their account.

After a while, therefore, many of these terrorists need to be buried. Surely you do not expect the army to build graves for them and mark them with their names; and certainly Kashmiris are not about to give up land for that either. And if they were obliged to do so, that would be yet another "human rights violation", wouldn't it.

Just outlining some of the practical considerations.

Sorry, I didn't mean to spoil the "human rights" party here consisting primarily, it appears, of those paragons of universal rights and virtues - the Pakistanis. So keep going. It's irrelevant anyway.

Clearly, judging from the way the European and American governments are responding to this issue, it is evident they have their heads screwed on right on this case at least. It might also be that they simply see no margin in it. We are hardly in the mood for lectures from people who, as we speak, are bombing the crap out of locals in countries across the Middle East to Afghanistan with nary a thought for the collateral headcount (not that I'm opposed to that, mind you; fully supportive, in fact).

Now go on, run to mommy.

"Welcome to our world, America", India said.

2011-09-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

It has only taken the US about 25 years to publicly acknowledge what India has said in many ways all along, that the country which Ex-President George W Bush ironically ordained a "Major Non-NATO Ally" in the war against terrorism in 2004, is indeed the epicentre of terrorism. I thought I'd add a British reference there because umpteen Indian claims over 2 decades hadn't made an iota of difference. The embarrassment of a US embassy in Kabul being attacked at the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is what it took to unravel the unconscionable support Pakistan has enjoyed all along, and probably only temporarily too.

In the meanwhile, the US has effectively paid for Pakistani assistance (and treachery) with $20 billion dollars in aid since September 11, 2001. A lot of that money has been diverted to arm Pakistan, and how! How do 130 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 700 anti-aircraft missiles help Pakistan fight the war against terror when the Taliban neither have a navy or an air force? Pakistan could only use those against India, which the US knew, and they went ahead at India's expense anyway. To add insult to injury, add 115 self-propelled howitzer artillery units to the tally.

So, pardon me if I find American leadership in the war against terror to be a bit disingenuous.

Start small. Leave no room for doubt.

2011-09-20T02:22:00.000-07:00

India and Vietnam are interested in forging a strategic partnership.

Source:VietnamNet: Prime Minister greets Indian Foreign Minister

[Vietnamese] Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received in Hanoi on Sept. 16 Indian Foreign Minister S.M Krishna, affirming Vietnam’s efforts to deepen the Vietnam-India strategic partnership.

The PM said he wished the two sides would effectively implement bilateral agreements and join hands to prepare for the upcoming official visit to India by State President Truong Tan Sang, during which many important agreements were expected to be signed, bringing the two countries’ relations to a new level.

The deal includes oil exploration off the very long coast of Vietnam for a country of its size. Of course, one does not expect China to allow any other country in its neighborhood to exercise its legal right to natural resources. That would expecting too much from yet another Security Council member *cough* bully *cough*.

The geographical locations of these countries makes it very difficult for the navies of India and Vietnam to defend against the proven Chinese threat. China has stated the obvious before by saying that the Indian Ocean doesn't belong to India. But then does the South China Sea belong to China? If not, then what's wrong with Vietnam exploring off its coast for oil with India's help? If you ask China, everything.

Is India using Vietnam as a bargaining chip to get China out of the Gilgit region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK)? I don't think so. Just as it is unlikely that China would concede to India by leaving PoK because of the India-Vietnam posture in the South China Sea, it is equally unlikely that India would back out of this strategic partnership with Vietnam because India rarely ever makes such bold moves. The fact that it has done so now means it is taking the Chinese presence in PoK very seriously.