Army News

The Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS) could soon grant approval to the Army's proposal to raise a mountain strike corps along the China-border, after the Ministry of Defence gives its final decision. The strike corps, with over 40,000 soldiers and headquartered at Panagarh in West Bengal, will cost over Rs 81,000-crore. Currently, China outnumbers Indian forces 3:1 at LAC.

The Indian Army thwarted a major infiltration bid along the LoC in Keran, Kashmir allegedly trapping a group of 30-extremists in the area. A sighting of 10-12 bodies of militants was reported by troops engaged in the operation, which began on September-24, with the total number of militants believed to be over 30, said a senior army official.

On Friday, eight former Army chiefs (including Deepak Kapoor and OP Malhotra) rejected Gen VK Singh's statement that Army has been paying money to certain ministers in J&K since independence to bring in stability there. However VK Singh claims that money was given under Operation Sadbhavna to provide infrastructure, education and health services and clarified that it wasn't a bribe.

India Army has foiled another major infiltration bid on Saturday in Fateh Gali region of Keran sector in Kashmir, attempted to resupply the trapped infiltrators with food and ammunition from across the LoC, with active connivance of the Pakistan army. Four militants have been killed and six AK 47 rifles, pistols and ammunition were recovered from them.

Indian Army has recovered war-like stores of arms and ammunition from Keran sector along the Line of Control in Kashmir valley on Monday, as the operation against militants holed up there entered the 14th day. According to army officials recoveries included seven AK 47 rifles, four pistols, one sniper rifle, 20 UBGL grenades, two radio-sets and other war-like stores.

An Army jawan was killed when the Indian Army foiled another infiltration bid, in which militants attempted to cross the LoC in Kacchal in the Keran sector of J&K. The incident comes just days after militants, allegedly backed by Pakistan, made a similar attempt in Keran. Terrorists based across the border seem to have increased infiltration bids with winter approaching.

In a move to counter problem of poor communication along the China border (LAC), Indian Army is all set to acquire 40 light weight suitcase-based satellite communication(SATCOM) for secure and reliable communication. According to sources, it's the first time suitcase-based SATCOM sets with readily deployable Ku-Band terminals for almost unlimited ranges are being acquired with plans for their indigenous manufacturing.

A CISF jawan Neelkant Bihara allegedly shot down his senior officer, Inspector Guru Padadsheet, in Kolkata on Sunday. Furious over Padadsheet raising an objection to his phone ringing inside the CISF camp at the Kolkata Port Trust, Bihara fired three rounds from his rifle at his senior. Bihara, who had been denied leave twice earlier, later surrendered, said the police.

Army chief General Bikram Singh has issued orders for all officers in the 1.13 million force to wear dress no.7, the force's code for disruptive pattern combat dress, on all Fridays from November-1. The Friday combat dress norm was initiated in February-2005 by then chief Gen JJ Singh, but later Gen VK Singh discontinued it saying it was mere symbolism.

Three Sikh men and a woman convicted of carrying out a revenge attack on Lt Gen (retd) KS Brar, the hero of the 1984 Operation Blue Star, were Tuesday sentenced from 10-and-half years to 14 years in prison by a British court. The Khalistani supporters had tried to slash throat of the 78-year-old former Army officer in London last year.

The Army on Wednesday initiated court martial proceedings against six of its men, including a Colonel and a Major, for their alleged involvement in the 2010 Machchil fake encounter case that had triggered a two month-long agitation in which 123 people were killed. The accused personnel had killed three 'infiltrators', who were later identified residents of Nadihal in Baramulla district.

India and Pakistan on Saturday agreed that people who unintentionally cross the Indo-Pak frontier would be immediately returned to their respective countries. The two sides also agreed on "zero tolerance" for smuggling across the border. The decision was made in Lahore, during a five-day bi-annual meeting of officials of the Pakistan Rangers and India's Border Security Force.

Six Army officers, including two Brigadier rank officials, have been booked by Ajmer Police for allegedly harassing a junior officer after he raised his voice against certain irregularities. In his complaint, Lt Col Arun Kumar (54) alleged that his superiors conspired and tried to prove him mentally ill after he complained against the corrupt practices of some senior officers.