Columnists

Mandeep Singh Bajwa

Contact the writer at msbajwa@gmail.com or 093161-35343

Military Digest: The Ladakh story – Get there fastest with the mostest!

Sat, Oct 24, 2020

As the Chinese encroach upon Pangong Tso, the topographical advantage posed by flat land features of the Chushul Bowl could see us launching an all-out offensive spearheaded by armour supported by the air force. China has been hitherto adopting an aggressive approach.

Military Digest| Eastern Ladakh Sitrep: The ‘Bottleneck’ in Indo-China talks

Sun, Aug 02, 2020

Some 45,000 Chinese troops are either still holding on to our soil, deployed in forward positions against us or held in reserve in the Aksai Chin area. There has been no pullback of tanks, infantry combat vehicles, medium artillery, air defence systems or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles both combat and surveillance.

Military Digest | Poised Against India: The PLA’s Western Theatre Command

Mon, Jul 27, 2020

The fact that the Chinese Western Theatre Command is wholly India-centric should awaken us to the substantial threat to our security

Military Digest | Detailed Order of Battle: Chinese Forces in Eastern Ladakh

Sun, Jul 19, 2020

The talks are a tedious, prolonged process. One reason for the long duration of the meetings is the need to translate everything. It seems the Chinese are playing for time. These are their typical tactics.

Chinese order of battle in Aksai Chin: What are we up against?

Sat, Jul 11, 2020

The Chinese have a formidable number of troops in Aksai Chin with armour artillery, air defence, drones, helicopters, air support and mechanised infantry.

Military Digest: With the 72nd Punjabis to Victory

Fri, Jul 03, 2020

The 72nd fought in Egypt and Palestine as part of Field Marshal Allenby’s victorious army during the First World War. In 1922, after the great reorganisation of the Indian Army, they became the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Punjab Regiment.

Military Digest: The Indian swordsman who struck in Bangladesh

Fri, Jun 26, 2020

The citation of Captain Lachhman Singh Lehl's Vir Chakra states that he showed calmness and courage in the discharge of his duties and distinguished himself in all the important battles in and around Naushera.

Military Digest: Standing Up to Chinese Aggression

Fri, Jun 19, 2020

What intelligence inputs were available and more importantly disseminated to the troops on the ground regarding Chinese intentions and whether they were armed or not?

Military Digest: Pink’s War, applying the principles of air control

Sat, Jun 13, 2020

The emerging technological capabilities of the aeroplane presented a more efficient, less expensive, and comparatively more humane way of enforcing its will to the government and a better way of imposing discipline.

Military Digest: Operation Reverse Osmosis – The Sting

Fri, Jun 05, 2020

Recently the Indian Military Intelligence (MI) scored a success in the unending spy game using innovative methods and some fine work by its personnel through Operation Reverse Osmosis. It was a classic sting operation in intelligence terms with the bounty of exposing two Pakistani intelligence agents working under diplomatic cover.

Military Digest: A supreme act of sacrifice

Sat, May 30, 2020

Flight Lieutenant Karan Sher Singh Kalsia, Raja of the small State of Kalsia (now in Haryana) made the supreme sacrifice by veering his stricken aircraft away from built-up areas. He was killed in the crash.

Military Digest: 61st Cavalry rides into the sunset

Fri, May 22, 2020

The main role of 61 Cavalry was mounted ceremonials and promotion of equestrian sports and polo.

Military Digest: The prince who was a war hero

Fri, May 15, 2020

The regiment, equipped with Sherman tanks played a significant role in the reconquest of Burma in 1944-45 winning a number of battle honours.

Military Digest: The Military Leadership Culture of Follow Me

Tue, May 12, 2020

The presence of Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Commanding Officer (CO) of 21 Rashtriya Rifles at the head of his troops courting the greatest danger was in the highest traditions of the follow-me style of leadership favoured by the Army.

Military digest: First Indian officer paratrooper

Sat, May 02, 2020

Colonel Rangaraj was awarded a well-deserved Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership during Operation Tomahawk.

Military Digest: Guardians of governance to the fore

Sat, May 02, 2020

Forty Victoria Crosses awarded to Indian soldiers are a great source of pride even after 75 years of the last one having been awarded.

Military Digest: Death of a Commando

Sat, May 02, 2020

Colonel Navjot Singh Bal typified the breed of hard, competitive men who make the Special Forces what they are.

Military digest: Three Army Commanders from Kapurthala Sainik School

Fri, Apr 10, 2020

The large number of hospitals, beds and intensive care units have been earmarked by the Army for the treatment of Covid-19 patients is a significant step in the war against the pandemic