New Delhi: The Army has made a composite list of all those who retired in the last two years for possible recall if the need arises to fight the war against coronavirus.
Army sources said they are focusing on all those with medical expertise and specialised technicians.
The military has a system of recall by which it can ask all those who retired in the last two years to rejoin the forces and offer their services.
These kind of recall measures have been put in place as part of the steps to be taken in times of war.
“We have made a composite list. This basically focuses on those with medical backgrounds and those with technical expertise who can be recalled if the need arises,” a senior Army officer told ThePrint.
He added that the Commands have the required details of all these individuals.
“It is not that everyone will be recalled. It all depends on the need. For example, if there is a requirement in Chandigarh, a person from Kerala would not be recalled,” the officer said.
Retired personnel yet to be contacted
Asked if retired personnel have been sounded out, the senior officer said, “No, they have not been contacted. A two-year period of recall is something that every officer, JCO and jawan is aware of. Whenever a situation emerges, they know they could be called back.”
While initially, the military’s help was limited to just setting up quarantine centres for those evacuated from abroad, the government has started roping them in more in the fight against Covid-19.
The Indian military has identified six more of its hospitals to carry out Covid-19 tests and has also earmarked 28 other facilities across the country to exclusively deal with the outbreak.
Speaking to ThePrint, Lt General Anup Banerji, DG Armed Forces Médical Services (AFMS), had said that armed forces have been directed to augment medical resources for civil health set-ups too.
The military is also conducting four research projects on the coronavirus.
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