News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Army

  • New Armed Forces officers assume charge at the tri-services and services level

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Armed forces witnessed a major reshuffle at the top on Friday. As per the sources major changes in the Army included one new Army Commander, DG Military Operations, the Adjutant General and a Corps Commander. Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, National Defence Academy and Strategic Forces Command also saw new faces assuming charge at the top.

    Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) SS Mahal took over as the General Officer Commanding in Chief (C-inC), Army Training Command (ARTRAC). He was the General Officer Commanding (GoC) Uttar Bharat (UB) Area. Lt General Mahal moved to Artrac after Lt Gen Raj Shukla retired on 31 March. UB area, unlike the other administrative headquarters, is a combatised area as it has operational troops under its command. Lt Gen Mahal was commissioned in December 1984 into 41 Armoured Regiment.

    Also, with the retirement of Lt Gen Raj Shukla, Lt Gen MK Pandey, the current Vice Chief of Army Staff remains the senior most serving officer after General MM Naravane. The government is in process to select the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) after the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat.

    In the Army Lt Gen Ponappa took charge of the Adjutant General (AG), shifting from the post of Deputy Chief (Information, Services & Training). AG looks after the welfare and discipline of the Army.

    Lt Gen JP Mathews has moved in place of Lt Gen Mahal as the GoC UB Area. Prior to the new posting Lt Gen Mathews was Commanding the Dimapur based Spear (3 Corps) Corps with the Line of Actual Control, Myanmar Border and Counter Insurgency under its responsibility.

    A new Director General Military Operations will take charge at the New Delhi based Army headquarters. Lt Gen MK Katiyar is the new DGMO of the Army who was commanding the Mathura based I Strike Corps and will take over as DGMO on 30th April. The current DGMO Lt Gen BS Raju is in line to become the Army Commander.

    In the Navy, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru assumed charge as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 Mar. He was commissioned into the Navy in Jan 85 as a Submarine and Navigation Specialist. On elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral in 2019, he held the challenging and coveted appointment of Deputy C-in-C of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) prior taking over as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.

    He succeeded Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh who retired after more than 38 years of illustrious service on 31 Mar 2022.

    At the tri-services level the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) and Strategic Forces Command have new officers at the helm. NDA has got the new Commandant with Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, assuming the appointment on Friday from Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor. Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor is heading Delhi as the Director General Inspection and Safety.

    Vice Admiral Kochhar, commissioned in July 1988, was Project Director (Operations and Training) at Headquarters Advanced Tactical Vessel Program, HQ, and New Delhi. His command tenure includes the Command of India’s only Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He was also the Fleet Commander Western Fleet, the sword arm of the Navy.

    Another important change has taken place at the Strategic Forces Command. Air Marshal RGK Kapoor is the new Commander in Chief in place of Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar who superannuated on March 31. The SFC operationalises the delivery of nuclear weapons and warheads after the go-ahead from the Nuclear Command Authority.

  • Huge ‘Atmanirbhar’ push as Centre plans to procure military equipment worth Rs 5 lakh crore from domestic source

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Monday said it plans to procure military equipment worth Rs 5 lakh crore from the domestic industries in the next five to seven years in line with its policy of promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.

    Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt put out the projected figure of procurement from domestic sources while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

    In August 2020, the ministry announced that India will stop the import of 101 weapons and military platforms like transport aircraft, light combat helicopters, conventional submarines, cruise missiles and sonar systems by 2024.

    A second list, putting import restrictions on 108 military weapons and systems such as next-generation corvettes, airborne early warning systems, tank engines and radars, under a staggered timeline was issued in May last year.

    In December, the ministry released a list containing 2,500 items, which have already been developed indigenously.

    It also released a list of 351 equipment that will be developed within the country by December 2024.

    The minister in his reply mentioned the lists and the government’s priorities.

    “The positive indigenisation list comprises defence equipment which will be designed, developed and manufactured over a period from 2020 to 2025,” he said, adding that the it was not possible to assess at this juncture the actual on account of the decision to not import the items.

    “However, as per available projections, it is estimated that over approximately Rs 5 lakh crore worth of equipment included in both the positive indigenisation lists will be procured from domestic industry over the next five to seven years,” he said.

    In the last few years, the government has taken a series of measures to boost domestic defence manufacturing.

    In May last year, the government announced increasing the FDI limit from 49 per cent to 74 per cent under the automatic route in the defence sector.

    India is one of the largest importers of arms globally.

    According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion (one billion is equal to 100 crores) in capital procurement in the next five years.

    The government now wants to reduce dependence on imported military platforms and has decided to support domestic defence manufacturing.

    The Defence Ministry has set a goal of a turnover of USD 25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years that included an export target of USD 5 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) worth of military hardware.

    The government on Monday said that a total of Rs 3,343 crore has been received as foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector since 2014.

    In response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the defence sector needs continuous investment for capacity enhancements and the creation of state-of-the-art technologies.

    “During the period from 2001-2014, a total FDI inflow of about Rs 1,382 crore was reported and from 2014 till date, a total FDI of about Rs 3,343 crore has been reported,” he said.

    To a separate question, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said the “term ‘Matryr’ is not used in Indian Armed Forces.”

    He was asked about the definition of martyr and whether the government has stopped the use of the word for those who made supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.

    Asked whether the government is considering a system of conferring letters of acknowledgement from the President and the Prime Minister’s Office on the families of armed forces personnel killed in action, Bhatt said no such proposal has been received for consideration.

    To another question, Bhatt said the government created the Defence AI (Artificial Intelligence) Council (DAIC) in 2019 for providing necessary guidance to enable and effect the development of an operating framework for the adoption of the application of AI in the defence sector.

    He said all the three services have established institutional mechanisms in the form of AI Sub Committee and Joint Working Group on AI.

    “As part of the data management framework, the services have formulated data policy and appointed data management officers,” he said.

    Bhatt also said that the budget allocated and utilised in the past three years for the research and development of indigenous defence aircraft was Rs 3,280 crore and Rs 2,835 crore respectively.

    He said 100 per cent rate of success has been achieved for the various research carried out for the development of indigenous defence aircraft.

  • No recruitment in two years has begun ‘pinching’ the Indian Army

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: At the time when the video footage of youth Pradeep Mehra is getting viral for his determination to join the Indian Army, there has been no recruitment at the soldier’s level within the force since two years. Indian Army has started to bear the operational cost of it.

    While the Ministry of Defence on Monday informed that there has been no induction of the fresh recruits, the numbers of soldiers leaving the Army has not come down.

    A senior Army officer explained that while retirement continues and there is no new recruitment the operational contingencies have intensified in the recent years, “While the retirement has remained to the tune of 50 to 60,000 every year the stoppage of the new recruits joining has started pinching us operationally.”

    There is protracted tension along the Line of Actual Control with a heightened deployment along the LAC in the Eastern Ladakh and the deployment has also been spruced up as a precautionary measure.

    Every year about 50,000-60,000 new soldiers were used to be inducted into the Indian Army but after 2019 no new recruitment has been made informed the MoD and this has led to rise in the workload of the soldiers as they are continuing with duties with the lesser number of men in the units and this has effected those men deployed at high altitude areas or operational areas had to suffer a lot with lack of manpower.

    In a written reply to Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt stated Covid-19 pandemic as the reason for not cancelling all the rallies nationwide.

    “All Recruitment Rallies planned by Army Recruiting Offices /Zonal Recruiting Offices have been suspended till further orders due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country,” he informed the Rajya Sabha.

    He also shared the details of the recruitment rallies that the Indian Army was supposed to carry out in 2020 and 2021.

    Bhatt stated that 97 rallies were planned in 2020-21, out of which only 47 rallies could be conducted. Out of the 47 recruitment rallies, Common Entrance Exam (CEE) for only four rallies could be conducted before suspension of recruiting activities.

    For 2021-22, as many as 87 recruitment rallies were scheduled, out of which only four Rallies have been conducted so far and no CEE could be conducted.

    The situation will worsen further as even I the recruitment begins now it will take years for the new lot to join their designated places in the force. “Even if we start recruitment process today it will take around 1.5 years to select and train them.” told another officer.

    The shortage of the manpower has accumulated with the Army suffering the most.

    It was during recently concluded assembly elections, the youths had raised the issue of recruitment rallies in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s election campaigns in Uttar Pradesh. Singh had assured them of resuming it soon. The Armed Forces remain the biggest job provider for youths from rural background.

    The government on 10 December 2021 had informed the parliament that the shortage in Army stands at 104053 personnel, 12431 in Navy and 5471 in the Air Force. The shortage has struck the publicised recruitment of the women at the Other Ranks as well.

    A total of 300 vacancies for recruitment of Women Military Police have been released till date. But only 101 have been inducted in 2019.

    Other 200 were supposed to be inducted in 2020 and 2021 but the recruitment has been withheld due to spread of the pandemic.

  • India and Seychelles to hold 10-day joint military exercise from March 22

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Amidst the rising forays of China into the Indian Ocean, the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) are conducting the ninth Joint Military Exercise Lamitiye 2022 at the Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA) in Seychelles from March 22 to March 31.

    The Indian Army in a statement on Monday said, “An infantry platoon strength each from both the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) along with Company Headquarters will be participating in this exercise which is aimed at sharing experiences gained during various operations against hostile forces in a semi-urban environment and enhance capability to undertake joint operations.”

    The Indian Army contingent comprising troops from the Gorkha Rifles group (Pirkanthi Battalion) reached Seychelles on March 21.

    Underlining the significance of the exercise, the Army said, “Exercise Lamitiye with Seychelles is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both the nations in the backdrop of current global situation and growing security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region.”

    The 10-day joint exercise will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures and demonstrations. It will culminate with a two-day validation exercise.

    The exercise is a biennial training event which has been conducted in Seychelles since 2001.

    The objective of the joint training exercise is to build and promote bilateral military relations in addition to exchanging skills, experiences and good practices between both the armies.

    Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralistion of likely threats that may be encountered in the semi urban environment, while exploiting and showcasing new generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operations.

    Major Abhishek Nepal Singh, Company Commander of the Indian Army contingent, stated, “The biennial exercise, which has largely contributed to strengthen bilateral military cooperation and interoperability between both armies, is an outbound exercise being held in Seychelles. We look forward to sharing practical aspects to comprehend and put in practice the validated drills, procedures as well as amalgamation of new technology in sub-conventional operations through numerous situation based discussions and tactical exercises.”

    Seychelles is a strategically located island nation which sits astride the strategically important sea lanes of communication and holds significance for the Indian vision of “SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.”

    “The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence co-operation between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and will further manifest in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries,” the Army added.

  • Indian defence forces got 63,000 crores less than their budgetary requirements: Panel report

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Adequate budgetary allocations must be made available to the armed forces in view of the present scenario of heightened tensions with certain neighbouring countries, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence said on Wednesday.

    Referring to the gap between the demand of the three services for capital outlay and the budgetary allocation, the panel recommended that the defence ministry should not make any reduction in the outlay in the coming years.

    In a report tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the committee noted that a demand of Rs 2,15,995 crore was projected under the capital head for 2022-23, but the allocation made was Rs 1,52,369.61 crore.

    It said such curtailment of funds could end up compromising the operational preparedness of the defence services.

    “The committee further note that at BE (budget estimate) stage in 2022-23, the gap between the projected and allocated budget for Army, Navy and Air Force is Rs 14,729.11 crore, Rs 20,031.97 crore and Rs 28,471.05 crore respectively, which are remarkably high,” it said.

    The committee said it was of the view that in the “present scenario of heightened tensions with our neighbouring countries, especially at borders of our country, such situation is not conducive for defence preparedness”.

    The panel, in its previous reports, had recommended making capital budget “non-lapsable” and “roll-on” in nature.

    The committee said it was apprised that a draft cabinet note for the non-lapsable defence modernisation fund is under consideration.

    “The committee observe that out of the total budgetary allocation of Rs 3,43,822.00 in 2020-21, only Rs 2,33,176.70 have been utilised by the ministry up to December 2020,” it said.

    The committee is headed by BJP MP Jual Oram and comprises around 30 lawmakers, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Nationalist Congress party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar.

    The panel recommended to the defence ministry to expedite the constitution of the “non-lapsable defence modernisation fund — defence renewal fund” that could be used exclusively for the procurement of critical defence assets at critical times.

    About the Indian Air Force (IAF), the committee said it should have “two front deterrence capabilities”, which is of utmost priority as the “threat on both sides of Indian neighbourhood is a reality which cannot be ignored”.

    The committee was making a veiled reference to the security threats India is facing along its borders with Pakistan and China.

    It, however, did not name the two countries.

    “Accordingly, equipping our armed forces with all possible combat capabilities is the need of the hour. The firepower of Air Force is proportionate to the fighter squadrons in its kitty,” the panel said.

    “During evidence, the representatives of Air Force submitted that the present authorised strength of squadron is 42.

    It was further stated that the total technical life of most of the existing squadron is expiring and consequently, the squadron strength is progressively depleting,” it added.

    The committee also suggested that the IAF should ensure that new aircraft are procured in the near future so as to enhance its combat capabilities.

    “The committee are of the view that fighter squadron strength cannot be counted merely on the number of aircraft but also their weapon carrying ability, lethality and range to fly and strike,” it said.

    “Therefore, no compromises in terms of firepower and technology should be made while inducting fighter jets in Air Force,” it added.

    The panel also asked the defence ministry to be more cautious and transparent in ensuring the fulfilment of offset requirements in defence contracts.

    According to a report tabled in Lok Sabha by the panel, a total of 57 defence offset contracts have been signed as on date and the total obligations under them are estimated at around USD 13.

    52 billion “to be discharged over a period from 2008-2033”.

    “Out of the total contracted obligations USD 4.59 billion has been discharged by the vendors, of which USD 2.9 billion has been accepted in audit and the balance claims are under clarification/examination,” it said.

    The committee, while appreciating the efforts of the ministry in bringing down the total offset obligations, expressed the hope that it would take appropriate measures in the “right earnest” for clearing the balance claims at the earliest that are under “clarification/examination”.

    It said such a measure would result in further strengthening of the defence industrial base.

    Under the offset policy, the foreign defence entities, for all contracts worth Rs 2000 crore or more, are mandated to spend at least 30 per cent of the total contract value in India through procurement of components, transfer of technologies or setting up of research and development activities.

    However, the offsets are not applicable to procurements under ‘fast track procedure’ and in ‘option clause’ cases if the same was not envisaged in the original contract.

    Further, no offsets are applicable in contracts under intergovernmental agreements.

    “While expressing satisfaction that the Defence Offset Monitoring Wing is effectively discharging its duties, the Committee recommends the ministry to be more cautious and transparent as the scope of offset has been increased from Rs 300 crore to Rs 2,000 crore or more,” the committee said.

    “The Committee desire that the ministry should try to establish some import substitute products industry while discharging the 30 per cent obligation,” it said.

    On foreign direct investment in the defence manufacturing sector, it said the amount is over Rs 3243 crore between 2014 and 2021.

    The committee, headed by Jual Oram, comprises around 30 lawmakers including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

  • Army alert to all threats: COAS Gen MM Naravane

    By Express News Service

    BENGALURU: Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane on Wednesday said the army was alert and ready to take on any potential threats while remaining committed to maintaining peace and stability along the country’s borders. 

    With the ongoing geo-political status on the northern borders, Gen Naravane said the Indian Army was going through a challenging time, but has increased its efficiency with new weaponry and modern equipment, and added that there was a new intensity in the efforts directed at this over the last three years. He stressed that a modern and professional Indian Army has to be always ready to meet future challenges that come its way. 

    He was speaking after presenting the ‘President’s Colours’, or ‘Nishan’, to four battalions of the Parachute Regiment — 11 Para (SF), 21 Para (SF), 23 Para and 29 Para — on behalf of President Ram Nath Kovind during a Colour Presentation Parade at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre in Bengaluru.  The ‘Nishan’ is considered to be one of the greatest honours for a military unit — a recognition of its exceptional service to the nation.

    He said with a change in the area of battle, the manner in which forces are organised, too, had changed, along with the way weapons are used and how battles are fought. Towards this end, “the army has increased its efficiency with new weaponry and modern equipment. Although this process of change is continuous, there is a new intensity and speed in these efforts in the last two to three years,” he said.

  • Instagram restores page of Indian Army’s Chinar Corps; Facebook in process

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: After blocking for over a week, social media giant Instagram restored the handle of Chinar Corps, the Indian Army’s strategically located formation in the Kashmir valley, while Facebook has assured a timely solution, officials said here on Wednesday.

    After the issue of Instagram and Facebook taking off the pages was highlighted, the social media website got in touch with the officials at the Kashmir-based XV Corps, popularly known as Chinar Corps, following which the Instagram page, having around four lakh followers, was restored this morning.

    The company had objected to some of the posts, alleging that they were against the rules laid down.

    After e-mail interactions with the technical team of Facebook, the Instagram account was restored while the account on Facebook would be restored soon after all the material from the previous handle was shifted to a new handle, the officials said.

    On Tuesday, a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said that the matter had been taken up with authorities concerned in Facebook, but there had been no response from their side.

    The pages on Facebook and Instagram were created to negate the lies and propaganda flowing from across the border and also to apprise people of the real situation in the Kashmir valley, the official said.

    There was no official reaction from Facebook.

  • Wreath-laying ceremony marks Army Day celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir

    By PTI

    JAMMU: A solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Dhruva War Memorial marked the Army day celebrations at the Northern Command headquarters at Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, a defence spokesman said.

    General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen YK Joshi laid a wreath to pay homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, the spokesman said.

    The Army Day is celebrated every year in recognition of Lt Gen KM Cariappa’s taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on this day in 1949 from Gen Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief.

    In his message, the Army Commander exhorted all ranks to take inspiration from the devotion, resoluteness and sacrifices of the brave martyrs and be prepared for all future challenges. The Army Commander also commended meritorious units and individuals for their bravery and distinguished service.

    He conveyed his good wishes for continued success to all ranks, veterans, defence civilian employees and families of northern command, the spokesman said.

    On this occasion, a health screening camp on lifestyle diseases was inaugurated by the Regional President, Army Wives Welfare Association, Northern Command, Ina Joshi, in which a large number of families participated, the spokesman said.

  • We will have to be prepared to stay at LAC in Eastern Ladakh as long as required: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday made it clear that while the Chinese have carried out a major enhancement of the troop level and permanent infrastructure build up it remains to be seen whether they will permanently garrison themselves there or they will de-induct in the time to come. And, till then we will have to be prepared to stay.

    Replying to the question of TNIE that whether the Chinese PLA was preparing for permanent deployment Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane addressing the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Press Conference 2022 told, “Amassing of large forces by the Chinese in Eastern Ladakh is the root cause of the situation which developed. Now that they are there and they have made a lot of infrastructure it remains to be seen whether they will permanently garrison themselves there or they will be amenable to some kind of de-induction in times to come.”

    The Army Chief said that the reaching de-indcution will pass through several processes. But, before we reach that level, “we will have to be prepared to stay there as long as it required.”

    As far as the ongoing situation is concerned it will have to follow a few laid out steps. Firstly, it will be dis-engagement, then we can think of a little bit of de-scalation and by that (it means) moving back from being bang on LAC to the areas in depth areas but remaining in the general areas.

    “Once this kind of confidence is built up then we can think of de-induction wherein the troops can go in their permanent garrison.” 

    But, it has to be done mutually, the chief pointed out.

    Talking about the overall border situation Naravane said,the situation that existed last January, “I think we can say, there have been positive developments, both along our Northern and Western Borders in the last one year.”

    The 14th round of talks between the Indian and Chinese Corps Commanders was underway as the Chief was briefing the media.

    “Good thing that talks are going on, it shows that we can resolve our differences through dialogue. Each time we talk we narrow down to the issues, that is why this mechanism is important,” Chief brought out.

    To expect every round of talks to have an outcome is also quite unreasonable, number of rounds will be required to deal with the situation, Chief clarified, “We are hopeful that we will be able to resolve the issue of PP 15 (Hot Springs), the one which is pending as of now. Once that is done, we will go to other issues that predate the current standoff.”

    The other issues include the Depsang and Demchok standoffs.

    But while there has been partial disengagement, the Chief made it clear that “the threat has by no means reduced.”

    Force levels, in areas where dis-engagement is yet to take place, have been adequately enhanced with around 60,000 troops from both sides deployed in Eastern Ladakh and there has been few positives of the surprise standoff which began in May 2020.

    Keeping the incumbent situation, “Up-gradation and development of infrastructure, along the Northern Borders, is being carried out in a holistic, and comprehensive manner, including roads & tunnels, for all weather connectivity, Strategic Railway Lines, additional bridges across the Brahmaputra, up-gradation of bridges on critical, Indo-China Border Roads, and storage for supplies, fuel and ammunition. Major efforts have also been undertaken to identify dual use infrastructure,” said Army Chief.

    Talking about the Line of Control, “after a heightened situation for a prolonged period, the DGMOs Understanding, in February last year, was aimed at achieving mutually beneficial, and sustainable peace, along the LC. Resultantly, the situation has witnessed marked improvement.”

    Indian Army has resolved to show ‘Zero Tolerance’ to terror, and commit ourselves to extract dire costs, should that be forced upon us. There has been, “increase in concentration of terrorists in launch pads, across the LC and repeated infiltration attempts, once again expose their nefarious intents.”

    Elaborating on the situation in the North-Eastern General Naravane said “it remained under control”.

    Which has led to a graduated de-induction, of around two divisions from the counter terrorist duty to their primary duties.

    Chief, said that the crisis on the Northern Borders also had a silver lining. “We have used this crisis as an opportunity to fast-track infrastructure development, undertake doctrinal reviews and make-up operational voids, through Emergency and Fast Track Procurements.”

  • Army allows Nagaland SIT to question jawans for civilian killings

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Nagaland government-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) will question the Army personnel who were involved in the December 4 killing of civilians during and after a botched ambush at Oting in the state’s Mon district.

    A senior Nagaland Police official confirmed on Wednesday that the Army had granted access to the SIT to quiz the personnel.

    However, it was not clear if the personnel will be questioned face to face or they will give written replies to queries from the SIT. Nagaland government sources said face to face questioning was more likely.

    Meanwhile, an Army team probing the incident visited places in Mon, including the site of the ambush, on Wednesday. The team was led by a Major General who is heading the probe.

    The Konyak (tribe) civil society organisations had earlier asked the personnel to not come in uniform or with arms “for their safety as the sight of uniform and weapons might provoke the villagers”.

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    A Nagaland government source said the personnel had “cooperated with the demand of the civil societies”. They were reportedly provided security by the state police.

    In a statement, the Army’s 3 Corps headquarters based in Nagaland’s Dimapur said the Court of Inquiry, instituted by the Army to investigate the incident, visited the site of the incident.

    “The inquiry team, headed by a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened,” the statement said.

    “The team also took along the witnesses for better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded,” it added.

    Later, the team visited the Tizit police station to meet cross-sections of the society, including civilians, police personnel and doctors who treated the injured, for obtaining valuable information pertaining to the incident, the statement said.

    Earlier, the Army had requested people to share any information pertaining to the incident directly by being present before the inquiry team at Tizit police station. It had also shared a WhatsApp number so that people could share firsthand photos or videos related to the incident.

    “As per the Indian Army, the Court of Inquiry is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest,” the statement added.