Indian Army: News and Discussion

[RAM]

A Cradle to Lead Indian Army’s Transformation Inauguration of New Office Complex of DGIS

The Indian Army (IA) took another leap in its efforts to empower its field formations to fight the Battles of the 21st Century. In an impressive ceremony held today, the Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, PVSM, AVSM, SM, ADC inaugurated a state of the art building which would be the future abode of the Directorate General of Information System (DGIS) at Rao Tula Ram Marg, Delhi.

The new building finally brings under one roof all the major components of DGIS, which were till date, spread all over Delhi.

DGIS, created in 2004 is spearheading the transformation of the IA from conventional warfare to information enabled warfare. DGIS is leading the development, testing, integration and fielding of the automated operational systems for the IA at different levels of operations from the Army HQs down to the soldier. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the COAS emphasised that the modern battlefield is a convergence of various technologies and thus there is a need for seamless and real time information dissemination. He added that there is a need to keep pace with the transformation required from the conventional ‘Platform Centric Approach’ to a ‘Network Centric Approach’. He felt that the new structure will be the cradle in which DGIS will more effectively execute the assigned role. The Army Chief also appreciated the MES and entire workforce for their efforts and also lauded the Project Management Committee of DGIS which oversaw the construction.


http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=53798

 

[RPK]

Kapoor to discuss stronger military ties with Israel

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor will discuss bilateral military relations with the defence top brass in Israel during his four-day visit next week. The main issues on the agenda include terrorism, growing cooperation between the two armies and exploring possibilities for joint exercises.
General Kapoor will visit Israel on the invitation of his Israeli counterpart, General Avi Mizrahi, who came here in September last year, according to sources. Kapoor is the second Army chief to visit Israel after General JJ Singh since diplomatic relations were established between the two in 1990.

Israel has emerged as the second biggest defence partner for India after Russia and military ties are growing stronger. Israel is supplying sophisticated military hardware to India with no strings attached, besides actively cooperating in various strategic defence research and development programmes.

However, India is yet to give the nod for joint exercises, though it is keen to hold counter-terrorism training.
India has vast experience in facing low intensity conflict in all kinds of terrain and Israel wants to learn from this.

Indian security forces are now using Israel-made weapons in fighting militancy in Jammu & K ashmir.
Moreover, the anti-infiltration fence along the 750-km Line of Control is fitted with Israeli electronic devices and sensors. Besides this, the elite Special Forces are using equipment of Israeli origin, while surveillance and reconnaissance equipment also comes from Israeli industries.

Kapoor to discuss stronger military ties with Israel

 

[RAM]

Look Who’s guarding the border?It’s Basanti!

Look Who’s guarding the border?:viannen_10: It’s Basanti!


A total of 178 women recruits passed out with flying colours from BSF’s Kharkan training camp this July as the first batch of the armed women contingent. Ajitha Menon meets some of them


Today, Basanti Mondal (20) is a celebrity in her village Kirnahar in Birbhum district of West Bengal. She is the chief guest at village functions and the families seek her advice on important decisions like which school the children be sent to, which jobs the youth should try for, and so on. After all, Basanti carries a gun, wears a uniform and is in the ‘force’.

A year ago, Basanti was a rebel. She had left the village almost as an outcast, defying parental objections, in response to an advertisement in the Employment Gazette for women recruits for the Border Security Force (BSF). The villagers were horrified at the very thought of a girl joining the ‘force’ and doing a man’s work — and wearing trousers as well!

Proving critics wrong

“The common reaction was that I would be unable to do it physically. After all, a woman is weaker, frailer than a man. She is not expected to bear the hard training of a soldier,” says Basanti. But she did it. “After completion of a 36-week rigorous training programme, I am a BSF constable. My hard work is paying rich dividends. The villagers respect me. Not in their wildest dreams had they thought a girl from their village would make it to the force,” she says.

The BSF was sanctioned 700 posts for women constables last year. About 8,500 applications were received, indicating the growing interest among women in joining the forces. A total of 178 women recruits passed out with flying colours from BSF’s Kharkan training camp, 15 kilometres from Hoshiarpur, this July, as the first batch of the armed women contingent. Of these, 108 were from Punjab, 46 from West Bengal and 24 from Assam. While the women constables from Punjab have been deployed along the Indo-Pak border, those from West Bengal and Assam have been deployed along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

“Anu Tamang from North Bengal led the passing out parade for both men and women. It was a proud moment for us women recruits to see the flag borne gracefully in her hands,” recalls Tia Roy (20) from Beliatore village in Bankura. She says the women are trained in the use of weapons, “Even the Indian army does not have an armed women’s force yet. We had the same physical training as the men and I am proud to say that we did well.”

Tough battles

BSF’s 36 Battalion, which has 50.52 kilometres of the Indo-Bangladesh border within its Area of Responsibility (AOR), has to contend with problems like cross-border smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition and cattle, along with illegal immigration and trafficking in women. “There was a dire need of women BSF constables as otherwise it was impossible to frisk or detain women without facing allegations of human rights violation,” says Shrabanti Karmakar (21), who along with five other women constables, has been deployed with the 36 Battalion at the Haridaspur Border Outpost.

India has a 4,023-kilometre border with Bangladesh through West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. With 2,216 kilometres, Bengal has the longest stretch to guard. The border is extremely porous with large tracts being completely riverine. “Until now most of the smuggling operations and trafficking were being done by women. But now, with women constables in Bengal and Assam, criminal and anti-national activities can be tackled better,” adds Shrabanti, who also hails from Bankura.

In total control

Constable Putul Murmu (22), with the 36 Battalion, says it was the Maoist problem in West Midnapore which had prompted her to join the force. “I hated to feel like a victim all the time. It’s true that the area has seen no development over several decades but being anti-national cannot be the solution. Serving the nation is the right thing to do and joining the force has also improved my economic status considerably with a starting salary of Rs 11,000,” she says.

All the women constables are trained for 12-hour shifts of guard and patrol duty along the borders. They are also trained in the handling and use of the 5.56 mm INSAS rifles, 9 mm Carbine Machine Guns and 5.56 Light Machine Guns.

For women living along the border, who cross the gates daily to tend to their fields or graze cattle, the presence of women constables is a godsend. “Not only has it become easier to be frisked and thoroughly checked, it’s also easier to answer questions put by women,” says Ayesha Mollah (41) of Jayantipur village under the Haridaspur Border Outpost.

Sharbano Kazi (58), also from Jayantipur village, says even local women felt uncomfortable with male guards. “It was as though we were always under suspicion. Since they could not frisk us, the doubt always remained. I used to feel like a thief every day while crossing through the gates. Now I can boldly pass through knowing they cannot suspect me any more.”

One reason why the armed forces are reluctant to recruit women is the possibility of them quitting after marriage or pregnancy. But Purnima Kundu (23), from Ayodhya village of Bankura, dismisses this apprehension. “There is no question of my quitting ever. If that is a pre-condition to marriage, it will be preferable to remain unmarried,” she says. “We will try to find boys within the BSF as they would be more understanding about our professional compulsions. The force also has a policy of posting couples together. That will bring down such problems significantly,” adds Purnima.

Who’s guarding the border? It’s Basanti!

 

[RAM]

New Indian Army webportal launched


The Indian Army (IA) look another leap in its effort to empower itself into technology driven environment of the 21st Century, as Indian Army webportal on internet was launched on 5th Nov 09. The webportal is hosted on NIC server at domain Official Website of Indian Army.

The newly launched webportal has been developed on the state of the art technology available. It is built on a strong platform to thwart any hacking/defacing attempts. The design has also been given a fresh look to impressively showcase the Indian Army. Various options like search, user interactivity, latest events, feedback, secured login, decentralized data update, space for all the arms/services of the Indian Army etc are part of the newly launched webportal

PIB Press Release

 

[RAM]

Hand over Indian separatists, BSF tells Bangladesh

The Border Security Force (BSF) has asked its Bangladesh counterparts to hand over militants from India's northeast and convicted Indian nationals hiding in their territory, a BSF spokesman said in Agartala on Sunday."We have requested top officials of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) to hand over militants from the northeast and their leaders taking shelter in Bangladesh to Indian authorities," the spokesman told newsmen after the four-day meeting between senior officials of BSF and BDR.

The meeting, held in Sylhet in eastern Bangladesh from Wednesday to Saturday, has also finalised strategies to jointly tackle infiltration, trans-border crimes, prevention of smuggling of cattle, drugs, narcotics, fake Indian currency notes and other crimes."The BSF officials have also asked the BDR commanders to take appropriate action to stop poaching of wild animals and exploiting natural resources along the border," the spokesman added.

A large number of developmental projects including river embankments, bridges, irrigation projects, market sheds and drinking water sources along the India-Bangladesh border have remained half-done for a long time after objections raised by the BDR, citing the 1975 India-Bangladesh 1975 agreement. However, the pact had barred only defence construction on either side of the Indo-Bangla border.

"We (BSF) have also asked the BDR to allow Indian authorities to complete those unfinished developmental projects," the spokesman added.

BSF has also asked its Bangladesh counterparts to dismantle around 90 camps and hideouts set up by northeastern Indian militants on their territory.

"Though BDR and Bangladeshi security forces have of late taken some action against the Indian militants taking shelter in their territory, there are about 90 camps or hide outs existing in Chittagong Hill Tracts of southeast Bangladesh and Sylhet besides other regions," the BSF official added.

The Sylhet meeting was held ahead of the director general-level talks between the border forces of India and Bangladesh.

BSF's Inspector General (Tripura frontier) S.K. Mishra led a 17-member Indian delegation, which also included the IGs of the Assam-Meghalaya and Mizoram-Cachar frontiers. An official from the central home ministry was also part of the Indian team.The Bangladesh side was headed by the BDR's Deputy Director General, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Obaidul Haque. BDR sector commanaders of Chittagong, Sylhet, Rangamati, Comilla, Khagrachari and Mymensingh also attended the meeting.

Later, the BSF officials also met BDR chief Maj. Gen. Mainul Islam in Dhaka and discussed diverse border security related matters.Five Indian states - West Bengal, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam and Tripura - share a 4,095 km border with Bangladesh. These include a 2,979 km land border and 1,116 km riverine. Among the northeastern states, Tripura shares 856 km, Meghalaya 443 km, Mizoram 318 km and Assam 263 km border with Bangladesh

Hand over Indian separatists, BSF tells Bangladesh- Hindustan Times

 

[RAM]

BSF intensifies patrolling on Bangla border

Agartala, Nov 8 (PTI) Following arrest of two top insurgents of United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), Border Security Force has intensified it's vigil and stepped up patrolling along the 856 km long porous border with Bangladesh, official sources said today.

Vigil along the border has been intensified following arrest of Shashadhar Chowdhury and Chitraban Hazarika, two top insurgent leaders of Ulfa in border areas of West Tripura district and all the border outposts were alerted so that no one could sneak into Indian territory, sources said.

BSF earlier, in a statement said that the religious fundamentalists were using the Tripura border as corridor to enter Indian territory

fullstory

 

[RPK]

Northern Army commander visits Ladakh, Siachen

Jammu, Nov 8 (IANS) Indian Army’s Northern Command’s chief Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal Sunday visited the XIV ‘Fire & Fury’ Corps in Ladakh to meet the soldiers and assess the ground situation. He also visited the Siachen glacier.
Defence spokesman Col. D.K. Kachari said this was Jaswal’s maiden visit to this region after assuming command. Accompanied by the corps commander Lt. Gen. S.K. Singh, he visited forward posts on the Siachen Glacier and posts in Ladakh sector.

Interacting with troops, Jaswal conveyed his appreciation for their dedication and commitment in guarding the country in most inhospitable terrain under extreme climatic conditions and stressed the need for alertness at all levels.

Jaswal was briefed by Singh about the state of operational preparedness, training activities and recent infrastructural developments.

 

[sandeepdg]

The Home ministry also believes that Chinese and Burmese smugglers are supplying arms and ammunition to the Indian Maoists other than the terror outfits of the North-East using the porous routes along the Burma border.

 

[ppgj]

To combat terror, Delhi gets its own SWAT team

To combat terror, Delhi gets its own SWAT team IDRW.ORG

BY :INDIAN EXPRESS

The first Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, prepared by the Delhi Police to effectively combat 26/11-like terrorist attacks in the city, is ready for action.

Police sources said the first batch of 30 police officers – 28 constables and two sub-inspectors – have been trained and kept on stand-by in the event of ambush-style attacks in the city. Two sub-inspectors lead the team.

Newsline had first reported about a SWAT team being formed by the Delhi Police.

“They (police officers) have undergone training to be part of our first SWAT team and are equipped with the latest of gadgets and machinery. When the newly acquired equipment arrive, they will become an international-standard combat team, ready to tackle any untoward situation,” a senior police officer said.

Special training
Police officers said the personnel picked up for this team has been trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside the ambit of the abilities of regular officers, and especially for dealing with terrorists and hardcore criminals.

“Delhi being the national capital, and with a high presence of VVIPs and key installations, is always on the terror radar. After the Mumbai attacks in November last year, a need was felt for having a force that will be equipped to carry out specialised operations,” senior police officers added.

“The personnel were trained at the Police Training College and the sub-inspectors were trained by National Security Guard recently,” senior police officers said.

Police officers said SWAT team members will function under the elite Special Cell. The team is on stand-by at the Lodhi Colony office of the Special Cell in South Delhi.

Equipped to secure
A police source said that apart from latest machinery and equipment, a “bullet-proof vehicle” is also being procured by the Delhi Police, which the team members will use to travel to the spot where their presence is needed.

“They will also have specialised equipment, including heavy body armour, entry tools, advanced night vision cameras and motion detectors to covertly determine the positions of hostages or terrorists inside an enclosed structure,” police officers added.

The Delhi Police has also bought two X-ray machine-fitted Mercedes vans, which will be used by the SWAT team. Corner shot guns, developed by Israeli technology, are also expected to be procured by the police soon.

Apart from advanced weapons, the SWAT team will also carry AK-47s, Glock guns and SLR/INSAS guns, which are commonly used by the Delhi Police force.

LAPD SWAT
The concept of SWAT teams gained prominence after being developed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Their SWAT team constitutes a specially trained and equipped unit in the LAPD, intended to respond to and manage critical situations involving shootings, at the same time minimising police casualties. The selected officers are given special status and benefits, and are required to attend special monthly training as well.

Weaponry: While a wide variety of weapons are used by SWAT teams, the most common weapons include submachine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles.

Vehicles: SWAT units in the LAPD usually employ Armoured Rescue Vehicles for personnel insertion, maneuvering or during tactical operations like rescue of civilians/officers trapped by gunfire. Helicopters may be used to provide aerial reconnaissance or even insertion via rappelling or fast-roping.

Commando’s checklist
* AK-47 rifles with bannet (cap)/scabbard, along with four magazines, 100 rounds
* Hand grenade for each commando in each shift
* VLP: Four for each shift with eight rounds in each VLP
* Wireless set
* One thin rope
* Pencil torch
* Bullet-proof helmet
* Bullet-proof jacket
* Dragon torch, five for each shift
* Cutter, three for each shift
* Head gear/bullet-proof patka: ten in total issued on rotational basis to the shift
* One Dangi
* A pair of jungle shoes
* Pair of woollen socks
*n Commando dragger
*n Pouch and pithoo
* Pair of anklets
* Commando cap
* Commando monogram
* Two Delhi Police badges
* Web belt n ‘F’ sign badge
* Pair of Left-right breeches
* Pair of attachment breeches
* Attachment for pithoo (two)

 

[ppgj]

Post 26/11, NSG aims for corner shot weapons, ‘through-the-wall’ radars

Post 26/11, NSG aims for corner shot weapons, ?through-the-wall? radars IDRW.ORG

BY :INDIAN EXPRESS

One year after 26/11, counter-terror force NSG, after successful trials, is all set to acquire state-of-the-art corner shot weapons and hand-held “see through” wall radars in a bid to prepare itself for future urban terror strikes and hostage situations.

Government sources told The Indian Express that the NSG will soon float tenders for acquisition of corner shot weapons, which allows commandos to shoot around corners without endangering themselves, and wall surveillance radars, which can help monitor events inside a room without entering it, for its special action group (SAG) troopers. Both the force multipliers were sorely missed during 26/11, when the NSG had to battle hard for more than 60 hours to kill the Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists in Mumbai.

The NSG has already purchased one corner shot Glock weapon from Israel’s Corner Shot Holdings at the cost of Rs 7,58,000 per piece and has successfully tested the weapon at its Manesar facility in the past two months. The weapon allows the shooter to track terrorists around a corner with the help of a video camera, mounted on the gun, which can swivel 63 degrees on either side. The counter-terror force is now planning to purchase more systems so that they can be mounted on standard Swiss SIG 551 or soon-to-be upgraded 553 assault rifles and AK-47 rifles used by the NSG commandos. This weapon is used by Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) in the US and other Western countries to counter terror attacks. Besides this, the NSG has also successfully tried out the “through the wall” radars manufactured by Israeli and British companies. With cost of each equipment running into several lakhs of rupees, the radar with an attached computer can be mounted on an outside wall. Particularly helpful in hostage situations and counter-strikes, the radar allows commandos to monitor rooms at a stand-off distance of more than 60 feet. Using ultra-wide band technology, the radar transmits 3D images in the form of dots, which gives clear picture of the location and strength of persons inside a room. Sources said that the NSG had already tested Xaver 400-800 wall radar from Camero-Tech of Israel and Prism 200 radar manufactured by Cambridge Consultants in Britain. The counter-terror force has already approached the Ministry of Home Affairs for purchasing the wall-mounted radars.

 

[nitesh]

The hills have eyes

But senior military officers say the fence has reduced infiltration by 80 per cent. “Militants have become so desperate that, despite knowing it is almost impossible to cross the fence, they try it, only to get arrested or killed at the border or somewhere in the state. The average life of a militant once he enters the valley is less than a year,” says Lt Col Gopi.

 

[RPK]

Army looks for advanced armoured personnel carriers


Dazzled by American eight-wheeled Stryker combat vehicles during last month’s `Yudh Abhyas’ Indo-US wargames, the Army has launched

its own hunt for armoured personal carriers (APCs).

A global RFI (request for information) has been issued by Army’s additional directorate general of weapons and equipment for procuring the wheeled APCs. The plan is to acquire at least 100 APCs, to be followed by indigenous production after transfer of technology to an Indian firm.

At present, Army operates over 1,500 APCs or infantry combat vehicles called BMP-I and BMP-II, which can carry around 10 soldiers each, in its 26 mechanised infantry battalions.

It wants the new APCs to be `air-portable’ in IAF’s heavy-lift aircraft and `sea-portable’ in Navy’s amphibious `landing ship tanks’, apart from having advanced weaponry, night-fighting capabilities and NBC (nuclear, chemical and biological) protection.

Army’s hunt for advanced APCs comes soon after the Yudh Abhyas wargames at Babina during which US, eager to grab a major chunk of the lucrative Indian arms market, showcased its high-tech weaponry like the Stryker APCs as well as the Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

Incidentally, as reported earlier, this was the largest overseas deployment of the Strykers after Iraq and Afghanistan, coming as the American soldiers did with 17 Stryker APCs.

Costing around $1.5 million apiece, the Strykers come equipped with advanced weapons, CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) protection and C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) systems.

http://www.ptinews.com/news/371838_Army-to-procure-100-Armoured-Personnel-Carriers

Army to procure 100 Armoured Personnel Carriers


New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) In an effort to strengthen its mechanised forces, the Indian Army is looking forward to procure over 100 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for deployment in different kinds of terrains.

The Army has initiated the process of acquiring these APCs by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) recently.

As per the RFI issued by the Army, at least 100 APCs will be procured from the vendor chosen after the acquisition process and the rest would be licence-produced in India after a Transfer of Technology to an indigenous firm.

According to Defence Ministry officials, over a period of five years, the Indian army is looking to add over 500 new APCs to its existing fleet of around 1,500 Russian-origin BMP-I and BMP-IIs.

The Indian Army at present has 26 mechanised infantry battalions with its APCs having the capability to carry around 10 soldiers each.

 

[RPK]

Indian Army chief's visit to Germany to boost defence ties news

New Delhi: Indian Army chief of general staff, General Deepak Kapoor, will make a three-day visit to Germany, starting Wednesday, in a bid to strengthen defence relations between the two countries.

Gen Kapoor, currently on a four-day visit to Israel, will arrive in Germany at a time when a new coalition government under the leadership of chancellor, Angela Merkel, has just taken over the reins of power.

As part of his visit, Gen Kapoor will hold parleys with Germany's top military leadership and discuss ways of extending cooperation between the armed forces of both the countries.

Defence relations between the two countries have been increasing in the recent past and India was also one of the organising partners in the Berlin Air Show in 2008.

The two countries have also signed a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2006

 

[nitesh]

interesting article good read
Black Cats turns 25

 

[RPK]

Indian Army to deploy more troops along Arunachal border


India is quietly beefing up its defences along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh, even as it publicly downplays the growing diplomatic spat with Beijing over the Dalai Lama’s visit to the state.

The Indian Army will deploy its new 15,000-strong 56 Division in Arunachal, which China claims as its own, within four weeks, a senior defence official told HT, requesting anonymity.

Simultaneously, it has put out a Request for Information (RFI) for acquiring 300 lightweight tanks that can be deployed in the North East and Jammu & Kashmir.

The purpose is to leave nothing to chance, notwithstanding the show of bonhomie between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao at their October 25 meeting in Thailand.

A second division will be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh in the next 12-18 months, the official added.

The army’s RFI states the light tanks should be capable of destroying bunkers and soft-skin vehicles up to 3,000m away and should have armour-piercing anti-tank guided missiles and anti-aircraft machine guns.

The RFI, which is in HT’s possession, also stipulates these tanks should “have protection against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare”.

In recent months, India activated three airfields along the 646 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, last used during the 1962 war with China. The army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police have also stepped up patrolling along the LAC.

 

[RPK]

Lt Gen SR Ghosh to be GOC-in-C of Western Command

CHANDIGARH: Lt Gen Shankar Rajan Ghosh would be the next GOC-in-C of the Western Command headquartwered at Chandimandir. Gen Ghosh will take over
the reign of Indian Army’s one of the most prestigious commands on December 1.

Born at Mathura on May 22, 1952, Gen Ghosh was educated at St Joseph’s Collage, Nainital, after which he joined the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned on November 14, 1971, and immediately participated in the Indo-Pak War in Jammu and Kashmir.

He has held very challenging and selective appointments, both in staff and command. His staff appointments include brigade major of a mountain brigade, military operation directorate at Army HQs, director manpower planning at Army HQs, brigadier general staff at Indian Military Academy, defence and military attache at Embassy of India, USA and additional DG, manpower, (planning and policy) at Army HQs.

He is a graduate of Staff College and Higher Command course. His commands include a brigade in active sector on line of control where he was awarded Sena Medal, GOC of a division in strike corps and GOC of a strike corps.

Ghosh would replace Lt Gen TK Sapru, who will retire on November 30 after putting in 40 years of glorious service in the Indian Army.

 

[nitesh]

this is good news for artillery procurement:

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | Govt eases arms firm blacklist rules

New Delhi, Nov. 11: Two banned companies — a Singaporean firm vying for a billion-dollar order for artillery guns and an Israeli arms supplier — are hoping for a reprieve after the government today said it has amended the rules under which they were blacklisted in June.

 

[nitesh]

was this posted? Really interesting 200 ICV's per year

Ordnance Factory gears up to meet Army demand

 

[Sridhar]

Army's first mountain division for China in northeast kicks off !!

While the Indian Air Force (IAF) is going ahead with the expansion, development and re-activation of its airstrips and advanced landing grounds (ALGs) in the northeast, amongst its first preparations to counter its powerful neighbour, the Indian Army too has put in place the functioning of its first new Mountain Division in the northeast, overlooking China. The Zakhama-based 56 Mountain Division, in Nagaland, started functioning last month, as did the Dibang-based 46 Brigade and the Lekhapani-based 22 Brigade under it. One more Division will come up shortly.


An Officer told People's Post, "More Brigades will be subsequently raised under the Div, and soon new cadres will be required. Around 18 new battalions are needed under the two new Divs, which would come up in the future, while as of now units from within, all over the Indian Army, are moving in to ensure the functioning of the Divisions, as infantry units keep moving throughout the country in peace and field."

Close to the Sino-Indian border, the 22 Brigade in Lekhapani (at the Assam-Arunachal border) is part of 56 Div and comes under the command and control of the Dimapur-based 3 Corps, but there is talk about the 22 Brigade moving under the 2 Division in Dinjan, in Nagaland, in future.

One more additional mountain division, the 71 div, will also begin functioning shortly and will come under the command and control of the Tezpur-based 4 Corps.

The first General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 56 Div is Major General R N Singh, while the 22 Brigade is being commanded by Brigadier R K Singh. A source told People's Post that basically these divisions will have infantry elements, but some armoured assets too will form part of them at a later stage.

While the 66 armoured regiment at the Indo-Bangladesh border was moved some years ago, for the protection of the Siliguri corridor, which took care of the armoured needs of the east and the northeast, it is believed that elements of the same regiment would be in use as of now for the northeast, till light tanks are bought for high altitude. The Indian Army has plans to buy around 300 light tanks, about 22 tonnes, for high altitude, mainly for the China-centric Karu-based 3rd Div, and also has massive plans to increase its armoured presence in the North Sikkim plateau. After there have been reports of increased Chinese PLA patrolling and of incursions at the Finger Area, the decision to replace the lighter armoured vehicles with T-72 tanks was taken earlier this year. Soon BMPs and light tanks too would be mobilised in the area, which is at an altitude of 10,000-11,000 feet.

The Indian army's 3rd Division in Karu overlooks China, and has just one mechanised infantry unit, with around 52 BMP-2 ICVs (infantry combat vehicles).

Also one of the brigades in the Allahabad-based 4 Div will be converted soon into an armoured brigade, while the other two brigades in the division would remain infantry brigades. The 4 Div is for the western sector and mainly overlooks Pakistan. An officer said that the move was being taken for rapidisation, as the 4 Div was part of 2 Corps, which is a 'Strike' Corps. The brigade will have two armoured and two mechanised units.

While the location of the 71 Div, to come up in the northeast, is being decided, the 56 Div and its two Brigades will undergo a proper formation as per the orbat (order of battle) once the cadres come in and the exact locations are decided. An officer explained, "Re-orbatting will take place depending on the roles of the brigades, which can change their locations in future and the mobility of the battalions will be based on their area of responsibilty, role, assets available and the feasibility of these new formations, given the present conditions." Troops and officers to be recruited in large numbers is under consideration, for which adequate measures are being taken.

The Army's AG branch is working towards raising troops while the second officer training academy of the army (OTA) is coming up in Gaya, Bihar.

Lekhapani, chiefly inhabited by Tangsa Naga tribes, is a small town located at the Assam-Arunachal border, at the foothills of Patkai Hills, near Tinsukia. Dibang, bordering with north China, has mainly the Adi and Idu tribes.

Copyright: People's Post
Chindits: Army's first mountain division for China in northeast kicks off !!

 

[Sridhar]

http://chhindits.blogspot.com/search/label/Sukhoi-30MKI Exclusive:Army considering NATO style of written communication



Chindits: Exclusive:Army considering NATO style of written communication