News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Army

  • Army Chief begins Bhutan visit days after satellite images showed Chinese activity

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande on Friday began a two-day visit to Bhutan amid China’s persistent attempts to enhance infrastructure around Bhutanese territory in the Doklam plateau.

    The Indian Army said Gen Pande is scheduled to meet King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan besides holding talks with his counterpart in the Royal Bhutan Army.

    Gen Pande’s visit to Bhutan came days after new satellite images emerged showing China constructing a village East of the Doklam plateau on the Bhutanese side, a region that is considered important for India’s strategic interest.

    After the images came out, the Ministry of External Affairs said India keeps a constant watch on all developments having bearing on national security and takes necessary measures to safeguard its interests.

    It is learnt that the overall situation in the Doklam plateau as well as Chinese activities in the region are set to figure in Gen Pande’s talks with his Bhutanese interlocutors.

    “This visit will further enhance the unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterised by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding,” the Army said in a brief statement.

    The Army said Gen Pande will commence his visit by paying homage at the National Memorial Chorten at Thimpu, built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

    “The Chief of Army Staff is scheduled to have an audience with His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth King,” the Army said.

    “The Army Chief will also engage in extensive discussions with his counterpart in the Royal Bhutan Army to exchange views on taking forward the strong cultural and professional bonds between both the armies,” it said.

    The Doklam plateau is considered an important area for India’s strategic interest.

    The Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day stand-off at the Doklam tri-junction after China tried to extend a road in the area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it.

    ALSO READ | India on China’s inroads to Doklam: We keep eye on developments having bearing on national security

    In October last year, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on a “three-step roadmap” to expedite negotiations to resolve their festering boundary dispute.

    Bhutan shares an over 400-km-long border with China and the two countries have held over 24 rounds of boundary talks in a bid to resolve the dispute.

    The Doklam tri-junction is considered important from the point of view of India’s security interests.

    The India-China stand-off in the Doklam plateau in 2017 even triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

    Bhutan said the area belonged to it and India supported the Bhutanese claim.

    India had strongly opposed the construction of the road at the Doklam tri-junction as it would have impacted its overall security interests.

    The India-China face-off was resolved following several rounds of talks.

    The Army Chief will conclude his visit by paying homage at the Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens at Dochula, which were established in honour of the fallen heroes of the Royal Bhutan Army.

    ALSO WATCH |

    NEW DELHI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande on Friday began a two-day visit to Bhutan amid China’s persistent attempts to enhance infrastructure around Bhutanese territory in the Doklam plateau.

    The Indian Army said Gen Pande is scheduled to meet King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan besides holding talks with his counterpart in the Royal Bhutan Army.

    Gen Pande’s visit to Bhutan came days after new satellite images emerged showing China constructing a village East of the Doklam plateau on the Bhutanese side, a region that is considered important for India’s strategic interest.

    After the images came out, the Ministry of External Affairs said India keeps a constant watch on all developments having bearing on national security and takes necessary measures to safeguard its interests.

    It is learnt that the overall situation in the Doklam plateau as well as Chinese activities in the region are set to figure in Gen Pande’s talks with his Bhutanese interlocutors.

    “This visit will further enhance the unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterised by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding,” the Army said in a brief statement.

    The Army said Gen Pande will commence his visit by paying homage at the National Memorial Chorten at Thimpu, built in the memory of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

    “The Chief of Army Staff is scheduled to have an audience with His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth King,” the Army said.

    “The Army Chief will also engage in extensive discussions with his counterpart in the Royal Bhutan Army to exchange views on taking forward the strong cultural and professional bonds between both the armies,” it said.

    The Doklam plateau is considered an important area for India’s strategic interest.

    The Indian and Chinese armies were locked in a 73-day stand-off at the Doklam tri-junction after China tried to extend a road in the area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it.

    ALSO READ | India on China’s inroads to Doklam: We keep eye on developments having bearing on national security

    In October last year, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on a “three-step roadmap” to expedite negotiations to resolve their festering boundary dispute.

    Bhutan shares an over 400-km-long border with China and the two countries have held over 24 rounds of boundary talks in a bid to resolve the dispute.

    The Doklam tri-junction is considered important from the point of view of India’s security interests.

    The India-China stand-off in the Doklam plateau in 2017 even triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

    Bhutan said the area belonged to it and India supported the Bhutanese claim.

    India had strongly opposed the construction of the road at the Doklam tri-junction as it would have impacted its overall security interests.

    The India-China face-off was resolved following several rounds of talks.

    The Army Chief will conclude his visit by paying homage at the Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens at Dochula, which were established in honour of the fallen heroes of the Royal Bhutan Army.

    ALSO WATCH |

  • ‘Army personnel entitled to disability pension only if disability attributable to military service’: SC

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has said army personnel will be entitled to disability pension only if the disability is attributable to military service or was aggravated by such service and if such condition is more than 20 per cent.

    A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and M M Sundresh was hearing an appeal filed by the Centre challenging an order of the Armed Forces Tribunal which granted disability pension to army personnel.

    The top court agreed with the submission of Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj that there has to be a reasonable connection between the injuries sustained by a member of the Armed Forces resulting in disability and the military service.

    “Unless the disability is attributable to or aggravated by military service and is more than 20 per cent, the entitlement to disability pension does not arise,” the bench said while dismissing the claim of army personnel who had sustained injuries two days after he reached the leave station.

    In the present case, two days after the personnel reached the leave station, he met with an accident on a public road, the apex court said.

    “There is absolutely no nexus between the military service and injuries sustained by the respondent. There is not even a causal connection. The tribunal has completely overlooked this aspect which goes to the root of the matter. Hence, the respondent was not entitled to the disability pension,” the bench said.

    The personnel, in this case, was enrolled in the Army on June 4, 1965, and after rendering colour service for 10 years and 88 days, he was transferred to the reserved establishment on August 30, 1975.

    During his reserve period, he voluntarily got himself enrolled in Defence Security Corps on January 7, 1976, and was granted annual leave on November 6, 1999.

    While on leave, he suffered an accident while crossing the road and was hit by a scooter.

    The medical board assessed the percentage of the disability of the respondent at 80 per cent and placed him in the low medical category.

    On that ground, he was invalidated out of service from September 28, 2000.

    Later, he made an application to the Armed Forces Tribunal praying for grant of disability pension.

    The tribunal held that if an individual sustains an injury during the period of any kind of authorised leave and his act was not inconsistent with military service, his disability is deemed to be attributable to the military service.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has said army personnel will be entitled to disability pension only if the disability is attributable to military service or was aggravated by such service and if such condition is more than 20 per cent.

    A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and M M Sundresh was hearing an appeal filed by the Centre challenging an order of the Armed Forces Tribunal which granted disability pension to army personnel.

    The top court agreed with the submission of Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj that there has to be a reasonable connection between the injuries sustained by a member of the Armed Forces resulting in disability and the military service.

    “Unless the disability is attributable to or aggravated by military service and is more than 20 per cent, the entitlement to disability pension does not arise,” the bench said while dismissing the claim of army personnel who had sustained injuries two days after he reached the leave station.

    In the present case, two days after the personnel reached the leave station, he met with an accident on a public road, the apex court said.

    “There is absolutely no nexus between the military service and injuries sustained by the respondent. There is not even a causal connection. The tribunal has completely overlooked this aspect which goes to the root of the matter. Hence, the respondent was not entitled to the disability pension,” the bench said.

    The personnel, in this case, was enrolled in the Army on June 4, 1965, and after rendering colour service for 10 years and 88 days, he was transferred to the reserved establishment on August 30, 1975.

    During his reserve period, he voluntarily got himself enrolled in Defence Security Corps on January 7, 1976, and was granted annual leave on November 6, 1999.

    While on leave, he suffered an accident while crossing the road and was hit by a scooter.

    The medical board assessed the percentage of the disability of the respondent at 80 per cent and placed him in the low medical category.

    On that ground, he was invalidated out of service from September 28, 2000.

    Later, he made an application to the Armed Forces Tribunal praying for grant of disability pension.

    The tribunal held that if an individual sustains an injury during the period of any kind of authorised leave and his act was not inconsistent with military service, his disability is deemed to be attributable to the military service.

  • Deploying robots as sentries, deciphering Mandarin into English: Artificial Intelligence to strengthen Indian defence forces

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India’s focus on the new age disruptive technology Artificial Intelligence (AI) will lead the forces soon to have not just robots doing sentry duty but also the soldiers in mine laden fields will have robots marking and warning about the mines.

    Even those soldiers operating along the Northern Border will have an AI device to decipher Mandarin into English for them.

    These three and 72 more such devices and products as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 75 newly-developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) products/technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on Monday.

    These included AI Platform Automation; Autonomous/Unmanned/Robotics systems; BlockChain-based Automation; Command, Control, Communication, Computer & Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance; Cyber Security; Human Behavioural Analysis; Intelligent Monitoring Systems; Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems; Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operational Data Analytics; Manufacturing and Maintenance; Simulators/Test Equipment and speech/voice analysis using Natural Language Processing.

    A startup CogKnit run by Anuroop Iyengar is preparing the voice recognition and Mandarin Translator

    “The device is offline and can recognize voices at a distance of 5ft. It will be helpful during the Border personnel Meetings and also in times of any standoffs for better communication.”

    The work is on to bring the present weight of device to 200 gms from 600 gms and to increase the effective range to 15 ft and more, said

    Coming to the autonomous robot which will be functioning as sentry, Major Paras Kanwar said that it can be put on a metal rail and with its AI application it will be able to recognize a person from far. “The device will challenge a person as it is enabled to differentiate between a friend and a foe.”. It will keep storing the data for future use and can be operated from a distance of more than five kilometers with wireless signals.  

    Major Kanwar also is part of an AI based offensive weapon project where a device will Locate, detect and fire on an enemy. These products have been promoted by the Army Design Bureau and will soon have their mass production.

    Three AI products developed by the DPSUs having dual-use applications and good market potential, namely AI-enabled Voice Transcription/Analysis software developed by Bharat Electronics Limited; Driver Fatigue Monitoring System developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited and AI-enabled evaluation of Welding defects in X-rays of Non-destructive Testing developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers were screened during the event. These products are expected to open up new business avenues for the Defence PSUs.

    Speaking at the event Rajnath Singh pointed out that AI has built inroads in almost every sector, including defence, health & medicine, agriculture, trade & commerce and transport. He called upon all the defence stakeholders to enhance the jointness of human consciousness and the ability of AI to bring a radical change in the sector.

    “When there has been full human participation in wars, new autonomous weapons/systems have been developed with the help of AI applications. They can destroy enemy establishments without human control. AI-enabled military devices are capable of handling large amounts of data efficiently. It is also proving to be very helpful in training the soldiers. In the coming times, Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies will also be used effectively,” he said.

  • Amarnath cloudburst: Army engages high-tech equipment to rescue pilgrims

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: In one of the major peacetime rescue operations, the Indian Army has deployed men and machinery including the latest equipment to rescue the Amarnath pilgrims who were injured in the flash flood triggered by heavy rain, an Army official said here on Saturday.

    The rescue team rushed to the site as soon as they got the information about casualties in the cloudburst that occurred on Friday evening, the official said.

    He said an infantry battalion led by a Colonel along with Quick Reaction Teams, an additional company of personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles Sector and a team from special forces reached the holy cave along with specialized rescue equipment to undertake the operation.

    “Through the night, the senior Army officers of the infantry battalion and Rashtriya Rifles oversaw and coordinated rescue operations from the cave and Nilgrar. Medical resources at the cave and at Nilgrar were activated and additional resources deployed,” the official said.

    He said nine surveillance detachments with hand-held thermal imagers, night vision devices and other gadgets were deployed for the search operations.

    “Two advanced light helicopters (ALHs) were moved for casualty evacuation at the holy cave. However, owing to bad weather, night landing at the cave was unsuccessful. Two Through Wall Radars and two Search And Rescue dog squads were also moved to the cave for the rescue operation,” he added.

    Giving details of the evacuations, the official said the search, rescue and medical effort continued at daybreak.

    “At 6.45 am, the first ALH landed at the site to commence evacuation of the injured. A total of 15 bodies and 63 injured yatris have been taken out. Both Army and Civilian helicopters are carrying out relentless sorties to evacuate the injured and the dead,” he said.

    “A total of 28 patients have been evacuated from the cave to advanced dressing station Nilagrar. After stabilising, 11 have further been moved to SKIMS Srinagar in civil helicopters for treatment,” he added.

    The bodies have been moved from the cave to Nilagrar while stranded yatris are being escorted by the Indian Army personnel up to Baltal, since the track is slushy and slippery.

    “Simultaneously search was also commenced at daybreak at Amarnath Nar at Sangam for any possible casualties,” the official said.

    Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen ADS Aujla and Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria, GOC of counter insurgency Kilo Force visited the Holy Cave early on Saturday to review the rescue and medical efforts being undertaken by the Indian Army.

    The GOC Chinar Corps also interacted with the yatris and locals and assured of all possible help from the Army.

  • Terrorist gunned down, jawan hurt as Army foils infiltration bid in Kashmir

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The soldiers of the Indian Army have foiled an infiltration attempt where a group of terrorists were trying to cross the Line of Control with Kupwara, Kashmir.

    Sources told The New Indian Express, “Infiltration bid has been foiled on LOC in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara area of North Kashmir 1 terrorist killed and one Army jawan also injured.”

    As per the sources, “there were three terrorists trying to infiltrate” and in the ensuing gunfight a soldier of the local Army unit got injured and “is in critical condition.”

    There has been the input of increased infiltration attempts and the security forces, Indian Army, Central Armed Police forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police have raised their anti-infiltration and also counter-terror operations.

    The forces in Jammu and Kashmir operate in a grid system for quick reaction and to cover maximum ground.

    Amidst the information of the infiltration bid sources in the Army view this and a few previous attempts as part of a plan to push more terrorists into Kashmir as the snow has melted due to summer season.

    As reported by this newspaper a few days back 120 militants eliminated in security operations in Kashmir till June 29 this year, 32 were foreign terrorists.” Only 55 terrorists were killed in the corresponding period in 2021 of which two were foreign terrorists

  • If Agniveers don’t get pension, why should public representatives: BJP MP Varun Gandhi

    By PTI

    PILIBHIT: In his fresh criticism of the Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme, BJP MP Varun Gandhi Friday said if those recruited in the armed forces under this initiative are not eligible for a pension, then why should public representatives get this post-retirement benefit.

    Gandhi has been questioning the ‘Agnipath’ scheme since it was unveiled on June 14 by the Centre. The scheme envisages recruiting young soldiers on a contractual basis for four years and retire 75 per cent of them without pension and health benefits.

    अल्पावधि की सेवा करने वाले अग्निवीर पेंशन के हकदार नही हैं तो जनप्रतिनिधियों को यह ‘सहूलियत’ क्यूँ?राष्ट्ररक्षकों को पेन्शन का अधिकार नही है तो मैं भी खुद की पेन्शन छोड़ने को तैयार हूँ।क्या हम विधायक/सांसद अपनी पेन्शन छोड़ यह नही सुनिश्चित कर सकते कि अग्निवीरों को पेंशन मिले?
    — Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) June 24, 2022
    However, it assures them of an exit package of Rs 11.70 lakh. “If Agniveers who serve for a short period of time are not entitled to a pension, then why this ‘facility’ should be for public representatives? If those who protect the country do not have the right to pension then I am also ready to forego mine,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Can we, the MLA/sMPs, give up our pension to ensure that Agniveers get a pension,” he said. Earlier, he had extended support to students protesting against the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme, but had urged them to follow the path of non-violence.

  • Plea filed in Supreme Court against Agnipath recruitment scheme, terms it ‘illegal’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.

    The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-a-half-years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

    ALSO READ| Eastern Railway cancels 12 interstate trains due to agitation over ‘Agnipath’ scheme

    Protests have erupted in several states against the scheme. Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022. The plea, filed in the apex court by advocate ML Sharma, has sought to quash the June 14 notification/press note claiming it to be illegal and unconstitutional.

    It alleged that on June 14, 2022, contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having approval in parliament and without any gazette notification, the Centre tinkered with the century-old Army selection process and imposed the scheme for recruitment in all three Armed forces divisions. The plea also referred to the protest all over the country against the scheme.

    ALSO READ| Agnipath scheme: Army issues recruitment notification, online registration to begin July

    Last week, a separate petition was filed in the top court seeking a direction to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the damage to public properties including that of Railways, and violent protests against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme.

    The plea has also sought directions to the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan governments to submit a status report on the violent protests. It has sought a direction to set up an expert committee under the chairmanship of a retired apex court judge to examine the scheme and its impact on national security and Army.

  • Release between service not permited: Army comes out with terms and conditions for Agnipath scheme

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army on Sunday released terms and conditions and related details for prospective applicants wanting to join the force under the Agnipath military recruitment scheme. The Army said that ‘Agniveers’ would form a distinct rank in the Indian Army that will be different from any other existing ranks and they can be posted to any regiment and unit.

    It said ‘Agniveers’ will be barred from disclosing classified information gained during the four-year service period to any unauthorised person or source under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. “With the introduction of this scheme, the enrolment of soldiers in the regular cadre of the Indian Army, except technical cadres of medical branch, will be available only to those personnel who have completed their engagement period as Agniveer,” the Army said.

    ALSO READ| Agnipath and the dark matter of democracy

    It said the release of an Agniveer at own request prior to completion of terms of engagement is not permitted. “However, in most exceptional cases, personnel enrolled under this scheme may be released, if sanctioned by the competent authority,” it said.

    The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

    Later the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022. The personnel to be recruited under the new scheme will be known as ‘Agniveers’. The Army said the new recruits will be subjected to the provisions of the Army Act, 1950 and will be liable to go wherever ordered by land, sea or air.

    The Army said a “distinctive insignia” will be worn by the ‘Agniveers’ on their uniform during their service period and that detailed instructions on it will be issued separately.

    The Army said that based on organisational requirements and policies, ‘Agniveers’, on completion of their engagement period in each batch, will be offered an opportunity to apply for enrolment in the regular cadre.

    ALSO READ| 35 WhatsApp groups banned for ‘spreading fake news’ about Agnipath scheme

    “These applications will be considered in a centralised manner by the Army based on objective criteria including performance during their engagement period and not more than 25 per cent of each specific batch of Agniveers will be enrolled in regular cadre post completion of their four-year engagement period,” according to the document released by the Army.

    “Agniveers so enrolled as regular cadre would be required to serve for a further engagement period of 15 years and will be governed by terms and conditions of service (of Junior Commissioned Officer/ Other Ranks) currently in vogue,” it said.

    The Army said the Agniveers will not have any right to be selected after completion of their four-year tenure. As part of the enrolment process, each ‘Agniveer’ will be required to formally accept all terms and conditions of the ‘Agnipath’ scheme.

    For personnel below the age of 18 years, the enrolment form will be required to be signed by the parents or guardians, according to the document. The ‘Agniveers’ will be eligible for 30 days leave in a year as against 90 days for those in regular service.

    Medical leave will be granted based on medical advice. The Army said 30 per cent of the monthly salary of the Agniveers will be compulsorily deposited in a corpus and an equal amount will be contributed by the government.

    “On completion of the tenure, the corpus of Rs 5.02 lakhs will be matched by the government of India and an amount of Rs 10.04 lakhs and accrued interest will be given to the Agniveers. In case of Agniveers who are subsequently selected for enrolment in the Indian Army as regular cadre, the Seva Nidhi package to be paid to them will comprise only their contribution including accrued interest thereon,” the Army said.

    “In the case of Agniveers exiting service before the end of their engagement period on their own request, the individual’s Seva Nidhi Package, accumulated as on date, will be paid with the applicable rate of interest. In such cases, no government contribution to Seva Nidhi Package will be entitled,” it said.

  • Army job aspirants protest against Agnipath scheme, block highway in Punjab

    By PTI

    RUPNAGAR/ CHANDIGARH: Army job aspirants took out protest marches against the Agnipath scheme in Rupnagar and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab on Sunday and blocked vehicular traffic on the Chandigarh-Una national highway in Anandpur Sahib for an hour.

    Amid protests, police have been directed to monitor the situation very closely and take suitable preventive action to ensure peace.

    According to police, a group of youths from villages around Anandpur Sahib in Punjab’s Rupnagar district staged a protest, demanding the Army recruitment process to continue as earlier and immediate withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme.

    The protesters raised slogans against the BJP-led central government and blocked vehicular traffic on the Chandigarh-Una national highway in Anandpur Sahib for an hour. A heavy police deployment was made to prevent any untoward incident.

    ALSO READ| 35 WhatsApp groups for ‘spreading fake news’ about Agnipath scheme

    Another protest was held in Hoshiarpur district. Hundreds of aspirants took out a protest march from the Army ground to Mata Rani Chowk in Hoshiarpur district’s Mukerian and burnt effigy of the Union government to protest against the Agnipath scheme.

    There have been protests against the Agnipath scheme in many parts of Haryana and a few parts of Punjab in the past few days.

    In a communication to all police commissioners and senior superintendents of police (SSPs) from the Addl DGP (Law and Order), it has been stated that these protests are being mobilized through social media platforms, hence there is a need to activate social media cells and monitor activities of groups which are actively mobilizing or spreading instigating information about the scheme.

    The local police shall monitor the situation very closely and take suitable preventive action to ensure peace in the area. Offices and installations related to central government departments shall be strongly protected while security around other vital installations has to be strengthened.

    Senior police officers have been directed to personally involve themselves in monitoring these protests and remain stationed where the protesters gather. Commissioners of police and SSPs have been directed to tie-up with district magistrates for deployment of a duty magistrate.

    Local police may resort to take action as per law if anyone indulges in damage to public property, according to the communication.

    Police commissioners and SSPs shall remain in close contact with local central armed police forces commander and request them to keep their force on standby in case of response to any eventuality, it says.

    ALSO READ| Agnipath applicants will have to give undertaking they didn’t take part in protests, arson

    The central government on Tuesday unveiled the Agnipath scheme, under which youths between the age of 17-and-a-half and 21 years would be inducted in the Army, Navy and the Air Force for a four-year tenure.

    Twenty-five per cent of the recruits will be retained for regular service. The new scheme was projected by the government as a major overhaul of the decades-old selection process to enhance the youthful profile of the three services.

    On Thursday, the upper age limit was raised to 23 years for 2022 as protests against the new model for enrolment of soldiers into the three services spread. The announcement of the new scheme came in the backdrop of recruitments into the military remaining stalled for over two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    In attempts to quell the protests, the home ministry on Saturday announced reserving 10 per cent vacancies in the central armed police forces and the Assam Rifles for ‘Agniveers’ and a three-year relaxation in the upper age limit.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the defence ministry for ‘Agniveers’ who meet requisite eligibility criteria.

  • Army officer earns love of Assam flood victims after saving over 100 lives

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Captain Rupam Das is an example of service before self. Even as the members of his family are battling the devastating Assam floods and stranded at home, the young Assamese Army officer saved over a hundred lives. He hails from Pathshala in the state.

    “During flood rescue operations, certain heartwarming stories came to light. One such story is that of Captain Rupam Das. During flood rescue operations by the Army, the dedicated officer saved over a hundred lives in spite of his family members being stranded,” the Army said in a statement on Sunday.

    “His action is an exceptional example of selfless service to humanity and the nation. Such inspiring acts manifest exceptional human values and strong military grooming and displays the foundational qualities of the youth of the nation,” the statement added.

    The Army had joined the Assam flood rescue operations four days ago. Fourteen composite columns rescued over 4,500 people, including patients, elderly people and children, in seven districts. Meanwhile, the flood situation in the state remained unchanged.

    Eight more persons died – five in floods and three in landslides – on Sunday which took the death toll to 70. Over 37.17 lakh people in 30 of the state’s 35 districts have been affected.

    The Northeast Frontier Railway cancelled a number of trains after the floodwaters inundated tracks at some places. The Kaziranga National Park was also partially submerged. A total of 44 of its 223 camps were under water, official sources said.

    In Dibrugarh of upper Assam, four persons were reported missing on Sunday after a country boat capsized on the flooded Brahmaputra. There were altogether nine persons and the five others managed to swim to safety.

    Apart from Assam, Meghalaya has been badly affected by floods and landslides.