Bangladesh Navy purchases two modern Do 228NG’s

The Bangladesh Navy has purchased two modern Do 228NG (New Generation) turboprop aircraft to be used for maritime air patrol and rescue missions along the countries’ coastline. The Bangladesh order follows customers in Japan, Norway and Germany. With the Do 228NG, RUAG Aviation has asserted itself against the competition.

“The cost-effectiveness and, despite its sophisticated technology, ease of use, sealed the decision in favour of the Do 228NG,” said vice president military aviation, Germany, Alexander Müller.The two Do 228NG’s are the first fixed wing aircraft to be purchased by the Bangladesh Navy for patrolling its coastline. For this purpose, both aircraft are being equipped with special equipment for maritime air patrol operations. This includes radio and navigation aids along with other selected systems as well as rescue equipment.

In addition to the two aircraft, the contract includes comprehensive pilot and aircraft maintenance training for the navy ground crew on location. Delivery of both aircraft is scheduled for early summer 2013. The Do 228NG is a versatile turboprop aircraft. Alongside transporting up to 19 passengers, it can also be configured as a special mission version for various purposes including maritime air patrol.

Let Parochialism not Afflict the Services

Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD

Parochialism is a commonly used term with wide-ranging definitions that are pejorative in connotation. Essentially, parochialism denotes narrowness of views both in substance and scope. It implies inability to consider issues in larger and wider perspective. In other words parochialism is a manifestation of narrow-mindedness and pettiness. As human beings are products of their environment, their attitude and disposition get moulded in the formative years, both at home and work place. Although the underlying reason for all types of parochialism is an attitude of insularity, they get manifested differently.

Parochialism is a human weakness. According supremacy to local and immediate interests over larger issues is a common trait and phenomenon. While parochialism remains harmless within acceptable limits, it becomes cancerous when allowed to proliferate to unhealthy intensity. It can afflict body politic of any nation, society or organization with fatal consequences. History stands testimony that a nation infested with the virus of parochialism has always been an easy prey for subjugation. No one knows this bitter truth better than India, whose centuries-long suffering under foreign rule was the direct fallout of the malaise of parochialism.

Unfortunately, India has learnt nothing from the past and similar trends are raising their vicious heads again all over the country. In this dismal scenario, the armed forces stand as the solitary bulwark against fissiparous forces. Being united India’s only hope, they cannot fail the nation. Therefore, it is vitally important that they be kept scrupulously free of the virus of parochialism lest it destroys organizational cohesion and degrades their fighting potential.

Regrettably, due to lack of progressive exposure, many service officers fail to acquire broader vision even while occupying higher ranks. They grow in career but fail to outgrow narrow mindsets. They remain weighed down with local issues. Their excessive deportment towards immediate affiliations is a result of their inability to grasp and fully appreciate criticality of larger issues.

India finds proof of Pakistan training Somali pirates

Somali sea pirates are being trained in Pakistan to carry out a proxy war against India. Though Indian security agencies had been hinting at a Pakistani link to Somali sea pirates since long, material evidence to support this assertion has only been recently recovered.

The evidence was obtained from nine foreign nationals caught from a hijacked Iranian vessel - MV Nafis-1, by the Indian Navy off Mumbai on August 14.

The vessel was brought to Porbandar on August 15 and those arrested - five Yemenis, two Tanzanians, one Kenyan and one Somali national - were handed over to Porbandar police.

Gujarat customs officials had seized a large quantity of food items from the vessel and also found rice packets and juice pouches bearing names of Pakistani companies. Gujarat customs officials also recovered two AK-47s, a pistol and a cache of foreign currency including $86,000 and 1,500 Saudi Riyal.

Officials seized bags full of tea leaves, which customs officials believe, were chewed by the pirates to stay awake.

"The guns have no label but the food items are packed and manufactured in Pakistan. Smugglers are not generally found carrying such a large amount of foreign currency," said a senior customs official.

The fact that the foreigners were traveling in a low-speed merchant vessel unlike Somalian pirates who use high-speed boats, gave the arrested a benefit of doubt, said customs officials.

Pak violates ceasefire, targets Indian Posts

Pakistani troops today opened fire and launched Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) targeting Indian posts in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the third ceasefire violation in four days.

Pakistan troops fired from two of their forward posts of Jemeela and 556 along the LoC on the Indian posts.

Pak troops had violated ceasefire and opened fire on forward belt of Keri area in Rajouri sector on Monday resulting in injury to one army jawan.

On August 15 also, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by firing on the Ballard Indian post in Samba district.

Independence Day Special:Katrina Kaif with jawans at LOC in Jammu

Katrina Kaif spent three days with the jawans (troops) of the Indian Army deployed along the LoC in in the Nowshera sub-sector in Rajouri district in the heart of Soon Valley, 130 km from Jammu.she has been stunning us with her various avatars. From her biker chick attitude in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara to her guitar strumming act in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, she never ceases to surprise us. Kat now appears as army girl clad in cargo pants.

The gorgeous actress was recently in the battle torn realm of Jammu & Kashmir interacting with the Indian troops during a visit to a forward post right on the Line of Control (LOC).

During her visit, Katrina shared meals with the troops, dressed in the camouflage fatigues and participated in various activities including firing an AK 56 rifle and playing Tug of War and Volley Ball with the jawans, much to their delight.

She rode an army bike, watched Bofors gun firing and even rubbed shoulders with battle hardened troops in a counter-insurgency training exercise

During the evenings, she mingled with the soldiers and their families, sans any starry airs.

Katrina's visit was filmed for a special edition of Jai Jawan as part of the Independence Day celebrations.