N A T I O N

Five cops killed in Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh
Raipur, February 28
A Station House Officer (SHO) and four police jawans were today killed and three others injured, one of them critically, in a Naxal ambush in the Maoist-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, police said.

Appointment of Navy Chief likely next week
New Delhi, February 28
The new Chief for the Indian Navy is likely to be appointed next week. A process of vetting is on at various levels of the government. This includes a “final background check” before the officer is elevated to command the fourth-largest Navy in the world.

PR Kumar is new DGMO
New Delhi, February 28
Lieut General PR Kumar was today appointed the Director General Military Operations (DGMO), replacing Lt General Vinod Bhatia, who retired today.

Bhangoo, Sukhdev go missing
Chandigarh, February 28
After registration of a case of criminal conspiracy and cheating against Nirmal Singh Bhangoo and Sukhdev Singh, promoters of PACL and PGFL, both of them — along with company directors — have gone missing.

Five cops killed in Maoist ambush in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, February 28
A Station House Officer (SHO) and four police jawans were today killed and three others injured, one of them critically, in a Naxal ambush in the Maoist-hit Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, police said.

Naxals also torched vehicles of the police personnel and looted their weapons before fleeing, they said.

“The incident took place when a police patrol party headed by SHO Kuwakonda Vivek Shukla was on its way to Shyamgiri Hills,” said Additional Director General of Police (Naxal Operation) R K Vij.

The patrol team comprising 12 police personnel was moving on six motorcycles in the Shyamagiri hills region, which lies at around five km from Kuwakonda police station, when about 100 armed rebels opened indiscriminate firing on them, resulting in the death of the Sub-Inspector-rank state police official Shukla and four other policemen on the spot, Vij said.

The other martyrs have been identified as Chhavilal Kashi, Sandeep Sahu, Dhaneshwar Mandavi, Navalksihore Shandiya (all constables), the ADG said.

The injured constables Pushpendra Kumar and Bhagirathi Mandavi and assistant constable Pardeshi Ram were airlifted to Raipur for treatment.

Before fleeing, the Naxals set ablaze three motorcycles and looted one AK-47, two SLRs and an Insas rifle from the policemen, he said.

Soon after getting the news of the attack, reinforcement was rushed to the spot. As per initial information, six-seven personnel were killed in the incident, the ADG said.

However, when additional forces reached the spot they confirmed five deaths. Initially reported missing, Lachhuram Bhogami, a jawan, later reached the police station safely, he added. — PTI

US report slams Naxals

US report has slammed terrorists in J-K and North East and Naxalite groups in the Central India for indulging in gross violation of human rights. “Separatist insurgents and terrorists in J-K, the Northeastern states, and the Naxalite belt committed numerous serious abuses, including killings of elected political leaders, armed forces personnel and civilians,” the State Department said in its annual report on human rights for the year 2013.

Appointment of Navy Chief likely next week
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28
The new Chief for the Indian Navy is likely to be appointed next week. A process of vetting is on at various levels of the government. This includes a “final background check” before the officer is elevated to command the fourth-largest Navy in the world.

Since Admiral DK Joshi resigned suddenly on February 26, he upset the succession line that would have happened in due course. All three top senior most Vice Admirals, who are in contention now, would not have been in the race had Admiral Joshi completed his full tenure till August 31, 2015.

Since Vice Admirals retire at the age of 60 and the Chief at 62, all three would have retired, leaving it for Vice Admiral Satish Soni to take over. Soni is now fourth on the seniority list.

The Ministry of Defence has presented names of three Vice Admirals with their seniorities and recent annual confidential reports to the appointments committee of cabinet. The Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the Home Minister are members of the ACC in this case.

Officers remembered

A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Indian Naval Hospital Asvini to honour Lieutenant Commander Kapish Singh Muwal and Lieutenant Commander Manoranjan Kumar in Mumbai on Friday. The two had died in the accident on board INS Sindhuratna.

PR Kumar is new DGMO
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28
Lieut General PR Kumar was today appointed the Director General Military Operations (DGMO), replacing Lt General Vinod Bhatia, who retired today.

Lt General Kumar, who has commanded the Mathura-based 1 Strike of the Army, is from Regiment Artillery. His is currently the Director General (Aviation) overlooking the Army’s expanding fleet of helicopters that will now include the armed version of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

Lt General Kumar will assume office tomorrow. Besides running the military operations, the DGMO has a crucial role of maintaining telephonic contact with his Pakistan counterpart on a weekly basis.

Bhangoo, Sukhdev go missing
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 28
After registration of a case of criminal conspiracy and cheating against Nirmal Singh Bhangoo and Sukhdev Singh, promoters of PACL and PGFL, both of them — along with company directors — have gone missing.

Efforts to reach out to Bhangoo proved futile and his Phase 7 house (no. 2137-2138) wore a deserted look. Ever since CBI raids on the office and residence of the promoters of PACL and PGFL, all top officials have gone underground.

However, there was no impact of the raids on the PACL’s office in Chandigarh’s Sector 22. Investors had queued up to deposit their money under the collective investment schemes. While one scheme promises to double money in five years, the other promises to do so in six years.

Who is Bhangoo?

Nirmal Singh Bhangoo founded Pearls in 1983. It has become one of India’s fastest-growing firms. He has stake in infrastructure; civil, commercial and residential construction; property development; hospitals and educational institutes; food, spices and liquor; insurance, tourism, agriculture, and the entertainment industry.