Indian Army News

India's emerging power makes Chinese Army worried: Pentagon

India's emerging power makes Chinese Army worried: Pentagon



Lalit K Jha
Washington, Mar 26 (PTI) India's emergence as an economic, political and military power has left Chinese army worried, even as the two countries in the recent years have increased their economic and military cooperation, a report released by Pentagon said.

"The PLA (People's Liberation Army) remains concerned with persistent disputes along China's shared border with India and the strategic ramifications of India's rising economic, political, and military power," the Pentagon said in its Congressional mandated annual report on China's army.

The 78-page report devotes a small sub-section on India-China relations, along with those on Russia and Central Asian republics. "China has deepened its ties with India through increased trade, high-level dialogues, and an improved military-to-military relationship," the report said.

The two countries have agreed to boost their bilateral trade from USD 11.4 billion in 2007 to USD 40 billion in 2010. India and China have also held several rounds of dialogue over disputed territorial claims.

Sino-Indian defence ties were institutionalised in 2007 with the establishment of an Annual Defence Dialogue and by conducting three bilateral defence exercises since 2007, but the PLA remains worried about the rise of India as a regional and global power and its increasing military might, the report said. PTI

LoC breach: Alerted, Army laid a trap for Lashkar men before 5-day firefight began

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lo...fir.../439227/

Because thats the no. of SIG SWAT assault rifles needed, NSG uses a no. of different equipment, its just one of them.

Wrong, Commando Gajender Singh didn't die while fastroping down from the heli, he attained martyrdom due to gunfire and grenade injuries while leading his team in rescue operations at Nariman House.

TATA Advanced Systems to Supply Surface to Air Missile Launchers to Indian Air Force

India's para-military forces to recieve helicopters

http://bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=10756

BSF to get two hovercraft for coastal surveillance in state

Alarmed by the 26/11 Mumbai attack for which terrorists had taken the sea route, the Gujarat frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) is getting two hovercraft to guard the Harami Nala porous creek in the disputed Sir Creek area.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has already floated tenders for this and we are likely to get two state-of-the-art hovercraft in a couple of months,” said Inspector General G S Shekhawat, chief of the Gujarat frontier of BSF. He added that some successful trials for hovercraft were carried out in the area this February.

At present, the porous creek is inaccessible to the BSF, which is responsible for guarding it. “This is because the water in Harami Nala spreads to the creek areas of the Indian side and remains marshy and inundated over an area of more than 500 sq kms. This makes it impossible for us to reach there on foot, vehicle or patrol boats,” said a senior BSF officer, who did not wish to be identified.

The BSF, however, carries out fortnightly aerial recce in the area to thwart Pakistani fishermen.

Harami Nala originates from the Vianwari creek on the Indian side and enters Pakistan from 'G' pillar 29. After passing through Pakistan, the creek re-enters India near border post No 1171 on the international boundary.

According to the BSF, the Pakistani government has now connected this disputed creek with another creek on their side, the Bando Dhoro or Fauji Watan, by digging a channel approximately two kms long and 50 metres wide.

“This channel helps the Pakistani fishermen save time and avert entering the Harami Nala from the Indian side. They come here for fishing,” said a BSF officer.

The BSF has now also started helicopter-borne slithering exercise in the area. “BSF personnel are dropped in the area and later airlifted back to Bhuj,” the officer added.

Incidentally, the BSF had acquired All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) last year in an attempt to find a permanent solution to this. The ambitious project, which aimed to strengthen security in the creek areas, however, fell flat, as these expensive machines could not operate in the marshy terrain, which gets even worse during high tide.

The total length of Harami Nala in the Pakistani side is about 25 kms, while it covers over 22 kms on the Indian side.

BSF buys 8 Dhruv helicopters

http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/12/stor...1261032000.htm

S. Anandan







Kochi: The Border Security Force (BSF) has embarked on a major expansion of its air wing in a bid to give a thrust to its border patrol and internal security roles in a context of stepped up vigil along the country’s borders. The force intends to add eight helicopters and three fixed-wing medium lift transport aircraft to its existing fleet. The fleet now includes six MI-17 helicopters, an Embraer, two King Air and two Avro aircraft.

“We are acquiring eight Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) started deliveries in March and our pilots are training in various academies in the country…,” M.L. Kumawat, the BSF Director General, told The Hindu in Chennai during an exclusive interaction recently.

The Cabinet has given its nod for the BSF acquiring transport aircraft, and the force is considering its options. “In the meantime, we will hire aircraft from Air India to carry out the job,” said Mr. Kumawat.

Shortages overcome


The air wing had hit an air pocket owing to dire shortage of pilots. This brought down the serviceability of its choppers to an all-time low. “Unfortunately, we had a shortage of pilots and were not in a position to fly more than one of our six helicopters at any given time. But things have turned around in the last couple of months and the situation is now looking up,” said Mr. Kumawat.

“We have given our helicopters to the naxalite-affected States for surveillance and also to airlift counter-insurgency troops. They have also been used for action against Pakistan intruders, particularly fishermen who ventured into our territory regardless of warning. By means of slithering operations in the Sir Creek area, we have foiled their attempts and caught their assets. From intelligence gathered by the Air Force and the BSF, it is obvious that they are no longer coming into the Sir Creek area,” he said. However, the force continues to carry out aerial surveillance in the region to thwart attempts at seaborne infiltration.

Among the soldier-friendly measures that are under way is betterment of living conditions in the border out posts (BOPs). “BOPs are to BSF what police stations are to the police. We want to make them congenial, liveable and worker-friendly,” said Mr. Kumawat

BSF buys 8 Dhruv helicopters

http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/12/stor...1261032000.htm

S. Anandan







Kochi: The Border Security Force (BSF) has embarked on a major expansion of its air wing in a bid to give a thrust to its border patrol and internal security roles in a context of stepped up vigil along the country’s borders. The force intends to add eight helicopters and three fixed-wing medium lift transport aircraft to its existing fleet. The fleet now includes six MI-17 helicopters, an Embraer, two King Air and two Avro aircraft.

“We are acquiring eight Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) started deliveries in March and our pilots are training in various academies in the country…,” M.L. Kumawat, the BSF Director General, told The Hindu in Chennai during an exclusive interaction recently.

The Cabinet has given its nod for the BSF acquiring transport aircraft, and the force is considering its options. “In the meantime, we will hire aircraft from Air India to carry out the job,” said Mr. Kumawat.

Shortages overcome


The air wing had hit an air pocket owing to dire shortage of pilots. This brought down the serviceability of its choppers to an all-time low. “Unfortunately, we had a shortage of pilots and were not in a position to fly more than one of our six helicopters at any given time. But things have turned around in the last couple of months and the situation is now looking up,” said Mr. Kumawat.

“We have given our helicopters to the naxalite-affected States for surveillance and also to airlift counter-insurgency troops. They have also been used for action against Pakistan intruders, particularly fishermen who ventured into our territory regardless of warning. By means of slithering operations in the Sir Creek area, we have foiled their attempts and caught their assets. From intelligence gathered by the Air Force and the BSF, it is obvious that they are no longer coming into the Sir Creek area,” he said. However, the force continues to carry out aerial surveillance in the region to thwart attempts at seaborne infiltration.

Among the soldier-friendly measures that are under way is betterment of living conditions in the border out posts (BOPs). “BOPs are to BSF what police stations are to the police. We want to make them congenial, liveable and worker-friendly,” said Mr. Kumawat

http://bharat-rakshak.com/NEWS/newsrf.php?newsid=10756

BSF to get two hovercraft for coastal surveillance in state

Alarmed by the 26/11 Mumbai attack for which terrorists had taken the sea route, the Gujarat frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) is getting two hovercraft to guard the Harami Nala porous creek in the disputed Sir Creek area.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has already floated tenders for this and we are likely to get two state-of-the-art hovercraft in a couple of months,” said Inspector General G S Shekhawat, chief of the Gujarat frontier of BSF. He added that some successful trials for hovercraft were carried out in the area this February.

At present, the porous creek is inaccessible to the BSF, which is responsible for guarding it. “This is because the water in Harami Nala spreads to the creek areas of the Indian side and remains marshy and inundated over an area of more than 500 sq kms. This makes it impossible for us to reach there on foot, vehicle or patrol boats,” said a senior BSF officer, who did not wish to be identified.

The BSF, however, carries out fortnightly aerial recce in the area to thwart Pakistani fishermen.

Harami Nala originates from the Vianwari creek on the Indian side and enters Pakistan from 'G' pillar 29. After passing through Pakistan, the creek re-enters India near border post No 1171 on the international boundary.

According to the BSF, the Pakistani government has now connected this disputed creek with another creek on their side, the Bando Dhoro or Fauji Watan, by digging a channel approximately two kms long and 50 metres wide.

“This channel helps the Pakistani fishermen save time and avert entering the Harami Nala from the Indian side. They come here for fishing,” said a BSF officer.

The BSF has now also started helicopter-borne slithering exercise in the area. “BSF personnel are dropped in the area and later airlifted back to Bhuj,” the officer added.

Incidentally, the BSF had acquired All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) last year in an attempt to find a permanent solution to this. The ambitious project, which aimed to strengthen security in the creek areas, however, fell flat, as these expensive machines could not operate in the marshy terrain, which gets even worse during high tide.

The total length of Harami Nala in the Pakistani side is about 25 kms, while it covers over 22 kms on the Indian side.

hmmm interesting:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/K...ow/4390289.cms

Slump has made army jobs lucrative
12 Apr 2009, 0611 hrs IST, TNN

KOLKATA: The global recession, which is taking a heavy toll on different sectors of the Indian economy, has come as music to the Indian Army. For, a career in the armed forces, which had once become low on priority for Indian youths, is once again becoming a lucrative one.

"Recession helps," GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, V K Singh, said in Kolkata on Saturday. Addressing a meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, he said defence was once again emerging as a priority career option for the Indian youth, because of the slump on opportunities in the corporate world. Even the quality of youths opting for the armed forces as a career was improving, he added.

It may be mentioned that unlike in the past, when armed forces used to be one of the priority career options for youths, for the past 25 years, the armed forces had failed to attract the best talent in the country. Quality apart, there had even been instances of courses in the Indian Military Academy being disbanded for want of a sufficient number of students.

Speaking on the geopolitical situation facing India, Lieutenant-General Singh said water was emerging as one of the major issues of concern for the country. "Many of the sources of water to the country are in countries with ideological differences. This could be a problem unless these differences are bridged," he said. In particular, many of the major rivers flowing into India had their origin in Tibet. Several strategists had pointed out that water could emerge as a major source of dispute in the world in the coming days.

He said the army, too, had heard of reports that China had a plan to divert the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river system to meet its growing water needs. But he thought there was no need to get alarmed over this. "If we can harness our own water resources properly, we can still meet our needs without having to look to sources of water outside the country."

Lt-Gen Singh argued in favour of a "benevolent attitude" to India's neigbhours. But he parried questions on whether India's policy of "favouring" the military junta in Myanmar with various assistance, including military hardware, was helping India. "We should not impose ourselves on our neighbours." he said. But he thought that growing Talibanization of the neighbourhood was a threat, which needed to be addressed. "This is a threat to all the countries in the neighbourhood. All these countries should tackle this issue jointly," he felt.

hmmm interesting:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/K...ow/4390289.cms

Slump has made army jobs lucrative
12 Apr 2009, 0611 hrs IST, TNN

KOLKATA: The global recession, which is taking a heavy toll on different sectors of the Indian economy, has come as music to the Indian Army. For, a career in the armed forces, which had once become low on priority for Indian youths, is once again becoming a lucrative one.

"Recession helps," GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, V K Singh, said in Kolkata on Saturday. Addressing a meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, he said defence was once again emerging as a priority career option for the Indian youth, because of the slump on opportunities in the corporate world. Even the quality of youths opting for the armed forces as a career was improving, he added.

It may be mentioned that unlike in the past, when armed forces used to be one of the priority career options for youths, for the past 25 years, the armed forces had failed to attract the best talent in the country. Quality apart, there had even been instances of courses in the Indian Military Academy being disbanded for want of a sufficient number of students.

Speaking on the geopolitical situation facing India, Lieutenant-General Singh said water was emerging as one of the major issues of concern for the country. "Many of the sources of water to the country are in countries with ideological differences. This could be a problem unless these differences are bridged," he said. In particular, many of the major rivers flowing into India had their origin in Tibet. Several strategists had pointed out that water could emerge as a major source of dispute in the world in the coming days.

He said the army, too, had heard of reports that China had a plan to divert the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra river system to meet its growing water needs. But he thought there was no need to get alarmed over this. "If we can harness our own water resources properly, we can still meet our needs without having to look to sources of water outside the country."

Lt-Gen Singh argued in favour of a "benevolent attitude" to India's neigbhours. But he parried questions on whether India's policy of "favouring" the military junta in Myanmar with various assistance, including military hardware, was helping India. "We should not impose ourselves on our neighbours." he said. But he thought that growing Talibanization of the neighbourhood was a threat, which needed to be addressed. "This is a threat to all the countries in the neighbourhood. All these countries should tackle this issue jointly," he felt.

We have given anti-terror unit, now deploy it: PC tells Karnataka CM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/4387332.cms



NEW DELHI: With the Centre finally putting an exclusive anti-terror unit — comprising 600 trained commandos of Indian Army — in place for Bangalore,
home minister P Chidambaram on Friday asked Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to work out modalities for its deployment at short notice.

In a letter to the CM, Chidambaram suggested that the state police chief be instructed to meet the commander of the anti-terror force and work out arrangements for its requisition and deployment in case of requirement.

"It is necessary that the state police and the Army agree on procedures that will be followed in such a case," the home minister said and requested Yeddyurappa to keep him informed about the action taken in the matter.

Chidambaram said the full complement of the force had reached Bangalore including those from Army's special forces which has an adequate number of officers, JCOs and men.

"The force is fully equipped and well-framed and is available for deployment at short notice," he said.

Bangalore, which missed out an NSG hub in the post 26/11 security restructuring, got an exclusive unit after the home ministry decided to bring the IT city under the security cover of Army. The process of setting up such a unit got a boost when Chidambaram visited Bangalore on March 20 and discussed modalities with Army personnel.

While two other cities — Jodhpur in Rajasthan and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh — will also get similar security cover soon, needs of five others — Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata — and nearby regions will be catered to by the NSG.

Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai will soon have NSG units while Delhi will be covered by the force's units located near the airport here.

The idea to set up such hubs was mooted in the wake of the terror attack on Mumbai last year when the NSG, which is currently stationed at Manesar near Gurgaon in Haryana, took 12 hours to begin its operation against terrorists.

salute to the brave jawans, the communists have shown what they really are

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I...ow/4398160.cms

22 CISF men hold 200 Naxals for 10 hours, save 150 lives
14 Apr 2009, 0524 hrs IST, Satyanarayan Pattnaik, TNN


DAMANJODI (KORAPUT): For 10 hours, a band of 22 CISF jawans battled more than 200 heavily armed Maoists,:2guns: without back-up or reinforcements, and saved the lives of 150 Nalco staff:gunfight2::Laie_55: who were held hostage by the guerrillas in Orissa's Damanjodi since Sunday night. The nightlong encounter took place in the largest bauxite mine in Asia.

The CISF lost 10 of their own {salute to shahids}and are believed to have inflicted heavy damage on the attackers. Bodies of four Maoists, including a woman, were recovered. Blood trails suggest the Maoists dragged many more bodies away. But the guerrillas did manage to get their hands on a cache of explosives. Two critically wounded jawans were air-lifted to Vizag, while seven others have been admitted to Damanjodi hospital.

When police finally reached the Panchapatmalli hilltop in the morning, they were in for a heart-rending sight. Bodies lay strewn. Some Nalco employees who had been held hostage were retching uncontrollably, while others were wailing. They all owed their lives to CISF men.

The survivors among the saviours — the three that escaped unhurt and the nine injured — had a dazed look but they still clutched their rifles, ready to fight. {This is what our forces are made up off}

Eyewitnesses said they had seen the extremists loitering in the area in batches during the day on Sunday, but suspected nothing. "We thought they were tribals going hunting in the forest since the Chaiti festival is on," said a Nalco official.

The Maoists launched their assault in the cover of darkness. A group of 50 attacked the fire station and took nearly 100 Nalco staff, including mine workers, hostage. They herded them into a canteen, snatched their mobile phones, and cut off power. Two CISF jawans were caught by surprise and gunned down without warning. As the first group set fire to some offices, a bigger unit headed for the 'magazine room' where explosives are stored. The 22 CISF jawans deployed there had sensed trouble and taken battle positions. The long night had begun.

Thousands of rounds were exchanged between the two sides which started around 9.30pm and continued till 6.30am. Eight CISF jawans were killed.

According to the Indian Express, explosives were recovered and combing operation is going on:

The link and the report from Indian Express follows:

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ex...ops-on/446846/


Explosives looted by Maoists recovered; combing ops on



Agencies

Posted: Tuesday , Apr 14, 2009 at 1224 hrs IST
Bhubaneswar:

Security forces have recovered substantial volume of explosives and arms looted by the Maoists during their daring raid on the Nalco bauxite mine in Koraput district, police said on Tuesday.

Two days after Maoists attacked the mine and gunned down 11 CISF personnel, Central forces today stepped up combing operation in the region to nab the ultras.

"The joint operation by security forces against Maoists has been intensified. It is yielding desired results," said Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.

He said substantial volume of explosives and arms looted by the Maoists had been recovered by the security forces but declined to divulge details.

However, police sources said that security personnel have recovered the van containing explosives which had been driven away and abandoned at a secluded place by the ultras.

Though some of the explosives were suspected to have been taken away by the naxals, about 230 boxes containing explosives were recovered by the security forces after a fierce exchange of fire with the fleeing ultras, they said.