All posts by webadmin
15 Naxals killed in encounter with police in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma
The gun battle took place in the morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-Naxal operations) Sundarraj P said.
Raipur, August 6
At least 15 Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in a dense forest in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday, the police said.
This was one of the biggest anti-Naxal operations in the history of Chhattisgarh, where 15 bodies of rebels were recovered in a single incident, state’s Special Director General of Police (anti-Naxal operations) D M Awasthi told reporters here.
Two Naxals, including a woman who was injured the gun battle, were also arrested from the encounter site.
Based on intelligence inputs about locations of Naxal camps in south Sukma, two teams of security forces were sent into the forest from different directions last evening, Awasthi said.
The teams included personnel of the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).
One of the patrolling teams, comprising around 200 personnel of the STF and the DRG, spotted a Maoist camp this morning at the forest in Nalkatong village, located around 500 km from here, following which it started encircling the place, Awasthi said.
A gun battle took place between Naxals and the patrolling team for about half-an-hour, he said.
After guns fell silent, bodies of 15 Maoists and 16 weapons, including 315 bore and 12 bore guns, were recovered from the spot, Awasthi said.
Besides, an area committee member and an injured woman Naxal were arrested from the spot, he said.
The killed rebels were from three separate militia formations of Maoists active in the tri-junction forest of Konta, Golapalli and Bhejji areas in south Sukma, he said.
Militia platoon commander Vanjam Hunga was among the killed Naxals, Awasthi said, adding that identities of the other 14 cadres were yet to be ascertained.
The injured Naxal was taken to a hospital.
Another patrolling team that had launched the operation from Bhejji area was still inside the forest and conducting its task, he said.
Intensive search operations were underway in the nearby forest areas, he said.
Awasthi said that bodies of 86 Maoists have been recovered in the state so far this year.
On July 19, eight Naxals, including six women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the state’s Bijapur district. PTI
Centre submits in SC details of Rafale deal decision-making process
File photo of the Rafale fighter jet. AFP
New Delhi, October 27
The Centre has filed in the Supreme Court details of the decision-making process for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets in a fly-away condition from France’s Dassault Aviation.
The details of the decision-making process were submitted to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court on Friday in a sealed cover as directed by it on October 10 while hearing a PIL by advocate ML Sharma.
The Supreme Court had on October 10 asked the government to disclose details of the decision-making process for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets.
Directing that the information would be furnished in a sealed cover and reach the court by October 29, the court had said that it was not issuing notice to the respondents.
The court had sought information from the government as Attorney General KK Venugopal said the purchase of the French fighter aircraft concerned the national security and described the petition as a “political interest litigation” which had been filed when the government and opposition were locked in a severe political fight.
Addressing the court, PIL petitioner advocate ML Sharma had referred to the pricing of the aircraft that had been quoted at different points of time before different forums to drive home the point that price being paid by India was high.
He had taken the court through the history of deal initially starting in 2008, involvement of a corporate house before finally the deal for purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft in a fit-to-fly condition was signed. IANS
A counter-insurgency op gone rogue ? Pradip Phanjoubam
An affidavit by a serving Colonel’s wife has alleged systemic killing of suspected insurgents in the North-East. The Supreme Court’s monitoring should restore trust in the rule of law and clear the fog around the killings.
Pradip Phanjoubam
Editor, Imphal Free Press
In the manner of a ghost, the alleged systematic custodial killings during 2009-2012 by an Army unit of the Dimapur based 3-Corps Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (3-CISU) is returning repeatedly to haunt this formation. It is difficult not to be reminded of Lady Macbeth’s exclamations, wracked by guilt, trying to rid her hands of imaginary blood stains: “Out, damned spot, I say!” The 3-Corps is a formation with a large spread of land area under its command, stretching across Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, therefore touching three international borders. It is also one which has thrown up a very large number of Army chiefs, including the last three.The tipping point of some consciences within the 3-Corp establishment apparently came after an alleged spree of cold-blooded killings, in particular of three Manipuri men, Phijam Naobi, R.K. Ranel and Th. Prem, reportedly picked up from Dimapur town in Nagaland in 2010. Their bodies were recovered from a jungle just across the Nagaland border in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, with tell-tale signs of severe torture on their bodies, including nails driven into their skulls.An elder brother of one of the three men lodged an FIR with the Dimapur police. When the police did not show much interest, the brother approached the Guwahati High Court, which asked a special investigation team of the Nagaland Police headed by a Superintendent of Police to pursue the case. But even this probe dragged its feet inordinately.The Army all along has been claiming no knowledge of the three murdered persons. However, on August 1, a copy of a letter from the Army archives came in the possession of a veteran journalist-activist Yambem Laba. The letter, signed by Col. Shrikumar of the 3-CISU, dated June 30, 2010, is a citation recommending a Captain, Capt. Rabina Kaur Keer, for a Sena Medal for busting a terrorist ring, apprehending and killing three of them. Unfortunately, the three bear the same names as the three whose bodies were recovered from the Karbi Anglong jungle.A few weeks earlier, nervous unease within the 3-Corp establishment again become apparent when Lt. Col. Dharamvir Singh of the 1st Para Regiment, who was also attached to the 3-CISU, was “arrested” by the Army on July 1 from his quarters within the Army’s M-Sector outpost in the heart of Imphal, right next to Imphal’s Zero-mile milestone. Col. Singh had in September 2016 written a letter to the Corp commander inquiring about the progress of the Karbi Anglong bodies case but was reportedly made to withdraw the letter on the assurance that the matter would be brought to its logical conclusion.When nothing was heard from or of her husband after his arrest, Col. Singh’s wife Ranju Singh took the help of some local women to hold a press conference on July 3 at the Manipur Press Club to make her husband’s disappearance public. The Army promptly issued a rebuttal, claiming the officer was only being escorted back to his original post at Dimapur as his temporary assignment at Imphal had ended. The rebuttal also charged that the officer had brought his family along to his post without prior permission from his superiors.When her husband still did not show up, Ranju Singh filed a Habeas Corpus writ with the Manipur High Court, and upon the court’s directions, Col. Singh was produced on July 11. Accompanying him were, again upon the direction of the court, the officers who “arrested” him without warrant, Lt. Col. Nanda and Maj. Rathod, against whom an FIR had been earlier lodged with the Imphal West Police by Col. Singh’s wife. She later also said her husband was tortured during detention. The officers were subsequently charged for wrongful confinement, kidnapping and concealing with criminal conspiracy by using arms.” The Army denied this and reiterated that Col. Singh was only being escorted back to his original post.However, just as Lady Macbeth exclaimed “Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him,” the 3-Corps case too turned even messier. On July 28, the affidavit filed by Col. Singh’s wife on behalf of her husband to the High Court was flashed by the English daily Imphal Free Press. The affidavit charged a lot more blood was spilled than those of the three bodies in Karbi Anglong. The affidavit claimed systematic arrests, tortures, extra-judicial executions and extortions, perpetrated by a 3-CISU team. Apart from the three men killed and dumped in the jungle, there was also the mention of a Manipuri insurgent leader, G. Jiteshwar alias Gypsy, picked up from Dimapur, killed and buried behind the unit’s mess. Another Manipuri boy, Thangjam Satish, a student, who was reported missing since February 5, 2010, the affidavit says was picked up from his rented accommodation in Shillong and killed along with an unnamed companion by the same team. It also mentions a lady and child who were picked up from Dimapur town but released on the payment of a ransom.The affidavit also called for all officers associated with the 3-CISU from 2009 to 2010 to be questioned and paraded before surviving victims for identification. This horrifying picture of brutality and inhumanity, if established, is probably another warning of what power without accountability that draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, (AFSPA), under which the military in Northeast and Kashmir functions, can do to the souls of men and women given it. This must be the “Heart of Darkness” that Kurtz stared into before going mad.
First biofuel-blended IAF plane to take flight soon
On November 19, a Russian made AN-32 of the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet will take to the skies from a base in the Western Sector using a mix of Aviation Turbine Fuel and Bio-Fuel. This would be the first ever IAF aircraft to use the fuel mix.
After transporters, the helicopter fleet will fly using Bio-Aviation combination. “It will be a gradual move, and ultimately fighters like the Su-30MKi, and Mig-29 will also be flying using Bio-Aviation Fuel, “ said a senior IAF officer who didn’t want to named.
On an average, IAF flies over 100 transporter and over 500 helicopter sorties in a day. “Using Bio-jet blended fuel is a commitment towards lowering the oil import bill and lower the carbon footprint and strengthen the farm-based economy,” Wing Commander Anupam Banerjee, the IAF spokesperson said.
Two years ago, the IAF sent Wing Commander Asheesh Srivastava to study the use of Bio Aviation Fuel at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS). Subsequently, the Indian Institute Petroleum and the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance were roped in.
“If we do this well we may never need to import crude oil for our armed forces. This bio-jet product looks, smells and performs exactly like Aviation Turbine Fuel. If we are able to work this out as we anticipate, our aircraft, vehicles and warship can all bank on domestic reserves of indigenously developed and produced renewable fuel,” Dr Anjan Ray Director of the CSIR -Indian Institute of Petroleum said.
Every year, the IAF pays about Rs 40,000 crores for Aviation Turbine Fuel. With Bio-Aviation Fuel, the IAF expects its fuel bill to drop by about 10 per cent. “Initially, the plan is to use a 90-10 mix (90 litres of AFT mixed with 10 litres of Bio-fuel), gradually, as the supply and production of Bio-Fuel increases the plan is to move to a 75 -25 mixture,” a senior official involved with the process who didn’t want to be named said.
To ensure that production of Bio-Fuel doesn’t affect the land available for food-grains, Bio-Fuel will be produced only from non-edible oils that grow well in arid lands. Gujarat, for instance, offered 10,000 acres arid land to produce non-edible oilseeds. Other states that are keen to produce non-edible oil seeds and put up plants to produce Bio- Fuel include Punjab, Haryana, Chattisgarh, Uttrakhand and Telagana.
If the test flight that starts from November mid-week goes as planned, IAF will show-case its capability during the Republic Day fly past on January 26, 2019, a senior IAF official said.
First Published: Oct 17, 2018 10:26 IST
Lt Gen Ranbir visits Delta Force, reviews security in Ramban
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh interacts with troops during his visit to the Delta Force in Ramban on Tuesday.
Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 31
To review the operation preparedness and the prevailing security situation, Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Tuesday visited the counterinsurgency force — Delta — at Dharmund in Ramban district.Lt General Ranbir Singh was accompanied by General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh.General Officer Commanding, Delta Force, Maj Gen Rajiv Nanda briefed the Northern Command chief about the prevailing security situation and the preparedness of the force.Defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said Lt General Ranbir Singh also reviewed the security arrangements for the Amarnath yatra.The defence spokesperson said the Northern Command chief also visited various posts where he was briefed in detail on the actions being undertaken to ensure a robust counterterrorism grid.“He interacted with soldiers and exhorted them to continue to remain vigilant,” the spokesperson said.During the interaction, Lt General Ranbir Singh complimented the formation for its untiring efforts and reiterated the need to remain vigilant to counter the nefarious designs of the anti-national elements, the spokesperson.
41 security men killed in militant attacks this year
Jammu, July 30
In all, 41 security personnel, including 20 policemen, were killed and 907 others injured in militancy-related and stone-throwing incidents in the Kashmir valley this year, officials said on Monday.Giving details, the officials said 39 security personnel, including 17 Army personnel, 20 policemen and two CRPF personnel, were killed and 96 others injured in militancy-related incidents in the first six months of the year.Of these, 28 Army personnel, 31 CRPF personnel and 37 policemen were injured in militancy-related incidents, they said.In stone-throwing incidents, two CRPF personnel were killed and 811 others injured during the same period.Of these, 592 policemen and 219 CRPF personnel were injured in 734 incidents of stone-throwing in the Kashmir valley.According to officials, 32 civilians were killed and 117 others injured in militancy-related and stone-throwing incidents. —PTI
For changes in Army, a study of past vital by Lt-Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd
innovative change is the acme of military effectiveness. However, much depends on the circumstances dictating such change and the process adopted.
Changes on anvil: The Indian Army has not lagged in innovation.
Lt-Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)
From the reportage about the most recent conference of the Army Commanders, the Indian Army appears hell bent on organisational changes, ostensibly to save Rs 7,500 crore every year and have more money for its capital budget for modernisation. What these changes will be and what effect they will have on the operational capabilities and war-fighting doctrines is an issue that is very comprehensive and can spark a debate. A review of the historical process of change undergone by the Indian Army both at the tactical and operational levels while comparing this with our adversary, Pakistan, can set the tone.The Indian and Pakistan armies have, over the past 70 years, undertaken reviews, like any other army of the world, by continuously studying each other, available technology, concepts and doctrines of other armies, the operational terrain and environment of the times with constraints such as budgeting and resource availability, to optimise their effect in battle. In the Indian context, the two-front threat (China and Pakistan) has been a major consideration; the Pakistan army does claim a second threat on its western front, which in comparison, is marginal. An analysis of some major changes adopted by the two countries over the years is essential for an understanding of the matter.
Pakistan army’s innovations
An immediate recall about the Pakistan army: there are two issues that used to strike us quite starkly many years ago. Very early, Pakistan raised the Recce & Support (R&S) units for the role of tank destruction using anti-tank weapons. These light units reinforced the capability of engaging with a much stronger armoured component of the Indian Army, as a cheaper but very effective option. These units also had heavy infantry automatic weapon detachments to reinforce weaker segments of the holding force in areas under engagement. It afforded much higher flexibility in battle. To overcome its size disadvantage, the Pakistan army decided to enhance firepower at the cost of manpower; it innovatively equipped its basic infantry sub-unit (the section) with two automatics as compared to our one. The Indian Army finally raised R&S units only commencing in 1983 and similarly reinforced our basic sub-units with a second automatic around this time; a good three decades later.
It hardly needs much memory to recall that in 1965, we were surprised by Pakistan’s 6 Armoured Division (a second armoured division), the existence of which was not known to the Indian General Staff. It is after 1971 that we raised a second armoured division and then a third (initially a mechanised division). Among other marked innovations of the Pakistan army was the raising of the artillery division to provide concentrated fire support and flexibility in the mechanised battlefield. We subsequently raised three such divisions. Pakistan also adopted the concept of Air Defence (AD) Command for greater centralisation and control of AD resources all over its territory and defence of its nuclear strategic assets, in the face of a superior Indian Air Force. India has not felt the necessity of such an organisation. Pakistan was the first to include Army Aviation as an essential arm of the Army. It had the advantage of facing no resistance from the Pakistan air force. Eventually, the Indian Army’s aviation arm did emerge.
One of the most innovative responses in reorganisation within the existing resources was the Pakistan army’s raising of the Centralised Corps Reserve (CCR) for its two desert and semi-desert corps when the threat of the third Indian strike corps emerged in 1990. One may recall the conversion of the HQ Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) of Operation Pawan to a Corps HQ and organised with offensive resources to take the battle across the Rajasthan desert. Unnerved by this, Pakistan quickly put together resources to raise the CCRs by incorporating the returning formations from Saudi Arabia with existing reserves. Gradually, as more resources were raised, these have become two full-fledged mechanised divisions.
Indian Army’s innovations
It is good to give the adversary more than his due just as it’s been done above. However, the Indian Army has not lagged in innovation, although admittedly at the tactical level it was forced to respond to many innovations of the Pakistan army.
At the operational and strategic levels, three innovations mark the Indian Army’s successful adaptation to the changing environment. The 1975 Experts Committee, comprising Lt-Gen Krishna Rao and Maj-Gen K Sundarji (later both Chiefs), recommended a series of measures in reorganisation at operational level of war fighting.
The major lesson here is that none of these were immediately adopted. They underwent a serious doctrinal testing in simulated conditions, wargames and exercises with troops before adoption.
1 Among the most famous was the conversion of many of the divisions of the Strike and Pivot Corps of the plains to the now famous acronym — RAPID (Reorganised Army Plains Infantry Division), giving them a better mechanised capability for manoeuvre in offensive and defensive operations.
2 The second innovation is the Rashtriya Rifles, 63 units of which today battle terrorists in J&K and manage the counter-terrorist environment. Raised in 1991, this specialised force with a permanent presence in the operational environment, with troops being rotated, has freed up regular units for conventional role; today it optimises for that role. It is one of the finest experiments in Indian military innovation.
3 The third innovation was an almost 180-degree change in concept: the adoption of proactive strategy after Operation Parakaram (the mobilisation effort post the December 13, 2001 terror attack on Parliament). It led to the battle group concept (BG), gave much more teeth to the Pivot Corps to initiate early operations without awaiting the much larger Strike Corps and thereby defeat Pakistan’s much quicker mobilisation effected due to the far shorter distances of its cantonments from the border. Both sides have relocated formations on the basis of this change. Pakistan today unsuccessfully attempts to stymie our thinking through the threats of employing tactical nuclear weapons.
Innovative change is the acme of military effectiveness. But much depends on the circumstances dictating such change and the process adopted. Nothing done in a hurry pays dividend and doctrinal testing, at least through simulated wargaming, and a season or two of exercises with troops contributes to the stability of change
Boeing-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to join IAF fleet in ’19
First images of the IAF’s AH-64E Apache painted in the IAF’s signature grey bearing its tri-coloured roundels emerged on Friday from the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona where they’re manufactured (Courtesy: Boeing India).
It’s the most iconic attack helicopter in the world, and the first of its kind, the Indian Air Force lifted off on its inaugural flight last week.
The first images of the IAF’s AH-64E Apache painted in the IAF’s signature grey bearing its tri-coloured roundels emerged on Friday from the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona where they’re manufactured.
Twenty-two such Apaches will begin delivery to the IAF starting March next year as part of a $1.4 billion (approx Rs 96 billion) deal signed in September 2015. The IAF’s Apaches will be deployed at the Pathankot air base, but will also operate from Jorhat in Assam.
Eleven of the 22 Apaches will come fitted with the highly prized AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar system that has given the Apache a fearsome reputation for being able to sneak up on targets, open devastating precision attacks at stand-off ranges and operate in hostile airspace with threats from the ground. The IAF Apaches will augment the ageing Mi-35 heavy attack helicopters already in service.
While, the IAF is unlikely to operate more than 22 Apaches, the Indian Army, which signed up for six identical choppers earlier this year is almost certain to multiply that number to at least 30 more, giving India an overall Apache fleet strength of around 60 aircraft.
Pakistan’s military operates US-built AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter variants and is set to receive 30 T-129 Atak combat choppers from Turkey. China deploys the Z-10 attack helicopter with further improvements and inductions likely. India’s Apache fleet will function largely in a deterrent role against conventional ground threats, including tanks and vehicular movement, in the western and eastern frontiers.
Apart from its default Hellfire precision strike missiles and a 30mm chin-mounted chain gun that’s cued by the pilot’s helmet system, the Indian Apaches will also carry air-to-air Stinger missiles specifically requested by the Indian Air Force.
The cockpit, described as a ‘helicopter office’ by operators, is an enormous leap over anything IAF chopper crews have had a chance to fly in operational service.
Large multi-function displays, sensor fusion over networked architecture with other aircraft and digitally shared graphics will see the Apaches plugging into a system that has for long been dominated by Russian systems that have not achieved the sort of networked paradigm required in a modern battlefield.
India has begun production of Fuselages of the Apache.
Last month, the first Indian-built Apache fuselage was delivered ahead of schedule by Tata Boeing Aerospace Ltd (TABL). While the first fuselages are intended for the US Army, later production could be for the Indian Apaches as well.
Darshani Deori at Golden temple to get new doors today Replicas of original ones, seashells used for ivory effect
Baba Sukhwinder Singh Bhurewale inspecting the new Darshani Deori doors to be fitted at Golden Temple in Amritsar on Friday. Vishal kumar
GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 5
The Darshani Deori, the archway leading to the Golden Temple sanctum sanctorum, will get new doors, a replica of the ones installed by Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh about 200 years ago. The doors — 118 inches in height, 110 inches wide and with a thickness of 4 inches — will be installed at a ceremony on Saturday that will be attended by SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal and his colleagues.
The original doors — a sandalwood base with a silver sheet studded with carved ivory attached with golden screws — were unhooked for repairs for the first time in 2010 after these were found to have decayed with time. On July 4, 2010, the mammoth task of restoring their glory was allotted to Kar Sewa Baba Kashmir Singh Bhurewale. Meanwhile, temporary doors were installed as a stop-gap arrangement.
The restoration work was to be completed within a year but was delayed owing to several hiccups, SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh told The Tribune. For one, the wooden base was found to be beyond repair. Another hindrance was non-availability of ivory that was to be engraved on the doors’ borders. As the sale of ivory is banned, the SGPC decided to leave the original doors ‘untouched’ and create replicas with the help of seashells to create the desired effect. On February 15, 2018, it again allotted the work to Baba Bhurewale.
Craftsmen from Agra were specially engaged for carvings on black sheesham. “Every detail was captured through micro-digital photography that helped study the pattern minutely,” explained Baba Sukhwinder Singh Bhurewale. “Barring ivory work (which is replaced with seashells), the new doors are an error-free copy. The craftsmen from Agra took eight months to complete the job, using six quintals of sheesham and 65 kg of silver,” he added. The original doors will be placed in a glass case at the Golden Temple ‘parkarma’.
Original doors were installed in 1800 AD
- The original doors carved by Yaar Mohammed Khan were installed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1800 AD
- These were presented to him by a Sikh family of Sursingh village
Which Forces Are Authorized to Wear the Maroon Beret/Turban?
A beret is wore by soldiers all around the world. They are in different colours and reveal a bit about the regiment they belong to. Berets became a compulsory component of armed forces uniforms from 20th century. Mass production of Beret began in 19th century France and Spain. They were made in different sizes, shapes and colours.
At some places, the beret was used as tradition, at some places as a uniform and also for fashion.
One of the colour which is recognized often is the maroon colour beret. Maroon beret is the symbol of all airborne forces around the globe. Be it Indian Paratroopers, American paratroopers or Italian paratroopers, no matter what gender one has. The Maroon beret is only worn in peace time not during operations. Let us see what forces are authorized to wear Maroon Beret in Indian armed forces.
The Army:
In the army, the personnel of the parachute forces are explicitly authorized to wear the beret. There can be some exceptions in case of medical and other support officers.
50th (Independent) Parachute Brigade-
The personnel of 50th parachute regiment
President’s Bodyguard-
Special Forces Units
Indian Air Force- In the Indian Air Force, only special forces wear the beret. The forces in IAF which are authorized to wear the beret are:
Garud Commando Force-
And special operations Force.
Indian Navy-
In the navy, only the Marine commandos are authorized to wear the maroon beret.
Para-military forces- Probably the forces which does a lot of work but isn’t heard often.
The special frontier force from the home ministry are airborne and hence they have authority to wear Maroon Beret.
Parachute trained personnel-
Apart from all the above authorized forces, the personnel who are parachute trained but are not from one of the forces that are specified above are eligible to wear the beret with permission from the Commanding Officer of their respective units.
