Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VM
11, Silver State, Pilibhit Byepass Road,
Bareilly-243005 (U.P.) INDIA
Tel:-0581-2526650,
Mob: 9411900090, 09999722636
Email-amashokgoel@gmail.com
Civil Aviation
HOW SAFE ARE YOU WHEN YOU FLY?
Despite the ghastly Manglore crash, India’s skies have luckily been safe. But, unknown to you, airlines are constantly bending the rules and playing with your life.
How safe is it to fly in India? In the immediate aftermath of the May 22 air crash in Manglore, in which Air India Express Flight No. 182 from Dubai overshot the runway, exploded into a ball of fire in the gorge below and killed 158 of the 166 people on board, the temptation to sound alarmist is only nature. For a decade, the Indian skied had been free of any catastrophic incident, even as the number of road and rail accidents registered sharp increases. It was, therefore, considered all right to assume that our aviation sector was completely air-worthy and that the rapid mushrooming of low-cost carriers had only brought air travel within the reach of those who earlier could not even consider flying as an option.
Infrastructure
POST-2004, Indian aviation has swung from one extreme to the other. Domestic travel has tripled in volume, while international travel has more than doubled. Passenger load has increased fourfold from 10.5 million passengers in 1997 to 40 million in 2008-09. From 175 aircraft in 2004, we now have 380 aircraft. The size and scale of the business has changed.
The phenomenal growth in Indian aviation is reflected in the load on Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. It now handling over 700 flights a day on an average, from the 77 it was handling in 2002.
Air Traffic Control (ATC)
GLOBAL research has shown that nearly 70 percent of all air accidents occur due to human error, involving, pilots, maintenance crew and the ATC. ATC system in the West can enable a take-off and landing every minute “ACTS across India”, says Kaul, “are clearly overworked.”
Pilot Fatigue
THIS has emerged as a major area of concern. Pilots are clocking in more hours because of commercial considerations overtaking all else. While pilots have different permutations and combinations of rest periods drawn up according to their schedules, operators often compromise on this.
Quick turnaround time
In airports like Srinagar, the minimum required turnaround time is 40 minutes- the time an aircraft’s tyres take to release the heat they absorb on landing at high altitudes. Many private airlines, however, have far lesser turnaround time.
Maintenance standards
IT is well known that the financial health of an airline company depends upon the maintenance of its aircraft. The better you keep your aircraft, the more you get out of it in the long run. While most factors in aviation are looked at from a revenue generating aspect, maintenance is the only component which is not. Massive expenditure is involved to have a workable aircraft.
Difficult/Dangerous airports
WHILE some airports are termed difficult due to the terrain they may be located in, others become difficult to operate in because of adverse weather conditions such as shallow fog, heavy rainfall or wind direction. Nothing illustrates this better than the plight of national capital during the dense winter fog. Short runways too are very common across the country, making landing a very well-calculated process, with little margin for error. Another factor that often goes unnoticed is how safety considerations often become secondary during the planning phase of an airport, and political and business pressures take over.
Manpower Shortage
FROM pilots to engineers, the aviation industry is facing a manpower shortage, exerting a pressure on existing resources. “It is estimated that the direct and indirect economic impact of this sector could be employment for 2.6 million people by 2020.” According to report by CAPA titled ‘addressing the skills crisis in Indian aviation’. To quote from the report: “Education and training have virtually been an afterthought in Indian aviation. The industry has muddled through by deploying as hoc measures to fight fires. This approach will neither deliver a professional, sustainable or a safe industry.”
Changes in safety regulations and policies
CHANGES in aviation have to begin at the top. The regulatory agency responsible for enforcing a global standard of airline operations-the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation- needs a revamp to keep up with the current boom in the aviation sector.
Adapted from Outlook Magazine dated June 07
Observations and Comments
INTRODUCTORY
The accident of Air India Flight no. 182 at Manglore (on 26 July 2010) shocked the nation and created a doubt, “How safe are you when you fly. Aviation as a profession or as a mode of transportation has been the safest and would continue to be so. As per the Govt published statistics 1, 30,000 lives are lost every year which amounts to 356 deaths per day in road accidents alone.
The profession of aviation is a highly skilled activity the managers the operators are to display highest standards of professionalism in managing its affair.
Infrastructure and Manpower
Undoubtedly we are growing from strength to strength. The recent opening of T-3 terminal at IGIA at Delhi is an example of our vision and its implementation. Even the aircraft strength is gradually growing which is now 380 air craft will grow to 500 by 2012. (Which is against 700 of China and 7000 in USA as per 2008 statistics?)
We have to keep the manpower argumentation in all spheres of aviation activity i.e. airport management, maintenance, Air traffic controllers and the pilots to keep pace with the infrastructure development including the faster induction of aircraft. Some how or the other our manpower training programs fall short of argumentation of aircraft and ground infrastructure. The result is shortcuts for initial training, continuation training and advance training. Thus we land up in short fall, and result is compromising on safely standards (for examples increasing the age limit of the pilots enhancing FDTL, burdening the maintenance and Cabin Crews in extended duty hours). And the employees do accept and enjoy the extra buck.
Air Traffic Control Vis Viz Frequency of Flights
Often it has been stated that our controllers are over burdened. About 6-7 years back the busy airports handled less than 100 flights a day where as they are handling 700 flights a day. The busy airports in the world (Hethrow- London, Kennedy Airport- New York, Only France, Athens-Greece) handle nearly 1400 flights a day i.e. one flight per minute. If we are planning to create world class airports we have to train world class controllers as well. Our airports like Delhi & Mumbai now and Chennai, Kolkutta, Hyderabad and Bangalore later could reach those standers in years to come.
Difficult and Dangerous Airport
No airports (airfield) can be termed as risky or dangerous. DGCA has listed Leh, Port Blair, Mangalore, Kozikode Lengpui as risky runways. There are many more air fields which could be termed even more risky. (i.e. Thoise, Dumduma, Carnicobar, Vizag in this list). None of these air fields are risky or dangerous. They throw a different kind of challenge where the margin of error is some what negligible. The management and the operators have to lay down norms in terms of types of aircraft to operate, all up weight limitation (AUW) pilots experience, weather limitations (IFR and VFR). If required operator is to take care of referring to aircraft manuals and check on WAT (weight altitudes and temperature) limitations before undertaking a flight. As these are, three primary factors which affect the aircraft performance and operating parameters. Air lines in their eagerness to make fast buck ignore some of these basic safety factors while operating at these so called dangerous risky runways. No airfields are unsafe to operate if operations are managed professionally.
Training and Attitude
The objective of basic training, continuation training and advance and applied training should never be neglected at the cost of safety measures. The time has come for civil aviation to have doctors, specialist in aviation medicine and psychotherapist on their panels to train cockpit and cabin crews and maintenance personnel. This is equally applicable for ATC controllers and others who are managing aviation as ground support system.
Regulatory Body and Quality Control
In Indian context DGCA has been all in one, they are regulatory body, inspection body, accident investigation agency as well. We need to establish, independent inspection and accident investigation bodies. We need to create a Directorate General of Inspection and Safety and independent accident investigation authority like NTSB-National Transportation Safety Board. As the future of the civil aviation is bright (we are expected to have nearly 1000 commercial aircraft by the 2020). All the measures suggested above would go a long way, in enhancing civil aviation image in the country and nobody should question “How Safe Are you When you fly?
Air Marshal Ashok Goel served the IAF for forty years. He is an experienced transport pilot with more than 10,000 in flying to his credit. He has landed at all the so called risky and dangerous airfields (Aircraft flown to these airfields included, IL-76, B-707, Gulf stream-III types of aircraft).
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Helicopters & VIPs
Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VM
11, Silver State, Pilibhit Byepass Road,
Bareilly-243005 (U.P.) INDIA
Tel:-0581-2526650,
Mob: 9411900090, 09999722636
Email-amashokgoel@gmail.com
Helicopters & VIPs
An accident is accident, and when it happens to be of an aircraft/helicopters accident especially with a VIP on board becomes a catastrophe and national news. The helicopter crash on 2nd September 2009, near Hyderabad with CM of AP on board sent shock waves all over the country and specially so in AP. YSR was a dynamic leader and had touched the nerves of the masses.
Whenever any accident takes place in Indian skies I am reminded of the Boeing Corporation’s world wide study on aircraft accidents. Study covered commercial aviation accidents of 30 years but is equally applicable to military aviation. Study had revealed that the rate of aircraft accidents is higher in Latin America, African continent and South Asia, as compared to US and Europe. The two attributes which were identified specific to South Asia were (a) “Chalta Hai” attitude (b) A tendency not to point out, fellow beings inadequacies/failings/faults committed. These very attitudinal deficiencies have been the reason of many accidents.
Let us critically analyze various contributory factors for the Bell-430 accident on 2nd Sep 2009.
Distance versus the endurance:-
The helicopter was tasked to fly a distance of 600 KM with an endurance of nearly 3 hrs. with speed of 240 km, could have a ground speed of 220 km, or even less (depending on the prevailing winds) This restricted endurance would have been fine in a clear weather conditions. This would have left very little margin of error on account of variation in track due to weather. Such a situation could have created hypertension among the pilots thus. Lowering the performance level, in rational thinking and decision making. Basically to undertake 600 km flight, in the prevailing and forecasted weather, was an in correct decision.
Route safety heights and its appreciation :-
Calculating the route safety height and airfield safety ht and descending below them under IFR conditions is inviting trouble. We have lost many aircraft/helicopters (even fitted with GPWS) who have ignored this basic principle of flying ‘Do Not Descend Below the Route Safety Height” under IFR, condition. The Belt-430 ignored this and seemed to have hit a hill on a diverted track.
Weather versus the helicopters flying:-
The norms laid down for helicopters flying are well defined and time tested. Basically helicopters are designed for VFR flights. Single engine most stringently. Twin engines not more than 4/8 (four Octa) of clouds/ That mean not more than half the sky should be obscured with clouding. Clouding should be stratus types of clouds. Not cumulus large cumulus build ups and under no circumstances vertical development clouds (Cb clouds). During the year 2009 monsoon had hit the India later. Month of Sept. was experiencing the worst phase of monsoon all over the country and AP is famous for its extra ordinary monsoon fury.
Why was the flight undertaken? :-
All the preflight conditions, that is flight envelop, weather conditions, operational planning indicated a “NOGO”. Pilots who are on deputation to State Govts, or other governmental agencies are their own master of decision making. Supervisions levels are negligible. Pilots trend to show over confidence of their performance levels. They (Pilots) try to come closer to the center of power to derive personnel benefits. (Permanent Placement higher position/allotment of land or houses at highly subsidized rates).
The CM had to attend a wedding of one of his colleagues. The pilot must have been pressurized or over emphasized the urgency of the CM to reach his destination point. By violating all possible safety norms (weather/Flight Envelop/Operational Limitation) pilot laid to rest the CM, other passengers and himself and his colleagues.
Dear aviators do not overreach the ORM (operational Risk Management), do apply and think rationally. We lost a great leader in YSR and our aviation colleagues (It was a human error accident).
Air Marshal Ashok Goel, served the IAF for 40 yrs. He was a transport pilot, and has more than 10000 hrs of flying on 13 types of aircraft. His last appointment in the IAF was Director General Flight Safety and Inspection.
PS :- Recommended to be printed in Aug 10 issue if approved by the Editorial Board.
PVSM AVSM VM
11, Silver State, Pilibhit Byepass Road,
Bareilly-243005 (U.P.) INDIA
Tel:-0581-2526650,
Mob: 9411900090, 09999722636
Email-amashokgoel@gmail.com
Helicopters & VIPs
An accident is accident, and when it happens to be of an aircraft/helicopters accident especially with a VIP on board becomes a catastrophe and national news. The helicopter crash on 2nd September 2009, near Hyderabad with CM of AP on board sent shock waves all over the country and specially so in AP. YSR was a dynamic leader and had touched the nerves of the masses.
Whenever any accident takes place in Indian skies I am reminded of the Boeing Corporation’s world wide study on aircraft accidents. Study covered commercial aviation accidents of 30 years but is equally applicable to military aviation. Study had revealed that the rate of aircraft accidents is higher in Latin America, African continent and South Asia, as compared to US and Europe. The two attributes which were identified specific to South Asia were (a) “Chalta Hai” attitude (b) A tendency not to point out, fellow beings inadequacies/failings/faults committed. These very attitudinal deficiencies have been the reason of many accidents.
Let us critically analyze various contributory factors for the Bell-430 accident on 2nd Sep 2009.
Distance versus the endurance:-
The helicopter was tasked to fly a distance of 600 KM with an endurance of nearly 3 hrs. with speed of 240 km, could have a ground speed of 220 km, or even less (depending on the prevailing winds) This restricted endurance would have been fine in a clear weather conditions. This would have left very little margin of error on account of variation in track due to weather. Such a situation could have created hypertension among the pilots thus. Lowering the performance level, in rational thinking and decision making. Basically to undertake 600 km flight, in the prevailing and forecasted weather, was an in correct decision.
Route safety heights and its appreciation :-
Calculating the route safety height and airfield safety ht and descending below them under IFR conditions is inviting trouble. We have lost many aircraft/helicopters (even fitted with GPWS) who have ignored this basic principle of flying ‘Do Not Descend Below the Route Safety Height” under IFR, condition. The Belt-430 ignored this and seemed to have hit a hill on a diverted track.
Weather versus the helicopters flying:-
The norms laid down for helicopters flying are well defined and time tested. Basically helicopters are designed for VFR flights. Single engine most stringently. Twin engines not more than 4/8 (four Octa) of clouds/ That mean not more than half the sky should be obscured with clouding. Clouding should be stratus types of clouds. Not cumulus large cumulus build ups and under no circumstances vertical development clouds (Cb clouds). During the year 2009 monsoon had hit the India later. Month of Sept. was experiencing the worst phase of monsoon all over the country and AP is famous for its extra ordinary monsoon fury.
Why was the flight undertaken? :-
All the preflight conditions, that is flight envelop, weather conditions, operational planning indicated a “NOGO”. Pilots who are on deputation to State Govts, or other governmental agencies are their own master of decision making. Supervisions levels are negligible. Pilots trend to show over confidence of their performance levels. They (Pilots) try to come closer to the center of power to derive personnel benefits. (Permanent Placement higher position/allotment of land or houses at highly subsidized rates).
The CM had to attend a wedding of one of his colleagues. The pilot must have been pressurized or over emphasized the urgency of the CM to reach his destination point. By violating all possible safety norms (weather/Flight Envelop/Operational Limitation) pilot laid to rest the CM, other passengers and himself and his colleagues.
Dear aviators do not overreach the ORM (operational Risk Management), do apply and think rationally. We lost a great leader in YSR and our aviation colleagues (It was a human error accident).
Air Marshal Ashok Goel, served the IAF for 40 yrs. He was a transport pilot, and has more than 10000 hrs of flying on 13 types of aircraft. His last appointment in the IAF was Director General Flight Safety and Inspection.
PS :- Recommended to be printed in Aug 10 issue if approved by the Editorial Board.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
His Jehad is His Very own
AIR MARSHAL ASHOK GOEL (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VM
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
Radical Islam
VS
The World
Global peace is now threatened by western-educated, middle-class freelance soldiers who have bought into the Al Qaeda way of thinking. Is India immune?
His Jehad is His Very Own
Not a Pak-Afgan-bred radical, the new Islamic warrior could be a regular American guy, swayed by Al Qaeda, but not part of it.
When Faisal Sahzad parked his SUV at the Time Square in New York in the diabolic hope of exploding it, he joined the growing list of ‘normal dudes’ who inexplicably turn radical Islamists, willing to stake their lives or riches for waging Jehad against the world particularly America and its allies. Faisal had everything going for him: an MBA degree, a cushy job which he resigned from just a few months ago and a suburban lifestyle he shared with his wife and two kids. And then the madness, the rush of blood, leaving Americans gasping at the thought of the devastation the bomb could have wreaked had it exploded.
The New Faces of Jehad
Who they are whom they oppose
v Al Qaeda is now more a state of mind than a formidable terror organization. A state of mind shared by those Muslims who believe in violently opposing what they perceive as the injustices of the world.
v Primary directed against the West, particularly the United States. But it is also aimed against those countries seen to be oppressing Muslims-Russia, Israel and India, for example.
v Willing to target Muslim countries aligned to the West or fighting Musllim terror-Saudi Arabia, Egypt, even Pakistan.
v There is a war without boundaries-any country which is frequented by westerners, for instance, is considered a legitimate enough target.
What they seek to achieve
v No longer aims at establishing Islamic states. But wants a just world order, for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
v Its anti-West agenda has been expanded to include the politics of environment. Osama bin Laden’s last speech accused the West of damaging environment.
v It’s also opposing globalization, portraying it as a ploy of the developed world to exploit underdeveloped nations.
v Primary impulse is to weaken sole superpower. All other changes will ensue on their own.
v Become an umbrella group for other militant groups fighting different governments. Provide moral support and ideological justification for violent action.
How the new recruit is different
v He’s a Muslim living in western societies. Also in non western countries where Muslims nurse grievances.
v Belongs to affluent, educated families, often a product of Western educations institutes.
v Bilingual. English is the preferred language of global jehad.
v Voracious reader. Sources info from Islamic literature and doctrines, and from western philosophers and political figures.
v Not religious. Adapted to western lifestyle, drinks, gambles, even has white partners.
v Gets indoctrinated through the net. Downloads bomb-making manuals. Or, if he can, heads to Pakistan’s badlands or yamen.
The worlds can changes, argues Al Qaeda, only if the West, particularly America, is brought down to its knees. This idea was mooted in the late ‘90s by Osama’s deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, who cited the close link between the collapses of the Soviet empire to its defeat in Afghanistan. If one superpower could be defeated, he argued, why not the US?
To fight the US though, Al Qaeda has to first transform itself into a global organization. It did this through the twin attacks on the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es0Salaam in 1998, integrating it at once into the global security regime administered by America. With 9/11, the group carved out a space for Islam in the West.
The battle against radical Islam is complicated. With Al Qaeda stressing on ethical issues to justify its acts of violence, many desperate Muslims in the West of elsewhere are likely.
To find their inspiration and redemption in jehad. The West, in turn, is likely to strengthen its already stifling security apparatus at the cost or eroding ideas it is associated with: of freedom of speech, expression and free movement. Curtailment of these rights would be akin to an Al Qaeda win. The West is also expected to intensify the war in terror-and the ensuing bloodshed will only help bolster the Al Qaeda campaign. The best way out for Washington is to resolve the Palestine-Israel issue and cease supporting discredited Muslim regimes.
Opinions
“To get radicalized, one doesn’t have to go to a madrassa or a training camp in the Pak-Afghan badlands. Internet chat room are good enough.”
Abdul Bari Atwan
Editor, Al Quds al Arabia, London
“They (the new radicals) are outliers, who can cause massive damage and get massive response. But they don’t belong to one group or movement.”
Faisal Devji
Author, ‘Landscape of the Jehad’
“The perception of occupation in Iraq, Afganistan, and Kashmir continues to be a catalyst exploited in terror organizations’ rhetoric/ideologies.”
John L. Esposito
Georgetown University, Washington
Adapted form Out Look May 24, 2010
Observations on Shahjad and Terror
This so called new trend of Jehad is really not new. The elite class joining the global terrorism has surfaced even in the mid and the later part of nineties. I am reminded of my visit to Israel in may-June 1997. The very departure to TelAviv from Mumbai can never be forgotten. Reporting time was four hours and the check in area at the airport was surrounded by Israeli security personnel and the sniffer dogs. I was interrogated for nearly 2 hrs as I was a criminal in spite of the fact that I was holding an official passport and was on the invitation of Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI). The experience was most horrendous.
After reaching TelAviv, the IAI chairman and MD had invited me for a dinner. I mentioned this extra ordinary security measure at the time of my departure from Mumbai to TelAviv. He narrated one incident One Palestinian Youngman educated in UK and settled, was married to a Jewish girl. This girl (wife of Palestinian boy) was flying from London to TelAviv for her first delivery. During security check at London airport a bomb was detected in the suitcase of the Jewish girl. Her husband had planted the Bomb. One can imagine the frame of mind of this Palestinian boy who was ready to kill his wife and the expected child. That was the height of mindset of these educated class of the people even at that time.
ü Even the event of 9/11, the nineteen pilots of different nationalities (All Muslims) had gathered and planned highjacking of four American airliners. Two of them had flown directly into the Twin Towers in New York, and other two had crashed deliberately. Causing biggest catastrophe of this century. All these nineteen pilots were well educated, highly trained and leading a fairly high quality standard life style.
ü There are innumerable cases of elite class of people indulging in such activities, Shahjad son of an Air Vice Marshal, western educated, well settled in life, married ,father of two children, indulging into a terror act should not surprise the world.
ü The US never took a serious note of the terror activity globally, or the cross border terrorism perpetuated by a country like Pakistan and bleeding India day and day out.
ü I am reminded of a visit of US defence team headed by a Mej Gen during Feb 2001 to Defence Services Staff College Wellington (DSSC). Where I was posted as Chief Instructor Air. The US defence team made a presentation on their (US), global engagements. During that time the security environment in Afghanistan was bad and getting worsened. During question hour one of the senior officers of the faculty asked a question “why US is not interfering in Afghanistan”. The head of the US team responded “how US is interested in Afghanistan”.
ü If 9/11 hadn’t happened US would not have declared a Global War on Terror. However, after 9-11 US launched a “global war on terror” by massive aerial bombing of Afghanistan (from 07 Oct. 2001). Nearly 9 years have lapsed with hardly any sign of “global war on terror” getting even contained. If 9/11 hadn’t happened US would have kept aloof of this so called War on Terror. If US had indulged in a serious thought to fight about 20 years back (late eighties), the terrorism wouldn’t have risen so whemently globally and specially so in South Asia.
Now is the time that we have to evolve new strategies globally, regionally, nationally, to contain and manage this greatest menace of Terrorism.
PVSM AVSM VM
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
Radical Islam
VS
The World
Global peace is now threatened by western-educated, middle-class freelance soldiers who have bought into the Al Qaeda way of thinking. Is India immune?
His Jehad is His Very Own
Not a Pak-Afgan-bred radical, the new Islamic warrior could be a regular American guy, swayed by Al Qaeda, but not part of it.
When Faisal Sahzad parked his SUV at the Time Square in New York in the diabolic hope of exploding it, he joined the growing list of ‘normal dudes’ who inexplicably turn radical Islamists, willing to stake their lives or riches for waging Jehad against the world particularly America and its allies. Faisal had everything going for him: an MBA degree, a cushy job which he resigned from just a few months ago and a suburban lifestyle he shared with his wife and two kids. And then the madness, the rush of blood, leaving Americans gasping at the thought of the devastation the bomb could have wreaked had it exploded.
The New Faces of Jehad
Who they are whom they oppose
v Al Qaeda is now more a state of mind than a formidable terror organization. A state of mind shared by those Muslims who believe in violently opposing what they perceive as the injustices of the world.
v Primary directed against the West, particularly the United States. But it is also aimed against those countries seen to be oppressing Muslims-Russia, Israel and India, for example.
v Willing to target Muslim countries aligned to the West or fighting Musllim terror-Saudi Arabia, Egypt, even Pakistan.
v There is a war without boundaries-any country which is frequented by westerners, for instance, is considered a legitimate enough target.
What they seek to achieve
v No longer aims at establishing Islamic states. But wants a just world order, for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
v Its anti-West agenda has been expanded to include the politics of environment. Osama bin Laden’s last speech accused the West of damaging environment.
v It’s also opposing globalization, portraying it as a ploy of the developed world to exploit underdeveloped nations.
v Primary impulse is to weaken sole superpower. All other changes will ensue on their own.
v Become an umbrella group for other militant groups fighting different governments. Provide moral support and ideological justification for violent action.
How the new recruit is different
v He’s a Muslim living in western societies. Also in non western countries where Muslims nurse grievances.
v Belongs to affluent, educated families, often a product of Western educations institutes.
v Bilingual. English is the preferred language of global jehad.
v Voracious reader. Sources info from Islamic literature and doctrines, and from western philosophers and political figures.
v Not religious. Adapted to western lifestyle, drinks, gambles, even has white partners.
v Gets indoctrinated through the net. Downloads bomb-making manuals. Or, if he can, heads to Pakistan’s badlands or yamen.
The worlds can changes, argues Al Qaeda, only if the West, particularly America, is brought down to its knees. This idea was mooted in the late ‘90s by Osama’s deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, who cited the close link between the collapses of the Soviet empire to its defeat in Afghanistan. If one superpower could be defeated, he argued, why not the US?
To fight the US though, Al Qaeda has to first transform itself into a global organization. It did this through the twin attacks on the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es0Salaam in 1998, integrating it at once into the global security regime administered by America. With 9/11, the group carved out a space for Islam in the West.
The battle against radical Islam is complicated. With Al Qaeda stressing on ethical issues to justify its acts of violence, many desperate Muslims in the West of elsewhere are likely.
To find their inspiration and redemption in jehad. The West, in turn, is likely to strengthen its already stifling security apparatus at the cost or eroding ideas it is associated with: of freedom of speech, expression and free movement. Curtailment of these rights would be akin to an Al Qaeda win. The West is also expected to intensify the war in terror-and the ensuing bloodshed will only help bolster the Al Qaeda campaign. The best way out for Washington is to resolve the Palestine-Israel issue and cease supporting discredited Muslim regimes.
Opinions
“To get radicalized, one doesn’t have to go to a madrassa or a training camp in the Pak-Afghan badlands. Internet chat room are good enough.”
Abdul Bari Atwan
Editor, Al Quds al Arabia, London
“They (the new radicals) are outliers, who can cause massive damage and get massive response. But they don’t belong to one group or movement.”
Faisal Devji
Author, ‘Landscape of the Jehad’
“The perception of occupation in Iraq, Afganistan, and Kashmir continues to be a catalyst exploited in terror organizations’ rhetoric/ideologies.”
John L. Esposito
Georgetown University, Washington
Adapted form Out Look May 24, 2010
Observations on Shahjad and Terror
This so called new trend of Jehad is really not new. The elite class joining the global terrorism has surfaced even in the mid and the later part of nineties. I am reminded of my visit to Israel in may-June 1997. The very departure to TelAviv from Mumbai can never be forgotten. Reporting time was four hours and the check in area at the airport was surrounded by Israeli security personnel and the sniffer dogs. I was interrogated for nearly 2 hrs as I was a criminal in spite of the fact that I was holding an official passport and was on the invitation of Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI). The experience was most horrendous.
After reaching TelAviv, the IAI chairman and MD had invited me for a dinner. I mentioned this extra ordinary security measure at the time of my departure from Mumbai to TelAviv. He narrated one incident One Palestinian Youngman educated in UK and settled, was married to a Jewish girl. This girl (wife of Palestinian boy) was flying from London to TelAviv for her first delivery. During security check at London airport a bomb was detected in the suitcase of the Jewish girl. Her husband had planted the Bomb. One can imagine the frame of mind of this Palestinian boy who was ready to kill his wife and the expected child. That was the height of mindset of these educated class of the people even at that time.
ü Even the event of 9/11, the nineteen pilots of different nationalities (All Muslims) had gathered and planned highjacking of four American airliners. Two of them had flown directly into the Twin Towers in New York, and other two had crashed deliberately. Causing biggest catastrophe of this century. All these nineteen pilots were well educated, highly trained and leading a fairly high quality standard life style.
ü There are innumerable cases of elite class of people indulging in such activities, Shahjad son of an Air Vice Marshal, western educated, well settled in life, married ,father of two children, indulging into a terror act should not surprise the world.
ü The US never took a serious note of the terror activity globally, or the cross border terrorism perpetuated by a country like Pakistan and bleeding India day and day out.
ü I am reminded of a visit of US defence team headed by a Mej Gen during Feb 2001 to Defence Services Staff College Wellington (DSSC). Where I was posted as Chief Instructor Air. The US defence team made a presentation on their (US), global engagements. During that time the security environment in Afghanistan was bad and getting worsened. During question hour one of the senior officers of the faculty asked a question “why US is not interfering in Afghanistan”. The head of the US team responded “how US is interested in Afghanistan”.
ü If 9/11 hadn’t happened US would not have declared a Global War on Terror. However, after 9-11 US launched a “global war on terror” by massive aerial bombing of Afghanistan (from 07 Oct. 2001). Nearly 9 years have lapsed with hardly any sign of “global war on terror” getting even contained. If 9/11 hadn’t happened US would have kept aloof of this so called War on Terror. If US had indulged in a serious thought to fight about 20 years back (late eighties), the terrorism wouldn’t have risen so whemently globally and specially so in South Asia.
Now is the time that we have to evolve new strategies globally, regionally, nationally, to contain and manage this greatest menace of Terrorism.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A “zhengyou” (serious & real) relationship with China
11, Silver Estate,
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
A “zhengyou” (serious & real) relationship with China
During Pratibha Patil’s recent visit to China, both sides celebrated
the Copenhagen spirit and affirmed to take the relationship
beyond bilateral to global cooperation.
At the Asia Hotel in Beijing, Ma Jisheng, an official with the informa¬tion department of the Foreign Ministry, was declaiming on mil¬lennia-old India-China relations. Suddenly he flung aside the prepared text and an¬nounced that he would speak straight from the heart: "Would the media on both sides be please give India and China a chance to develop normal, relations?"
The official's point was simple. Attitudes' hardened when the media sensationalized to issues, and the events of 2009, when bilateral relations reached a precipitous low following media frenzy and scare-mongering, proved as much. "This constant harping on border, visa and other things, is it not like (eating the same food everyday?" Mr. Ma asked plaintively, adding, "I cannot help but think sometimes that China and India would solve their problems if only the media kept quiet a bit."
Yet as the tour- organized to coincide with the landmark 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-China diplomatic re¬lations- progressed, it was evident that even at the highest level of the Chinese lead¬ership there was a degree of candour and responsiveness that took the Indian side by surprise.
It certainly helped that Ms Patil arrived in Beijing at a time when India-China relations were seen to be on the mend after a difficult year characterized by intense mistrust on both sides. The irritants seemed daunting enough on their own: China's angst over the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, and the Indian unhappiness at stapled visas, not to mention apprehensions over Chinese-as-sisted construction in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). But aided by irresponsible speculation on an upcoming war, they began to look insurmountable. In July 2009, the editor of an Indian defence magazine proph¬esied that China would attack India by 2012. A month later, a so-called Chinese strategist posted a web article that argued that China with some effort could indeed balkanize India.
The summit revealed the humongous po¬tential of India-China cooperation on in¬ternational platforms. Given the size of either country's population and economy, India and China are intimidating enough individually. Together their might could be staggering. Not surprisingly, Copenhagen became a metaphor for forward movement at the 2010 India-China Beijing talks. Ms Patil and President Hu Jintao agreed that the Asian neighbours were now ready to beyond bilateral engagement to consider cooperation at International groupings and venues, among them G-20, Doha and BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, Chins).
The enlarged scope of cooperation was brought up again on the last day of talks by Vice-President Xi Jinping, who made several, significant points. First, he declared that In¬dia and China were ripe for a "new start." Second, he reiterated the prospects for glob¬al cooperation between the Asian neigh¬bours. Third, he pointed out that between them China and India boasted a combined population of 2.6 billion. The imagery would overawe anyone: Two fastest growing econo¬mies with close to 40 per cent of the global population acting in tandem.
Inevitably India's growing trade with Chi¬na - China is India's largest trading partner with volumes targeted to reach $ 60 billion this year - figured prominently in the talks as did the fact that it was adversely balanced against India.
As against this, the media mood swing was overly positive on India's aspirations for a United Nations Security Council seat. Ms Patil did seek China's backing for it during her summit meeting with President Hu, and China did broadly indicate its support but the phraseology was far more nuanced than understood by the Indian media which drummed it up as "China backs India on UNSC seat." Indeed, the omission of the "promised" UNSC seat from the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement issued the same day underscored the pitfalls of overinter-preting what Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao described as "a gradually developing re¬lationship." What official sources did convey later was that on the UNSC seat, "the Chin¬ese were far more positive than they have been so far."
A top member of the Inian official delegation summed up India-China relations in terms of "pengyou" and "zhengyou." "Pen¬gyou" is a superficial friend. "Zhengyou" is a serious, real friend who will frankly admit to problems and work at overcoming them: ''We have a zhengyou relationship with China.
Adopted from “Hindu National Daily”
Observations on Sino indo relationship
What intrigues China?
Political asylum to Dalai Lama and fleeing Tibitians in the year 1959.
Setting up of “Govt. in Exile” of Tibet in India in Dharamshala (HP) with the declared seat of power of Tibet.
US setting up the security & intelligence agency DGS (Director General of Security) post 1962 to end Chinese hegemony in the area.
This plan did not succeed in its primary and desired aim. But the US succeeded in establishing their roots to activate anti Chinese intelligence activities from Indian soil.
All such events made China to adopt “enemies–enemy” Pakistan as their friend and provided them material & diplomatic support in world forum.
The US never desires a close and friendly Sino-India. As that would dilute US position in the region.
Are we really to follow old dictums “National Interests only” should decide our global and diplomatic initiative.
These observations are based on a discussion with the Chinese Ambassador to India in the year 2000 at DSSC Wellington. Where I was posted as CI (air) 2000-2001)
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
A “zhengyou” (serious & real) relationship with China
During Pratibha Patil’s recent visit to China, both sides celebrated
the Copenhagen spirit and affirmed to take the relationship
beyond bilateral to global cooperation.
At the Asia Hotel in Beijing, Ma Jisheng, an official with the informa¬tion department of the Foreign Ministry, was declaiming on mil¬lennia-old India-China relations. Suddenly he flung aside the prepared text and an¬nounced that he would speak straight from the heart: "Would the media on both sides be please give India and China a chance to develop normal, relations?"
The official's point was simple. Attitudes' hardened when the media sensationalized to issues, and the events of 2009, when bilateral relations reached a precipitous low following media frenzy and scare-mongering, proved as much. "This constant harping on border, visa and other things, is it not like (eating the same food everyday?" Mr. Ma asked plaintively, adding, "I cannot help but think sometimes that China and India would solve their problems if only the media kept quiet a bit."
Yet as the tour- organized to coincide with the landmark 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-China diplomatic re¬lations- progressed, it was evident that even at the highest level of the Chinese lead¬ership there was a degree of candour and responsiveness that took the Indian side by surprise.
It certainly helped that Ms Patil arrived in Beijing at a time when India-China relations were seen to be on the mend after a difficult year characterized by intense mistrust on both sides. The irritants seemed daunting enough on their own: China's angst over the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, and the Indian unhappiness at stapled visas, not to mention apprehensions over Chinese-as-sisted construction in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). But aided by irresponsible speculation on an upcoming war, they began to look insurmountable. In July 2009, the editor of an Indian defence magazine proph¬esied that China would attack India by 2012. A month later, a so-called Chinese strategist posted a web article that argued that China with some effort could indeed balkanize India.
The summit revealed the humongous po¬tential of India-China cooperation on in¬ternational platforms. Given the size of either country's population and economy, India and China are intimidating enough individually. Together their might could be staggering. Not surprisingly, Copenhagen became a metaphor for forward movement at the 2010 India-China Beijing talks. Ms Patil and President Hu Jintao agreed that the Asian neighbours were now ready to beyond bilateral engagement to consider cooperation at International groupings and venues, among them G-20, Doha and BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, Chins).
The enlarged scope of cooperation was brought up again on the last day of talks by Vice-President Xi Jinping, who made several, significant points. First, he declared that In¬dia and China were ripe for a "new start." Second, he reiterated the prospects for glob¬al cooperation between the Asian neigh¬bours. Third, he pointed out that between them China and India boasted a combined population of 2.6 billion. The imagery would overawe anyone: Two fastest growing econo¬mies with close to 40 per cent of the global population acting in tandem.
Inevitably India's growing trade with Chi¬na - China is India's largest trading partner with volumes targeted to reach $ 60 billion this year - figured prominently in the talks as did the fact that it was adversely balanced against India.
As against this, the media mood swing was overly positive on India's aspirations for a United Nations Security Council seat. Ms Patil did seek China's backing for it during her summit meeting with President Hu, and China did broadly indicate its support but the phraseology was far more nuanced than understood by the Indian media which drummed it up as "China backs India on UNSC seat." Indeed, the omission of the "promised" UNSC seat from the Chinese Foreign Ministry statement issued the same day underscored the pitfalls of overinter-preting what Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao described as "a gradually developing re¬lationship." What official sources did convey later was that on the UNSC seat, "the Chin¬ese were far more positive than they have been so far."
A top member of the Inian official delegation summed up India-China relations in terms of "pengyou" and "zhengyou." "Pen¬gyou" is a superficial friend. "Zhengyou" is a serious, real friend who will frankly admit to problems and work at overcoming them: ''We have a zhengyou relationship with China.
Adopted from “Hindu National Daily”
Observations on Sino indo relationship
What intrigues China?
Political asylum to Dalai Lama and fleeing Tibitians in the year 1959.
Setting up of “Govt. in Exile” of Tibet in India in Dharamshala (HP) with the declared seat of power of Tibet.
US setting up the security & intelligence agency DGS (Director General of Security) post 1962 to end Chinese hegemony in the area.
This plan did not succeed in its primary and desired aim. But the US succeeded in establishing their roots to activate anti Chinese intelligence activities from Indian soil.
All such events made China to adopt “enemies–enemy” Pakistan as their friend and provided them material & diplomatic support in world forum.
The US never desires a close and friendly Sino-India. As that would dilute US position in the region.
Are we really to follow old dictums “National Interests only” should decide our global and diplomatic initiative.
These observations are based on a discussion with the Chinese Ambassador to India in the year 2000 at DSSC Wellington. Where I was posted as CI (air) 2000-2001)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Air Crash in Russia on 10 April- A big disaster and lesson for Aviation/Aviators
Air Marshal Ashok K. Goel (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VM
11 Silver Estate,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel.:0581-2526650
Mobile:9411900090
amashokgoel@gmail.com
sacreatinon2001@yahoo.uk
“AS I Saw It”
Air Crash in Russia on 10 April
A big disaster and lesson for Aviation/Aviators
The Polish-AF-One crashed on 10 April near moscow. This was one of the biggest air disasters of this year. The “Polish Air Force One” was coming with Polish President and many cabinet ministers, top civilian officers, top military commanders for an official ceremony of the victory of 2nd world war.
The weather was bad and deteriorating. Pilot made four approaches and crashed killing all on board. 95 people were killed. Poland was in grief and turmoil nearly all top people were killed in one go.
From aviation point of view there are few serious flaws.
Firstly- A large no of important people should never be carried in a single aircraft. In the IAF strict norms are laid down. And similarly norms are laid down for VIP/VVIP flights and substantiated in the Blue Book for VVIP flights.
Secondly- A pilot making four approaches and insisting on landing is inviting disaster. ATC has also assisted and corroborated the end of several valuable lives. It is a well known fact that after two missed approaches pilots’ performance deteriorates. This is medically substantiated. This happens due to anxiety, fatigue and tension levels rising. Norms exist; a pilot is not to make more than two attempts. ATC is to direct the aircraft to divert.
Thirdly- Black Box analysis through media reports is revealing. 25 minutes before landing the weather had deteriorated. ATC advised captain of Polish Air Force-One weather is not advisable to land. A Russian Air Craft after having made two attempts is diverted to another Airport. In the mean time diplomatic head of protocol Mr. Kazana walked into the cockpit (against all professional ethics of the aviation.) Pilot intimated that very poor weather conditions exist, and suggested to circle around for 30 min and wait, weather would improve the chief of protocol walkout. In the mean time the head of the Polish Air Force also walked into the cockpit”. It is presumed that there was extra ordinary pressure on the pilot to make another attempt and the result was the Poland lost there top leadership in a matter of few minutes
The Lessons Learned
A large no. of important people should never be carried on one aircraft. The norms should be laid down and strictly followed.
International norms suggest that not more than two approaches should be made. ATC should not only play an advisory role, should instruct to divert and ensure the instructions are executed in the interest of flight safety.
The decision making during flight is only the pilot’s decision. It is not repeat not based on rank structure. Nobody regardless of his position or rank should walk into the cockpit to influence or pressurize the pilot. It would only lead to disaster.
Personal Experiences
To substantiate the about I narrate life experiences of flying:
We were on a trip to erstwhile USSR in Jan 1980. We were flying Antonov-12 Aircraft. Our flight was from Moscow to Odessa (A port city on Black Sea) now part of Ukraine. Actual weather forecasted at Odessa was low clouds and poor visibility conditions (500 Mtr cloud base and visibility 750 Mtrs.) It was also forecasted that weather will further deteriorate. Flying time from Mascow to Odessa was 3:30 hours. On arrival the ATC positioned the aircraft for an ILS approach on the main runway. However we came down to MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) and couldn’t site the runway. We overshot; the ATC again made us try and position for the 2nd approach on the ILS. However due to poor visibility and low cloud base, we could not site the runway. ATC directed the aircraft to divert to “Simperofol”. Heading distance to diversion, flying time and the alternate to the diversion also was communicated by the ATC. Just imagine the relief in the cockpit. We set course to “Simperofol” and safely landed. One week stay, awaiting diplomatic clearances, was most memorable. In my 40 years of aviation with in India never heard such a confidence inspiring instructions from any ATC, whether civil or air force.
Having flown 13 types of aircraft in the IAF and ARC, had experience to fly as young and senior captain. Never there was an occasion when any senior officers (AOC in C, or the CAS) ever walked into the cockpit and pass instructions to influence the judgment or decision making of the captain of the aircraft.
Conclusion
I have always impressed the transport aircraft accident weather military or civil aviation or caused due to human error. When would we learn?
Air Marshal Ashok Goel served the IAF for 40 years and has more than 10,000 hrs of flying on 13 types of aircraft. His observations are all based on his personal experiences. His last appointment in the IAF was Director General Flight Safety and Inspection.
PVSM AVSM VM
11 Silver Estate,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel.:0581-2526650
Mobile:9411900090
amashokgoel@gmail.com
sacreatinon2001@yahoo.uk
“AS I Saw It”
Air Crash in Russia on 10 April
A big disaster and lesson for Aviation/Aviators
The Polish-AF-One crashed on 10 April near moscow. This was one of the biggest air disasters of this year. The “Polish Air Force One” was coming with Polish President and many cabinet ministers, top civilian officers, top military commanders for an official ceremony of the victory of 2nd world war.
The weather was bad and deteriorating. Pilot made four approaches and crashed killing all on board. 95 people were killed. Poland was in grief and turmoil nearly all top people were killed in one go.
From aviation point of view there are few serious flaws.
Firstly- A large no of important people should never be carried in a single aircraft. In the IAF strict norms are laid down. And similarly norms are laid down for VIP/VVIP flights and substantiated in the Blue Book for VVIP flights.
Secondly- A pilot making four approaches and insisting on landing is inviting disaster. ATC has also assisted and corroborated the end of several valuable lives. It is a well known fact that after two missed approaches pilots’ performance deteriorates. This is medically substantiated. This happens due to anxiety, fatigue and tension levels rising. Norms exist; a pilot is not to make more than two attempts. ATC is to direct the aircraft to divert.
Thirdly- Black Box analysis through media reports is revealing. 25 minutes before landing the weather had deteriorated. ATC advised captain of Polish Air Force-One weather is not advisable to land. A Russian Air Craft after having made two attempts is diverted to another Airport. In the mean time diplomatic head of protocol Mr. Kazana walked into the cockpit (against all professional ethics of the aviation.) Pilot intimated that very poor weather conditions exist, and suggested to circle around for 30 min and wait, weather would improve the chief of protocol walkout. In the mean time the head of the Polish Air Force also walked into the cockpit”. It is presumed that there was extra ordinary pressure on the pilot to make another attempt and the result was the Poland lost there top leadership in a matter of few minutes
The Lessons Learned
A large no. of important people should never be carried on one aircraft. The norms should be laid down and strictly followed.
International norms suggest that not more than two approaches should be made. ATC should not only play an advisory role, should instruct to divert and ensure the instructions are executed in the interest of flight safety.
The decision making during flight is only the pilot’s decision. It is not repeat not based on rank structure. Nobody regardless of his position or rank should walk into the cockpit to influence or pressurize the pilot. It would only lead to disaster.
Personal Experiences
To substantiate the about I narrate life experiences of flying:
We were on a trip to erstwhile USSR in Jan 1980. We were flying Antonov-12 Aircraft. Our flight was from Moscow to Odessa (A port city on Black Sea) now part of Ukraine. Actual weather forecasted at Odessa was low clouds and poor visibility conditions (500 Mtr cloud base and visibility 750 Mtrs.) It was also forecasted that weather will further deteriorate. Flying time from Mascow to Odessa was 3:30 hours. On arrival the ATC positioned the aircraft for an ILS approach on the main runway. However we came down to MDA (Minimum Descent Altitude) and couldn’t site the runway. We overshot; the ATC again made us try and position for the 2nd approach on the ILS. However due to poor visibility and low cloud base, we could not site the runway. ATC directed the aircraft to divert to “Simperofol”. Heading distance to diversion, flying time and the alternate to the diversion also was communicated by the ATC. Just imagine the relief in the cockpit. We set course to “Simperofol” and safely landed. One week stay, awaiting diplomatic clearances, was most memorable. In my 40 years of aviation with in India never heard such a confidence inspiring instructions from any ATC, whether civil or air force.
Having flown 13 types of aircraft in the IAF and ARC, had experience to fly as young and senior captain. Never there was an occasion when any senior officers (AOC in C, or the CAS) ever walked into the cockpit and pass instructions to influence the judgment or decision making of the captain of the aircraft.
Conclusion
I have always impressed the transport aircraft accident weather military or civil aviation or caused due to human error. When would we learn?
Air Marshal Ashok Goel served the IAF for 40 years and has more than 10,000 hrs of flying on 13 types of aircraft. His observations are all based on his personal experiences. His last appointment in the IAF was Director General Flight Safety and Inspection.
Monday, May 31, 2010
As I Saw It - Kargil recalled
11, Silver Estate,
AIR MARSHAL ASHOK GOEL (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VMPilibhit Bypass Road,
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
The recent judgment of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) concerning the happenings of Kargil War sent sensational messages to the general public, and armed forces personnel in particular. Compliments to Brig Devender Singh who fought this battle for 10 years to bring the facts of that time to limelite.
I have written in great detail on Kargil many years back under the title:
“As I Saw it”
Kargil
Adventure for Pak
Blunder for India
Victory for those Who Perished
Some relevant para’s are reproduced
Kargil -99 caused the biggest flutter in the Indian subcontinent. This brought the two neighbors close to the nuclear holocaust inspite of the fact that we were far away from a full fledged declared war of the yester years (1965-1971).
Much has been written about the historical and military perspective of the Kashmir issue since independence. So I shall confine my self to Kargil as “I Saw it”, from the closest quarter.
The biggest players of this event were:-
(a) The Govt. the highest echelon of the Political Leadership.
(b) The top rug of the military leadership – The Army Chief, GOC-in-C Northern Command,15 Corps Cdr , and the 3 Div Cdr.
(c) The intelligence agencies primarily the IB & RAW.
(d) The role of Air Power.
(e) And the role played by the dedicated and committed soldiers and the junior level leaders. Who saved the situation of the fiasco created by our senior (Political & Military) leaders?
It is a well known fact that Srinagar Leh axis runs closest to the LOC in Dras –Kargil Sector. Not only that the terrain on the Indian side is hostile to defend, where as the terrain on Pakistan side is favorable to launch an offensive. Strategically Pakistan always intended to block/ disrupt or permanently dislocate the “Srinagar Leh Highway” in Dras Kargil Sector.
After being commissioned in the year 1963 first posting was to Jammu in No. 43 Sqn. (A Dakota operational Sqn). The main task was to operate to Kargil and Thoise to provide logistic support to the troops deployed in forward areas. I was fortunate to be deputed to be the base Cdr of AF clement at Kargil from Feb to May 1964, working along with 121 (Ind) infantry brigade was all education. Brig Cdr Brig Chopra (an armd corps officer) always used to mention that Dras-Kargil Sector is the most sensitive sector because of its close proximity to the LOC and terrain factors. Being a transport pilot interaction with the Army remained a part of service life. I was once again with the Army’s most prestigious Institutions College of Combat “MHOW” (Now renamed Army War College). This was during 1980-81 to undergo the “Higher Command Course”. Fortunately Gen Sunderjee was the commandant. Who always believed in real time situations to be part of “sand model discussion”. Dras-Kargil sector was one such situation discussed during the course Not only that he had planned a similar offensive during 1987-88 during his tenure as the Army Chief. I was a privy to that plan along with Gen BC Nanda Army Cdr Northern Command, Air Marshal MM Singh AOC-in-C WAC and some other officers. The plan was conceived, articulated discussed at 15 corps HQ for weeks. The same was presented at Army HQ, however was not found feasible due to nearly whole of the IAF being deployed for the air defence. One has to visualize how senior commanders of the Army, could remain so insensitive to this sensitivity of Dras-Kargil Sector.
After Oct 1998 it was only on 07 May 1999 that DGMI from Army HQ had called up Billi Bedi (Director ARC) to provide Air Reccece Mission in Dras-Kargil sector. When the info was filtered down to the air operation it was surprising and astonishing to decipher that the area to be covered was our own territory. Immediately mission was planned and launched the next day. However we did not succeed due to inclement weather. First six days that is upto 13 May 99 inclement weather did not allow the success of our missions. By, this time ground situation was becoming explosive and the media was very active in projecting the scenario as a war like situation. Most of the civilian pilots were reluctant to fly in the war like zone. Since I was fully qualified and operational on Gulf Stream type of aircraft fitted with MCRS ( Multi Camera Reconnaissance System), first three successful missions were flown by me personally. The PR mission flown on 18 May indicated 6 MI-17 helicopter of Pak Army parked in Mushok Valley area of our territory. These photographs were shown to the honourable RM he was aghast. This could not have happened with few weeks preparation this plan & preparation must have taken months of planning and preparation.
Some of the observations of Subramaniam Committee are relevant:-
“However, it acknowledges that the Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB) did convey certain inputs on activities in areas under Gilgit-based FCNA (Force Commander Northern Areas) of Pakistan to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director-General Military Operations (DGMO).
There is a general lack of awareness of the critical importance of and the need for assessed intelligence at all levels. JIC reports do not receive the attention they deserve at the political and higher bureaucratic levels. Of the 45 intelligence inputs generated between May 1998 and April 1999, only 25 percent went through the JIC.
A Kargil-type situation could perhaps have been avoided had the Indian Army followed a policy of Siachenisation to plug unheld gaps along the 168 km stretch from Kaobal Gali to Chorbat La- Such a dispersal of forces to hold uninhabited territory of no strategic value would have dissipated considerable military strength and effort and would not have at all been cost effective. The alternative should be a credible declaratory policy of swiftly punishing wanton and willful violation of the sanctity of the LOC."
There is much evidence available to suggest the agencies concerned with intelligence gathering, RAW and IB, had in fact provided their political masters and military commanders with ample warning about Pakistani intentions and activities. RAW went as far as telling the government that the Pakistanis were getting ready to launch a major operation in Kargil.
Lack of strategic intelligence could have been made up by the observation on the ground through scouts and patrol’s. Let us not forget that two shepherds observed the Pakistanis first and reported their presence to the forces. They had one pair of binoculars between them. Purposeful and planned patrolling would certainly have revealed the presence of 1500/2000 troops spread over an area of about 1400 square kilometers even if their ingress was not contemporaneously detected much earlier. The aggression across the LOC in Kargil clearly indicated a well planned military operation with a view to capture territory across the LOC, which would provide a springboard for further offensive operation inside Indian Kashmir. An operation of this magnitude could only be planned at the highest level in Pakistan with complete approval of the government.
We have to accept that our political leaders did not show enough foresight, they neglected, “National Interest” (of security) to gain political advantage. At the same time senior military leadership cannot escape the responsibilities of dereliction of duty in safe guarding the “National Frontiers”. Those who should have been censured were awarded and decorated. We have to come out of that shell of a “holy cow” attitude.
India’s decision to limit the scope of operations in Kargil by not crossing the LOC despite suffering greater losses in the process was calculated not to enlarge the conflict or provide an excuse to Pakistan to seek UN intervention. The Army and the Air Force took this restriction in its stride and forged ahead. We saved the situation because of our highly professional, committed troops, junior leaders (JCO’S) and officers who were fighting in the field. The commitment and sacrifice of those who perished is commendable and “Nation Salutes” them.
Undoubtedly the damaged caused not only to Brig Devender Singh and some others can not be undone. If the observations and assessments of people like Brig Devender Singh and others had been taken into account at the right time may be we wouldn’t have lost 527 dedicated soldiers and officers. But for the folly of our Sr Commanders. I reiterate this point the generals who should have been sacked were awarded highest of gallantry awards, can we undo all that.
Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd.) served the Indian Air Force for 40 years. He has more than 10,000 hours of flying on 13 types of aircrafts. He has operated at airfields, like Dumduma, (6000 feet length, Thoise (when airfield was less than 6000 feet) and many so called difficult air fields. The aircraft operated were Boeing 707, IL76 and Gulf Stream. His last appointment in IAF was Director General Flight Safety and Inspection, IAF.
Air Marshal was on deputation the RAW. He was operational head of the Air Wing of the ARC during the year Feb1997 till 31 December 99. During the period of Kargil War, Air Marshal visited Sri Nagar, Dras, Kargil, Mashkahvalley, Leh, and Thoise extensively. He also flew Intelligence Mission many a times during the Kargil War. All observation are based as first hand account.
You can visit his blooger firstly - open the www.google.com and than type Air Marshal Ashok Goel and find my blooger
AIR MARSHAL ASHOK GOEL (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VMPilibhit Bypass Road,
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
The recent judgment of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) concerning the happenings of Kargil War sent sensational messages to the general public, and armed forces personnel in particular. Compliments to Brig Devender Singh who fought this battle for 10 years to bring the facts of that time to limelite.
I have written in great detail on Kargil many years back under the title:
“As I Saw it”
Kargil
Adventure for Pak
Blunder for India
Victory for those Who Perished
Some relevant para’s are reproduced
Kargil -99 caused the biggest flutter in the Indian subcontinent. This brought the two neighbors close to the nuclear holocaust inspite of the fact that we were far away from a full fledged declared war of the yester years (1965-1971).
Much has been written about the historical and military perspective of the Kashmir issue since independence. So I shall confine my self to Kargil as “I Saw it”, from the closest quarter.
The biggest players of this event were:-
(a) The Govt. the highest echelon of the Political Leadership.
(b) The top rug of the military leadership – The Army Chief, GOC-in-C Northern Command,15 Corps Cdr , and the 3 Div Cdr.
(c) The intelligence agencies primarily the IB & RAW.
(d) The role of Air Power.
(e) And the role played by the dedicated and committed soldiers and the junior level leaders. Who saved the situation of the fiasco created by our senior (Political & Military) leaders?
It is a well known fact that Srinagar Leh axis runs closest to the LOC in Dras –Kargil Sector. Not only that the terrain on the Indian side is hostile to defend, where as the terrain on Pakistan side is favorable to launch an offensive. Strategically Pakistan always intended to block/ disrupt or permanently dislocate the “Srinagar Leh Highway” in Dras Kargil Sector.
After being commissioned in the year 1963 first posting was to Jammu in No. 43 Sqn. (A Dakota operational Sqn). The main task was to operate to Kargil and Thoise to provide logistic support to the troops deployed in forward areas. I was fortunate to be deputed to be the base Cdr of AF clement at Kargil from Feb to May 1964, working along with 121 (Ind) infantry brigade was all education. Brig Cdr Brig Chopra (an armd corps officer) always used to mention that Dras-Kargil Sector is the most sensitive sector because of its close proximity to the LOC and terrain factors. Being a transport pilot interaction with the Army remained a part of service life. I was once again with the Army’s most prestigious Institutions College of Combat “MHOW” (Now renamed Army War College). This was during 1980-81 to undergo the “Higher Command Course”. Fortunately Gen Sunderjee was the commandant. Who always believed in real time situations to be part of “sand model discussion”. Dras-Kargil sector was one such situation discussed during the course Not only that he had planned a similar offensive during 1987-88 during his tenure as the Army Chief. I was a privy to that plan along with Gen BC Nanda Army Cdr Northern Command, Air Marshal MM Singh AOC-in-C WAC and some other officers. The plan was conceived, articulated discussed at 15 corps HQ for weeks. The same was presented at Army HQ, however was not found feasible due to nearly whole of the IAF being deployed for the air defence. One has to visualize how senior commanders of the Army, could remain so insensitive to this sensitivity of Dras-Kargil Sector.
After Oct 1998 it was only on 07 May 1999 that DGMI from Army HQ had called up Billi Bedi (Director ARC) to provide Air Reccece Mission in Dras-Kargil sector. When the info was filtered down to the air operation it was surprising and astonishing to decipher that the area to be covered was our own territory. Immediately mission was planned and launched the next day. However we did not succeed due to inclement weather. First six days that is upto 13 May 99 inclement weather did not allow the success of our missions. By, this time ground situation was becoming explosive and the media was very active in projecting the scenario as a war like situation. Most of the civilian pilots were reluctant to fly in the war like zone. Since I was fully qualified and operational on Gulf Stream type of aircraft fitted with MCRS ( Multi Camera Reconnaissance System), first three successful missions were flown by me personally. The PR mission flown on 18 May indicated 6 MI-17 helicopter of Pak Army parked in Mushok Valley area of our territory. These photographs were shown to the honourable RM he was aghast. This could not have happened with few weeks preparation this plan & preparation must have taken months of planning and preparation.
Some of the observations of Subramaniam Committee are relevant:-
“However, it acknowledges that the Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB) did convey certain inputs on activities in areas under Gilgit-based FCNA (Force Commander Northern Areas) of Pakistan to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director-General Military Operations (DGMO).
There is a general lack of awareness of the critical importance of and the need for assessed intelligence at all levels. JIC reports do not receive the attention they deserve at the political and higher bureaucratic levels. Of the 45 intelligence inputs generated between May 1998 and April 1999, only 25 percent went through the JIC.
A Kargil-type situation could perhaps have been avoided had the Indian Army followed a policy of Siachenisation to plug unheld gaps along the 168 km stretch from Kaobal Gali to Chorbat La- Such a dispersal of forces to hold uninhabited territory of no strategic value would have dissipated considerable military strength and effort and would not have at all been cost effective. The alternative should be a credible declaratory policy of swiftly punishing wanton and willful violation of the sanctity of the LOC."
There is much evidence available to suggest the agencies concerned with intelligence gathering, RAW and IB, had in fact provided their political masters and military commanders with ample warning about Pakistani intentions and activities. RAW went as far as telling the government that the Pakistanis were getting ready to launch a major operation in Kargil.
Lack of strategic intelligence could have been made up by the observation on the ground through scouts and patrol’s. Let us not forget that two shepherds observed the Pakistanis first and reported their presence to the forces. They had one pair of binoculars between them. Purposeful and planned patrolling would certainly have revealed the presence of 1500/2000 troops spread over an area of about 1400 square kilometers even if their ingress was not contemporaneously detected much earlier. The aggression across the LOC in Kargil clearly indicated a well planned military operation with a view to capture territory across the LOC, which would provide a springboard for further offensive operation inside Indian Kashmir. An operation of this magnitude could only be planned at the highest level in Pakistan with complete approval of the government.
We have to accept that our political leaders did not show enough foresight, they neglected, “National Interest” (of security) to gain political advantage. At the same time senior military leadership cannot escape the responsibilities of dereliction of duty in safe guarding the “National Frontiers”. Those who should have been censured were awarded and decorated. We have to come out of that shell of a “holy cow” attitude.
India’s decision to limit the scope of operations in Kargil by not crossing the LOC despite suffering greater losses in the process was calculated not to enlarge the conflict or provide an excuse to Pakistan to seek UN intervention. The Army and the Air Force took this restriction in its stride and forged ahead. We saved the situation because of our highly professional, committed troops, junior leaders (JCO’S) and officers who were fighting in the field. The commitment and sacrifice of those who perished is commendable and “Nation Salutes” them.
Undoubtedly the damaged caused not only to Brig Devender Singh and some others can not be undone. If the observations and assessments of people like Brig Devender Singh and others had been taken into account at the right time may be we wouldn’t have lost 527 dedicated soldiers and officers. But for the folly of our Sr Commanders. I reiterate this point the generals who should have been sacked were awarded highest of gallantry awards, can we undo all that.
Air Marshal Ashok Goel (Retd.) served the Indian Air Force for 40 years. He has more than 10,000 hours of flying on 13 types of aircrafts. He has operated at airfields, like Dumduma, (6000 feet length, Thoise (when airfield was less than 6000 feet) and many so called difficult air fields. The aircraft operated were Boeing 707, IL76 and Gulf Stream. His last appointment in IAF was Director General Flight Safety and Inspection, IAF.
Air Marshal was on deputation the RAW. He was operational head of the Air Wing of the ARC during the year Feb1997 till 31 December 99. During the period of Kargil War, Air Marshal visited Sri Nagar, Dras, Kargil, Mashkahvalley, Leh, and Thoise extensively. He also flew Intelligence Mission many a times during the Kargil War. All observation are based as first hand account.
You can visit his blooger firstly - open the www.google.com and than type Air Marshal Ashok Goel and find my blooger
Friday, May 28, 2010
Naxalism-Maoist and the Massacre at Dantewada
AIR MARSHAL ASHOK GOEL (Retd.)
PVSM AVSM VM 11, Silver Estate,
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
Naxalism-Maoist and the Massacre at Dantewada
Naxalism erupted in the year 1967 in a village called Naxalbari. However, the same was nearly brought under control because of wisdom of the political class, duly supported by the bureaucracy and the security forces. The same further reemerged as Maoist in the eighties and remained dormant till beginning of nineties.
However declining standards of polity, infested with criminal elements casteism, communalism and corruption political masters lost site of development & governance, (to remain on power), kept in the background. Undesirable, unlawful, elements gathered momentum and this lead to further isolation deprivation of the people of these areas.
Today the situation has reached that in 12 states more than 160 districts are under the influence of Maoism. The prime minister of the country in 2007 boldly declared that the Maoism is the biggest internal security threat to India. With this background we launched a very big antimaoist program in the state of Chattisgarh as Operation Green Hunt. And before even the operation could have been anywhere near its real launch 76 CRPF personnel were massacred on the early hours of 6 April 2010
Why did that happen?
Firstly CRPF as a force was created and has been employed for crowd control, mob control during large scale agitation against unarmed people.
Secondly CRPF is highly stressed in their deployment and their basic comfort zones are very low.
Thirdly the quality of leadership is poor for fighting insurgency environment. The leadership is to be leading from the front i.e. should be pulling the force and not pushing.
Fourthly lack of coordination with the state police and the intelligence agencies was totality in adequate.
Fifthly even the political leadership has been lacking in there stewardship, statesman like qualities and connectivity with the people. It was only India Gandhi the prime minister who ever visited the tribal areas in early eighties. Since then no political leader worth the name has made even an effort of that kind.
Sixthly very hard hitting and bold statements by the people in position become retaliatory by such an organization as Maoist.
Seventhly there appears to be mismatch between the state government and the central government. The state government has snubbed the recommendation of the Ram Mohan Committee.
Eighthly the recent revelation of police personnel supplying arms to Maoist is very alarming. The possibility of ex-serviceman joining the rank and file of Maoist can not be ruled out. The reason they remain (ex-serviceman) isolated deprived and neglected.
What do we do?
Firstly it has to be a stick and carrot policy to be adopted.
Secondly lines of communication with the adversaries should be opened and maintained.
Thirdly fast & committed development process should be initiated.
Fourthly we should infiltrate into the core groups of the Maoist to slowly weaken them. Superior human intelligence force to be developed.
Fifthly at the same time we should train some paramilitary forces Bn like (CRPF, BSF, and SSB) as Special Operation Groups. Which has to be on the lines of commando units of the Indian Army, RR Bn (deployed in J&K) Assam Rifles (in the North East).
Naxalism and Maoism has been result of decades of perpetuated social order in which the inherent structural violence subjugates exploits, displaces tortures and destroys the poor and the weak to benefit the rich and the powerful. It’s from this indictment of the state that the Maoist combatants claim legitimacy for their armed struggle for the over throw of such a state. Naxalism is a political challenge that is in the hearts and mind of the people. Ultimately it is not superior violence but the superior politics that will win the day for one of the adversaries.
The problem is serious and grave but certainly not insurmountable the political leadership has to rise above low quality standard to bring up the bureaucracy and the security forces to very high level of leadership.
PVSM AVSM VM 11, Silver Estate,
P.O. Rohilkhand University,
Bareilly-243006 (U.P.)
Tel. 0581-2526650
Mob.: 9999-722-636
9411-900-090
amashokgoel@gamil.com
sacreation_2001@yahoo.co.in
Naxalism-Maoist and the Massacre at Dantewada
Naxalism erupted in the year 1967 in a village called Naxalbari. However, the same was nearly brought under control because of wisdom of the political class, duly supported by the bureaucracy and the security forces. The same further reemerged as Maoist in the eighties and remained dormant till beginning of nineties.
However declining standards of polity, infested with criminal elements casteism, communalism and corruption political masters lost site of development & governance, (to remain on power), kept in the background. Undesirable, unlawful, elements gathered momentum and this lead to further isolation deprivation of the people of these areas.
Today the situation has reached that in 12 states more than 160 districts are under the influence of Maoism. The prime minister of the country in 2007 boldly declared that the Maoism is the biggest internal security threat to India. With this background we launched a very big antimaoist program in the state of Chattisgarh as Operation Green Hunt. And before even the operation could have been anywhere near its real launch 76 CRPF personnel were massacred on the early hours of 6 April 2010
Why did that happen?
Firstly CRPF as a force was created and has been employed for crowd control, mob control during large scale agitation against unarmed people.
Secondly CRPF is highly stressed in their deployment and their basic comfort zones are very low.
Thirdly the quality of leadership is poor for fighting insurgency environment. The leadership is to be leading from the front i.e. should be pulling the force and not pushing.
Fourthly lack of coordination with the state police and the intelligence agencies was totality in adequate.
Fifthly even the political leadership has been lacking in there stewardship, statesman like qualities and connectivity with the people. It was only India Gandhi the prime minister who ever visited the tribal areas in early eighties. Since then no political leader worth the name has made even an effort of that kind.
Sixthly very hard hitting and bold statements by the people in position become retaliatory by such an organization as Maoist.
Seventhly there appears to be mismatch between the state government and the central government. The state government has snubbed the recommendation of the Ram Mohan Committee.
Eighthly the recent revelation of police personnel supplying arms to Maoist is very alarming. The possibility of ex-serviceman joining the rank and file of Maoist can not be ruled out. The reason they remain (ex-serviceman) isolated deprived and neglected.
What do we do?
Firstly it has to be a stick and carrot policy to be adopted.
Secondly lines of communication with the adversaries should be opened and maintained.
Thirdly fast & committed development process should be initiated.
Fourthly we should infiltrate into the core groups of the Maoist to slowly weaken them. Superior human intelligence force to be developed.
Fifthly at the same time we should train some paramilitary forces Bn like (CRPF, BSF, and SSB) as Special Operation Groups. Which has to be on the lines of commando units of the Indian Army, RR Bn (deployed in J&K) Assam Rifles (in the North East).
Naxalism and Maoism has been result of decades of perpetuated social order in which the inherent structural violence subjugates exploits, displaces tortures and destroys the poor and the weak to benefit the rich and the powerful. It’s from this indictment of the state that the Maoist combatants claim legitimacy for their armed struggle for the over throw of such a state. Naxalism is a political challenge that is in the hearts and mind of the people. Ultimately it is not superior violence but the superior politics that will win the day for one of the adversaries.
The problem is serious and grave but certainly not insurmountable the political leadership has to rise above low quality standard to bring up the bureaucracy and the security forces to very high level of leadership.
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