Indian Army: News and Discussion

[plugwater]

Army to use solar energy at Siachen glacier- Hindustan Times

The Indian Army is going in for an eco-friendly windmill and solar panel energy at Siachen glacier, the highest battle field of the world, to save the glacier from pollution, as also to cut down on the cost of the fuel and logistic efforts.

The government has sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore for putting into effect the plan for alternate energy at the strategically crucial glacier, which is in the global attention because of the presence of the Indian and Pakistani armies.

“Our effort is to set up windmills and solar panels at the glacier, and other frontier areas in Ladakh region,” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt. Gen. BS Jaswal told Hindustan Times in an interview, while outlining the Army’s efforts to save the glacier.

This will help the soldiers stationed at the glacier to heat their huts and posts and lighting. The temperatures at the glacier dip minus 40 degree Celsius.

Till date, the soldiers – a brigade strength at Siachen glacier, have been dependent upon kerosene, diesel for running generators to heat their accommodation and lights.

While acknowledging that human presence does cause pollution. Gen. Jaswal said, what is hidden from the public view is the fact that how Army was saving the glacier.

“It is my hope that this year, we should be able to set up windmills and solar panels at the glacier. It will go a long way in helping protect the glacier from pollutants. It would be clean energy.”

The Northern Army Commander already has discussed the project with the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy.

“The presence of troops here is in the national interest. The phenomenon of the ‘glacier melt’ must be considered in terms of the mass of the glacial systems existing in the region in comparison to the quantum of troops present there. The ratio will indicate that the situation is not alarming,” he said, dispelling the fears that because of the Army’s presence the pace of the melting of glacier has speeded up.

“Glacial melting is part of the phenomenon of global warming. We are however, fully seized of the issue of the fragile ecology of the region and have instituted a number of measures to reduce the footprints. Eco-friendly measures adopted by us include pipeline based transmission of Kerosene - oil, greenhouses to grow vegetables and bio digesters."

“As a vision for the future we are identifying our power requirements in the areas of the Ladakh region which can be met through alternate energy sources, such as solar power and wind. We have instituted measures to further reduce the pollution levels on the glacier and have a structured system of waste disposal.”

 

[plugwater]

India To Pull Thousands of Troops From Kashmir - Defense News

NEW DELHI - India has decided to remove several thousand troops from the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, which for two decades has been the scene of low-intensity battle between the Army and terrorists crossing the border from Pakistan.

Refusing to give a specific number, a senior Indian Defence Ministry official said a "large number" of troops will be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir in phases.

An estimated 350,000 Indian troops are stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, along with 200,000 paramilitary forces.

The troop reduction will begin this month, the Defence Ministry official said, adding that the paramilitary forces there will take over from the troops.

Sources in the Indian Army said troops stationed along the Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir are as vigilant as ever despite the planned withdrawal.

The Indian troop pullout from Jammu and Kashmir coincides with media reports here that China has taken over some Indian territory along the disputed Line of Actual Control that serves as a border between the two countries.

Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, that there has been no change in the India-China border

 

[nitesh]

a good article:

Our harmed forces

 

[RPK]

Army`s Intelligence Chief visits Afghanistan

New Delhi: Indian Army's Intelligence Chief visited Afghanistan in an effort to assess Afghan military capability to manage their nation's security with the NATO forces already working on their pull out plan.

"Director General of Military Intelligence Lt Gen R K Loomba was in Afghanistan last week to meet officers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) of the NATO countries," an Army officer said today.


Loomba made the quiet trip to Kabul and visited ANA headquarters, where he met senior officers and also held talks with ISAF commanders, they said here.

The visit comes in the wake of the US announcing "a surge and exit policy" beginning 2011 for Afghanistan, which has witnessed the war on terror against al-Qeada and the Taliban for over eight years following the 9/11 terror attacks.

Loomba's trip comes ahead of an official tour by Richard Holbrooke, US President's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, to Delhi from tomorrow along with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates.

The Army is already present in Afghanistan imparting training to ANA officers at its defence institutions, preparing them for a possible exit by ISAF.

Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor had told reporters during his annual media interaction here on Thursday that Indian military instructors were also providing English language training to the ANA officers.

He had also stated that India wanted a strong ANA that could manage the country's security affairs as and when the ISAF troops pull out.

 

[RPK]

Army`s One Medium Regiment celebrates platinum jubilee

Jodhpur: Indian Army's One Medium Regiment on Saturday celebrated its platinum jubilee here and carried out a mounted parade of artillery guns in the country.

Congratulating the unit on the occasion, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor said the regiment's achievements in different wars fought by India were exemplary and urged the troops to maintain high standards.


The highlights of the parade, which was led by the regiment's Commanding Officer Colonel P C Pawar, include the BMP infantry combat vehicles and M-46 130 mm artillery guns of the unit.

South-western Army Commander Lieutenant General C K S Sabu and 12 Corps Chief Lt Gen A M Verma were also present on the occasion.

Established in 1935, the regiment took part in World War- II and had received its battle honours while fighting against Japanese troops in Burma.

 

[RPK]

Indian Army chief arriving Tuesday

Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor is arriving on a three-day official visit to Nepal Tuesday at the invitation of Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Chhatra Man Singh Gurung,said Nepal Army's (NA) Directorate of Public Relation (DPR).

Issuing a press statement Monday, NA DPR said, General Kapoor will attend a Wreath Laying ceremony at 'martyrs memorial' and receive a guard of honour from Nepal Army on Tuesday and meet with CoAS Gurung, after his arrival.

On Wednesday, General Kapoor will visit the high altitude military academy of Nepal Army in Jomsom, Mustang and the pension distribution centre of the Indian Army in Khara. He will also visit the western regional headquarters of Nepal Army in Pokhara and attend a dinner to be hosted in his honour in the evening.

On Thursday, General Kapoor will visit the traning centre for peace keeping missions centre in Panchkhal of Kavre. He will meet with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal and defense minister Bidhya Bhandari in Singha Durbar the same day.

President Ram Baran Yadav will award Kapoor the honorary rank of General of Nepal Army amid a special function at the President's office, Shital Niwas, Thursday evening. General Kapoor will host a reception in honour of CoAS Gurung the same evening.

 

[RPK]

BSF guns down another infiltrator along the India-Pakistan border

Jammu, Jan.17 : Border Security Force personnel on Sunday gunned down an intruder along the India-Pakistan border while he was trying to infiltrate into Indian territory.

The intruder, identified as a Pakistani national, was killed around 2.45 (local time) in the early morning hours in the vicinity of the Chowni border out post (BOP) Arnia sub-Sector in RS Pura, 43 kilometers off Jammu.

"I saw this man coming from the other side; several other were hiding. He was earlier walking along the zero line; then he started to come towards the Indian territory. I fired in air and asked my superiors who told me to shoot him. I fired one shot, he fell down. Later I fired another shot in which he was killed," said Vijay Kumar Yadav, a BSF personnel.

This is sixth infiltration bid during the January 2010 along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu.

The infiltration bids have become recurring events despite a ceasefire between the two armies and a three-metre (yard) high barbed wire security-fence along most of the 742 kilometers (460-miles) long Line of Control (LoC).

Copyright Asian News International (ANI)

 

[Sridhar]

Indian Army plans setting up wind mills and solar panels in Siachen glacier

18 Jan 2010 8ak: Hindustan Times reports that the Indian army is in the process of installing solar plans and windmills in the Siachen glacier, as part of its efforts to promote use of renewable energy and cut fuel and logistical costs. The government has sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore for putting into effect the plan for alternate energy at the strategically crucial glacier, which is in the global attention because of the presence of the Indian and Pakistani armies.
“Our effort is to set up windmills and solar panels at the glacier, and other frontier areas in Ladakh region,” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt. Gen. BS Jaswal told Hindustan Times in an interview, while outlining the Army’s efforts to save the glacier.
The proposed plan has been discussed by the Northern Army Commander with the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy. Plans are to set up windmills and solar panels at other frontier areas in Ladakh region also, in addition to the Siachen glacier.
Lt. Gen. Jaswal admitted that the presence of soldiers does contribute to pollution but the melting of glacier is due to the larger problem of global warming. He said that the army for a long time has been taking measures to cut down on the pollution levels, but it was never made public. Earlier, the Indian army had revamped its waste disposal system to reduce pollution levels at the glacier by installing bio-digesters capable of burning human waste.
Other initiatives by the Army to cut down on pollution levels in the glacier include laying Kerosene pipelines to obviate the use of jerry cans, which help reduce material waste. It is estimated that about 1,000 kg of human waste every day, besides other wastes, pollute the cold desert environment, which environmentalists say would have disastrous consequences. An in-house survey by the Leh-based 14 corps revealed that 75 per cent of the waste generated was bio-degradable and 1.3 per cent non-toxic, which could be destroyed. In effect the waste to be retrieved from the Glacier is no more than 24 per cent of the total generated. There are plans to produce biogas as well.
Situated at the height of 21,000 feet (6400 m) above the sea level, Siachen glacier is the world’s highest battle field located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas Mountains at about 35.5’N 77.0’E, just east of the Line of Control between India-Pakistan.
India controls all of the Siachen Glacier itself, including all tributary glaciers. At 70 km (43 mi) long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world's non-polar areas. It falls from an altitude of 5,753 m (18,875 ft) above sea level at its head at Indira Col (pass) on the China border down to 3,620 m (11,875 ft) at its terminus.
The Siachen Glacier lies immediately south of the great watershed that separates China from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively glaciated portion of the Karakoram that is sometimes called the "Third Pole." The glacier lies between the Saltoro Ridge immediately to the west and the main Karakoram Range to the east. The Saltoro Ridge originates in the north from the Sia Kangri peak on the China border in the Karakoram Range. The crest of the Saltoro Ridge's altitudes range from 5,450 to 7,720 m (17,880 to 25,330 feet). The major passes on this ridge are, from north to south, Sia La at 5,589 m (18,336 ft), Bilafond La at 5,450 m (17,880 ft), and Gyong La at 5,689 m (18,665 ft) The average winter snowfall is 10.5 m (35 ft) and temperatures can dip to −50 °C (−58.0 °F). Including all tributary glaciers, the Siachen Glacier system covers about 700 km2 (270 sq mi).


8ak - Indian Defence News: Indian Army plans setting up wind mills and solar panels in Siachen glacier

 

[plugwater]

BSF foils infiltration bids along Indo-Pak border - India - The Times of India

JAMMU: The BSF on Monday foiled two infiltration bids by militants along Indo-Pak border here, officials said.

A group of at least 5 militants entered the Indian territory and came close to border fencing in Suchetgarh forward defence location along the International Border in R S Pura sub-sector of the district, they said.

They were trying to cut the fencing when the BSF patrol party fired at them, the officials said, adding the militants managed to escape.

The BSF foiled another infiltration bid by a group of militants in Tent Border Out post in Kanachak belt of Jammu this morning, they said.

Search operations have been launched to nab them. Today's infiltration bid was the 11th in past fortnight. The first infiltration attempt this year was foiled by BSF at Narianpur Border outpost in Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district on January 4.

Information from various agencies involved in security grid in the state has put the figure of infiltration attempts at 433 in 2009, which is 91 more than 2008.

As per the police figures, 342 infiltration attempts were made from across the border in 2008, while 2007 and 2006 reported 535 and 573 cases respectively.

 

[RPK]

fullstory

India Reserve Battalion in Mizoram leaves for Assam

Aizawl, Jan 18 (PTI) Contingents of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Mizoram are being relocated to two districts in Assam to help state authorities maintain law and order, a senior police officer said today.

The 3rd battalion of IRB would be shortly leaving for Udalguri and Darrang districts as directed by the Union Home ministry, the official said.

While the first batch left the headquarters at Mamit on Mizoram-Tripura border last Saturday, the second and final batch led by the Battalion's commandant John Neihlaia would be leaving Mizoram after the vehicles return.

The deployment is expected to be completed within this month, the official said.

IRB is a special force based in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya

 

[nitesh]

good read:

The Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)

 

[enlightened1]

'Forces need protective laws'​

Lt. General Mukesh Sabharwal, Adjutant General, Indian Army on Thursday outlined internal security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was delivering a lecture on "Internal Security in Jammu and Kashmir: Historical Perspective and Emerging Scenario", as a part of the Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOU) Silver Jubilee Lecture today in the IGNOU Maidan Garhi campus.

Remarking on the role of the security forces in the future, Gen Sabharwal said, "In order to operate effectively, security forces need necessary legal provisions to permit them to function/operate. Any dilution of protective laws for security forces could thus be damaging. Such laws are the only safeguard for security forces, and give them the requisite legal framework which permits them to conduct proactive operations against terrorists".
He further remarked that internal security is a reality and cannot be wished away. For internal security, there is a need to strengthen the local first responders. This involves capacity building of the State police forces, to include training of State police and the Central Reserve Police Force.

The importance of leadership of the Paramilitary Forces also cannot be overemphasized, he said. "All first responders need to be empowered. First responders need to foresee, rehearse and train for eventualities. Thereafter, we gradually need to reduce the Army's visibility, especially in cities/along roads," General Sabharwal added.

 

[neo29]

Indian Army is Procuring Additional Accessories for TAR-21 assault rifles


The Army is marching ahead to boost firepower and enhance mobility of its special forces and select infantry outfits. It is procuring carbines for close-quarter battle, additional accessories for its recently acquired TAR-21 assault rifles and all-terrain vehicles.Recently, the Army was in the market to procure special assault rifles that can shoot around corners without the soldier having to expose himself for a direct line-of-sight shot.
Since carbines are smaller and more compact than rifles and capable of a high rate of automatic fire, they are preferred for combat at short ranges and in confined spaces, though their effectiveness is negligible at longer ranges. Special forces world over are heavy users of carbines.The Army wants carbines to be fully operable by troops wearing NBC protective clothing, besides having the capability to mount additional gadgets like laser rangers and night vision sights.
The list of accessories for the modular Israeli Tavor TAR-21 rifle, which is now the standard personal weapon for special forces personnel and paratroopers includes telescopic sights and night vision sights, accessory rails for mounting additional gadgets, high-intensity flashlights, dual magazine clips and luminous sights for under-barrel grenade launchers.

Also being sought for the TAR-21 are single eye night vision goggles with headband. Providing high-resolution imagery and image intensification troops would be able to use them in conjugation with the rifle’s day sights or as an independent gadget by being worn on the forehead.Specifications for the all-terrain vehicles (ATV) include seating capacity for 10 persons and the ability to operate across a wide spectrum terrain and climatic conditions, including snowbound areas, deserts and marshes.Inbuilt GPS and navigation system, air-conditioning, fire-fighting aids, internal and external storage capacity for military equipment, cold starting system and provisions for attaching engineering support equipment like snow cutter, blades and trailers would be added features of the ATV.

Indian Army is Procuring Additional Accessories for TAR-21 assault rifles idrw.org

 

[enlightened1]

Indian Army undertakes cross-country motorcycle expedition​

http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article93836.ece​

http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article93836.ecehttp://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article93836.ece

A motorcycle expedition was flagged off by Major General R.S. Pradhan of the 25 Division in Poonch District.

The expedition comprised four teams with six motorcycles each. Their journey will cover a distance of 13,600 kilometres.

The expedition was organized to acquaint motorcyclists with sites pertinent to the history of prior artillery regiments, where they came off with honours.

"They are the parts of the same tree. In the absence of artillery, infantry can't work and thus we can say that in order to win a war, artillery and infantry both should work together as one body," said Major General Pradhan.

"The soldiers would carry a message from Poonch to Nasik about the country's progress," he added.

About the role of artillery in the Kargil war, he said that the war was very significant, and the role of artillery couldn't be expressed in words.

The soldiers will reach Nasik on February 5.

 

[enlightened1]

Online test - new hurdle for Army recruitment from 2011​

http://www.indiaedunews.net/Career/Online_test_-_new_hurdle_for_Army_recruitment_from_2011_10361/​

http://www.indiaedunews.net/Career/Online_test_-_new_hurdle_for_Army_recruitment_from_2011_10361/http://www.indiaedunews.net/Career/Online_test_-_new_hurdle_for_Army_recruitment_from_2011_10361/

Tirunelveli: Candidates appearing for a written test to join the Indian Army after clearing the compulsory physical test and medical examinations as soldiers would now have to consider a new hurdle as the written examination gets replaced with the online examination from 2011 onwards.

"No profound skill in the computer applications is required to appear for the proposed online test as it is just an attempt to test the candidate's ability to about basic computer operations. If the proposed scheme comes in action then it will also make the recruitment process more efficient and scrupulous," said Brigadier Pankaj Sinha, Deputy Director General-Recruiting (States), Headquarters Recruiting Zone, Chennai

Brig. Pankaj was here to scrutinize and select the physically fit youths during the six-day recruitment exercise.

The proposal is a part of the Army's quest to automate the selection process which is mulled to do online from next year.

Denying the general perception that army officers and experienced soldiers were leaving the military in search of greener pastures he said that, "Apart from a hefty salary, especially after the Sixth Pay Commission, we provide attractive perks to every member of the Indian Army. So leaving the Army comes out of question! Besides, the Army is attracting more number of youths, particularly engineers as military officers," Brig. Pankaj said.

Appealing to the masses, and particularly to the aspirants about the touts promising employment in the armed forces, he strictly asked them to report the matter to the police or the army officials.

He claimed that, "The only barometer to fetch a job in the armed forces is your physical fitness and your performance in the written test. Nothing else would work here."

Col. Sanjeev, Director, Army Recruitment, Tiruchi Region, expressed immense satisfaction with the turnout of the youths for the recruitment. "More than 5,000 have passed the physical test out of the 8,000-odd youths we have received from fifteen districts," he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli City Avinash Kumar, Corporation Commissioner K. Baskaran and District Sports Officer K. Xavier Jothi Sargunam were present.

 

[RPK]

India begins procurement process for choppers

PTI, Jan 23, 2010

New Delhi: After a delay of over six months, the procurement process for acquiring 197 Light Utility Helicopters (LUV) for Army and Air Force is all set to begin with the winter trials starting from January 25 in Punjab.

The first phase of the over-a-year-long trials will be held at Bhatinda in Punjab and after that the contenders will be put to test in summer trials expected to be held in June.

Later, high altitude trials will be undertaken at Siachen, Defense Ministry officials said here.

Field trials for procuring these LUHs were earlier expected to start in June last year but the Defence Ministry missed the deadline in announcing the date for the summer evaluations resulting in a delay of over six months.

The process to replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters for the armed forces has already been delayed by around six years as the previous tender was cancelled in 2007.

The previous contract was cancelled by the Ministry after it found that the chopper offered by Eurocopter for the field trials at that time was a civilian version whereas the company had offered a military version for the deal in its bid.

The chopper engine offered in the Eurocopter's bid was also different from the one fitted in the civilian version, which participated in the trials.

The present tender was released by the Defence Ministry in the last quarter of 2008 and the Request for Proposal (RFP) was sent to six companies including Eurocopter, Russian Mil and Kamov, American Sikorsky and Bell and Italian Agusta Westland.

India begins procurement process for choppers :: Brahmand.com

 

[Agantrope]

I dont understand the bid for LUV, Already Dhruv is present rite? then why this bid again?

 

[enlightened1]

I dont understand the bid for LUV, Already Dhruv is present rite? then why this bid again?

Dhruv is twin a engined 5.5 ton chopper. The requirement is for single engined 2-2.5 ton choppers

 

[RPK]

Indian Army inducts indigenous Nuclear Biological and Chemical detection(NBC) vehicle

The Indian army has placed orders for eight limited series production of the NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle, which were at present under production at the ordinance factory at Medak and Pune-based BEL factory by involving private sector industries in the project. For most of you who doesn't know what a NBC vehicle is here is a short description its a vehicle that collects data about nuclear, biological or chemical warfare that has been initiated before it is known to ground troops(it actually demarcates the contaminated zones with a flag-marking system and samples of soil and water collected using an in-built scooping device.) and it can also act as a reconnaissance vehicle, as the indigenous vehicle can display and store NBC contamination data in its control console and transmit it to the Army's Command Headquarters on request through Communication Link Controller and Star-V radio set. Troops on the vehicle could also perform personal monitoring of the contamination using various nuclear and chemical monitors in dismount-mode.

The DRDO says that the data transmitted by the vehicle after a reconnaissance mission can be used by the Command Control Centre for further planning for management of any NBC eventuality. In addition to these specialised vehicles, the DRDO has also developed 60 other projects specifically for NBC defence and have been introduced into the armed forces. The vehicle would cost the Indian defence establishment a fourth of that of the imported varieties, saving the country's precious foreign exchange.

 

[enlightened1]

Army to showcase Arjun tanks at Republic day parade​

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article93879.ece​

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article93879.ecehttp://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article93879.ece

A major highlight of this year’s Republic Day Parade would be the showcasing of the Indian Army’s Arjun tanks and the ambulance-tracked vehicles, General Officer Commanding Delhi Area Lieutenant-General K. J. S. Oberoi said here on Saturday.

“Smerch” multiple rocket launcher systems, engineer reconnaissance vehicle, indigenously built “Sarvatra” bridge, infantry combat vehicles and ICV-based communication vehicles of the Army would also be showcased.

“The Parade will begin at Vijay Chowk and pass through Rajpath where President Pratibha Patil will take the salute. President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-Bak will be chief guest on the occasion,” said Lt. Gen Oberoi, who will be commander of the Parade. Brigadier Kuldip Singh will be the second in command.

The Indian Navy, Air Force and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will also participate in the Parade. The DRDO would display their light combat aircraft, “Agni” ballistic missile, “Shaurya” canister-launched hypersonic surface-to-surface missile and “Rohini” radars.

The Parade, which is expected to last an hour and 24 minutes, will start at 10 a.m. on January 26 with the national salute and will be followed by the investiture ceremony for the presentation of three Ashok Chakras. Ten military bands and 13 pipes and drums of various regiments would provide music for the Parade.

The Indian Army would be represented at the Parade by 61 cavalry, eight mechanised columns, eight marching contingents and a fly past by “Dhruv” advanced light helicopters of Army Aviation. Nine serving, retired and civil awardees of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra will also participate.

Other Parade participants include the Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Railway Protection Force, Delhi Police, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme.

In the cultural pageant section, the States of Rajasthan, Manipur, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Mizoram and Uttarakhand will put up tableaux. The Central Public Works Department, NHPC and the Ministries of Rural Department, Railways, Culture, Agriculture, Tribal Affairs and Youth Affairs will also be part of the pageant.

The children’s pageant will comprise five performances by school children.

A motorcycle display by the BSF will be followed by a fly-past by aircraft and helicopters of the Indian Air Force.