During the visit, the Army chief reviewed the security situation and emphasised on ‘zero tolerance’ against ceasefire violations by Pakistan and infiltration attempts.

He visited areas falling under the operational command of the Rising Star Corps, including Kathua, Samba, Jammu and Pathankot, to review the security situation.

The Chief of Army Staff was received here by Lt Gen R P Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC Rising Star Corps, Maj Gen V B Nair, GOC Tiger Division and Air Commodore A S Pathania, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Force station Jammu, the spokesperson said.

Gen Naravane was briefed by Lt Gen Dwivedi on the operational preparedness, upgradation of security infrastructure and the internal security matters.

The Army chief, accompanied by GOC Tiger Division, reviewed operational preparedness in the forward areas, the spokesperson said.

He interacted with the field formation commanders and troops on ground during the visit.

Gen Naravane also visited the forward areas of Gurj Division and was briefed by Maj Gen Y P Khanduri, GOC Gurj Division, he added.

He reinstated the fact of ‘zero tolerance’ against ceasefire violations by Pakistan and infiltration attempts by terrorists.

He further highlighted that all agencies of the services and government are working together relentlessly and will continue to do the same to defeat the nefarious design of proxy war being fuelled by our adversaries.

The Army chief addressed all ranks of the Western Command through video conferencing and lauded the morale of the troops.

He expressed confidence in the Indian Army’s capabilities to thwart any misadventure by the enemies of the country and handle any situation.

He also commended the efforts of all the formations of the Western Command in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting the ongoing ‘Op Namaste’.

Also read: India’s credibility will be hit if our posture on China doesn’t match new realities at LAC

“There is a need for acquisition of Heron UAVs to add to the existing fleet of these drones for meeting the requirements of our Air Force fleet. We are planning to place orders for these UAVs,” government sources told ANI here without specifying the numbers to be procured.

The Heron has been in service with the three defence wings for several years now and can fly continuously for more than two days at a stretch providing reconnaissance from an altitude of more than 10 kilometres.

The forces are also working towards inducting an armed version of the UAV, as well as upgrading the existing fleet into combat UAVs under the ambitious ‘Project Cheetah’ spearheaded by the Indian Air Force.

On the other hand, the Army is planning to place orders for more Spike anti-tank guided missiles which were received by it last year from Israel under the emergency financial powers granted to the services in the Post-Balakot air strikes scenario.

Last time, the Army had gone in for 12 launchers and 200 Spike missiles.

“We are planning to acquire more of these anti-tank missiles for tackling any threat from the enemy armoured regiments,” the sources said.

In the meanwhile, DRDO is working towards developing the indigenous Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) which will meet the bulk requirement of over 50,000 of these missiles needed by the Infantry units.

The defence forces have also initiated requirements for acquiring Spice-2000 bombs, assault rifles, ammunition and missiles, and some platforms for meeting the requirements in case the situation escalates further on the Line of Actual Control.

China has done massive build up along the LAC with the deployment of 20,000 troops and its heavy weaponry and fighter aircraft since May 5 and India has also responded in equal measure to the Chinese force mobilisation.

Also read: HAL ties up with Israeli firm & Dynamatic Technologies to manufacture drones

Army’s fresh order for SIG assault rifles would mean over 1.4 lakh rifles will be bought off the shelf from US despite a domestic industry that manufactures a range of assault rifles.

When the order for the SIG assault rifles is placed ⁠— under the option clause of the original contract signed for 72,400 rifles ⁠— it would mean that over 1.4 lakh 7.62×51 mm rifles in total will be bought off the shelf from abroad without a ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The domestic industry said the Army’s decision isn’t surprising, but is indeed a setback to them and doesn’t align with the government’s aatma nirbharta (self reliance) push. For now, domestic manufacturers are placing their bets on the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), special forces and the state police, besides the export market for their range of assault rifles.

Defence sources said the SIG assault rifles procurement had to do with a weapon already in service with troops. The fact that an option clause was part of the deal means the plan was always to buy more rifles, depending on the feedback and necessity.

On the ‘Make in India’ initiative, a source said it was being promoted through the AK 203 manufacturing factory, which is expected to be the mainstay of the armed forces. The source added that there are several other tenders in the works in which private domestic players are participating.

The Indian Army had been trying to replace their standard INSAS assault rifles for many years but has been unable to so due to varying factors.

The second batch of SIG rifles will arrive after the delivery of the first order this year, which was placed through the Fast Track Process (FTP). The option clause allows the Army to reorder the rifles for the same price within a similar delivery time-frame.

The new rifles will go to troops in the Northern Command and other operational areas, while the rest of the troops will be equipped with AK 203.

However, the SIG order draws attention to the fact that the government has not been able to start production of AK 203 rifles, chambered to fire 7.62×39 mm ammunition (same as the AK-47), at the Amethi factory that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last March.

The Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited, established between the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kalashnikov Concern and Rosoboronexport, the Russian state agency for military exports, has seen a delay in starting production.

Earlier this year, the defence ministry had formed a committee to work out the cost of the AK 203 since the Russian partner and OFB are yet to arrive at an agreed price.

Also read: Indian Army deploys US-, Italy-trained snipers with deadly new rifles along LoC

Domestic industry unhappy

A source in the defence industry said that when the Army suddenly decided to acquire AK 203 under a government-to-government initiative in 2018, it was the first blow. The SIG rifles deal was also a “setback” for private manufacturers.

“The Army’s decision to order for another tranche of rifles from the US is not surprising but is indeed a setback. A number of companies in India have come up with their own rifles and other systems or tied up with foreign companies and set up manufacturing facilities,” the source said.

A second source said, “The arms manufactured by India have to go through multiple tests. From summer trials to winters to high altitude and desert. However, under the FTP model, the foreign manufacturer shows off the ability in their own factory and is selected under emergency clause.”

A third source said, “The talk now is of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbartha’. But when domestic industry is offering world-class rifles, the focus is still on procuring from abroad. Do note that the 1.4 lakh rifles from US will be straight import without any Make in India or technology transfer.”

Also read: Two new Israeli assault rifles Arad and Carmel now set to be manufactured in India

Domestic manufacturers up their game

One of the early companies to set up an arms manufacturing plant in India was PLR Systems in a tie-up with Israeli Weapons System (IWI).

Under the deal, the companies began producing weapons like Tavor series, the mainstay of the special forces in India, along with others like the Galil sniper rifle, Uzi Pro submachine gun, Masada pistol and the Negev Light Machine Gun (LMG) with indigenous content ranging from 40-60 per cent.

In case of a repeat order, though, it is sent to IWI directly instead of the local manufacturing unit since there will be a change in the name of the firm.

“This means that there will have to be fresh trials even when it is the same rifle manufactured in India with a large indigenous component,” a third source said.

Bengaluru-based SSS Defence is another company in the domestic market. The company manufactures a sniper, assault rifle and light machine gun.

The rifles are completely indigenously designed, with SSS Defence holding the Intellectual Property Rights for its design.

Bharat Forge of the Kalyani Group also works in the small arms market and has tie-ups with a foreign player for indigenous manufacturing for an Army contract bid.

Also read: AK 203 and Kamov delayed, India and Russia aim for missile deal ahead of Modi visit

Army’s quest for assault rifles

In 2011, the Army issued a global tender for procurement of assault rifles wherein Colt of United States, Beretta of Italy, IWI of Israel and Ceska of Czeck Republic participated.

However, this attempt failed since only the IWI weapon qualified the trials and was declared the resultant single vendor.

The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), DRDO and OFB also tried to design and develop assault rifles to replace the INSAS. However, none of their weapons made the cut.

Yet another Request for Proposal (RFP) for procurement of assault rifles was issued in 2017 with assurance of a floating RFP in 2018.

Given the situation, it was felt that a certain quantity of rifles needed to be procured on an urgent basis for the frontline troops.

Accordingly, the Indian Army planned to procure 72,400 assault rifles of Calibre 7.62x51mm through the Fast Track Process route.

Later, the Army backed the idea of manufacturing AK rifles jointly with Russia, a project that the Russians had been pushing for a while.

Also read: Militant snipers add grisly new chapter to Kashmir insurgency with three kills

India-China corps commanders talks today to focus on Pangong, to be toughest round yet

New Delhi: The fourth round of corps commander-level talks between India and China, scheduled for Tuesday at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point, may prove the toughest yet as they will focus on disengagement at Pangong Lake and the Depsang Plains, where both sides have serious differences.

The meeting will be led by 14 Corps Commander Lieutenant General Harinder Singh and his Chinese counterpart Major General Lin Liu, commander of the South Xinjiang Military District, who also conducted the earlier rounds of military talks on 6 June, 22 June, and 30 June.

Like the third round of military dialogue, the meeting Tuesday will also be held on the Indian side, which, sources said, means India will have the first say. The first two meetings were held on the Chinese side of Chushul-Moldo.

The talks Tuesday are likely to last long, the sources added even as they remained tightlipped about the exact agenda points of the meeting.

India and China have been engaged in a series of military and diplomatic dialogues to ease the stand-off along several points of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh — the Galwan Valley, Hot Spring, Depsang Plains and Pangong.

The standoff began in May, and saw the countries engage in their deadliest clash in decades — the Galwan Valley face-off that led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unconfirmed number on the Chinese side. It was triggered by Chinese refusal to adhere to mutually agreed disengagement terms.

In light of subsequent talks, the countries began a second attempt at disengagement in Ladakh last Monday.

One of the sources said the meeting Tuesday will involve discussions on “disengagement in other areas, besides Galwan Valley and the Hot Spring area, which includes the Gogra post”.

“They will also review the disengagement that has taken place in these locations (Patrol Point or PP 14 in Galwan, and PP 15 and PP 17 in Hot Spring),” the source said.

A second source said the main point of discussion is the Pangong Lake, where the Chinese have come in by 8 km since May, besides the Depsang Plains, where the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) have a huge build-up of artillery, tanks and soldiers.

While disengagement in Galwan and Hot Spring involved the two sides moving back from the face-off sites, the situation in Pangong Lake and Depsang Plains is different, sources said.

“This round of talks would be tough. In Galwan and Hot Spring, there was more understanding at the local level on the LAC. However, it varied a lot in Pangong and Depsang Plains,” the source added.

“The Chinese have intruded deep into the Indian side of the LAC. The Chinese will have to move back,” a third source said.

The sources said there is no possibility of Indians moving back from these areas since they are well within their own territory — territory, they “controlled and not just patrolled”.

Also Read: Why the serene Pangong lake lies at the heart of India-China border dispute in Ladakh

Disengagement in progress

The disengagement that began last week has seen China’s presence “thin down” at Finger 4 in the Pangong Lake, although the PLA continues to dominate the position.

At Depsang Plains, meanwhile, India and China have both increased deployment. According to Army sources, the PLA has deployed additional tanks and moved them slightly forward from their usual positions, but they are still away from the LAC.

However, inputs suggest Indians are unable to reach Patrol Points 11, 12 and 13 at Depsang Plains, an area located close to the strategic air base Daulat Beg Oldi that has witnessed Chinese incursions in the past too.

Both India and China have pumped in over 30,000 troops, besides artillery, tanks, fighters, gunship helicopters and other equipment at Ladakh since the stand-off first began on 5 May following a clash at Pangong Lake.

Also Read: Fresh satellite images from Galwan and Depsang raise concerns of Chinese troop build-up

The partnership with China has inflicted irreparable financial loss on India since 1999. Where, then, is the gain for India in the lofty growth ‘partnership’? Indeed, the Dragon’s keen intention to have New Delhi as a ‘development partner’ has compelled the latter to incur a whopping Rs39,000-crore expenditure on the import of Russian Sukhoi-30 and MiG-29 combat aircraft at a time when the Chinese virus is ravaging Indian economy.

Abhijit Bhattacharyya

Commentator and Author

SUN Weidong, the Chinese Ambassador to India, has said that India and China should seek common development as partners rather than as opponents or adversaries. However, a segment of the Ambassador’s statement overshadows the so-called ‘partnership’: “The right and wrong of what recently happened in the Galwan valley is very clear. China will firmly safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensure peace and tranquillity in the border areas.” Whose ‘sovereignty and territorial integrity’ is China referring to? Obviously, not India’s. China is categorically stating that it will ‘firmly safeguard’ the Galwan valley.

Hence, without an iota of remorse or regret, it’s the implied justification for killing 20 soldiers and injuring more than 175 men and officers. The unequivocal and irreversible threatening tone and tenor of the Communist Party of China (CPC) are both visible and audible. The epithet, ‘diplomat wolf warriors’ of China, at its transparent best again.

The objective of the CPC is loud and clear: ‘Sovereignty and territorial integrity’ is a one-way, non-negotiable street for China, not for India. The CPC’s unilateral perception, nay conviction, is unaltered and unalterable. Remote, hallucinatory claim of ‘ownership’ doesn’t turn it into a bona fide and legal physical ‘possession’ or ‘occupation’, the prerequisite for any property, especially immovable, like land, in international relations also.

The area which China claims to reclaim through threat, blackmail and force, from all historical and legal points of view, belongs to and is in actual possession of India, and not that of China as the Ambassador would like us to believe — colloquially referred to as ‘psychological (psy) war’.

Just have a relook at Maharaja Hari Singh’s ‘accession to India’ document of October 26, 1947. The language is clear, the picture vivid. Especially this paragraph: “Now, therefore, I, Shriman Indar Mahandar Rajrajeshwar Maharajadhiraj Shri Hari Singhji Jammu Kashmir Naresh atha Tibbet adi Deshadhipathi, Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir State, in the exercise of my sovereignty in and over my said State do hereby execute this my Instrument of Accession…”

As per the document, at least a part of Tibbet (Tibet) did fall in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hence, once J&K acceded to India, the whole thereof became an indivisible and inalienable part of the territory of sovereign India in 1947 itself. Much before the CPC’s forced occupation in 1950!

Which portion of Tibet was that? North of Bhutan, north-west of Burma, land proximate to the Mount Everest, or the area adjacent to Ladakh? Obviously, the latter, where the CPC is repeatedly trying to lay its hands on, through its army.

That was the territorial part, now referred to as ‘divergence’, which the Chinese aren’t keen to resolve. Rather, sweep it under the carpet.

This insoluble territorial problem helps the other factor called ‘convergence’ in the form of trade which helped China reach where it is today. At the expense of all, including India, which plays a minuscule, subservient role with a humongous trade deficit, thereby handing over its market, industry, banking and core sectors to China on a platter. Hence, the Dragon’s keenness, bordering on desperation, to have India on board, once again, as ‘partner and not rival’. Business as usual, implies Beijing’s profitability, as usual. Because, the strategic aim and purpose of showing an ‘inferior’ India has been achieved — by inflicting serious injuries on 200-plus soldiers, included 20 fatalities.

The CPC had the last laugh in May-June. A small price to pay in the international arena because it is , after all, a victory for China without war. Now, therefore, it extends the olive branch to show how ‘well-intentioned’ the Dragon is towards India.

So, now comes trade back in the guise of ‘partnership’, a partnership which has already inflicted irreparable financial loss on New Delhi and brought incredible gains to the Dragon since 1999. It’s understandable. In 1999-2000, India had a trade deficit of $743.85 million with China. In 2001-02, India’s loss mounted to $1.084 billion. By 2005-06, it was minus $4.108 billion. The 2006-07 gap shot up to $9.153 billion.

By 2013-14, India’s deficit stood at $36.21 billion; in 2017-18, it touched an unprecedented $63.047 billion. For 2019-20, India’s exports to China were to the tune of $16.6 billion, while the imports were at $65.3 billion. Where, then, is the gain for India in the lofty growth ‘partnership’ with China?

Indeed, the Dragon’s keen intention to have New Delhi as a ‘development partner’ has today compelled the latter to incur a whopping Rs 39,000-crore (around $5.2 billion) expenditure on the import of Russian Sukhoi-30 and MiG-29 combat aircraft at a time when the Chinese virus is ravaging the Indian economy.

And, finally, the Chinese eagerness to have India as a partner factors in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which (CPEC) has blatantly violated India’s territorial integrity and constitutional sovereignty for years.

Therefore, the Chinese envoy’s plea is fine from the CPC’s point of view. It’s undeniably picture-perfect for the dedicated, devoted band of aspiring Communist princelings out to prove themselves ‘more loyal than the king’, to help conquer, and attain the numero uno status in the world, with the right political noise on Twitter and other platforms of electronic media. But does this address India’s concerns? Or does it repeat the CPC’s view of world affairs through its own prism? A make-believe portrait of the Middle Kingdom with peripheral princes attending to the ‘Dragon Durbar’ of the Forbidden City, for favour preceded by the classical/traditional kowtow?

One hopes before re-accessing India’s market, and the continuous, uninterrupted pie in her industry, banking, trade, commerce, finance, telecommunication and transport, the CPC stops killing and injuring Indian soldiers, and ceases trampling upon India’s core national and sovereign interests. If it is ‘Wo men shi hao peng you’ (we are good friends), then the Dragon should also remember that ‘Wo bing buxiang shanghai ni de ganqing’ (I do not want to hurt you). That’s a two-way process, it simply cannot be compulsory for India and optional for China.

Ambala, July 14

An Army man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom of his rented accommodation at BC Bazaar in Ambala Cantonment last night. The deceased has been identified as Deepak, who was a Naik. He was a native of Kerala. He was found hanging by his family members.

Ambala Cantonment SHO Vijay Kumar said, “Information about the suicide was received this morning. No suicide note has been recovered. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Deepak was living with his family in Ambala for the past few months. His post-mortem will be conducted tomorrow and his family’s statement will be recorded.” — TNS

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 13

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General MM Naravane, on Monday called for “zero tolerance” against ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border (IB) and infiltration attempts by terrorists.

General Naravane expressed complete confidence in the Army’s capabilities to thwart any misadventure by the enemies of the country and to handle any situation.

His statement assumed significance against the backdrop of the rising incidents of ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Naravane visited forward areas of the Rising Star Corps to review the security situation and operational readiness of the troops deployed on ground in the Jammu-Pathankot region.

He was received in Jammu by Lt-General RP Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt-Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC Rising Star Corps, Maj-Gen VB Nair, GOC Tiger Division, and Air Cmde AS Pathania, AOC, Air Force Station, Jammu.

The Chief of Army Staff was briefed by Lt-Gen Upendra Dwivedi, GOC, Rising Star Corps, on the operational preparedness, upgrade of security infrastructure and internal security matters.

He interacted with the field formation commanders and troops during the forward area visit. The General also visited the forward areas of Gurj Division and was briefed by Maj-Gen YP Khanduri, GOC, Gurj Division.

The Army Chief addressed all ranks of the Western Command through video-conferencing and lauded the morale of the troops.

He also commended the efforts of all formations of the Western Command in the fight against the Covid pandemic by supporting the ongoing “Operation Namaste”.

Lahore, July 14

The Pakistan government has laid a 16,000 feet artificial turf in the courtyard of the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara to facilitate bare-footed pilgrims walk on the marble floor in the scorching heat, a top official said on Monday.

Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan have been visiting the gurdwara after it was reopened on June 29 following its closure for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“AstroTurf was laid on the marble floor of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib last week,” Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Amir Hashmi told PTI.

He said the gurdwara floor is carpeted with 16,000 feet turf in the courtyard to facilitate pilgrims as they have to walk bare-foot on the marble floor and in this hot weather, it is difficult to walk or sit on it.

Indian pilgrims are currently not visiting the gurdwara as India temporarily suspended the pilgrimage and registration for the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara on March 16 in view of the coronavirus outbreak.

Pilgrims of all faiths from India are allowed to undertake round the year visa-free travel to the historic gurdwara in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

“Still there has been no green signal from India to allow Sikhs to visit the gurdwara,” Hashmi said, adding Pakistani Sikhs, however, are visiting it since June 29.

Sikhs from Pakistan and India are allowed to visit the Darabar Sahib by following the SOPs for social distancing. ETPB and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee have made special arrangements for the safety of the pilgrims.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan had conveyed the Indian side about its readiness to reopen the corridor in connection with the occasion of the death anniversary of Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjeet Singh on June 29.

Sources in the government of India in New Delhi had said Pakistan was trying to create a mirage of goodwill by proposing to reopen the corridor on June 29.

The sources also wondered why Pakistan proposed to reopen it in such a short notice of two days while a bilateral agreement on the corridor provided for information to be shared by both sides at least seven days before the date of travel.

The 4km-long Kartarpur Corridor provides visa-free access to Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara, the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, who had spent the last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur.

In November last year, the two countries threw open the corridor linking Dera Baba Sahib in Gurdaspur in India and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, in a historic people-to-people initiative.

Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located in Pakistan’s Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. PTI

New Delhi, July 14

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to grant any interim relief to a senior army officer, who has challenged the Indian Army’s recent policy banning armed forces personnel from using social networking platforms like Facebook and Instagram, saying he has to either abide by the mandate of the organisation or put in his papers.

The high court said he has a choice to make and asked him to delete his FB account as the policy to ban the use of social networking platforms for army personnel was taken keeping in view the security of the nation.

It said he can create a new social media account later.

A bench of Justices Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Asha Menon said that when it has not even found a reason yet to entertain the plea, “the question of granting any interim relief does not arise.

“Especially when the matter has the potential of concerning the safety and security of the country,” the bench said.

Lieutenant Colonel P K Choudhary contended that once deleted all the data, contacts and friends in his FB account would be “irretrievably lost” and the loss would be “irreversible”.

“No. No. Sorry. You please delete it. You can always create a new one. It cannot work like this. You are part of an organisation. You have to abide by its mandate,” the bench said.

It further said, “If you are so dear to FB, then put in your papers. See you have to make a choice, what do you want to do. You have other choices which are also irreversible.”

The army officer had sought an interim relief that he be allowed to retain his Facebook (FB) account in deactivated form till the next date of hearing when the court will decide whether to entertain his petition after going through the Army’s policy under challenge.

According to the new June 6 policy, all Indian Army personnel have been ordered to delete their accounts from Facebook and Instagram and 87 other applications.

The counsel for the army officer said the only choice he has is whether to face departmental action for not deleting the account.

The officer’s lawyer repeatedly urged the bench to allow him to retain the account in deactivated form, saying forcing him to delete it and the data therein amounts to violation of his right to privacy.

The Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, told the court that the policy decision was taken as “we found that Facebook was a bug. It was infiltrating as a cyber warfare and there were so many instances of personnel being targeted”.

Sharma also said the petitioner’s grievance was that he needs FB to communicate with his family in the US, when there were other modes of communication like WhatsApp, Twitter and Skype which were available to him.

After hearing him for some time, the bench said it finds no ground to grant the interim relief.

It asked the ASG to file the policy document in a sealed cover for perusal by the bench and said the reasons for taking the decision be also filed.

With the direction, the court listed the matter for hearing on July 21.

The petition has sought a direction to the Director General of Military Intelligence to withdraw its June 6 policy to the extent that it orders all the members of the Indian Army to delete their accounts from Facebook and Instagram and 87 other applications.

Lt Col P K Choudhary, who is currently posted in Jammu and Kashmir, said in the plea that he is an active user of Facebook and uses the platform to connect with his friends and family as most of them are settled abroad, including his elder daughter.

In the petition, the officer has sought a direction to the Ministry of Defence to withdraw the June 6 policy to ensure that the fundamental rights of armed forces personnel are not abrogated amended or modified by arbitrary executive action which is not backed by the mandate of law, offends the provisions of the Army Act and Rules made thereunder and is unconstitutional.

The petition has alleged that the policy which bans social media platforms is illegal, arbitrary, disproportionate, violates the fundamental rights of soldiers including but not limited to the freedom of speech and expression, the right to life and the right to privacy.

It has said the authorities have cited security concerns and risk of data breach as the basis of imposing the restrictions contained in the policy regarding usage of social media platforms but the act of banning it is a clear violation of Article 14 (Equality before law) of the Constitution.

The plea also seeks a declaration that the Director General of Military Intelligence is not empowered under the Constitution or under any other law to modify, amend or abrogate the fundamental rights of the petitioner and other members of the armed forces.

Besides, the Centre and Director General of Military Intelligence, the petition has also made Chief of the Army Staff, who is the professional head, commander and the highest-ranking military officer of the Indian Army, party to the petition. — PTI