News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Army

  • Army grounds ALH Dhruv fleet following May 4 crash in J&K

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Army has grounded the entire fleet of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv following the crash of one of the choppers in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, military sources said.

    An ALH Dhruv with three people on board crashed following a “hard landing” in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. A technician was killed and two pilots were injured in the incident.

    As a precautionary measure, the ALH Dhruv fleet has been temporarily grounded, the sources said.

    The Navy and the Coast Guard had grounded their respective ALH Dhruv fleets in March following two similar incidents involving the platform.

    The sources said the ALH Dhruv choppers with the Navy and the Coast Guard are undergoing technical checks.

    The helicopters which have been cleared in the scrutiny process are flying now, said a source.

    The Indian Air Force operates around 70 ALH Dhruv.

    NEW DELHI: The Army has grounded the entire fleet of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv following the crash of one of the choppers in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, military sources said.

    An ALH Dhruv with three people on board crashed following a “hard landing” in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. A technician was killed and two pilots were injured in the incident.

    As a precautionary measure, the ALH Dhruv fleet has been temporarily grounded, the sources said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Navy and the Coast Guard had grounded their respective ALH Dhruv fleets in March following two similar incidents involving the platform.

    The sources said the ALH Dhruv choppers with the Navy and the Coast Guard are undergoing technical checks.

    The helicopters which have been cleared in the scrutiny process are flying now, said a source.

    The Indian Air Force operates around 70 ALH Dhruv.

  • Army holds ‘Buland Bharat’ exercise in Arunachal to test synergy in simulated war conditions

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The armed forces have carried out an integrated surveillance and firepower training exercise known as Buland Bharat to test “simulated war conditions in high altitude area” at the Mandala High Altitude Firing Ranges in Arunachal Pradesh even as tensions continue to prevail along the Line of Actual Control with China.

    “The month-long training culminated in the test exercise in which troops and equipment were tested in simulated war conditions in high altitude areas and extreme weather conditions during which synergised surveillance and firepower from infantry and artillery radars, weapon systems and direction of fire from air were practised,” said a source. Uninterrupted communication on multiple media was also tested at long distances.

    The exercise validated plans for bringing down integrated firepower by orchestrating synchronised firing by artillery guns and fire support components of the infantry, aimed toward the destruction of designated targets.

    As per the official message tweeted by Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps Artillery, Infantry, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Special Forces conducted day and night training for integrated surveillance and application of fire to maximize destruction at target.

    The SSB and ITBP are the Border Guarding Forces under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    Former Artillery officer (Gunner) Lt Gen VK Chaturvedi (Retd) said, “It is a major exercise to add coordination and speed towards the detection, destruction and depletion of the enemy’s war waging capabilities.”

    ALSO READ | Top Himalayan Buddhist leaders meet at Arunachal border village Dalai Lama used to enter India

    “Exercise Buland Bharat involved the synergised application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the artillery and the infantry in close coordination with Special Forces, Aviation and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh,” added the source.

    The Gajraj Corps, under which the exercise was held, handles major responsibilities which span from counterinsurgency to the Line of Actual Control in West Arunachal Pradesh including the Tawang area.

    Last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquility at the borders.

    The Defence Minister “reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation,” said the MoD, adding that the two ministers had “frank discussions about developments on the India-China border as well as bilateral relations.”

    The bilateral meeting was the first between the two Defence Ministers since the May 2020 standoff in Eastern Ladakh.

    India has been talking of the status quo ante as far as the situation in Eastern Ladakh is concerned where in May 2020 the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had mobilized its troops creating a standoff at multiple points. The Indian Army responded to it with mirror deployment.

    Further, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday, prior to his attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers meeting.

    NEW DELHI: The armed forces have carried out an integrated surveillance and firepower training exercise known as Buland Bharat to test “simulated war conditions in high altitude area” at the Mandala High Altitude Firing Ranges in Arunachal Pradesh even as tensions continue to prevail along the Line of Actual Control with China.

    “The month-long training culminated in the test exercise in which troops and equipment were tested in simulated war conditions in high altitude areas and extreme weather conditions during which synergised surveillance and firepower from infantry and artillery radars, weapon systems and direction of fire from air were practised,” said a source. Uninterrupted communication on multiple media was also tested at long distances.

    The exercise validated plans for bringing down integrated firepower by orchestrating synchronised firing by artillery guns and fire support components of the infantry, aimed toward the destruction of designated targets.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    As per the official message tweeted by Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps Artillery, Infantry, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Special Forces conducted day and night training for integrated surveillance and application of fire to maximize destruction at target.

    The SSB and ITBP are the Border Guarding Forces under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    Former Artillery officer (Gunner) Lt Gen VK Chaturvedi (Retd) said, “It is a major exercise to add coordination and speed towards the detection, destruction and depletion of the enemy’s war waging capabilities.”

    ALSO READ | Top Himalayan Buddhist leaders meet at Arunachal border village Dalai Lama used to enter India

    “Exercise Buland Bharat involved the synergised application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the artillery and the infantry in close coordination with Special Forces, Aviation and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh,” added the source.

    The Gajraj Corps, under which the exercise was held, handles major responsibilities which span from counterinsurgency to the Line of Actual Control in West Arunachal Pradesh including the Tawang area.

    Last week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquility at the borders.

    The Defence Minister “reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation,” said the MoD, adding that the two ministers had “frank discussions about developments on the India-China border as well as bilateral relations.”

    The bilateral meeting was the first between the two Defence Ministers since the May 2020 standoff in Eastern Ladakh.

    India has been talking of the status quo ante as far as the situation in Eastern Ladakh is concerned where in May 2020 the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had mobilized its troops creating a standoff at multiple points. The Indian Army responded to it with mirror deployment.

    Further, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar is to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday, prior to his attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers meeting.

  • Indian Army personnel to soon begin learning Mandarin to engage with Chinese military

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Indian Army personnel will soon begin learning the Chinese language.

    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Army and Assam’s Tezpur University on Wednesday for training the personnel in Chinese. It was signed by the 4 Corps on behalf of the Army and the Registrar of Tezpur University in the presence of Vice Chancellor Prof SN Singh.

    The 16-week course will be conducted at the Tezpur University.

    ALSO READ | Disengagement, de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh best way forward: Defence Minister Rajnath

    Tezpur University, a central varsity established in 1994, is one of the pioneers in the Northeast in teaching foreign languages, including Chinese, with highly-qualified faculty.

    “This Chinese language course will improve the in-house Mandarin expertise and empower the Army personnel to engage with the Chinese military personnel as and when the situation demands,” a defence statement said.

    “With improved Chinese language skills, the Army personnel will be better empowered to convey their points in a much more cogent manner. It will also help in better exchange of viewpoints and understanding of the Chinese PLA’s version of their activities during various interactions such as Commander Level talks, Flag Meetings, Joint Exercises and Border Personnel Meetings etc,” the statement further said.

    In 2021, Indian Army personnel began studying Tibetan history, culture and language, apparently to counter Chinese influence.

    GUWAHATI: Indian Army personnel will soon begin learning the Chinese language.

    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Army and Assam’s Tezpur University on Wednesday for training the personnel in Chinese. It was signed by the 4 Corps on behalf of the Army and the Registrar of Tezpur University in the presence of Vice Chancellor Prof SN Singh.

    The 16-week course will be conducted at the Tezpur University.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    ALSO READ | Disengagement, de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh best way forward: Defence Minister Rajnath

    Tezpur University, a central varsity established in 1994, is one of the pioneers in the Northeast in teaching foreign languages, including Chinese, with highly-qualified faculty.

    “This Chinese language course will improve the in-house Mandarin expertise and empower the Army personnel to engage with the Chinese military personnel as and when the situation demands,” a defence statement said.

    “With improved Chinese language skills, the Army personnel will be better empowered to convey their points in a much more cogent manner. It will also help in better exchange of viewpoints and understanding of the Chinese PLA’s version of their activities during various interactions such as Commander Level talks, Flag Meetings, Joint Exercises and Border Personnel Meetings etc,” the statement further said.

    In 2021, Indian Army personnel began studying Tibetan history, culture and language, apparently to counter Chinese influence.

  • ‘Operation Moti’: Indian Army rescues injured Elephant in Uttarakhand

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Members of the Indian Army joined hands with a wildlife NGO to save a 35-year-old Elephant ‘Moti’ in Uttarakhand on Tuesday.

    Indian Army Engineers worked through the night using slings in an innovative manner to lift the elephant safely and the NGO’s medical team began its treatment to save the critically injured mammal.

    ‘Moti’ had collapsed two weeks ago due to weakness and injuries and a medical team from Wildlife SOS had been taking care of the elephant since January 22.

    Updating on the situation the Army on Tuesday told “Indian Army Engineers rescue team liaised with the NGO and local authorities and commenced construction of a tower to help Moti to stand on its feet for receiving medication as the condition was critical and time was of paramount importance.”

    Indian Army’s rescue team leader Lt Col Prateek said, “We have been able to lift Moti using specially installed pulleys and the medical team has been carrying our massages and medications.”

    On 4th February 2023 at 1630 Hrs, the Bengal Engineer Group (BEG) and Centre at Roorkee was approached with an SOS to assist Wildlife SOS, the organisation involved in animal rescue since 1995.

    The Army was apprised of the condition of the elephant by former Army Chief and Union Minister General VK Singh.

    The Army finalised a plan considering the best available resources and an advanced team led by Lt Col Prateek Gupta was moved immediately to the spot to assess and analyse the situation and the condition of the animal.

    Later, as per the assessment, more personnel and five vehicles with the required equipment were moved to the site to rescue ‘Moti’.

    Moti was being used for tourist rides and begging in Uttarakhand’s Rampur district. The elephant was lying on his side owing to a fractured leg and worn-off foot pads. As per the diagnosis of the medical team, the organs of the elephant are in a compromised state.

    The concern is that Moti has been on lateral recumbency (on his side) for almost two weeks and due to lack of movement, he had started getting oedema (swelling and fluid collection) in his perineal region.

    Keeping the vulnerabilities of the tusker NGO SOS has been dealing with the “challenging situation” with its medical team as they did not want to lift him too frequently as it would result in complications, but they also can’t leave him on lateral recumbency for long days.

    NEW DELHI: Members of the Indian Army joined hands with a wildlife NGO to save a 35-year-old Elephant ‘Moti’ in Uttarakhand on Tuesday.

    Indian Army Engineers worked through the night using slings in an innovative manner to lift the elephant safely and the NGO’s medical team began its treatment to save the critically injured mammal.

    ‘Moti’ had collapsed two weeks ago due to weakness and injuries and a medical team from Wildlife SOS had been taking care of the elephant since January 22.

    Updating on the situation the Army on Tuesday told “Indian Army Engineers rescue team liaised with the NGO and local authorities and commenced construction of a tower to help Moti to stand on its feet for receiving medication as the condition was critical and time was of paramount importance.”

    Indian Army’s rescue team leader Lt Col Prateek said, “We have been able to lift Moti using specially installed pulleys and the medical team has been carrying our massages and medications.”

    On 4th February 2023 at 1630 Hrs, the Bengal Engineer Group (BEG) and Centre at Roorkee was approached with an SOS to assist Wildlife SOS, the organisation involved in animal rescue since 1995.

    The Army was apprised of the condition of the elephant by former Army Chief and Union Minister General VK Singh.

    The Army finalised a plan considering the best available resources and an advanced team led by Lt Col Prateek Gupta was moved immediately to the spot to assess and analyse the situation and the condition of the animal.

    Later, as per the assessment, more personnel and five vehicles with the required equipment were moved to the site to rescue ‘Moti’.

    Moti was being used for tourist rides and begging in Uttarakhand’s Rampur district. The elephant was lying on his side owing to a fractured leg and worn-off foot pads. As per the diagnosis of the medical team, the organs of the elephant are in a compromised state.

    The concern is that Moti has been on lateral recumbency (on his side) for almost two weeks and due to lack of movement, he had started getting oedema (swelling and fluid collection) in his perineal region.

    Keeping the vulnerabilities of the tusker NGO SOS has been dealing with the “challenging situation” with its medical team as they did not want to lift him too frequently as it would result in complications, but they also can’t leave him on lateral recumbency for long days.

  • Indian Army to promote women officers to full Colonel rank

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian army is conducting a Women officers Special Selection Board to launch the process of promoting Women officers from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel, a move that will bring them at par with their male counterparts. 

    According to sources, ” A  total of 244 women officers are being considered for promotion against 108 vacancies, from the 1992 batch to the 2006 batch in various Arms and Services (Engineers, Signals, Army Air Defence, Intelligence Corps, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps & Electrical & Mechanical Engineers).”

    The Special Board started on 09 January and will culminate on 22 January.

    As per the sources, 66 Women officers from the 1992 to 2003 batch were empanelled on Wednesday, while 12 vacancies were considered for the 2004 batch on Thursday. 23 vacancies for the 2005 batch are to be finalised on Friday. Of the 66 officers, 17 have got through in Engineering, 14 in EME, 13 in AoC, 11 in Signals, and 9 in ASC.

    On the culmination of the selection board, the 108 women officers who are declared fit, are under consideration to be posted on various command assignments. The first set of such postings will be issued by end of January 2023.

    Officers for the rank of Colonel and above are selected by a board of officers. An officer ranked as Colonel will command independent functional units of the Indian Army. 

    Beyond this come the formations, and collections of such Units, like Brigades, Divisions and Corps commanded by the Brigadiers, Major Generals and Lt Generals respectively.

    The task on the ground is executed by the Units. In the normal course of service selection for command is done at around 17 years of service. Those not empanelled get their time-scale promotion as Colonels after 2 years of service.

    Sources said the vacancies for this Special Selection Board have been released by the government to promote the affected women officers, to ensure gender parity in Indian Army. A total of 60 affected women officers have been called as observers for the Selection Board, to ensure fair conduct and clarify their apprehensions, if any.

    ALSO READ | Indian Army deploys first woman officer at world’s highest battlefield in Siachen

    With an aim to provide equal opportunities to women, the Indian Army, in 2021, granted a Permanent Commission (PC) to 424 of 615 women officers at par with their male counterparts. With the grant of PC, women officers can aspire to achieve greater glory and shoulder higher ranks and responsibility.

    All women officers granted PC is undergoing special training courses and challenging military assignments to empower them for higher leadership roles in the Indian Army. PC to Women Officers in junior batches has also commenced, in which they are considered for PC in their 10th year of service, informed Indian Army officials.

    With a grant of PC, women officers are transcending into an era of gender parity and are gearing up to assume challenging leadership roles, akin to their male counterparts.

    For the first time, five Women Officers (WOs) have cleared the prestigious Defence Services Staff Course (DSSC) and Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC) Exam, which is held annually in the month of September. The five WOs will undergo a one-year course and give them adequate weightage while being considered for command appointments.

    NEW DELHI: The Indian army is conducting a Women officers Special Selection Board to launch the process of promoting Women officers from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel, a move that will bring them at par with their male counterparts. 

    According to sources, ” A  total of 244 women officers are being considered for promotion against 108 vacancies, from the 1992 batch to the 2006 batch in various Arms and Services (Engineers, Signals, Army Air Defence, Intelligence Corps, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps & Electrical & Mechanical Engineers).”

    The Special Board started on 09 January and will culminate on 22 January.

    As per the sources, 66 Women officers from the 1992 to 2003 batch were empanelled on Wednesday, while 12 vacancies were considered for the 2004 batch on Thursday. 23 vacancies for the 2005 batch are to be finalised on Friday. Of the 66 officers, 17 have got through in Engineering, 14 in EME, 13 in AoC, 11 in Signals, and 9 in ASC.

    On the culmination of the selection board, the 108 women officers who are declared fit, are under consideration to be posted on various command assignments. The first set of such postings will be issued by end of January 2023.

    Officers for the rank of Colonel and above are selected by a board of officers. An officer ranked as Colonel will command independent functional units of the Indian Army. 

    Beyond this come the formations, and collections of such Units, like Brigades, Divisions and Corps commanded by the Brigadiers, Major Generals and Lt Generals respectively.

    The task on the ground is executed by the Units. In the normal course of service selection for command is done at around 17 years of service. Those not empanelled get their time-scale promotion as Colonels after 2 years of service.

    Sources said the vacancies for this Special Selection Board have been released by the government to promote the affected women officers, to ensure gender parity in Indian Army. A total of 60 affected women officers have been called as observers for the Selection Board, to ensure fair conduct and clarify their apprehensions, if any.

    ALSO READ | Indian Army deploys first woman officer at world’s highest battlefield in Siachen

    With an aim to provide equal opportunities to women, the Indian Army, in 2021, granted a Permanent Commission (PC) to 424 of 615 women officers at par with their male counterparts. With the grant of PC, women officers can aspire to achieve greater glory and shoulder higher ranks and responsibility.

    All women officers granted PC is undergoing special training courses and challenging military assignments to empower them for higher leadership roles in the Indian Army. PC to Women Officers in junior batches has also commenced, in which they are considered for PC in their 10th year of service, informed Indian Army officials.

    With a grant of PC, women officers are transcending into an era of gender parity and are gearing up to assume challenging leadership roles, akin to their male counterparts.

    For the first time, five Women Officers (WOs) have cleared the prestigious Defence Services Staff Course (DSSC) and Defence Services Technical Staff Course (DSTSC) Exam, which is held annually in the month of September. The five WOs will undergo a one-year course and give them adequate weightage while being considered for command appointments.

  • Women officers in Indian Army to be inducted into the Artillery soon

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The biggest armed force service, Indian Army, has taken the decision to induct women into their combat stream. The preparations are in process.

    The Indian Army has taken the decision to begin the induction of women into combat arms in the near future beginning with the Regiment of Artillery. As per the Ministry of Defence, the combat employment philosophy of women in the Armed Forces is a continuously evolving process and regularly reviewed by them.

    The Regiment of Artillery is said to be the second largest arm of the Indian Army, after the infantry. Artillery with its missiles, guns, mortars, rocket launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles is also described as an ‘Arm of Decision’.

    As of now the women officers have not been granted permanent commission into Infantry, Armoured, Artillery and Mechanised Infantry.

    At present there are 1705 women officers in the Indian Army into ten Arms and Services viz. Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Army Air Defence, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Aviation Corps, Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch and Army Education Corps in addition to the Armed Forces Medical Services.

    The Indian Air Force pioneered in inducting the women into combat roles beginning with three women officers commissioned as the Fighter pilots in June 2016. IAF has commissioned 15 women fighter pilots till date. The women officers are now being inducted in all combat roles into the force.

    Indian Navy, from December 2022, The Indian Navy has decided to open every branch of the service, including the Submarine and Aviation, for its women officers and the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) from 2023 in pursuant to its gender-neutral approach.

    The Indian Navy has already deputed 28 women officers onboard ships. Women officers are also deployed in combat roles onboard naval Aircraft/ship borne helicopters.

    The total number of women serving into the Armed forces is around 10,493 as per the data shared by the Ministry of Defence in March 2022 and this includes those in the Medical, Dental and Nursing Corps.

    The chronology of women induction into the Armed Forces

    In 1958, the Army Medical Corps (AMC) granted regular commission to women.
    In 1991 the Indian Navy commenced induction of women as officers.
    In 1992, women were allowed to serve in the armed forces as Short Service Commission (SCC) officers in various supporting branches.
    In February 2020 Supreme Court gave its verdict for Permanent Commission to women. Total of 577 women officers granted Permanent Commission till November 2021.
    The first batch of Women Military Police at the Other Ranks joined Army in May 2021.
    From July 2021 women officers began training in Army Aviation.
    In August 2022 first batch of 19 women cadets reported for the tri-service National Defence Academy.
    In November 2022, 341 women Agniveers of Indian Navy joined training at INS CHilka.
    In June 2023 the first six women Army officers will attend Defence Services Staff College.
    First time 108 women officers are to soon get the rank of Colonel.
    100 women Agniveers will join the Army training from April this year.

    NEW DELHI: The biggest armed force service, Indian Army, has taken the decision to induct women into their combat stream. The preparations are in process.

    The Indian Army has taken the decision to begin the induction of women into combat arms in the near future beginning with the Regiment of Artillery. As per the Ministry of Defence, the combat employment philosophy of women in the Armed Forces is a continuously evolving process and regularly reviewed by them.

    The Regiment of Artillery is said to be the second largest arm of the Indian Army, after the infantry. Artillery with its missiles, guns, mortars, rocket launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles is also described as an ‘Arm of Decision’.

    As of now the women officers have not been granted permanent commission into Infantry, Armoured, Artillery and Mechanised Infantry.

    At present there are 1705 women officers in the Indian Army into ten Arms and Services viz. Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals, Army Air Defence, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Army Aviation Corps, Intelligence Corps, Judge Advocate General Branch and Army Education Corps in addition to the Armed Forces Medical Services.

    The Indian Air Force pioneered in inducting the women into combat roles beginning with three women officers commissioned as the Fighter pilots in June 2016. IAF has commissioned 15 women fighter pilots till date. The women officers are now being inducted in all combat roles into the force.

    Indian Navy, from December 2022, The Indian Navy has decided to open every branch of the service, including the Submarine and Aviation, for its women officers and the Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) from 2023 in pursuant to its gender-neutral approach.

    The Indian Navy has already deputed 28 women officers onboard ships. Women officers are also deployed in combat roles onboard naval Aircraft/ship borne helicopters.

    The total number of women serving into the Armed forces is around 10,493 as per the data shared by the Ministry of Defence in March 2022 and this includes those in the Medical, Dental and Nursing Corps.

    The chronology of women induction into the Armed Forces

    In 1958, the Army Medical Corps (AMC) granted regular commission to women.
    In 1991 the Indian Navy commenced induction of women as officers.
    In 1992, women were allowed to serve in the armed forces as Short Service Commission (SCC) officers in various supporting branches.
    In February 2020 Supreme Court gave its verdict for Permanent Commission to women. Total of 577 women officers granted Permanent Commission till November 2021.
    The first batch of Women Military Police at the Other Ranks joined Army in May 2021.
    From July 2021 women officers began training in Army Aviation.
    In August 2022 first batch of 19 women cadets reported for the tri-service National Defence Academy.
    In November 2022, 341 women Agniveers of Indian Navy joined training at INS CHilka.
    In June 2023 the first six women Army officers will attend Defence Services Staff College.
    First time 108 women officers are to soon get the rank of Colonel.
    100 women Agniveers will join the Army training from April this year.

  • Indian Army deploys first woman officer at world’s highest battlefield in Siachen

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  After months of arduous training at the Siachen Battle School, Tuesday came as a proud day for the Indian Army when Captain Shiva Chouhan became the first woman officer to get operationally deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, in Siachen Glacier.

    The Siachen Glacier region holds military significance for the country and is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

    The officer was posted at the Kumar post, located at an altitude of around 15,600 feet in Siachen, on Monday for a three-month stint after she underwent rigorous training, Army officials said.

    Indian Army in a statement said, “Capt. Shiva Chouhan got inducted to the Siachen Glacier on 02 January 2023 after an arduous climb. The team of Sappers led by Capt Shiva Chouhan will be responsible for numerous combat engineering tasks and will be deployed at the post for a duration of three months.”

    #WATCH | Capt Shiva Chouhan becomes the first woman officer to get operationally deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, after training at Siachen Battle School along with other personnel.(Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/He6oPwdQM9

    — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2023

    Captain Chouhan from Rajasthan is a Bengal Sapper Officer. She had to undergo rigorous training at the Siachen Battle School where she trained alongside the officers and men of the Indian Army.

    “The training included endurance training, ice wall climbing, avalanche and crevasse rescue and survival drills. In spite of various challenges, Captain Shiva with unflinching commitment successfully completed the training and was all set to be inducted to the Siachen Glacier,” the Army said. 

    The region is strategically important as it jutted between the Saltoro Ridge and the Karakoram Ranges. The Saltoro Ridge overlooks the area of Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) that is under dispute with Pakistan. The Glacier is also close to the Karakoram Pass through which the Karakoram Highway passes connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to Xinjiang Province of China. The Glacier region is also in proximity to the Shaksgam Valley, which was ceded to China by Pakistan.

    Shiva, commissioned into the Engineer Regiment in May 2021, has done her schooling in Udaipur and holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. She lost her father at the young age of 11 and her mother who is a housewife who took care of her studies. Since her childhood, she had been motivated to join the Indian Armed Forces and showcased unparalleled zeal during training at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

    As per the Army, Captain Shiva has been taking up challenging tasks right from the beginning of her service days. At a young service of one year, Captain Shiva displayed grit and determination by successfully leading the Sura Soi Cycling Expedition from Siachen War Memorial to the Kargil War Memorial conducted on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas in July 2022 covering a distance of 508 km.

    “The officer then took up the challenge of leading the men of Sura Soi Engineer Regiment at the world’s highest battlefield and based on her performance was selected to undergo training at the Siachen Battle School,” the Army said.

    NEW DELHI:  After months of arduous training at the Siachen Battle School, Tuesday came as a proud day for the Indian Army when Captain Shiva Chouhan became the first woman officer to get operationally deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, in Siachen Glacier.

    The Siachen Glacier region holds military significance for the country and is known as the highest militarised zone in the world where the soldiers have to battle frostbite and high winds.

    The officer was posted at the Kumar post, located at an altitude of around 15,600 feet in Siachen, on Monday for a three-month stint after she underwent rigorous training, Army officials said.

    Indian Army in a statement said, “Capt. Shiva Chouhan got inducted to the Siachen Glacier on 02 January 2023 after an arduous climb. The team of Sappers led by Capt Shiva Chouhan will be responsible for numerous combat engineering tasks and will be deployed at the post for a duration of three months.”

    #WATCH | Capt Shiva Chouhan becomes the first woman officer to get operationally deployed at the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen, after training at Siachen Battle School along with other personnel.
    (Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/He6oPwdQM9

    — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2023

    Captain Chouhan from Rajasthan is a Bengal Sapper Officer. She had to undergo rigorous training at the Siachen Battle School where she trained alongside the officers and men of the Indian Army.

    “The training included endurance training, ice wall climbing, avalanche and crevasse rescue and survival drills. In spite of various challenges, Captain Shiva with unflinching commitment successfully completed the training and was all set to be inducted to the Siachen Glacier,” the Army said. 

    The region is strategically important as it jutted between the Saltoro Ridge and the Karakoram Ranges. The Saltoro Ridge overlooks the area of Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) that is under dispute with Pakistan. The Glacier is also close to the Karakoram Pass through which the Karakoram Highway passes connecting Gilgit-Baltistan to Xinjiang Province of China. The Glacier region is also in proximity to the Shaksgam Valley, which was ceded to China by Pakistan.

    Shiva, commissioned into the Engineer Regiment in May 2021, has done her schooling in Udaipur and holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. She lost her father at the young age of 11 and her mother who is a housewife who took care of her studies. Since her childhood, she had been motivated to join the Indian Armed Forces and showcased unparalleled zeal during training at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai.

    As per the Army, Captain Shiva has been taking up challenging tasks right from the beginning of her service days. At a young service of one year, Captain Shiva displayed grit and determination by successfully leading the Sura Soi Cycling Expedition from Siachen War Memorial to the Kargil War Memorial conducted on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas in July 2022 covering a distance of 508 km.

    “The officer then took up the challenge of leading the men of Sura Soi Engineer Regiment at the world’s highest battlefield and based on her performance was selected to undergo training at the Siachen Battle School,” the Army said.

  • Rajnath Singh’s statement on Arunachal clash incomplete, Modi govt hiding truth: Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Parliament on the Sino-India border clash in Tawang was “incomplete” and accused the government of hiding the truth from the nation.

    Congress spokesperson and deputy leader of the party in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi demanded that the government should tell the truth and not divert public attention by raising other issues like cancellation of FCRA registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

    Gogoi and party leader Pawan Khera also accused the government of diplomatic failure with China, claiming that India has lost its pre-eminent position in Southeast Asia.

    Both the leaders demanded that the government should agree to a detailed discussion on the border situation and ties with China, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks made in June 2020 that “no one has entered Indian territory nor has anyone occupied its territory” has emboldened China to indulge in such misadventures.

    “Why did Rajnath Singh give a statement so late as the incident is of December 9. Why was this not given yesterday in Parliament? What are they hiding this? This government wants to hide the truth from the nation and our demand from day one has been to tell the truth to the nation,” Gogoi told reporters at a press conference.

    He said the Congress is concerned about the security of the nation and that is why it was asking questions to the government.

    “Rajnath Singh may be wanting to provide more information but his voice has also been silenced by the Prime minister. That is why the minister’s statement is incomplete. Our questions were valid,” he said.

    He alleged that whenever an issue of national security comes up, the “prime minister hides behind his ministers”.

    ALSO READ | India blames China of trying to alter ‘status quo’, Beijing downplays Arunachal border clash

    Asking why Parliament was deliberately kept in the dark, Gogoi said that is why the Congress staged a walkout after Singh’s statement in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha.

    “The BJP government is not able to protect the territorial integrity of our country. They do not have the time to think about the country except elections and doing communal politics,” he said, adding that we have to prepare a united strategy after taking everyone together but there is no time for it with this government.

    He also accused the government of “diplomatic failure” and that is why China is indulging in such clashes along the border.

    “Modi ji, dariye mat. (Don’t be afraid). Name China and assure the country that what he said earlier was wrong and spell out how India plans to take on this challenge strongly,” Gogoi said.

    Taking on Home Minister Amit Shah, Khera said he was making allegations against the Congress but should answer why the BJP was taking the help of UC News Mobile and ShareIt in 2019 elections.

    “The accounts of Rajiv Gandhi foundation are in public domain and there is nothing to hide about them. But what are the RSS ties with China’s communist party and why they knock at China’s doors and why it has a tie up with CPC. Even when they are not in power, the BJP goes there to get lessons from China.

    What are India Foundation and Vivekanand Foundation’s relations with China, the Home minister should tell,” he said.

    Khera also demanded that the government should make public details of the PM Cares fund and tell which Chinese companies have given donations to it.

    “We want to know what is the secret of Modi ji giving a clean chit to China in 2020. We are concerned about the country’s integrity and its borders. The Congress leader said the government has allowed the Chinese to understand your weakness and that is why failure on your diplomacy. You should have left diplomacy to diplomats. This is the diplomatic failure, as neither can we ask questions from Raksha Mantri, nor from external affairs ministry or anyone else. The Prime Minister is clearly responsible for this as he gave the clean chit to China. China has not only disturbed the status quo and we are asking the government to fight China but you are here fighting with us. This is the diplomatic failure,” Khera asserted.

    Asked what he meant by India’s diplomatic failure, Gogoi said, “If it was a success, China would not have shown this courage. We have failed on diplomacy with China. The failure of this government to impose high costs on Chinese misadventure is the number one failure. Number two failure is that you are tying your Army’s hands behind their back and asking them to go back from their own territory. There is a demand for pre-Galwan status quo, but you have dropped the demand. Thirdly, you are seeing a distance between you and your allies, especially in South Asia. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has lost her pre-eminent position in South Asia. Even on economic ad diplomatic front,” the Congress MP from Assam said.

    He, however, said the government does not have the time to consider this issue and urged it to show transparency.

    “We have been seeking a holistic discussion on China. Prime Minister should hold another round of talks and admit to mistakes. The country gives importance to national security,” he said, adding that the government is answerable to the country and the government should reply to the nation and tell the truth.

    Gogoi also asked why the Indian government is making compromises at the border by signing disengagement agreements and creating buffer zones and that is why China is getting the courage to indulge in such misadventures as done in Tawang on Friday.

    He claimed that by doing so, China wants that buffer zones are created in north eastern sector.

    “If India has to give reply to China’s misadventure, then India will have to engage with South East Asia. But, the effort is to divert the attention of the country. We are facing such a challenge and if we do not respond to it unitedly, we will have to face the consequences in future and PM Modi will have to take the entire responsibility.”

    Khera said in 1962, as many as 165 MPs participated in the discussion on China when even our MPs criticised our government then and Nehru ji listened. “But, look at this government they attack us when we ask them questions.”

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Parliament on the Sino-India border clash in Tawang was “incomplete” and accused the government of hiding the truth from the nation.

    Congress spokesperson and deputy leader of the party in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi demanded that the government should tell the truth and not divert public attention by raising other issues like cancellation of FCRA registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

    Gogoi and party leader Pawan Khera also accused the government of diplomatic failure with China, claiming that India has lost its pre-eminent position in Southeast Asia.

    Both the leaders demanded that the government should agree to a detailed discussion on the border situation and ties with China, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks made in June 2020 that “no one has entered Indian territory nor has anyone occupied its territory” has emboldened China to indulge in such misadventures.

    “Why did Rajnath Singh give a statement so late as the incident is of December 9. Why was this not given yesterday in Parliament? What are they hiding this? This government wants to hide the truth from the nation and our demand from day one has been to tell the truth to the nation,” Gogoi told reporters at a press conference.

    He said the Congress is concerned about the security of the nation and that is why it was asking questions to the government.

    “Rajnath Singh may be wanting to provide more information but his voice has also been silenced by the Prime minister. That is why the minister’s statement is incomplete. Our questions were valid,” he said.

    He alleged that whenever an issue of national security comes up, the “prime minister hides behind his ministers”.

    ALSO READ | India blames China of trying to alter ‘status quo’, Beijing downplays Arunachal border clash

    Asking why Parliament was deliberately kept in the dark, Gogoi said that is why the Congress staged a walkout after Singh’s statement in Lok Sabha and later in Rajya Sabha.

    “The BJP government is not able to protect the territorial integrity of our country. They do not have the time to think about the country except elections and doing communal politics,” he said, adding that we have to prepare a united strategy after taking everyone together but there is no time for it with this government.

    He also accused the government of “diplomatic failure” and that is why China is indulging in such clashes along the border.

    “Modi ji, dariye mat. (Don’t be afraid). Name China and assure the country that what he said earlier was wrong and spell out how India plans to take on this challenge strongly,” Gogoi said.

    Taking on Home Minister Amit Shah, Khera said he was making allegations against the Congress but should answer why the BJP was taking the help of UC News Mobile and ShareIt in 2019 elections.

    “The accounts of Rajiv Gandhi foundation are in public domain and there is nothing to hide about them. But what are the RSS ties with China’s communist party and why they knock at China’s doors and why it has a tie up with CPC. Even when they are not in power, the BJP goes there to get lessons from China.

    What are India Foundation and Vivekanand Foundation’s relations with China, the Home minister should tell,” he said.

    Khera also demanded that the government should make public details of the PM Cares fund and tell which Chinese companies have given donations to it.

    “We want to know what is the secret of Modi ji giving a clean chit to China in 2020. We are concerned about the country’s integrity and its borders. The Congress leader said the government has allowed the Chinese to understand your weakness and that is why failure on your diplomacy. You should have left diplomacy to diplomats. This is the diplomatic failure, as neither can we ask questions from Raksha Mantri, nor from external affairs ministry or anyone else. The Prime Minister is clearly responsible for this as he gave the clean chit to China. China has not only disturbed the status quo and we are asking the government to fight China but you are here fighting with us. This is the diplomatic failure,” Khera asserted.

    Asked what he meant by India’s diplomatic failure, Gogoi said, “If it was a success, China would not have shown this courage. We have failed on diplomacy with China. The failure of this government to impose high costs on Chinese misadventure is the number one failure. Number two failure is that you are tying your Army’s hands behind their back and asking them to go back from their own territory. There is a demand for pre-Galwan status quo, but you have dropped the demand. Thirdly, you are seeing a distance between you and your allies, especially in South Asia. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has lost her pre-eminent position in South Asia. Even on economic ad diplomatic front,” the Congress MP from Assam said.

    He, however, said the government does not have the time to consider this issue and urged it to show transparency.

    “We have been seeking a holistic discussion on China. Prime Minister should hold another round of talks and admit to mistakes. The country gives importance to national security,” he said, adding that the government is answerable to the country and the government should reply to the nation and tell the truth.

    Gogoi also asked why the Indian government is making compromises at the border by signing disengagement agreements and creating buffer zones and that is why China is getting the courage to indulge in such misadventures as done in Tawang on Friday.

    He claimed that by doing so, China wants that buffer zones are created in north eastern sector.

    “If India has to give reply to China’s misadventure, then India will have to engage with South East Asia. But, the effort is to divert the attention of the country. We are facing such a challenge and if we do not respond to it unitedly, we will have to face the consequences in future and PM Modi will have to take the entire responsibility.”

    Khera said in 1962, as many as 165 MPs participated in the discussion on China when even our MPs criticised our government then and Nehru ji listened. “But, look at this government they attack us when we ask them questions.”

  • India blames China of trying to alter ‘status quo’, Beijing downplays Arunachal border clash

    By Online Desk

    The tumultuous Sino-India border has witnessed a new border clash between the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army.

    The Indian army on Monday revealed that both troops clashed near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the Arunachal Pradesh border in the Tawang sector, leaving at least six Indian soldiers injured.  

    The tussle arose, on Dec. 09, 2022, after Chinese troops converged near the LAC prompting Indian troops to contest the action in a “resolute” manner.   Indian media reports quoted unnamed sources as saying that the incident involved around 300 members of China’s People’s Liberation Army and that China suffered a greater number of injuries.

    WATCH:

    The latest border tussle comes at a time when the bilateral ties between the nuclear giants are at rock bottom in the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clash, in June 2020, leaving at least 20 Indian soldiers and four PLA troops killed.

    China and India fought a full-scale war in 1962 over control of Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims in its entirety and considers part of Tibet.

    What does India say?

    India has accused China of trying to “unilaterally change the status quo” on their disputed Himalayan border last week when clashes left troops on both sides injured.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the parliament that Indian and Chinese troops engaged in the fresh confrontation on December 9 in Arunachal Pradesh.

    “On 09 December 2022, PLA troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo by encroaching on the Line of Actual Control, in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector,” Singh said, referring to China’s People’s Liberation Army and the de-facto border.

    The face-off, which followed recent joint US-India military exercises near the border that angered Beijing, led to “injuries to soldiers on both sides,” Singh added.

    “A scuffle ensued in this face-off. The Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from encroaching on our territory and forced them to withdraw to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in the skirmish.”

    What does China say?

    In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that he believed the situation was now calm but gave no details of what happened or whether Chinese troops were injured.

    “As far as we understand, the China-India border situation is stable overall,” Wang said, adding the two sides “maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels.”

    He added: “It is hoped that the Indian side will advance in the same direction as China, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, strictly abide by the spirit of the agreements and accords signed by both sides, (and) together uphold the peace and tranquillity of the China-India border region.”

    US-India exercises

    Since the deadly hand-to-hand battle in 2020, both sides have sent thousands of troops to bolster the border. Multiple rounds of talks have failed to substantially ease tensions. The army source said there was another “face-off” between Indian and Chinese troops in the last week of November in the Demchok region of Ladakh, further to the north.

    It was unclear if there were any injuries resulting from that incident, which was the first since September 2020. The army source said that there has been increased activity in Ladakh by the Chinese military, as well as a “possible” airspace violation by the Chinese air force in the same area.

    This follows joint military exercises which irked Beijing last month between India and the United States in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, which borders China. The Chinese soldiers also displayed a banner objecting to the Indo-US military exercises, the source said.

    Undefined border

    China and India fought a war in 1962 over their long and disputed border. The exact path of the border, some of which is more than 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) above sea level, has never been demarcated.

    Winter temperatures can plunge below minus 30 Celsius (minus 22 Fahrenheit), cracking gun barrels and seizing up machinery.

    Even before the June 2020 clash, India was moving strategically closer to the West, deepening security cooperation with the United States, Japan and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region.

    United by their concern about China’s increasing influence in the region, together they make up the so-called Quad alliance.

    India has also embarked on a $130-billion modernisation of its armed forces — including ordering attack helicopters from the United States and a missile defence system from Russia.

    In the aftermath of the 2020 clash, India banned hundreds of mobile applications of Chinese origin, including the popular social media platform TikTok. Chinese firms operating in India, including cellphone makers Xiaomi and Huawei, have been raided by the tax authorities.

    Bilateral trade remains brisk, however, at around $100 billion per year, but India imports from China far more than it exports there.

    (With inputs from PTI, AFP)

    The tumultuous Sino-India border has witnessed a new border clash between the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army.

    The Indian army on Monday revealed that both troops clashed near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the Arunachal Pradesh border in the Tawang sector, leaving at least six Indian soldiers injured.  

    The tussle arose, on Dec. 09, 2022, after Chinese troops converged near the LAC prompting Indian troops to contest the action in a “resolute” manner.   Indian media reports quoted unnamed sources as saying that the incident involved around 300 members of China’s People’s Liberation Army and that China suffered a greater number of injuries.

    WATCH:

    The latest border tussle comes at a time when the bilateral ties between the nuclear giants are at rock bottom in the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clash, in June 2020, leaving at least 20 Indian soldiers and four PLA troops killed.

    China and India fought a full-scale war in 1962 over control of Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims in its entirety and considers part of Tibet.

    What does India say?

    India has accused China of trying to “unilaterally change the status quo” on their disputed Himalayan border last week when clashes left troops on both sides injured.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the parliament that Indian and Chinese troops engaged in the fresh confrontation on December 9 in Arunachal Pradesh.

    “On 09 December 2022, PLA troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo by encroaching on the Line of Actual Control, in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector,” Singh said, referring to China’s People’s Liberation Army and the de-facto border.

    The face-off, which followed recent joint US-India military exercises near the border that angered Beijing, led to “injuries to soldiers on both sides,” Singh added.

    “A scuffle ensued in this face-off. The Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from encroaching on our territory and forced them to withdraw to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in the skirmish.”

    What does China say?

    In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that he believed the situation was now calm but gave no details of what happened or whether Chinese troops were injured.

    “As far as we understand, the China-India border situation is stable overall,” Wang said, adding the two sides “maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels.”

    He added: “It is hoped that the Indian side will advance in the same direction as China, earnestly implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, strictly abide by the spirit of the agreements and accords signed by both sides, (and) together uphold the peace and tranquillity of the China-India border region.”

    US-India exercises

    Since the deadly hand-to-hand battle in 2020, both sides have sent thousands of troops to bolster the border. Multiple rounds of talks have failed to substantially ease tensions. The army source said there was another “face-off” between Indian and Chinese troops in the last week of November in the Demchok region of Ladakh, further to the north.

    It was unclear if there were any injuries resulting from that incident, which was the first since September 2020. The army source said that there has been increased activity in Ladakh by the Chinese military, as well as a “possible” airspace violation by the Chinese air force in the same area.

    This follows joint military exercises which irked Beijing last month between India and the United States in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, which borders China. The Chinese soldiers also displayed a banner objecting to the Indo-US military exercises, the source said.

    Undefined border

    China and India fought a war in 1962 over their long and disputed border. The exact path of the border, some of which is more than 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) above sea level, has never been demarcated.

    Winter temperatures can plunge below minus 30 Celsius (minus 22 Fahrenheit), cracking gun barrels and seizing up machinery.

    Even before the June 2020 clash, India was moving strategically closer to the West, deepening security cooperation with the United States, Japan and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region.

    United by their concern about China’s increasing influence in the region, together they make up the so-called Quad alliance.

    India has also embarked on a $130-billion modernisation of its armed forces — including ordering attack helicopters from the United States and a missile defence system from Russia.

    In the aftermath of the 2020 clash, India banned hundreds of mobile applications of Chinese origin, including the popular social media platform TikTok. Chinese firms operating in India, including cellphone makers Xiaomi and Huawei, have been raided by the tax authorities.

    Bilateral trade remains brisk, however, at around $100 billion per year, but India imports from China far more than it exports there.

    (With inputs from PTI, AFP)

  • Indo-China border clash: China says situation ‘stable’ on Arunachal border

    By AFP

    BEIJING: China said the situation was “stable” Tuesday on its border with India after New Delhi reported a fresh stand-off between the two countries’ militaries on their disputed Himalayan frontier last week.

    The incident is thought to be the most serious on the nuclear-armed Asian giants’ disputed frontier since 2020 when 20 Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers died in brawling.

    An Indian source said the December 9 incident, which followed recent joint US-India military exercises near the border, led to “minor injuries to (a) few personnel from both sides.”

    Chinese soldiers came close to the area near the Line of Actual Control — the de facto border — where it had been agreed that neither side would patrol, the sources added.

    But foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not comment on the alleged clash Tuesday, telling reporters “as far as we understand, the China-India border situation is stable overall.”

    “Both sides have throughout maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels, it is hoped that the Indian side will advance in the same direction as China,” he added.

    Beijing urged New Delhi to “earnestly implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, strictly abide by the spirit of the agreements and accords signed by both sides, together uphold the peace and tranquillity of the China-India border region.”

    Indian media reports quoted unnamed sources as saying that the incident involved around 300 members of China’s People’s Liberation Army and that China suffered a greater number of injuries — claims Beijing has not commented on.

    A request for comment to China’s Ministry of National Defense by AFP went unanswered Tuesday.

    Relations have been at rock bottom between the two countries since clashes in 2020.

    ALSO READ | Indian Army prevented Chinese attempts to change status quo in Arunachal

    BEIJING: China said the situation was “stable” Tuesday on its border with India after New Delhi reported a fresh stand-off between the two countries’ militaries on their disputed Himalayan frontier last week.

    The incident is thought to be the most serious on the nuclear-armed Asian giants’ disputed frontier since 2020 when 20 Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers died in brawling.

    An Indian source said the December 9 incident, which followed recent joint US-India military exercises near the border, led to “minor injuries to (a) few personnel from both sides.”

    Chinese soldiers came close to the area near the Line of Actual Control — the de facto border — where it had been agreed that neither side would patrol, the sources added.

    But foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not comment on the alleged clash Tuesday, telling reporters “as far as we understand, the China-India border situation is stable overall.”

    “Both sides have throughout maintained unobstructed dialogue on the border issue through diplomatic and military channels, it is hoped that the Indian side will advance in the same direction as China,” he added.

    Beijing urged New Delhi to “earnestly implement the important consensus reached by both leaders, strictly abide by the spirit of the agreements and accords signed by both sides, together uphold the peace and tranquillity of the China-India border region.”

    Indian media reports quoted unnamed sources as saying that the incident involved around 300 members of China’s People’s Liberation Army and that China suffered a greater number of injuries — claims Beijing has not commented on.

    A request for comment to China’s Ministry of National Defense by AFP went unanswered Tuesday.

    Relations have been at rock bottom between the two countries since clashes in 2020.

    ALSO READ | Indian Army prevented Chinese attempts to change status quo in Arunachal