OnMonday, General Naravane laid a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial…reports Asian Lite News
Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane and Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen met on Tuesday and discussed regional geopolitical developments.
General Naravane reviewed the Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence in Singapore and complimented the Guard for an impeccable turnout and parade.
The strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between both the two nations was reaffirmed, the Army said in a statement.
He also called on Brigadier General David Neo, Chief of Army of Singapore Army and discussed the roadmap to further enhance defence cooperation between the two nations.
General Naravane is on a three-day visit to Singapore to enhance military cooperation from Monday (April 4).
On Monday, General Naravane laid a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial.
Last year in December, General Naravane went on a week-long visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the first ever trip by an army chief to both West Asian countries to significantly boost the security ties.
The Army carried out a similar exercise at Siliguri corridor near the Northern border with China…reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Army conducted an airborne exercise at Pokhran in Rajasthan on Friday to validate its rapid response capabilities along the western border with Pakistan.
The exercise included combat-free fall jumps with guided precision aerial delivery system and battle drills in a simulated hostile mechanised environment, the Army said.
With the onset of summer, the Army top brass is reviewing deployment of troops on Western and Northern borders.
Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, along with other top military leaders, went to Central Command in Lucknow on Wednesday to review the deployment of the force along the border.
The Army carried out a similar exercise at Siliguri corridor near the Northern border with China.
Last week, nearly 600 paratroopers of the Indian Army’s Airborne Rapid Response teams carried out large-scale drops near the Siliguri corridor in an airborne exercise, after being airlifted from various airbases.
Rajasthan | Indian Army conducted an airborne exercise at Pokhran to validate its Rapid Response capabilities along the Western Front
Withthe onset of summer, the Indian Army reviews the deployments of the troops at the Line of Actual Control…reports Asian Lite News
Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, Vice Chief Lieutenant General Manoj Pande and other top military commanders reached the headquarters of the Central Command in Lucknow on Wednesday to review deployments of troops in the Western and Northern borders.
The military top brass will discuss the force preparedness at the Line of Actual Control with China and Line of Control with Pakistan. They will be there for three days and hold deliberations over various military issues amid changing geopolitical turmoil.
India and China have been engaged in a border dispute for around almost two years and talks are on to resolve the matter. Even as talks with China are on, the People’s Liberation Army deployment has been intact. India too has dug in and made a mirror deployment of troops.
With the onset of summer, the Indian Army reviews the deployments of the troops at the Line of Actual Control.
Last week, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Delhi and discussed bilateral relations “that have been disturbed as a result of the Chinese actions in April 2020”.
Jaishankar had said the current situation of disengaging the disputed borders is happening at a “slower pace than desirable”.
He also stated the relationship with China is “not normal. Our effort today is to sort out the issue in its entirety,” he said.
China’s People’s Liberation Army made an aggressive move at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh in April 2020 leading to the border dispute between India and China. It has been two years and the border dispute is still not resolved.
Earlier, this month India and China discussed resolving the existing border dispute along the Line of Actual Control during the 15th round of Corp commander level talks but nothing moved in the meeting.
The joint statement issued by the Ministry of Defence in India had stated that the 15th round China-India Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on the Indian side on March 11, 2022.
The two sides carried forward their discussions from the previous round held on 12th January 2022 for the resolution of the relevant issues along the LAC in the Western Sector.
“They had a detailed exchange of views in this regard, in keeping with the guidance provided by the State Leaders to work for the resolution of the remaining issues at the earliest,” said the statement.
They reaffirmed that such a resolution would help restore peace and tranquility along the LAC in the Western Sector and facilitate progress in the bilateral relations.
Fourteen rounds of talks till now have resulted in the resolution of the North and South Bank of Pangong Tso, Galwan and Gogra Hot Spring areas.
Insouth Kashmir’s Shopian district, an Army evacuation team carried another pregnant woman on a stretcher from snowbound Ramnagri village to the district hospital…reports Asian Lite News
Heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir has led to many far-flung areas getting cut off from the mainland. But the security forces, including Army and Border Security Force, are lending a helping hand to the people in distress.
The soldiers carrying pregnant women and other terminally ill people to hospitals on foot has been a common practice in J&K during winter months for the past many years. In distress residents of far-flung areas have only one hope, i.e., the Army soldiers or the jawans of other security forces, who are deployed in their areas all throughout the year.
Recently a video clip showing the Indian Army soldiers carrying a pregnant woman to a hospital on their shoulders amid heavy snowfall in north Kashmir’s Uri sector went viral on social media. The locals from Ghagar Hill village along Line of Control in Boniyar had sought the help of an Army unit in their area to carry a pregnant woman to the hospital. The jawans amidst heavy snowfall carried the woman on their shoulders over a distance of 6.5 Kms to the primary health centre.
In south Kashmir’s Shopian district, an Army evacuation team carried another pregnant woman on a stretcher from snowbound Ramnagri village to the district hospital.
The BSF jawans airlifted three patients for medical attention from the snow-bound Tangdhar sector to Kupwara. Tangdhar remains cut off for days altogether during winter due to snowfall and mud slides that block the road.
Indian Security forces on patrol during harsh weather,while the country celebrates new year ,in gulmarg kashmir (photo: pallav paliwal)
Always at forefront
Security forces deployed in Jammu and Kashmir besides fighting Pakistan sponsored insurgency have always remained at forefront to help the local people. During winter months civil administration usually seeks help from the Army to reach out to the people living in mountainous areas. Army and other security forces have never said no. Even if the locals approach the security forces directly for any assistance, it’s provided to them without any recommendation from the local authorities as the local commanders don’t want people to get caught in wrangles during crisis time. Their only aim is to solve the problem.
The people friendly approach of the security forces has helped them win the hearts of masses. Denizens of Jammu and Kashmir rely heavily upon the security forces in difficult situations.
The local Army units deployed in far-flung areas keep on organizing medical and other camps for the local population. These units also provide ration, clothes, blankets and quilts to the people in winter so that they are equipped to fight the inclement weather conditions.
People’s Army
During the past thirty years, Pakistan and its advocates in Jammu and Kashmir have tried their best to project the Indian Army and other Central armed forces as “occupational forces” but their propaganda based on lies and deceit has fallen flat. The security forces have built a strong relation with the local populace in J&K. Officers and jawans despite facing all the odds have always remained available for the common man. They have protected him from the militants and have ensured that whenever a civilian is in need the armed forces reach out to him without any delay.
There have been instances where the Army has rescued the people from accident sites, and has prevented the fire from gutting the entire village. The soldiers have built a strong bond with a common man. The residents of J&K reposing faith in the security forces have hurt the militants and their bosses sitting across the Line of Control. Many civilians during the past 30-years have been labeled as informers of security forces and killed by the ultras.
There was a time when militant groups used to issue diktats to people, asking them not to visit the camps of security forces and attend their programmes. But the common people didn’t succumb under pressure and maintained a cordial relationship with the security forces. By doing so they sent a clear message that the Indian Army is People’s Army and it’s not an “occupational force”.
By helping security forces to fight the militancy, a common man in J&K has made it clear that ultras are not their friends as their only aim is to disrupt their lives and kill people to fight the proxy war of Pakistan.
Human face, big heart
Till August 5, 2019 — when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate J&K’s special status and divided it into two Union Territories — a common man in J&K was unable to give vent to his feelings in an explicit way but during the past two years nationalist voices have become vocal. They are calling spade a spade and are openly acknowledging who is their friend and who is their enemy.
The human face and big heart of the security forces has always been visible. In 2005 when an earthquake devastated villages, hamlets and towns in Kashmir, the security forces provided shelter to people in their camps and helped them in rebuilding their homes.
When Kashmir witnessed the worst floods of the century in 2014, central armed forces, including the Indian Air Force, were the first ones to reach out to the marooned people. The security forces pressed their boats and manpower into service to pull the people out of the inundated areas in Kashmir. The IAF helicopters airlifted thousands of people and took them to safer places.
Security forces in J&K by their actions have on every occasion proven the adversary wrong. Their presence in Jammu and Kashmir has helped a common man to carry out his daily chores without any fear. The soldiers put their lives at stake to ensure that a civilian remains safe and the enemies of peace, prosperity and development don’t succeed in their nefarious designs.
Indian Security forces on patrol during harsh weather,while the country celebrates new year ,in gulmarg kashmir (photo: pallav paliwal)
Security forces have always been there to serve the people of J&K and ensure their well being. Besides protecting a common man from the enemy and the elements inimical to peace, jawans of Army, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force and others have always extended a helping hand. Whenever a common Kashmiri has been in distress he has always looked towards the armed forces and they have never let him down.
Ethiopian army told to keep stronghold without proceeding further
The Ethiopian government has announced a successful competition of the latest military operation against rebel forces in the northern Afar and Amhara regions…reports Asian Lite News
The Ethiopian government forces have “routed the terrorist group forces in the Afar and Amhara regions, and effectively prevented (the rebel group) from taking ammunitions it brought to the areas it had invaded to its final destination,” Xinhua news agency quoted state-run Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) citing Legesse Tulu, Minister of Government Communication Service, as saying.
Ethiopian army told to keep stronghold without proceeding further
“The government has decided to order the army to keep the stronghold in liberated areas without further proceeding due to various reasons.”
Noting that the aim of the operation was to liberate the two regions from the occupation of the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the Minister stressed that the entire Afar and Eastern zones of the Amhara have been cleared of the aggression of forces loyal to the TPLF as per the plan.
The conflict that started in early November last year in the country’s Northernmost Tigray region between the TPLF and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) following the former’s attack on the northern military command of the latter had over the second half of 2021 expanded further southwards, affecting the neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions.
The ENDF had initially taken control of Mekelle, Tigray’s capital, within less than one month from the ousted rebel group, which used to rule the region for about three decades.
In June, the federal government announced a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew its forces from the region, emphasising the move would facilitate humanitarian assistance, peaceful livelihood and agriculture activities amid the approaching rainy season.
Forces loyal to the TPLF soon took control of much of the area in the region, including the regional capital.
The conflict has since expanded to Amhara and Afar, which was followed by a six-month nationwide state of emergency rule by the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) to ward off forces of the TPLF — an entity designated as a terrorist organization by Parliament.
In line with the national call, which the Ethiopian government dubbed a “survival campaign”, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed joined frontline combat late last month, followed by strong mobilisation among the general public.
The massive nationwide mobilisation seems to have played a role as the ENDF, supported by regional allies and the popular movement, intensified its military operations against the rebel fighters.
Over the past month, the ENDF, together with regional forces and militia fighters, has claimed control of strategic cities and towns across Amhara and Afar, reversing months of battlefield gains by the rebel forces, eventually forcing the rebel forces to withdraw from the regions against their initial plans.
The force said that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident…reports Asian Lite News.
A military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor on Wednesday in which Indian’s Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat was travelling along with others.
Military chopper crashes in TN, Gen Bipin Rawat on board (Pictures: IANS)
The number of casualties are still unknown and local police has ascertained only three rescued and searches are on for others.
Along with General Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brigadier L.S. Lidder, Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh, Naik Gursewak Singh, Naik Jitender Kumar, Naik Vivek Kumar, Naik B. Sai Teja, Havaldar Satpal and pilots were travelling in the chopper.
Confirming about General Rawat presence, Indian Air Force tweeted, “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.”
The force said that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The rescued suffered serious injuries and have been taken to Wellington cantonment.
The Army has always objected to other paramilitary forces wearing combat dresses of similar pattern…reports Asian Lite News.
The Indian Army will have a new combat uniform for its personnel aimed to provide more comfort and sustainability, sources said. The new combat dress would be unveiled during the Army Day Parade on January 15 next year.
For the first time in its history, the Army Day parade will witness uniform and weapons of different era, dating back to even pre-Independence times.
The troops will also march sporting the new uniform during the Republic Day parade next year.
The new uniform will be of digital pattern like the troopers of the US Army use. “The camouflage of the changed uniform is better than its previous one,” said a senior Indian Army official.
The Army has always objected to other paramilitary forces wearing combat dresses of similar pattern.
“Many a times we had flagged it,” said the official.
Interestingly, the soldiers will not have to tuck-in the dress. In the new uniform, the belt will be under the dress.
The official said that it has been designed keeping the comfort levels in mind.
So far the Army contingents at the Army Day parade and the Republic Day parade have marched sporting dresses as per the different regiments.
Indian troops are deployed at a height of around 17,000 feet along borders and they require high-altitude gear…reports Asian Lite News.
Indian forces are gearing up for harsh winter deployment along the border with China amid a 19-month long face-off in Ladakh region.
To ensure that all logistic supports are provided in real time, Indian Air Force and Indian Army carried out a joint airlift exercise, ‘Op Hercules’ on November 15. It aimed to strengthen the logistics supply in the Northern sector and to augment winter stocking in the operational areas.
“The platforms utilised for the airlift were C-17, IL-76 and An-32 aircraft, which took off from one of the forward bases of Western Air Command,” the Indian Army said.
The effort was a real-time demonstration of the inherent heavy lift capability of the Indian Air Force, which has played a major role in ensuring the ability to quickly respond to any contingency during the past, the force said.
Indian troops are deployed at a height of around 17,000 feet along borders and they require high-altitude gear.
The force has to be ready to sustain the enhanced troop deployment in the harsh winter at friction points where temperatures will soon start dipping beyond minus 20 degrees Celsius.
“The temperature and wind chill factor will be a challenge through the winter as it will dip to 40-50 degrees Celsius below zero,” said a government official.
Last year, India made an urgent purchase of additional high altitude winter clothing from the US keeping in mind the needs of the enhanced troop deployment in peak winter amid the military tussle with China.
The winter kit given to each soldier consists of a three layered clothing that includes special jackets and trousers with a glacier poncho worn to brave out the wind chill factor. A Goggles, face masks, gloves, snow boots with a thick woollen lining, woollen socks and caps fully covering the head and ears also form the part of the essential gear.
A rucksack with a straw attached to a bottle that keeps the water warm and special sleeping bags are also included in this kit.
The items were purchased under LEMOA, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum Agreement (LEMOA) between India and US that facilitates logistical support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries. These include clothing, food, lubricants, spare parts, medical services among other essentials.
Further to ensure operational efficiency of troops deployed in winters, the Indian Army has completed establishment of habitat facilities for all troops deployed at the forward locations. The living accommodation that will protect the troops from the severe cold and wind chill factor includes fast erectable modular shelters.
Apart from the smart camps with integrated facilities which have been built over the years, additional state of the art habitats with integrated arrangements for electricity, water, heating facilities, health and hygiene have been recently created to accommodate the troops.
Heavy snow cuts off the roads to forward locations making transportation impossible snapping supply lines. To ensure everything is in place, the Indian Air Force is also readying its deployment.
China strengthens LAC facilities for soldiers before winter
Meanwhile, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has strengthened facilities for its soldiers along the disputed border with India, ahead of winter, in anticipation of “small frictions”.
Observers told state-run tabloid Global Times that although “large-scale clashes are unlikely to occur in winter, small frictions may happen from time to time” along the Sino-India border, making it necessary for the PLA to be ready.
Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a border standoff in eastern Ladakh since May last year when a violent clash in Pangong lake area led to both sides gradually deploying tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry along the border. Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks have only resulted in partial disengagement of troops until now.
Keeping in mind the possibility of a clash between India and China and the harsh winter conditions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the PLA has been focussing on streamlining the logistic supply lines, the report said.
Other reports in China’s official military outlets also reported recently on the improvement of living conditions along the LAC so that PLA troops can remain stationed for prolonged periods at high altitudes during the winter, especially when temperatures drop sharply to well below zero.
Last week, the PLA Daily reported that personnel assigned to a brigade under the PLA Xinjiang Military Command, which carried out training on the snow-capped plateau at an elevation of 5,300 metres, have received new types of tactical vests.
“The materials used for the vest can resist strong wind and keep the soldiers warm in freezing conditions, and the embedded quick-slip device enables the soldiers to quickly escape from danger at critical moments,” the report said.
“Airborne troops were inserted to a Drop Zone at an altitude of more than 14 000 feet,” a government source said…reports Asian Lite News.
India carried out first ever airborne insertion exercise at high altitude locations at borders with China in Eastern Ladakh on Monday. The drill is being carried out at high altitude areas in extremely worse climate conditions to ensure that the threats to the challenge posed by Chinese People’s Liberation Army are being properly taken care of.
Sources said Shatrujeet Brigade of the Indian Army conducted an airborne insertion along the Northern Borders in Eastern Ladakh to validate its rapid response capabilities, as part of an airborne exercise and combat manoeuvres.
“Airborne troops were inserted to a Drop Zone at an altitude of more than 14 000 feet,” a government source said.
Pre-acclimatized troops along with specialist vehicles and missile detachments were transported through C-130 and AN 32 aircraft from five different mounting bases to validate inter-theatre move, precision stand-off drops, rapid grouping and capture of designated objects with speed and surprise.
The drop was particularly challenging due to the low temperatures of up to minus 20 degrees Celsius and rarefied atmosphere in super high altitude terrain.
This is the first such exercise carried out by the Indian forces in the region.
The exercise also involves conduct of Oxygen Combat Free Fall jumps and integrated battle drills by Airborne forces, mechanised columns and attack helicopters, validating capabilities and seamless integration.
The drill is in progress to ensure any challenges or contigencies the Indian Army has to deal with.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s aggression at the Line of Actual Control has increased in the last two years forcing the Indian Army to increase frequency of surveillance at the border area to keep a tap on their activities.
From Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh, India shares a total of 1,346-km-long LAC with China.
India and China are engaged in border standoff for past 18 months.
So far, 13 rounds of top commanders level meeting have taken place and the last round of talks which was held on October 10, culminated inconclusive.
The soldiers from the two countries practised yoga and for building camaraderie played kabbadi and American football…reports Asian Lite News.
Indian and US armies held a joint exercise in the snow-bound Chugach Mountains in Alaska approximating the conditions Indian soldiers face in the Himalayas where they confront Chinese troops.
During the two weeks of the ‘Yudh Abhyas’ joint military exercises that ended on Friday, the soldiers practised cold weather survival, medical evacuation by air, mountaineering and small-arms marksmanship, according to the US Army.
The final part of the drill was the field training exercise thousands of metres above sea level in “the Chugach Mountains in deep snow, blowing winds, and sub-freezing temperatures”, where combined Indian and US Army units carried out a simulated military operation assault, a US Army write-up said.
The highest point in the Chugach Mountains is about 4,000 metres.
Indian soldiers have faced Chinese aggression in the snow-bound Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control leading to clashes with casualties on both sides. There was also a standoff in January this year in the Sikkim area.
About 350 Indian soldiers from the 7th Battalion of the Madras Regiment known as “Shandaar Saath,” and 400 US para-troopers from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division called the “Spartan Brigade” took part in the 17th edition of Yudh Abhyas.
The exercises were “aimed at improving the combined interoperability of the Indian and US Army to increase partner capacity for conventional, complex, and future contingencies throughout the Indo-Pacific region”, according to the US Army article.
The troops from the two countries worked on evacuating casualties using UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and practiced sling loading artillery underneath CH-47 Chinook helicopters. They also took turns familiarising themselves with each other’s weapon systems including the American M4 carbine, M240B, and the Indian Small Arms System.
CH-47s and UH-60 helicopters are also in the Indian military’s arsenal.
#WATCH Indian Army & US Army troops carry out joint training during the ongoing joint military exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' in Alaska
“This exercise has achieved a high degree of interoperability and jointmanship at all levels,” Indian Brigadier Parag Nangare, who was the exercise director.
“We have learned the best practices, techniques, and procedures which have evolved from operating in these conditions.”
“Two weeks ago, we met as strangers” but now “we share a bond of friendship and the knowledge that when needed, we will be there for each other”, said US Army Colonel Jody Shouse.
The soldiers from the two countries practised yoga and for building camaraderie played kabbadi and American football.
The 17th Edition of India-US joint exercise concluded at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska after a validation exercise. The exercise has strengthened mutual confidence, inter-operability and enabled sharing of best practices between the two Armies. pic.twitter.com/xJVCX2w4y9
With India deeply entrenched in the UN Peacekeeping operations as the largest contributor of troops, the exercises included a simulation of a UN mission with the US that does not contribute regular troops to the UN.
They shared “their best practices in planning, coordinating and executing military missions as a combined staff”, the US Army write-up said.
This was the second Yudh Abhyas held this year as the 2020 edition of the exercise was postponed to February this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic and conducted in Rajasthan.
