Indian Army: News and Discussion

[shiv]

hey come to think of it we havent heard from ULFA and other NEFA insurgents in a long time.....guess the army is doing its work...

 

[nitesh]

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200903222021.htm

Army's first expedition in Lakshadweep launched

Agatti (Lakshadweep) (PTI): Highlighting man's insatiable thirst for exploring uncharted territory, the Army on Sunday launched the first-of-its-kind expedition here to test both skills of personnel in amphibious warfare and showcase their concern for ecology.

The multi-faceted expedition at this picturesque island in Lakshadweep by the Army's Bison Division, an amphibious warfare formation, would provide opportunity to its personnel to try out para-rafting, scuba-diving and para-motoring, apart from highlighting the concern of environmentalists on ecological degradation.

The Bison Blue Waters Expedition, aimed at increasing the maritime awareness of the armed forces and educating the citizens, would appeal for conserving the coral reefs around the island in the Arabian Sea.

Bison Division General-Officer-Commanding Major General Rajesh Singh flagged off the expedition at a function in this island located 58 km north west of Kavarati.

The event was kick started by a beach marathon that witnessed a large number of school children running alongside jawans.

Soon after, para motorists appeared in the sky, perhaps for the first time flying over sea, much to the amusement of the islanders.

 

[A.V.]

SLWH Pegasus Howitzers Strong Contenders for Indian Army USD 1 billion Contract

Singapore is the front runner to supply the Indian military's planned purchase of ultralight howitzers, the Republic's first major defence contract from South Asia's dominant power, people familiar with the developments said. "Most of the technical evaluation of the contract to buy 145 pieces of the ultra-lightweight 155mm cannons has been done," said an Indian official who has proved reliable in the past.

Should the deal come through - possibly after field trials - it will be a major breakthrough for Singapore into India's arms market and help boost its economy's sagging export order-book. The value of the contract is believed to be about US $1 billion (RM2.3 billion). ST Kinetics confirmed that it had participated in the tender for the Indian army's ultra-lightweight howitzer and towed howitzer requirements.

"As with all our commercial and defence negotiations, we are bound by customers" confidentiality requirements," a company spokesman in Singapore said. New Delhi, reliant on the Soviet Union and its successor state Russia for most of its defence needs, has embarked on a plan to diversify its arms purchases. Israel is nudging Russia to be the top supplier while US companies are eyeing major deals with the Indian Air Force and Indian
Navy.

ST Kinetic's Pegasus ultralight howitzers, which weigh just above 5 tonnes, are capable of firing three rounds in 24 seconds. Heavy use of titanium and light alloy aluminium gives the machines both mobility and ruggedness. The Pegasus can be transported by helicopter as well as fixed wing aircraft.

In the case of India's military that would probably mean Mi-26 heavy lift helicopters and Ilyushin 76 aircraft. Only two companies, ST Kinetics and BAe Systems have weapons that match India's specifications for the ultralight guns. It was not clear if BAe had bid for the contract, though the Britain-based company is said to have displayed the weapon at a trade event in India last year.

Singapore also was included in the list of nations to which India sent the Request for Proposals for the heavier 52-calibre howitzers, people familiar with the issue said. That contract, for which there are several more bidders, envisages the outright purchase of 400 artillery pieces and licensed production in India of another 1,180 pieces.

The tender for the ultralight cannons does not include a clause for licensed production in India, according to people who have seen the documents.

 

[pyromaniac]

Fierce gun fight rages in Kashmir

The Indian army says 16 militants have been killed in an ongoing gun battle with security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Eight soldiers have also died in the fire fight, which has entered its fifth day in Shamsabari, the army said.

Several more militants were believed to be in the area, the army said.

Overall violence has fallen significantly in Indian-administered Kashmir since Delhi and Islamabad began peace talks in 2004.

Line of Control

Defence spokesman Col JS Brar said that the fighting broke out in the higher reaches of the Shamsabari range on Friday morning after troops launched an operation to flush out the militants.

map

He said troops were carrying out a combing operation to capture remaining militants who were hiding in the area.

The identity of the militants killed in the gun battle is not known, and there has been no word from any militant group.

The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says this has been the longest and bloodiest fire fight in Indian-administered Kashmir this year.

A ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control - the de facto border that divides the disputed region between the two countries - is still holding.

However, the peace process has been abeyance since November's attacks in Mumbai (Bombay) which killed at least 179 people and which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7960557.stm

 

[nitesh]

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

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

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

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

At the end of the five-day Kupwara encounter that killed eight Army personnel and 17 Lashkar operatives, all evidence points to “extremely sophisticated planning and logistics” behind the biggest infiltration attempt across the Line of Control this year, security officers involved in the operation said.

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor said the high casualties of Indian Special Forces — all eight from the crack 1 Para — indicated a “high level of military training.” As did the nature of the infiltration attempt — through treacherous terrain and the recovery of highly detailed maps of the forests, along with GPS devices, radios, satellite phones, snowboots and ice axes.

At 10,273 feet, a narrow, winding road over the Sadhna Pass — its surface covered by frozen ice — is the only entrance into the stunning valleys of Karnah in the Kashmir Valley. To its left, in the vast isolated swathe, walled by the snow-capped peaks of the Shamsabari range, is the heavily guarded Line of Control. It was here on March 19, that 25 militants sneaked in — watched by both the Army and the Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Sources have confirmed to The Indian Express that militants who crossed over were well on their way to hideouts in Rajwar where Lashkar’s commander Abu Saad was waiting. Saad, it’s learnt, had sent three of his experienced militants to “receive” this new group. But this time, the Army knew and it had Lashkar’s key OGWs (Over Ground Workers) under watch.
Sources said intelligence from across the LoC had alerted security agencies a week in advance. Moreover, early this month, two smaller groups of militants had already crossed over into the Rajwar area and a third group of 10 had sneaked into the valley through Gulmarg. “So we were expecting them. We knew they were coming but our information was about a group of 10 militants,” a source told The Indian Express.

Army officials say the infiltration was launched most probably from somewhere in the Lepa valley. After they crossed over, the militants trekked the Shamsabari’s high ridges that divides the Keran sector from the Kashmir bowl.

In parallel, the Army began moving to lay an ambush. The plan was to avoid engaging the militants near the LoC and thus prevent them from retreating. “They were allowed to sneak in under constant watch,” a source said. The infiltrators were first spotted at Ragni post where one militant was killed. The first major contact with the militants took place at around 3 am on March 20 at Drangyari. “Three were killed there,” said Army spokesman Col J S Brar, “one of them escaped and was killed at Chamb”.

By then, the group had scattered under night’s cover and the Army had expanded its operation across the Shamsabari range, pushing reinforcements into the dense Hafruda forests — one of the thickest stretched across Kupwara and Handwara districts. The Army’s Trehgam Brigade, two battalions of the Rashtriya Rifles and para commandos were deployed. Sources said the Lashkar “reception party” had already joined the infiltrators but somehow the guide possibly lost his way.
The next afternoon, on March 21, Major Mohit Sharma along with a party of para commandos, decided to go deep inside the Hafruda forests. A group of militants, however, had been hiding over the ridge — which gave them an immediate advantage. Major Sharma and three of his men were killed in the firefight.

By Monday, the Army had sent out dozens of parties inside Hafruda, expanding the operation to almost an area of 20 sq km. Fierce gunbattles raged across the area. Close-quarter encounters took place at two places — one inside the Hafruda forests and another in Drangyari. Five militants were killed while four Army men, Havaldar Rakesh Kumar, Nayak Sanjay Anna and Para troopers Manoj Kumar and Shabir Ahmad, were killed. All were officers and men from the Para unit — equipped with AK 47 and Israeli Tavor rifles, new generation night-sights and tracking equipment.

On Tuesday, the troops were again in control and the cordon had been tightened around the militants holed up in Hafruda. Seven militants were killed that day.
Army officials said they found this group of infiltrators “exceptionally trained” and “well-kitted” wearing multilayered warm clothing, jackets, snowshoes and even armed with ice axes. The militants also had modern communication gadgets and were using GPS, compasses, one Thuraya set and Army maps. “They had 10 radio sets as well. We also recovered 23 AK rifles,” said Col Brar. “They had boots and axes, the kind we use in Siachen. The boots were made in Iran.”

The militants, who communicated in codes, also had elaborate maps of Kupwara and Handwara especially of the dense forest ranges. The seriousness of the plan was evident in the specially tailored T-shirts for this group. The T-shirts had “Jihad is my life, Shahadat (martyrdom) is my real life” printed on them. There were T-shirts which “Commando” inscribed as well.

The Army estimates that the level of infiltration will go up in coming months as the snow starts melting in the passes. “Over 300 militants are waiting to infiltrate from 40-50 Terror camps across the LoC,” the Army Chief said. Army officers said that with less than 400 active militants estimated in the valley, handlers across the border are getting desperate to send in more foot soldiers.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/loc-breach-alerted-army-laid-a-trap-for-lashkar-men-before-5day-fir.../439227/

 

[Auberon]

Hmm I see.
Still the point remains why only 128?

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

 

[Auberon]

The force will induct light firearms and special grenades to equip its heliborne commandos as during the Mumbai strikes the force lost one of its black cats, Havildar Gajender Singh, while he was coming down from a helicopter.

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.

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

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

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

The Tata Group's defence arm, Tata Advanced Systems, has bagged an order for supplying 16 indigenous Akash surface to air missile (SAM) launchers for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Strategic Electronics Division received the Rs 182 crore order for the launchers on Monday, even as the group celebrated the launch of its Nano small car. The order for the missile launchers is bigger than the Rs 172 crore order for Pinaka multi-barrel rockets manufactured by the group for the Indian army in 2007.

The total contract for two regiments of Akash SAMs worth an estimated Rs 1,200 crore was placed by the IAF on public sector undertaking Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) earlier this year and deliveries are to be completed in three years. While public sector undertaking BDL is manufacturing the missiles, BEL is producing the Rajendra phased array radar.

 

[Triton]

India's para-military forces to recieve helicopters

India has decided to equip its para-military forces with helicopters in the wake of threats to Indian airports and the Mumbai terror attacks last November

Reports from India say that the five main para-military forces, the Border Security Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Assam Rifles and the elite command of force, the National Security Guards, will soon be given eight multi-utility light Dhruv helicopters to boost their operations in harsh terrains and in difficult situations like a terrorist attack on the country.

The Home Ministry has already signed a 3500 million rupee (70 million U.S. dollars) deal with the country's helicopter manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the southern Indian city of Bangalore.

"While four chopper would be allocated to the para-military forces this month, the remaining four would be handed over to them later this year or early next year," he said.

Dhruv is a multi-utility advanced light helicopter fitted with night-vision equipment.

At present, the para-military forces borrow helicopters from the Indian armed forces or sometimes from private operators during an operation. Their own chopper would give them an edge to conduct an operation without waiting for outside helicopters to arrive for their use.

 

[SATISH]

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.

 

[SATISH]

BSF buys 8 Dhruv helicopters

http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/12/stories/2009041261032000.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

 

[SATISH]

Indian Paramilitary News and Discussions.

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

 

[SATISH]

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.

 

[nitesh]

hmmm interesting:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...e-army-jobs-lucrative/articleshow/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.

 

[nitesh]

hmmm interesting:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...e-army-jobs-lucrative/articleshow/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.

 

[SATISH]

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

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...PC-tells-Karnataka-CM/articleshow/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.

 

[nitesh]

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

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-hours-save-150-lives/articleshow/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.

 

[Pintu]

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/explosives-looted-by-maoists-recovered-combing-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.

 

[sayareakd]

I think that NSG equitment is not up to the world standard, i remember few years ago their was cry for new guns from NSG.

What they lack, they make it with their dedication and guts, still that has cost us lives.

NSG operations have to re looked and rethink, NSG should regularly practice their skills with other orginasation world over.

We need to give then better quality equitment, if they are to be our best line of defence against terrorists.