News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Army

  • China thought it could push us with tech advantage, says CDS Gen Rawat

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat said on Thursday that China went into an aggressive mode against India as a plan to change the status quo at the LAC against which New Delhi stood firm and gained international support. 

    General Rawat said India will never get pushed. “They (Chinese) tried to change the status quo by using disruptive technology without resorting to force. They thought India would succumb to the pressure in the face of technological advances that apparently had,” Rawat said at Raisina Dialogue 2021. 

    “India has stood firm on the northern borders, and we have proved that we will not get pushed. In whatever we have been able to achieve in standing firm, in preventing a change of status quo, we have been able to gather world support.” 

    The Indian Army and the PLA have been in a state of standoff at various points at the LAC in eastern Ladakh since May last year. “It is Chinese advancement in disruptive technology which is leading them to believe that they can compel other nations to succumb.

    China has been able to create disruptive technologies which can paralyse vital networks of the adversary… and they believe that just by a little pushing and shoving, they would be able to compel nations to give in to their demands,” said the CDS. 

    There are some nations, said Gen Rawat, who think “they make their own rules and regulations” leading to conflicts. “That’s what we are witnessing on our northern borders,” he added.

  • ‘India under Modi more likely to retaliate on Pakistan’: US intelligence report

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is more likely to retaliate against ‘perceived or real Pakistan provocations’ with military force, a US intelligence report has said.

    “Under the leadership of Modi, India is more likely than in the past to respond with military force to perceived or real Pakistani provocations, and heightened tensions raise the risk of conflict between the two nucleararmed neighbours, with violent unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack in India being potential flashpoints,” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said in its annual Threat Assessment Report, which was presented to the US Congress.

    The report adds that crises between the two neighbours are likely to become more intense though a general war is unlikely.

    It also says that tensions between the nucleararmed neighbours remain a concern for the world. Ties between the two countries saw a downward spiral after India abrogated Article 370.

    Recently, there have ice breaking moment s between the two countries with the DGMOs issuing a joint statement reiterating their commitment to strictly enforce the 2003 ceasefire.

    India has maintained that it the onus of creating conducive atmosphere for talks rests with Pakistan.

    India has said it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan in an environment free of terror, hostility and violence and that the onus is on Islamabad to create an environment free of terror and hostility.

    According to the ODNI report, the fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria has a direct bearing on US forces, while tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan remain a concern for the world.

    The iterative violence between Israel and Iran, the activity of foreign powers in Libya, and conflicts in other areas, including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, have the potential to escalate or spread, it said.

    On Afghanistan, the ODNI report assessed that prospects for a peace deal will remain low during the next year.

    “The Taliban is likely to make gains on the battlefield, and the Afghan Government will struggle to hold the Taliban at bay if the coalition withdraws support. Kabul continues to face setbacks on the battlefield, and the Taliban is confident it can achieve military victory,” it said.

    “Afghan forces continue to secure major cities and other government strongholds, but they remain tied down in defensive missions and have struggled to hold recaptured territory or reestablish a presence in areas abandoned in 2020,” the report said.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • NOC not yet issued by Army for Mamata Banerjee’s Gandhi Murti protest

    By ANI
    KOLKATA: As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is sitting on dharna at Gandhi Murti in Kolkata on Tuesday, as a mark of protest after the Election Commission (EC) imposed a ban on her for 24 hours from campaigning, an Eastern Command official informed that No Objection Certificate (NOC) has not been issued yet for the protest at the venue.

    “We received an application from Trinamool Congress (TMC) at 9:40 am, for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Kolkata’s Gandhi Murti as the area falls under Army’s jurisdiction. It is under process and NOC hasn’t been issued yet,” said an Eastern Command Official.

    Mamata is sitting on dharna at Gandhi Murti in Kolkata on Tuesday, as a mark of protest after the Election Commission (EC) imposed a ban on her for 24 hours from campaigning in any manner from 8 pm on April 12 till 8 pm on April 13.

    While sitting on the dharna she is keeping herself busy by painting.

    The Election Commission on Monday banned Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in the ongoing state elections for 24 hours and said she had made “highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with the serious potential of the breakdown of law and order and thereby affecting the election process”.

    The ban comes into force ahead of the fifth phase of Assembly polls in the state on April 17.

    The poll panel in its order condemned her statements “portent with serious law and order problems across the state (s)” and sternly warned her.

    It advised her “to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force.”

  • Pay anomaly for three armed forces personnel below officer rank resolved

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: A major pay anomaly — which started in 2006 and affected the soldiers directly recruited to the Army, Navy and Air Force — has been resolved. 

    Those recruited in ‘Other Ranks’ in X and Y groups in 2003, 2004 and 2005 can seek re-fixation of their pay to get the arrears of the last 15 years, which will work out to a substantial amount.

    The issue is regarding the pay of Other Ranks of 2006 which was at a higher rate when compared to the pay table suggested for those recruited in 2005.

    Effectively, pay for sepoy of X or Y group who joined in 2005 was Rs 6,250 and Rs 5,880, respectively. 

    For those who joined in 2006, it was Rs 6,460.

    Hence a junior three years younger in service was drawing Rs 210 and Rs 580 more per month. Most technically qualified sepoys are recruited in X group.

    Others are recruited in Y group.

    The posts to get the benefit are that of those recruited at the rank of Havaldar, like Education Instructors, Sportsman, Surveyor Automated Cartographer and those recruited as Naib Subedar, like Religious Teacher, Catering Junior Commissioned Officer, Direct Entry Artificers (diploma holders) and Sportsmen in Navy and Education Instructor (Sergeant) in Air Force.

  • Four militants killed in encounters in J&K’s Anantnag district

    By PTI
    SRINAGAR: Four militants, including those responsible for the killing of an Army man in Anantnag district, were killed in two overnight encounters with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

    The total number of militants killed in the twin encounters, which began on Saturday, in Shopian and Anantnag districts, has risen to five as an unidentified militant was killed late on Saturday.

    “Two militants were killed in the encounter at Semthan in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district of south Kashmir,” a police official said.

    He said the encounter began on Saturday after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area following inputs about the presence of militants there.

    The exchange of fire went on till late evening and the security forces maintained a tight cordon of the area during the night to stop the ultras from fleeing.

    The gunfight resumed this morning and in the exchange of fire, two militants were killed, the official said, adding a search operation is going on.

    Police said the slain militants were responsible for the killing of Havaldar Mohammad Saleem AKhoon outside his residence at Goriwan in Bijbehara area on Friday.

    “Terrorists responsible for the killing of Army jawan have been neutralised within two days in Bijbehara encounter,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said.

    Earlier on Sunday, two militants were killed in the operation at Hadipora area in the neighbouring Shopian district, taking the number of ultras killed in the operation to three, the police official said.

    One militant was killed in the gunfight there on Saturday.

    The IGP said one of the slain militants in Shopian encounter was newly recruited into militant ranks and security forces made sincere efforts to make him surrender, but the other militants did not allow him to give up arms.

    “Parents also made appeals, but other terrorists didn’t allow him to surrender,” Kumar said.

  • Ladakh standoff: India, China likely to hold fresh round of military talks on Friday

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India and China are likely to hold the next round of corps commander level talks on Friday that is expected to focus on disengagement of troops in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, people familiar with the development said.

    They said India will insist on early disengagement of troops in Gogra and Hot Springs besides pressing for resolution of pending issues in Depsang plains.

    The people said the two sides had an exchange of views on holding the 11th round of  military talks on Friday.

    The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5 last following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas and both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

    As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed withdrawal of troops and weapons from the North and South banks of Pangong lake in February in line with an agreement on disengagement.

    In the subsequent military talks on February 20, India insisted on resolution of outstanding issues including in Depsang, Hot Springs and Gogra.

    India has been insisting that peace and tranquility along the border is essential for overall ties between the two countries.

    Last week, India hoped that China will work with it to ensure disengagement of troops in remaining areas of eastern Ladakh at the earliest.

    It said de-escalation of tension alone will lead to restoration of peace and tranquility in border areas and provide conditions for progress of bilateral ties.

    In late March, Army chief Gen MM Naravane said that the threat to India has only “abated” following the disengagement in Pangong lake areas but it has not gone away altogether.

  • Lt General CP Cariappa takes over as new MGS of Indian Army

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Lieutenant General CP Cariappa on Monday took over as the new Master General Sustenance (MSG) of the Indian Army. The MGS is responsible for ensuring the sustenance of the Indian Army in terms of ammunition, clothing, general stores, and warfighting equipment.

    “As MGS, Lt Gen Cariappa would be responsible for ensuring the sustenance of Indian Army is in terms of ammunition, clothing, general stores, and warfighting equipment. The MGS branch carries out complete Revenue Procurement of Indian Army,” Army officials said.

    The post of MGS was created recently and was earlier known as Master General Ordinance and has been restructured as part of reforms. 

  • Indian Army to participate in military exercise in Bangladesh from April 4-12

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army will participate in a four-nation military exercise in Bangladesh from April 4 to 12 which is being organised to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of that country’s liberation war, officials said on Thursday.

    A 30-member Indian Army team comprising officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and soldiers from the Dogra regiment will participate in the exercise ‘Shantir Ogroshena’ (front runner of peace), they said.

    Besides armies of Bangladesh and India, the exercise will be participated by Royal Bhutan Army and Sri Lankan Army, the defence ministry said.

    “The theme of the exercise is ‘Robust Peace Keeping Operations’. Military observers from the US, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise,” it said.

    The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Rahman.

    In reflection of close ties, India is also hosting a number of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war that led to liberation of Bangladesh.

    Around 93,000 Pakistani troops had surrendered before the joint forces of the Indian Army and the “Mukti Bahini” on December 16, 1971 that paved the way for the birth of Bangladesh.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh on March 26 and 27 during which he attended the golden jubilee celebration of independence of that country.

  • After service of 132 years, Indian Army closes military farms

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: After a service of 132 years, the Indian Army announced that the military farms will be closed down from Wednesday.

    The military farms in India are spread over more than 20,000 acres of prime defence land across the country in cities such as Ambala, Kolkata, Srinagar, Agra, Pathankot, Lucknow, Meerut, Allahabad and Guwahati.

    The farms were established by the British Army for the production and supply of hygienic, wholesome and fresh cow milk to troops located in various garrisons across India.

    Speaking to ANI, Lieutenant General Shashank Mishra said: “After serving for almost 132 years, the military farm is ending its services. It was established on February 1, 1889, in Allahabad, which is now Prayagraj, and by the time we got independence in 1947, India had 130 farms. At that time it was highly beneficial for us as the White Revolution had not begun. Verghese Kurien started Operation Flood in 1970.”

    Mishra also said the military farms had been a big contributor to the promotion of dairy farming, which has helped the army provide milk in inaccessible areas of the country.

    “For this commendable work, I congratulate the members of the military farms on behalf of the Army Chief. Today the flag was taken down which is a very emotional moment for all of us. This flag will be installed in the army museum with the history of military farms,” he said.

    “The contribution of military farms will never be forgotten. Now milk is available everywhere, so it is being closed now and there has been a lot of expansion of the army, now we will use this land properly,” he added.

    The Lieutenant-General also said all cows have been offered to the states and the people working in the military farms have been assigned to other departments.  

  • Kashmir sees spurt in encounters after India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:  Incidents of encounters and militancy-related violence have increased in Kashmir after the February 15 agreement between Indian and Pakistani militaries to strictly observe border ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

    According to statistics, only two encounters had taken place between militants and security forces from January 1 to February 15. However, in over a month since the ceasefire agreement, there have been at least eight encounters in the Valley.

    While only three militants were killed in the two encounters this year before February 15, a total of 16 militants including two top commanders Albadar chief Khwaja Gani and Jaish top commander Sajjad Afghani have been killed in the eight encounters since the border ceasefire pact.  

    The security forces have not lowered their guard in the Valley after the February 15 ceasefire pact, but have increased anti-militancy operations.

    Army’s Northern Command chief Lt Gen Y K Joshi has said the border ceasefire agreement with Pakistan is being strictly adhered to by the Indian Army but it would have no bearing on the counter-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Army has also said the operations against militants would continue. 

    After the border ceasefire pact, militants have carried out two attacks on security forces in Srinagar, killing two police men and two CRPF jawans.

    Besides, the son of a non-Kashmiri dhaba owner was also killed by militants in Srinagar. While only one security man died in militancy violence from January1 to February 15, six security men have been killed in militancy-related violence after the ceasefire pact. 

    Before truce pact

    Two encounters, three militants killed.
    Militants carried out one IED, three grenade attacks.
    One soldier killed in militancy violence.
    After pact

    Eight encounters, 16 militants killed.
    Militants carried out two hit-and-run attacks on security forces.
    Son of non-Kashmiri dhaba owner shot dead in Srinagar.
    Six security personnel killed.