Page 8 - Army

4,153 Village Defence Groups, 32,355 SPOs deployed in J&K, says MHA

A total of 4,153 Village Defence Groups (VDG) and 32,355 Special Police Officers were engaged in Jammu and Kashmir in different responsibilities for the protection of civilians and anti-terrorists operations. According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2022-23, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was affected by terrorist and secessionist violence, sponsored and supported from across the border for about three decades. The ongoing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is linked with infiltration of terrorists from across the border both from the International Border as well as the Line of Control, it said. The MHA annual report stated that in view of the prevailing security scenario, the Village Defence Group scheme was notified by the Jammu and Kashmir government in 1995 and the scheme has been revised and notified on August 14, 2022. "The members of the Village Defence Group are designated as Village Defence Guards. At present, the sanctioned strength of .

Israel taking 'significant military steps' in response to Hamas attack

Israel says it has brought in special forces to try to wrest control of four sites from Hamas fighters in response to the militant group's unprecedented incursion into Israel. Israel formally declared war on Sunday and gave the green light for significant military steps to retaliate against Hamas for the surprise attack a day earlier. The Israeli military has tried to crush fighters still in southern towns and intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. More than 1,100 people have been killed and thousands wounded on both sides. The fighting continued in several locations Monday morning. AUSTRIA TO FREEZE DEVELOPMENT AID FOR PALESTINIAN AREAS Austria's foreign minister says his country will freeze development aid for the Palestinian areas following the attack by Hamas on Israel. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told Oe1 radio on Monday that all development aid payments will be put on ice for now and that the affected funds are worth around 19 million euros (USD 20 ...

Encounter breaks out between Army, terrorists during J-K search operation

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces late on Monday evening during a search operation in the forest area of Kalakote in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said. The Army along with police had cordoned off the Broh and Soom forest belt in the Kalakote area early on Monday following information about suspicious movement, they said. The search operation turned into an encounter late in the evening when the terrorists hiding in the area opened fire on the forces in an attempt to break the cordon, the officials said. Security forces retaliated and an exchange of fire between the two sides was underway. There was no immediate report of any casualty, the officials said. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to plug all possible escape routes, they said. Earlier in the day, gunshots were heard during the cordon and search operation but it was later clarified that the security forces fired the probing shots to check the presence of suspected ...

Army moves proposal to Defence Ministry to buy howitzers from Indian cos

Indian Army's Regiment of Artillery is looking to use the expertise of Indian Industry to produce 155 mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System

Mob tries to attack Manipur CM's ancestral house, army foils attempt

A mob tried to attack Chief Minister N Biren Singh's empty ancestral house on Thursday night, despite a security clampdown and curfew in the Imphal valley. Security forces, however, were successful in foiling the attempt after firing in the air. Singh lives in a separate, well-guarded official residence in the centre of the state's capital. There was an attempt to attack the chief minister's ancestral house at Heingang locality in Imphal. Security forces stopped the mob around 100-150 metres away from the house, a police officer said. Nobody stays in the house now though it too is guarded round the clock, the officer said. The police officer said, Two groups of people came from different directions and approached the CM's ancestral residence but they were stopped. Several rounds of tear gas shells were fired by RAF and state police personnel to disperse the mob. The authorities switched off the electricity connection in the entire area to help reduce the visibility of the protes

India flags complex web of security challenges facing Indo-Pacific

India on Tuesday called for concerted efforts by like-minded nations to realise the shared vision for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagging concerns over the region facing a "complex web" of security challenges, including boundary disputes. His comments at the opening session of the India-hosted 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs' Conference (IPAC) came against the backdrop China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific as well as the border row in eastern Ladakh. In his remarks, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said the Indo-Pacific emerged as "pivotal theatre" in contemporary "geo-strategic" canvas and that India's outlook for the region emphasises respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states as well as peaceful resolution of disputes. "While efforts by countries are converging towards effecting a free and stable Indo-Pacific, yet we are witnessing manifestations of inter-state contestations and competitions,"

India-Canada row will not impact military ties: Canadian Army Vice Chief

The latest diplomatic row between India and Canada is not going to impact the ongoing bilateral military engagement and the matter has to be resolved at the political level, Canada's Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott said on Tuesday. Scott is leading a Canadian delegation at the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs' Conference (IPACC) here that is being attended by military delegations from over 30 countries. "To the best of my knowledge at this time, that is not going to have an impact on us. We leave the matter at hand to the political level to try and resolve," he told PTI. "We are happy to be here and we do not see the issue clouding matters at this point at all," Major General Scott said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India has rejected the allegations as "absurd" and ...

We're here to build relationships from Army to Army: Canada's Dy Army Chief

Canadian Deputy Army Chief Major General Peter Scott is currently attending the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC)

Govt formulating joint military doctrines to enhance forces' coordination

India is in the process of formulating joint military doctrines in sync with its efforts to enhance synergy among the three services and other key wings of the defence establishment to effectively deal with future security challenges, officials said on Monday. The defence ministry has already been working on an ambitious plan on theaterisation process to ensure jointness among the three services. Various aspects relating to the joint doctrines were brainstormed at a conference on September 22. "This historic, first such, conference was aimed to synergise and bridge gaps in understanding between headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and the three services in the formulation of doctrines, as also review the progress of joint doctrines being formulated," the defence ministry said. It also helped in sharing best practices and ongoing initiatives on doctrinal issues, it said in a brief statement on Monday. The 'joint doctrine review' conference was chaired by Air Marshal Jeete

Army, CGDA synergy facilitates release of Rs 400 cr in pending dues to JCOs

Long-pending claims worth Rs 400 crore by a significant number of junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and other ranks of the Army have been settled following a joint initiative by the force and the defence accounts department, official sources said on Sunday. Majority of the claims pertained to house rent allowances, pay fixation cases and education allowances to children of the Army personnel, they said. The Army headquarters and the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), the office that heads the defence accounts department, carried out the pan-India outreach to clear the cases of claims, the sources said. To clear the pending cases, a "war room" was established in the CGDA and cases were being monitored closely, the sources said, adding the exercise has benefitted a large number of JCOs and other ranks. The outreach commenced at the beginning of this month, spearheaded by joint CGDA (grievances), under which camps were organised in all 48 'pay and account offices' across

Military's first tactical transport C-295 aircraft lands in Vadodara

The aircraft would be formally inducted into the IAF at a ceremony in Hindon near Delhi on September 25

India to host conclave of Army chiefs of Indo-Pacific to ensure peace

The Indian Army will host a two-day conference of Army chiefs of the Indo-Pacific nations next week with an aim to evolve a common strategy to ensure peace, prosperity and stability against the backdrop of growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend the event to be held in Delhi on September 26 and 27, officials said. The US Army is co-hosting the conference. The Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs' Conclave (IPACC) will deliberate on the role of military diplomacy in mitigating various crises, ways to enhance collaboration among the armed forces of the region and boosting interoperability. An exhibition of India's indigenously developed weapons, military systems and platforms is also being organised on the sidelines of the event. Alongside the 13th edition of the IPACC, the Indian Army is also hosting the 47th Indo Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted ..

600 'Vibhav' anti-tank mines with safety mechanism inducted into Army

Six hundred indigenously-manufactured self-neutralising anti-tank mines, known as "Vibhav", have been inducted into the Army to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles, officials said on Monday. The anti-tank mine is made of new-age plastic, which gives it adequate strength and durability to withstand the requirements of storage, handling and operating in varying field conditions, they added. "It (the 'Vibhav' anti-tank mine) is already in production. It has been completed. It is now in demand. It has been inducted into the Indian Army. Six hundred mines have been inducted (recently)," an official of the manufacturing company told PTI. Designed and developed completely indigenously in a joint venture with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India, "Vibhav" is a point-attack anti-tank munition, the officials said. They said the mines are designed to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles. "Made from new age plastic, the m

Indian Army soldier on leave abducted and killed in Manipur: Report

The body of an Indian Army soldier was found at Khuningthek village in Manipur's Imphal East district on Sunday, officials said. He was identified as Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom of the Army's Defence Security Corps (DSC) platoon at Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district, they said. He hailed from Tarung in Imphal West, officials said. According to officials, unidentified armed men abducted Sepoy Kom, who was on leave, from his home around 10am on Saturday. According to his 10-year-old son, who was the only eyewitness to the crime, three men entered their home while his father and he were working on the porch. "The armed men placed a pistol on the Sepoy's head and forced him into a white vehicle before fleeing the spot," officials said quoting his son. "There was no news of Sepoy Kom till Sunday early morning. Around 9.30am, his body was found at Khuningthek village, east of Mongjam under Sogolmang PS in Imphal East. His identity was confirmed by his brother and brother-in-law who said t

Production of C295 aircraft in India will be game-changer: India to Spain

The production of 40 Airbus C295 medium tactical transport aircraft in India will be a "game changer" as it would facilitate the creation of a world-class aerospace ecosystem in the country that would help in manufacturing other planes in the long-run, Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik said here. The Indian Air Force received the first C295 aircraft on Wednesday, two years after New Delhi sealed a Rs 21,935-crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure the planes. Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies. "The C295 project will be a game-changer project as it will create a world-class aerospace ecosystem in India," Patnaik told PTI in an interview. The first 'Make in India' C295 is set to come out of a productio

Defence minister clears setting up of 23 Sainik Schools in partnership mode

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the setting up of 23 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode, officials said on Saturday. The new schools, besides their affiliation to respective education boards, will function under the aegis of the Sainik Schools Society and will follow the Rules and Regulations for new Sainik Schools in partnership mode prescribed by the Society, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The government has approved the initiative of setting up of 100 new Sainik schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools, and state governments in a graded manner class-wise, starting from Class VI onwards, it said. Under this initiative, a Memorandum of Agreement has been signed by the Sainik Schools Society with 19 new Sainik Schools located all over the country, the statement added. "Following further evaluation of applications for opening new Sainik Schools under partnership mode, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has approved setting up of 23 new Sainik Schools in

Defence ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 45,000 cr

The Defence Ministry on Friday cleared procurement of various weapons systems and platforms including Dhruvastra short range air-to-surface missile and 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 45,000 crore. A total of nine procurement proposals were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officials said. "All these procurements will be made from Indian vendors under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDMM)/Buy (Indian) category which will give substantial boost to the Indian defence Industry towards achieving the goal of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'," the defence ministry said. To enhance protection, mobility, attack capability and increase survivability of mechanised forces, the DAC accorded the approval for procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), the ministry said in a statement. The DAC cleared also cleared the procurement

Science ministry's biotech dept and AFMS signs MoU to extend cooperation

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Tuesday between the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) to build research collaborations and promote scientific cooperation. The agreement was signed at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) here in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge), Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh. The MOU also envisages promoting scientific cooperation through faculty exchange programmes. As part of the year-long platinum jubilee celebrations of the medical college, Singh also launched the Association of Physicians of India (API) chapter of AFMC, Pune, and also inaugurated the first annual conference of API-AFMS Continuing Medical Education (CME) on emerging trends in the practice of medicine". Describing AFMC, Pune, as the first Central institute of medical education established much before AIIMS, Delhi, came into being, Singh said the idea of a separate AFMC came ..

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate 90 BRO projects including on Sept 12: Official

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will on September 12 inaugurate 90 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) including four airstrips and helipads built along the northern and western borders, a spokesperson of the ministry on Tuesday said. The projects includes 21 roads, 64 bridges, one tunnel, two air strips, and two helipads, he said. Singh will visit Samba district and inaugurate Devak bridge on Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur road, he said. The bridge is a part of the 90 infrastructure projects of the BRO. The Union minister will also likely take part in the northern tech event at IIT-Jammu during his visit, he said.

Three Ukrainian military pilots die in plane crash during combat mission

Three Ukrainian pilots, including a well-known pilot who went by the call sign "Juice," have died in a plane crash, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday, CNN reported