Monthly Archives: August 2018

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performs ‘shastra puja’ at the Bhuj military station in Gujarat. PTI

Our response will change history, geography: Rajnat

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday warned Pakistan of a strong reply if it resorted to any “misadventure” in the disputed Sir Creek sector along the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat. The minister was addressing troops on Dasehra at the Bhuj military station in Gujarat.

Rajnath also performed the ceremonial ‘shastra puja’ (worship of weapons) at the military station. The air defence gun — L-70 — that did a commendable job during the recent Operation Sindoor with Pakistan was among the weapons at the ceremony.

On the issue of the Sir Creek sector, the minister said, “Pakistan’s recent expansion of military infrastructure in the sector reflects its ill intent.”

“Any misadventure by Pakistan in the Sir Creek sector will invite a decisive response… If Pakistan dares to act in the sector, the reply will be so strong that it will change both history and geography,” he said.

In 1965, the Army showed courage by reaching Lahore, and in 2025, Pakistan must remember that the road to Karachi also passes through the creek, the minister added.

India and Pakistan have an undemarcated boundary, with Sir Creek, a 96-km tidal estuary, dividing Gujarat and the Pakistani state of Sindh. Its demarcation will decide potential oil and gas reserves by defining the maritime boundaries and exclusive economic zones in the Arabian Sea.

Rajnath also virtually inaugurated the Tidal Independent Berthing Facility and the Joint Control Centre in the sector. The facilities will act as major enablers for integrated coastal operations while significantly enhancing joint operational capability, coastal security coordination and rapid response to any threats, the minister said.

On Operation Sindoor, Rajnath said it exposed Pakistan’s air defence system. Pakistan had tried to penetrate India’s defences from Leh to the Sir Creek sector, but the swift and effective counteraction by the Indian forces not only exposed the weaknesses of Pakistan’s air defence system but also sent out a clear message to the world that India could inflict heavy damage at a time, place and manner of its choosing, he said.

Operation Sindoor was aimed at countering terrorism, not provoking a wider conflict, he said while expressing satisfaction that all military objectives of Operation Sindoor were successfully achieved. Rajnath reaffirmed that India’s fight against terrorism would continue with full resolve.

On the ‘shastra puja’, the minister said it was not merely a ritual but a reflection of India’s civilisational philosophy, where weapons are regarded as instruments of dharma, not just tools of violence.

HAPPY DUSHERA TO ALL VETERANS & ANNIVERSARIES OF MG GHANDHI ,LAL BHADUR SHASTRI

Punjab’s 1st Military Heritage site inaugurated at Asal Uttar

Vigilance sleuths catch DRDO official with bribe

Lt Gen Vats takes over as new DG NCC

Army revamps training policy for long-term continuity, adopts 4-year directive

BRO plans Rs 1,152 crore infrastructure push in Sikkim under ‘Project Swastik’

IAF procuring more radars that can detect stealth aircraft, fill in gaps left by traditional equipment

India for more explicit mandates for UN peacekeeping missions

Airbus, Tata announce helicopter unit in Karnataka

Days after violence, govt reaches out to Leh Apex Body for talks

Sonam Wangchuk’s wife seeks President Murmu’s intervention for his release

Israeli navy intercepts Gaza-bound aid flotilla, says Greta Thunberg, others safe

New gallery opened at Memorial and Museum at Asal Uttar military heritage site on Tuesday.
Punjab’s 1st Military Heritage site inaugurated at Asal Uttar

Neha Saini

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, GOC-in-C Western Command, on Tuesday dedicated the upgraded Asal Uttar War Memorial and Museum to the nation, marking it as Punjab’s first military heritage site.Located in the paddy fields of the Khemkaran sector, Asal Uttar village holds one of India’s most decisive wartime legacies. In September 1965, it became the battleground where Indian troops halted Pakistan’s armoured thrust into Punjab in a fierce three-day clash, turning the tide of war and earning the site its place in military history.The project, led by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), has been developed as part of the diamond jubilee commemoration of the 1965 war. Lt Gen Katiyar hailed the effort as a tribute to soldiers’ valour, while INTACH Punjab convenor Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (retd), VSM, described it as “a blueprint for how a community, a state, and a nation can preserve, interpret and learn from military history in situ.”

The initiative, led by the Army’s Golden Arrow Division and INTACH Punjab headed by Maj Gen Singh, coincides with the diamond jubilee of the 1965 war. The objective, he said, is to create a memorial, museum and curated experience anchored in the very terrain where history was made. “The Army brings custodianship of regimental memory and artefacts, while INTACH Punjab contributes conservation, curation and visitor-experience expertise. Together, we can balance authenticity with accessibility,” he noted.

Maj Gen Singh pointed out that Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, then GOC-in-C Western Command, played a decisive role in defending India’s territorial integrity during the 1965 conflict. His strategic brilliance, he said, was instrumental in defeating Pakistan’s forces.

The Battle of Asal Uttar, fought between September 8 and 10, 1965, stands as a shining example of courage, tactical acumen and the indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces. Indian troops halted the enemy advance and destroyed or captured 97 Patton tanks, earning the battlefield its enduring sobriquet—the “Graveyard of Pattons.” The wreckage scattered across the fields gave rise to “Patton Nagar,” an open-air display of captured and destroyed tanks near Bhikhiwind and Khemkaran. For decades, the rusting hulks served as reminders of how strategy, grit and good soldiering neutralised a perceived technological edge.

Among the celebrated episodes of the battle was the exceptional bravery of CQMH Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers, whose actions earned him a legendary place in Indian military history. The memorial and museum also showcase other historic engagements. The Battle of Barki (1965) is commemorated for its outstanding acts of leadership and bravery. Lt Col Anant Singh, commanding officer of 4 Sikh, led from the front, inspiring his men to achieve what seemed almost impossible. Many were decorated for gallantry.

The Battle of Sehjra (1971) too finds a place of honour. Here, Brig M C S Menon, commander of 48 Infantry Brigade, tasked 1/5 GR (FF), 6 MAHAR and an armoured squadron to capture a heavily fortified Pakistan salient north of Ferozepur. After a fierce fight, Indian troops secured the Sehjra defences on December 6, 1971.

INTACH will also host annual homage at Abdul Hamid’s mausoleum, while encouraging coordination between the district administration, tourism bodies, local panchayats and veterans’ groups. “Exhibits should acknowledge that any battle has two sides. Naming Pakistani casualties and units—accurately and respectfully—transforms a victory narrative into a human narrative. It also elevates India’s moral confidence: we can celebrate valour without dehumanising an adversary,” said Dr Baljit Kaur, convener of INTACH Tarn Taran chapter.

Accused was posted at Sector 29 office in Chandigarh

An official of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has allegedly been caught red-handed while accepting a bribe.

According to the police, Ashutosh Singh, branch manager of Shakti Enterprises, had lodged a complaint, alleging that Amit Solanki, Technical Officer at the DRDO, Sector 29, demanded Rs 2.3 lakh as bribe for clearing bills related to manpower supply.

Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance team laid a trap and apprehended the accused while receiving the bribe amount from the complainant.

A case under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was registered at the Vigilance police station today. Searches were conducted at his residence, and further investigation in the case was underway, said the police.

He succeeds Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh

Lt Gen Virendra Vats on Wednesday assumed charge as the Director General of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

He succeeds Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh.

Lt Gen Vats takes over at a significant juncture when NCC, the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation, is expanding its cadet strength to 20 lakhs across 28 States and 8 Union Territories. With its motto of unity and discipline, NCC is evolving in step with Viksit Bharat@2047 (developed India by 2047).

Commissioned into the 19 battalion of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army, Lt Gen Vats has carried out counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations.

He has held key appointments in Arunachal Pradesh, the Kashmir Valley, and Army Headquarters. He also commanded an Infantry Brigade under a United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Prior to this appointment, he was the Commandant at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

The first COAS Quadrennial Training Directive for 2025–29, prepared by Army Training Command, was issued earlier this year

Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, felicitates a soldier during the Command’s 35th Raising Day. Photo: ARTRAC

In a major revamp of its training policy aimed at ensuring long-term continuity and coherence, the Army has extended the periodicity of the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) Training Directive from two years to four years.

The COAS Training Directive, which lays down the foundation of training in the Army, modalities and key result areas, will now be issued once every four years instead of biennially.

“The periodicity of the COAS Training Directive has been revised from biennial to quadrennial, ensuring longer-term coherence,” Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command (ARTRAC) said at the Command’s 35th Raising Day in Shimla on Wednesday.

The first COAS Quadrennial Training Directive for 2025–29, prepared by ARTRAC, was issued earlier this year.

Army sources said that the earlier two-year period was considered very short for the implementation of guidelines and achieving tangible results. The increased time frame from the 2025-26 training year will provide adequate time to formations and units to implement the directives.

This would also provide a reasonable timeframe for structuring and validating the absorption of niche technologies, maintain correct operational focus by de-cluttering the training calendar and ensure continuity and coherence over a longer time horizon, sources added.

The ARTRAC chief said that the Command has also accelerated the rollout of drone training, aiming to prepare combatants in accordance with the Army’s vision of ‘Drones as Eagle on the Arm of every Soldier.’

He said that ARTRAC is on track to integrate 34 niche technologies into its curriculum by 2030, having provided advanced training to over 18,000 soldiers this year, with a plan for 12,000 more in the coming year.

In pursuit of greater technology absorption, ARTRAC has signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding with leading institutions, including Indian Institutes of Technology, to promote joint research and innovation.

Further, to refine the planning process, the concept of ‘Red Teaming’, which is a contrarian tool, has been institutionalised and the expertise gained over past one year is being shared with the other two sister Services, the Army Commander said.

Referred to as the Indian Army’s strategic think-tank’ for doctrine and training, ARTRAC was raised on October 1, 1991 at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh to meet the critical requirement of a centralised agency focused exclusively on all aspects of training and formulating concepts of modern warfare.

Since its move to Shimla in March 1993, this role has expanded significantly. ARTRAC now provides oversight in enabling the highest standards of institutionalised training across its 34 ‘Category-A’ training establishments spread all over the country.

Other important roles include provision of doctrinal support to the Army and bringing of adversarial perspective in operational planning.

ARTRAC also conducted the first ever tri-service seminar, Ran Samwaad – 2025, at the Army War College, Mhow in August, wherein participants from the three services deliberated upon next generation warfare and strategic construct in the Indian context.

The project has successfully overcome natural disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, cloudbursts, and floods in Teesta River

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has planned infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,152.66 crore in the north-eastern state of Sikkim, including the construction of the Western Sikkim Highway and National Highways 310A and 310AG.

These initiatives, undertaken by BRO’s Project Swastik, aim to enhance road connectivity, enable faster mobilisation of the Armed Forces, and incorporate advanced technologies such as geotextiles, slope stabilisation, avalanche mitigation, and eco-friendly construction methods to boost resilience and reduce maintenance costs.

Project Swastik, which commemorated it’s 65thRaising Day on Wednesday, has since its establishment in 1960, constructed and maintained over 1,412 km of roads and 80 major bridges, a defence spokesperson said.

In the last decade alone, the project completed more than 350 km of roads, 26 bridges and one tunnel ensuring year-round connectivity to remote valleys and forward areas while supporting the operational requirements of the Armed Forces. 

The project has also successfully overcome natural disasters such as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), cloudbursts, and floods in the Teesta River.

As part of the celebrations, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Swastik Memorial, followed by a Sainik Sammelan, Barakhana, cultural programs and a Swastik Mela, fostering camaraderie among officers, personnel and their families. 

In line with its commitment to the welfare of its workforce, Project Swastik also launched new initiatives for Casual Paid Labourers (CPLs), including upgraded habitats, provision of protective gear, and health camps. 

VHF radars, according to experts, operate use longer wavelengths than traditional radars

To beef up its capabilities to detect stealth aircraft and to fill in certain existing gaps in the air defence network, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has drawn up plans to procure additional very high frequency (VHF) radars to deployment in remote high altitude areas.

VHF radars, according to experts, operate use longer wavelengths than traditional radars. These wavelengths are able to penetrate the radar-absorbing coatings on stealth aircraft, then making them easier to detect. They can also pick up targets at longer ranges.

The IAF’s move to procure VHF radars assume significance in the light of China fielding fifth generation J-20 fighters that have stealth capabilities and reports of Pakistan also moving to acquire these aircraft. Also the emerging nature of warfare revolving around low observable platforms like drones and cruise missiles require enhanced, multi-pronged surveillance capability.

“At present there are several areas where due to terrain limitation, long range radar cannot be deployed. Additionally, existing radars has limited stealth detection capability” a request for information (RFI) floated by the Ministry of Defence last week states.

“Thus, VHF radar system is planned to be effectively used for air defence surveillance, especially near border areas and mountainous terrain to fill the radar gaps and to effectively detect stealth aircraft,” the RFI adds.

The IAF wants VHF radars that can be fully compatible with its Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). This system, along with the Army’s Akashteer, had come into limelight during Operation Sindoor, the brief but intense military exchange majorly involving drones and missiles, during May this year.

The radars systems can be mounted on 6×6 high mobility vehicles capable of being fully functional at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet and in sub-zero, inclement weather conditions, along with having the required electronic counter measures.

While VHF radars, which operate in the frequency band of 30-200 megahertz, can detect stealth aircraft, experts however point out that these have some technical deficiencies like lower resolution and accuracy as compared to conventional radars which generally operate in the 1-28 gigahertz bandwidth.

VHF radars also have a larger antenna.

There have also been indigenous developments in his arena. The Defence Research and Development’s (DRDO) Electronics and Radar Development Establishment has developed a VHF Surveillance Radar, while a private Bengaluru-based firm has come up Surya VHF Radar. Both these radars have a claimed detection range of up to 500 km.

While DRDO’s system is undergoing operational trails, with the potential for further upgrades in its capability, some Surya radars were reportedly inducted into service earlier this year.

Says countries contributing troops should have a say in framing rules

With the UN peacekeeping operations increasingly becoming complex, India has advocated on having ‘explicit’ operational mandate and sought a fair representation of countries making troop contributions in framing the mandate of each peacekeeping mission.India is one of the largest troop contributors to the multi-nation UN peacekeeping missions, said Deputy Chief of the Army Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor as he announced a conclave of senior military leadership of over 30 nations that are key contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations. The three-day event (from October 14 to 16) would be hosted in New Delhi by the Indian Army.

Lt Gen Kapoor said the character of conflicts was changing, hence peace keeping by the UN-mandated forces was at an inflexion point. Traditional ceasefire monitoring missions have evolved into complex multi-dimensional missions driven by asymmetric threats, cyber risks and blurred non-state dynamics, he added.

“Accordingly, India on its part, has been a strong advocate of more explicit mandates, improved mission support, better force protection and fair representation of countries contributing troops in mandate formulation (of each peacekeeping mission),” stated Lt Gen Kapoor.

In the past 75 years, India has contributed over 2,90,000 peacekeepers across 50 missions. As many as 182 of those peacekeepers have laid down their lives.

The Indian Army would share its operational experience, innovations and best practices. India would also leverage its indigenous technology to make peacekeeping missions more resilient, cost-effective and future-ready.

Chiefs and representatives from nations across the world – including Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Rwanda and Senegal – are expected to attend the conclave.