With the deployment and pulling out of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the states often becoming a tug-of-war between the Centre and state governments, the Centre has now clearly stated that CAPFs &ldquo;cannot substitute the state police force&rdquo; since their deployment is related to emergent or unforeseen crises.

This comes in the backdrop of an ongoing standoff between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the West Bengal government over the pulling out of central forces from the hill town of Darjeeling which has witnessed unrest for the past few weeks over demands of creation of a separate state.

In the past, too, there have been many instances where the Centre has found itself in situations where state governments have contested its decisions over either deployment or pulling out of central forces.

The Centre has now decided to set-up a state-level committee to examine and scrutinize the requirements of CAPF by keeping in view the internal security, previous scale of deployment, optimal utilisation of state resources, intelligence inputs and the availability of CAPFs in nearby locations.

This committee will be headed by ADG (Law &amp; Order) of the state and will co-op local representatives of the Intelligence Bureau and the CAPFs at the DIG/Commandant level.

&ldquo;The recommendation of the Committee must be specific and indicate the quantum of CAPF deployment and duration along with justification. Requests for extension of deployment and increase in the quantum must also be examined by the Committee on similar lines,&rdquo; the MHA has told the state governments.

Arguing its case, the Centre has said that &ldquo;state governments often make requests to the Centre for deployment of CAPFs even for occasions where State should normally be in a position to take all security measures from their own resources by dispatching police and state armed police&rdquo; and are &ldquo;are reluctant to de-induct CAPFs and keep requesting for extension which should not ordinarily be made unless there are adequate security for their extension&rdquo;.

With the new Standard Operating Procedures in place, the Centre hopes that the CAPFs will &ldquo;be able to meet more pressing commitments like guarding borders, fighting insurgency, anti-naxal operations and related situations which need immediate mobilization of forces&rdquo;.

It comes in the backdrop of ongoing standoff between the MHA and the West Bengal government over the pulling out of central forces

With the deployment and pulling out of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the states often becoming a tug-of-war between the Centre and state governments, the Centre has now clearly stated that CAPFs “cannot substitute the state police force” since their deployment is related to emergent or unforeseen crises. This comes in the backdrop of an ongoing standoff between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the West Bengal government over the pulling out of central forces from the hill town of Darjeeling which has witnessed unrest for the past few weeks over demands of creation of a separate state. In the past, too, there have been many instances where the Centre has found itself in situations where state governments have contested its decisions over either deployment or pulling out of central forces. The Centre has now decided to set-up a state-level committee to examine and scrutinize the requirements of CAPF by keeping in view the internal security, previous scale of deployment, optimal utilisation of state resources, intelligence inputs and the availability of CAPFs in nearby locations. This committee will be headed by ADG (Law & Order) of the state and will co-op local representatives of the Intelligence Bureau and the CAPFs at the DIG/Commandant level. “The recommendation of the Committee must be specific and indicate the quantum of CAPF deployment and duration along with justification. Requests for extension of deployment and increase in the quantum must also be examined by the Committee on similar lines,” the MHA has told the state governments. Arguing its case, the Centre has said that “state governments often make requests to the Centre for deployment of CAPFs even for occasions where State should normally be in a position to take all security measures from their own resources by dispatching police and state armed police” and are “are reluctant to de-induct CAPFs and keep requesting for extension which should not ordinarily be made unless there are adequate security for their extension”. With the new Standard Operating Procedures in place, the Centre hopes that the CAPFs will “be able to meet more pressing commitments like guarding borders, fighting insurgency, anti-naxal operations and related situations which need immediate mobilization of forces”.

Central forces can't substitute state police: Home ministry to states

Paper slips generated out of a total of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indias-election-commission-to-hold-live-demo-of-evms-vvpats-today-amid-tampering-allegations-15813">250 Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail machines - the VVPAT-</a> will be subjected to &ldquo;mandatory verification&rdquo; in the upcoming state assembly elections in&nbsp;Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

Simply put, paper slips from at least <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/vvpats-to-be-used-in-all-future-elections-indias-election-commission-15508">one VVPAT machine from each assembly constituency</a> will be tallied with the results recorded in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The Election Commission of India has decided to conduct this verification on a pilot basis on one VVPAT machine from each of the assembly constituencies, mainly to allay apprehensions surrounding the alleged tamperability of the EVMs.

Himachal Pradesh will vote on November 9 to elect 68 legislators for its state assembly, while the Gujarat will also go to polls shortly to elect 182 MLAs.&nbsp;

One VVPAT machine from each of these 250 constituencies will be used to conduct the physical verification of the paper slips generated by these machines.

VVPAT machines are connected to the EVMs and generate an immediate paper trail once the vote is cast.

Once generated, the paper slip, containing the name and symbol of the candidate one voted for, is visible through a glass for seven seconds before it gets deposited in a compartment within the machine. This slip can be used to resolve any dispute regarding the election at a later date.

One polling station per assembly constituency will be randomly selected for this pilot verification of VVPAT paper slips and the verification exercise will be taken up after the completion of the last round of counding of votes recorded in EVMs.

The Election Commission has mandated that the verification of VVPAT paper slips will be done in a &ldquo;VVPAT Counting Booth&rdquo; which will be specially prepared for this purpose inside the Counting Hall. &ldquo;The booth shall be enclosed in a wire mesh just like a bank cashier&#39;s cabin so that no VVPAT paper slip can be accessed by any unauthorized person,&rdquo; the EC has said.

It was earlier this year that the EC had decided to mandatorily tally paper trail slips with the results of EVMs in five percent of polling stations in each assembly seat for all state and Lok Sabha elections.

The introduction of this mandatory verification of VVPAT paper slips is likely to cause a slight delay in the announcement of poll results.

Earlier, there was no mandatory tallying of VVPAT slips with the EVM results. It used to be done only when results of a polling station were disputed by a candidate or polling agents on the counting day.

Paper slips from at least one VVPAT machine from each assembly constituency will be tallied with the results recorded in the Electronic Voting Machines

Paper slips generated out of a total of 250 Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail machines - the VVPAT- will be subjected to “mandatory verification” in the upcoming state assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Simply put, paper slips from at least one VVPAT machine from each assembly constituency will be tallied with the results recorded in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The Election Commission of India has decided to conduct this verification on a pilot basis on one VVPAT machine from each of the assembly constituencies, mainly to allay apprehensions surrounding the alleged tamperability of the EVMs. Himachal Pradesh will vote on November 9 to elect 68 legislators for its state assembly, while the Gujarat will also go to polls shortly to elect 182 MLAs. One VVPAT machine from each of these 250 constituencies will be used to conduct the physical verification of the paper slips generated by these machines. VVPAT machines are connected to the EVMs and generate an immediate paper trail once the vote is cast. Once generated, the paper slip, containing the name and symbol of the candidate one voted for, is visible through a glass for seven seconds before it gets deposited in a compartment within the machine. This slip can be used to resolve any dispute regarding the election at a later date. One polling station per assembly constituency will be randomly selected for this pilot verification of VVPAT paper slips and the verification exercise will be taken up after the completion of the last round of counding of votes recorded in EVMs. The Election Commission has mandated that the verification of VVPAT paper slips will be done in a “VVPAT Counting Booth” which will be specially prepared for this purpose inside the Counting Hall. “The booth shall be enclosed in a wire mesh just like a bank cashier's cabin so that no VVPAT paper slip can be accessed by any unauthorized person,” the EC has said. It was earlier this year that the EC had decided to mandatorily tally paper trail slips with the results of EVMs in five percent of polling stations in each assembly seat for all state and Lok Sabha elections. The introduction of this mandatory verification of VVPAT paper slips is likely to cause a slight delay in the announcement of poll results. Earlier, there was no mandatory tallying of VVPAT slips with the EVM results. It used to be done only when results of a polling station were disputed by a candidate or polling agents on the counting day.

Gujarat, Himachal polls: VVPAT machines from each constituency to be tallied with EVM results

Commissioned into the Indian Navy by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-navy-joins-rescue-operations-in-sri-lanka-bangladesh-16265">defense</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-navy-joins-rescue-operations-in-sri-lanka-bangladesh-16265"> minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Visakhapatnam</a> today, INS Kiltan - an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette - is India&rsquo;s first major warship to have a superstructure of carbon fibre composite material which provides improved stealth features, lower top weight and maintenance costs.

More importantly,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-navy-and-army-prepared-for-cyclone-vardah-10045"> about 81 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-navy-and-army-prepared-for-cyclone-vardah-10045">per cent</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/indian-navy-and-army-prepared-for-cyclone-vardah-10045"> of the ship is indigenous</a> and is well-equipped to fight in nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.

With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kiltan is expected to augment Indian Navy&rsquo;s mobility, reach and flexibility.

The commissioning of Kiltan will add a new dimension to the ASW capability of the Indian Navy and the Eastern Fleet in particular.

The multifarious missions that can be undertaken by the ship truly reflect the enhanced multi-dimensional capability of the Indian Navy. &nbsp;The ship is manned by a team comprising 13 officers and 178 sailors with Commander Naushad Ali Khan at the helm as her first Commanding Officer.&nbsp;

Deriving its name from one of the islands in Aminidivi group of the strategically located Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands, INS Kiltan hosts a predominantly indigenous cutting-edge weapons and sensors suite which includes heavyweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, 76 mm caliber Medium Range gun &amp; two multi-barrel 30 mm guns as Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems, missile decoy rockets (Chaff), advanced ESM (Electronic Support Measure) system, most advanced bow-mounted sonar and air surveillance radar Revathi.

The ship in the future would also be installed with short-range SAM system and carry an integral ASW Helicopter.

It is also the first major warship to have undertaken Sea Trials of all major weapons and sensors as a pilot project prior delivery by shipyard to Indian Navy and is ready to be operationally deployed on the day of joining the Indian Navy.

&ldquo;The ship&rsquo;s weapons and sensors suite is predominantly indigenous and showcases the nation&rsquo;s growing capability in this niche area,&rdquo; the Indian Navy said in a statement.

INS Kiltan has been Indigenously designed by the Indian Navy&#39;s in-house organization, Directorate of Naval Design and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders &amp; Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and is the latest indigenous warship after Shivalik class, Kolkata class and sister Ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt to have joined the Indian Navy&rsquo;s arsenal where in a plethora of weapons and sensors have been integrated to provide a &lsquo;Common Operational Picture (COP)&rsquo;.

The ship also boasts of the proud legacy of the erstwhile Petya Class ship of same name &lsquo;Kiltan (P79)&rsquo; built in USSR, which had actively participated as Task Force Commander in &lsquo;Operation Trident&rsquo; during 1971 Indo-Pak war and had served the nation with distinction throughout her illustrious service life from October 30,1969 to June 30, 1987.

About 81 per cent of the ship is indigenous and is well-equipped to fight in nuclear, biological and chemical warfare conditions

Commissioned into the Indian Navy by defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Visakhapatnam today, INS Kiltan - an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette - is India’s first major warship to have a superstructure of carbon fibre composite material which provides improved stealth features, lower top weight and maintenance costs. More importantly, about 81 per cent of the ship is indigenous and is well-equipped to fight in nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kiltan is expected to augment Indian Navy’s mobility, reach and flexibility. The commissioning of Kiltan will add a new dimension to the ASW capability of the Indian Navy and the Eastern Fleet in particular. The multifarious missions that can be undertaken by the ship truly reflect the enhanced multi-dimensional capability of the Indian Navy. The ship is manned by a team comprising 13 officers and 178 sailors with Commander Naushad Ali Khan at the helm as her first Commanding Officer. Deriving its name from one of the islands in Aminidivi group of the strategically located Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands, INS Kiltan hosts a predominantly indigenous cutting-edge weapons and sensors suite which includes heavyweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, 76 mm caliber Medium Range gun & two multi-barrel 30 mm guns as Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS) with dedicated fire control systems, missile decoy rockets (Chaff), advanced ESM (Electronic Support Measure) system, most advanced bow-mounted sonar and air surveillance radar Revathi. The ship in the future would also be installed with short-range SAM system and carry an integral ASW Helicopter. It is also the first major warship to have undertaken Sea Trials of all major weapons and sensors as a pilot project prior delivery by shipyard to Indian Navy and is ready to be operationally deployed on the day of joining the Indian Navy. “The ship’s weapons and sensors suite is predominantly indigenous and showcases the nation’s growing capability in this niche area,” the Indian Navy said in a statement. INS Kiltan has been Indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organization, Directorate of Naval Design and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and is the latest indigenous warship after Shivalik class, Kolkata class and sister Ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt to have joined the Indian Navy’s arsenal where in a plethora of weapons and sensors have been integrated to provide a ‘Common Operational Picture (COP)’. The ship also boasts of the proud legacy of the erstwhile Petya Class ship of same name ‘Kiltan (P79)’ built in USSR, which had actively participated as Task Force Commander in ‘Operation Trident’ during 1971 Indo-Pak war and had served the nation with distinction throughout her illustrious service life from October 30,1969 to June 30, 1987.

Navy commissions INS Kiltan as India's stealth capability in the Indian Ocean gets major boost

Over 400 personnel of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-and-japans-mutually-beneficial-alliance-a-barter-between-military-and-infrastructure-20214">Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy in addition to two IL 76 aircraft</a>, one frigate and corvette each from the Navy today left the country to take part in INDRA 2017--the first ever Tri-Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces which will be conducted in the Eastern Military District of Russia from October 19 to 29.&nbsp;

Exercise INDRA in its previous nine avatars has been conducted as a single service exercise alternately between the two countries.

The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy &amp; Air Force), which further accentuates the importance of Joint Services in the present world environment.

Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok.

The Indian contingent will comprise of 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one Frigate and Corvette each from the Navy.

The Russian Federation Armed Forces will be represented by approximately 1000 troops of the 5th Army, Marines and Ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District.

Addressing the Indian Contingent today, Lt Gen Satish Dua reminded them of the importance of the upcoming Exercise which will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of both countries to train in counter-terrorism operations in a multinational scenario in a joint tri-service environment.

The scope of the Exercise includes professional interactions, the establishment of joint command and control structures between the Indian &amp; Russian forces and elimination of terrorist threat in a multinational environment under the UN mandate.

Exercise INDRA-2017 is aimed at strengthening mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between both the armed forces.

It will be a landmark event in the history of Indo-Russian defence cooperation and is expected to give the Indo-Russian defence cooperation a major boost.

Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok.

Over 400 personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy in addition to two IL 76 aircraft, one frigate and corvette each from the Navy today left the country to take part in INDRA 2017--the first ever Tri-Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces which will be conducted in the Eastern Military District of Russia from October 19 to 29. Exercise INDRA in its previous nine avatars has been conducted as a single service exercise alternately between the two countries. The year 2017 marks a major milestone as this Exercise has been upgraded to involve all the three Services of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy & Air Force), which further accentuates the importance of Joint Services in the present world environment. Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. The Indian contingent will comprise of 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one Frigate and Corvette each from the Navy. The Russian Federation Armed Forces will be represented by approximately 1000 troops of the 5th Army, Marines and Ships of Pacific Fleet and aircraft from Eastern Military District. Addressing the Indian Contingent today, Lt Gen Satish Dua reminded them of the importance of the upcoming Exercise which will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of both countries to train in counter-terrorism operations in a multinational scenario in a joint tri-service environment. The scope of the Exercise includes professional interactions, the establishment of joint command and control structures between the Indian & Russian forces and elimination of terrorist threat in a multinational environment under the UN mandate. Exercise INDRA-2017 is aimed at strengthening mutual confidence, inter-operability and enable sharing of best practices between both the armed forces. It will be a landmark event in the history of Indo-Russian defence cooperation and is expected to give the Indo-Russian defence cooperation a major boost.

Over 400 Indian troops leave for first ever tri-services joint military excercise with Russia

Post-Doklam&nbsp;India<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/solution-to-doklam-standoff-to-be-found-soon-says-rajnath-singh-19254"> is set to boost its infrastructure along the India-China </a>border&nbsp;with four passes in Uttarakhand&nbsp;to be connected by 2020, Indian officials have told WION.

The roads will connect <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-racist-chinese-video-on-indias-seven-sins-in-doklam-19146">Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla and Tsangchokla pass</a>&nbsp;over the next three years, sources have told WION.

The&nbsp;Border Road Organisation(BRO)&nbsp;security force is pushing for more funds to&nbsp;develop&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;in India&#39;s northern command.

In a conference held by the Army, it was decided that &quot;infrastructure and capability development&quot; would be the key focus over the next few years.

Concerned about the delays in construction of the strategic road&nbsp;along the India-China border, India&#39;s defense ministry recently delegated more administrative and financial powers to the BRO&nbsp;for a speedy completion of the projects along the border with China.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Shakti Chaudhary, mayor of Gangtok had told WION earlier that roads are necessary so that the military can immediately access the border in times of crisis.

India&#39;s military has slowly over the months increased operational readiness along the Indian border with China after&nbsp;India and China agreed on &quot;expeditious disengagement&quot; at Doklam last month.

The roads will connect Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla and Tsangchokla pass?over the next three years, sources have told WION.

Post-Doklam India is set to boost its infrastructure along the India-China border with four passes in Uttarakhand to be connected by 2020, Indian officials have told WION. The roads will connect Niti, Lipulekh, Thangla and Tsangchokla pass over the next three years, sources have told WION. The Border Road Organisation(BRO) security force is pushing for more funds to develop infrastructure in India's northern command. In a conference held by the Army, it was decided that "infrastructure and capability development" would be the key focus over the next few years. Concerned about the delays in construction of the strategic road along the India-China border, India's defense ministry recently delegated more administrative and financial powers to the BRO for a speedy completion of the projects along the border with China. Shakti Chaudhary, mayor of Gangtok had told WION earlier that roads are necessary so that the military can immediately access the border in times of crisis. India's military has slowly over the months increased operational readiness along the Indian border with China after India and China agreed on "expeditious disengagement" at Doklam last month.

WION Exclusive: Post-Doklam?India to boost infrastructure along India-China border

In a move that has led to some <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-repeat-surgical-strikes-if-pakistan-continues-to-send-terrorists-indian-army-chief-20650">degree of consternation in India&#39;s defence establishment</a>, some personnel from the Army Service Corps (ASC) have said that since they are &ldquo;non-combatants&rdquo; they should not be considered for posting in field areas.

In response, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/for-first-time-indian-army-to-take-in-women-soldiers-20010">the Indian Army has stated that it was never</a> in dispute that all arms and services are &ldquo;combatants&rdquo; and at no stage has the Army referred to Service Units being non-combatant units.

&ldquo;Army performs its role in war and peace as a whole and not in isolated compartments. Each Arm and Service has designated role and function,&rdquo; the Army said after the matter cropped up during the recently held Army Commanders Conference.

The roots of this controversy lie in a bitter career progression battle that has been ranging on between the various entities that function under the Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Services categories.

Several personnel working with Services like the Armed Service Corps, Ordnance, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers have now started complaining that their career progression is not at par with their counterparts in Combat Arms like Infantry, Armoured and Mechanized.

And to take the&nbsp;argument further, the aggrieved personnel have stated that since they are being treated as &ldquo;non-combatants&rdquo;, they should be not posted in combat duties in field postings.

The Army, on its part, has maintained that Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Services are &ldquo;operational entities&rdquo; of Army having &ldquo;clear and defined roles with charter of duties&rdquo;.

The Army has also maintained consistently that without diluting the role played by Services in maintaining logistic support to Combat Arms during operations, Commanding Officers of ASC, Ordnance and Electronics and Mechanical Engineers are not required to largely remain in contact with frontline forces where major combat may take place during operations.

&ldquo;Therefore, ages of Command of Services could be higher than those of arms, where COs are expected to move forward in the combat zone, where their physical efficiency becomes relevant,&rdquo; the Army has said.

The Army also says that a number of Officers, JCOs and Other Ranks from Combat Support Arms and logistic units are posted on tenure basis in infantry units dealing with counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in a bid to boost the strength essential in &ldquo;Line of Control, Low-Intensity Conflict, Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorist environment&rdquo;.

&ldquo;This also provides much necessary operational experience to these Officers, JCOs and Other Ranks,&rdquo; the Army has stated adding that performance of personnel from Services has been &ldquo;noteworthy&rdquo;.

Army sources say that around 20 years back, the career progression of personnel working in Services was far better than those working in Combat Arms and that the cream of the personnel used to opt to Services and not Combat Arms.

&ldquo;This had led to a situation where it became difficult to keep the motivational levels high for infantry personnel who are supposed to go to the battle zone and take bullets for you,&rdquo; a source explained. &ldquo;It was then that the system realized that the handle of the axe had got converted to iron while the bladed head had become of wood. A force needs to keep the sharpness of the weapon intact. That&#39;s why policies were made to ensure that personnel who were fighting the country&#39;s battles continue to be motivated,&rdquo; the source added.

The Army maintains that in correcting an earlier anomalous situation, some new issues may have got created but Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat has already said that he would &ldquo;consider all arms and services at par and they would get their dues that they deserve&rdquo;.

The Army has also assured of all necessary corrections to put to rest all anguish amongst some personnel regarding discrimination in their status.

All arms and services are 'combatants', says the Indian Army as the bitter career progression battle in the Indian army comes out in the open

In a move that has led to some degree of consternation in India's defence establishment, some personnel from the Army Service Corps (ASC) have said that since they are “non-combatants” they should not be considered for posting in field areas. In response, the Indian Army has stated that it was never in dispute that all arms and services are “combatants” and at no stage has the Army referred to Service Units being non-combatant units. “Army performs its role in war and peace as a whole and not in isolated compartments. Each Arm and Service has designated role and function,” the Army said after the matter cropped up during the recently held Army Commanders Conference. The roots of this controversy lie in a bitter career progression battle that has been ranging on between the various entities that function under the Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Services categories. Several personnel working with Services like the Armed Service Corps, Ordnance, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers have now started complaining that their career progression is not at par with their counterparts in Combat Arms like Infantry, Armoured and Mechanized. And to take the argument further, the aggrieved personnel have stated that since they are being treated as “non-combatants”, they should be not posted in combat duties in field postings. The Army, on its part, has maintained that Combat Arms, Combat Support Arms and Services are “operational entities” of Army having “clear and defined roles with charter of duties”. The Army has also maintained consistently that without diluting the role played by Services in maintaining logistic support to Combat Arms during operations, Commanding Officers of ASC, Ordnance and Electronics and Mechanical Engineers are not required to largely remain in contact with frontline forces where major combat may take place during operations. “Therefore, ages of Command of Services could be higher than those of arms, where COs are expected to move forward in the combat zone, where their physical efficiency becomes relevant,” the Army has said. The Army also says that a number of Officers, JCOs and Other Ranks from Combat Support Arms and logistic units are posted on tenure basis in infantry units dealing with counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in a bid to boost the strength essential in “Line of Control, Low-Intensity Conflict, Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorist environment”. “This also provides much necessary operational experience to these Officers, JCOs and Other Ranks,” the Army has stated adding that performance of personnel from Services has been “noteworthy”. Army sources say that around 20 years back, the career progression of personnel working in Services was far better than those working in Combat Arms and that the cream of the personnel used to opt to Services and not Combat Arms. “This had led to a situation where it became difficult to keep the motivational levels high for infantry personnel who are supposed to go to the battle zone and take bullets for you,” a source explained. “It was then that the system realized that the handle of the axe had got converted to iron while the bladed head had become of wood. A force needs to keep the sharpness of the weapon intact. That's why policies were made to ensure that personnel who were fighting the country's battles continue to be motivated,” the source added. The Army maintains that in correcting an earlier anomalous situation, some new issues may have got created but Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat has already said that he would “consider all arms and services at par and they would get their dues that they deserve”. The Army has also assured of all necessary corrections to put to rest all anguish amongst some personnel regarding discrimination in their status.

Don't post us in field areas since we are 'non-combatants', say personnel of Indian Army's 'services'

There were a few red faces in the Indian Air Force on Sunday (October 8) as the Surya Kiran aerobatics team, which performed several heart-stopping mid-air manoeuvres during the Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon Air Base,&nbsp;flew what was called the &quot;Gripen formation&quot;.

The fact that Swedish aerospace firm Saab &mdash; which manufactures the Gripen fighter planes &mdash; is in the running to bag a major contract to provide 100 single-engine fighters to the Indian Air Force, and is locked in a direct contest with US defence firm Lockheed Martin &mdash; which is offering its latest F16 figher jet to IAF&mdash; ensured that the &quot;Gripen formation&quot; flown by the Surya Kirans, and announced during&nbsp;the live commentary, could not go unnoticed.

The Surya Kirans flew several other formations as well &mdash;the Rafale formation, the Sukhoi 30 formation and the Tejas formation. But it was the Gripen formation that proved to be the head-turner with many left wondering&nbsp;whether the IAF had already zeroed in on the Swedish fighter as it&#39;s next single-engine fighter plane.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was asked this question&nbsp;minutes after the function to mark the 85th Anniversary of the Indian Air Force ended. The Air Chief consulted one of his fellow officers before replying and said, &ldquo;No, it has got nothing to do with that. It is just an aircraft shape with an canard in the front. It can be Rafale, it can be Gripen, anybody with a canard in front...(even a) Sukhoi-30. They just called it Gripen. It means nothing. Nothing to do with Gripen.&rdquo;

The Indian Air Force is aiming to significantly upgrade its combat capabilities by inducting 100 single-engine fighters in its squadrons. A Request for Information (RFI) document&mdash;which essentially collects written information on the capabilities of various bidders&mdash;is likely to be issued soon.

Both Lockheed Martin and Saab are offering the latest variants of their respective fighter planes&mdash;the F-16 Block 70 and Gripen E, respectively.

Since these fighter planes have to be built by an Indian firm in collaboration with a foreign defence firm, Lockheed Martin has paired up with Tata Group and Saab has tied up with Adani Group to manufacture these planes.

 
&nbsp;

On Indian Air Force Day, the Surya Kiran aerobatics team performed several heart-stopping mid-air manoeuvres. Among them was the 'Gripen formation'

There were a few red faces in the Indian Air Force on Sunday (October 8) as the Surya Kiran aerobatics team, which performed several heart-stopping mid-air manoeuvres during the Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon Air Base, flew what was called the "Gripen formation". The fact that Swedish aerospace firm Saab — which manufactures the Gripen fighter planes — is in the running to bag a major contract to provide 100 single-engine fighters to the Indian Air Force, and is locked in a direct contest with US defence firm Lockheed Martin — which is offering its latest F16 figher jet to IAF— ensured that the "Gripen formation" flown by the Surya Kirans, and announced during the live commentary, could not go unnoticed. The Surya Kirans flew several other formations as well —the Rafale formation, the Sukhoi 30 formation and the Tejas formation. But it was the Gripen formation that proved to be the head-turner with many left wondering whether the IAF had already zeroed in on the Swedish fighter as it's next single-engine fighter plane. Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa was asked this question minutes after the function to mark the 85th Anniversary of the Indian Air Force ended. The Air Chief consulted one of his fellow officers before replying and said, “No, it has got nothing to do with that. It is just an aircraft shape with an canard in the front. It can be Rafale, it can be Gripen, anybody with a canard in front...(even a) Sukhoi-30. They just called it Gripen. It means nothing. Nothing to do with Gripen.” The Indian Air Force is aiming to significantly upgrade its combat capabilities by inducting 100 single-engine fighters in its squadrons. A Request for Information (RFI) document—which essentially collects written information on the capabilities of various bidders—is likely to be issued soon. Both Lockheed Martin and Saab are offering the latest variants of their respective fighter planes—the F-16 Block 70 and Gripen E, respectively. Since these fighter planes have to be built by an Indian firm in collaboration with a foreign defence firm, Lockheed Martin has paired up with Tata Group and Saab has tied up with Adani Group to manufacture these planes.

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's the Gripen formation on Air Force Day

As the Indian Air Force celebrated its 85th anniversary on October 8, it honoured six officers with Vayu Sena Medals for gallantry.

From an officer who took on terrorists during the attack on the Pathankot airbase and confined them to a specific area, which eventually proved to be the gamechanger; to the officer who saved sixteen lives (and an MI 17 helicopter); to the pilot whose relentless&nbsp;flying helped douse a hill fire that was threatening to reach the Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu &amp; Kashmir; to officers who braved machine failure and damage in the air to prevent catastrophe&nbsp;on the ground -- here are their stories.

Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey 
On January 2, 2016 when heavily armed terrorists stormed the Pathankot Air Force Station, Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey was leading a squad of IAF Special Forces for a search operation at the under-attack air base.A UAV contact with four suspects was reported to Dubey at about 2.45 am inside MES Yard. Showing keen situational awareness, Dubey estimated that the terrorists were in close proximity to the residential area and immediately deployed his forces to lay a cordon. 
While searching the area, his team came under intense hostile fire from terrorists, grievously injuring one of his team members. Dubey maintained his composure and effectively marshalled his troops and spread them out in the area to contain the terrorists within a designated area. 
Despite a gunshot wound on the right thigh, Squadron Leader Dubey led from the front and along with his buddies, continued to fight with four terrorists at extremely close range. As a result, he was able to contain them at the same spot for 25 minutes till reinforcements arrived and was able to prevent the terrorists from entering the residential area and creating a possible hostage situation. Dubey also evacuated his injured buddy and returned to action immediately. He then continued to lead his troops till the conclusion of the operation on January 7, 2016.

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Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey. (Others)
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Squadron Leader Vikas Puri

Squadron Leader Vikas Puri is a flying pilot and posted with the MI-17 Helicopter Unit since 2013. On March 12, 2016, Puri was detailed to fly a MI-17 helicopter from Shillong to Tezpur with AOC-in-C, HQ EAC and other senior officials of his entourage on board. The first 30 minutes of the flight were uneventful. Then suddenly, the aircraft experienced fuel booster pump failure which immediately leads of a &ldquo;rarest of the rare&rdquo; emergency of &ldquo;both engine failure&rdquo; in MI-17 choppers. 
Flying at a height of only 4,000 feet in a difficult terrain and with very limited time in hand, Puri promptly analysed the situation and initiated correct recovery actions. 
Unaware of the actual cause of failure, displaying exceptional courage, astute technical knowledge, exceptional crew coordination, time ingenious actions and adept handling of the toughest emergency in a helicopter, Squadron Leader Puri recovered the aircraft safely by force-landing it. Even while losing height critically, the officer maintained his composure and dexterously manoeuvred the helicopter to safety barely 250 meters above ground level and averted a certain catastrophe.

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Squadron Leader Vikas Puri. (Others)
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Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani 
In the wee hours of May 18, 2016, the Indian Air Force received a frantic call from Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board saying a forest fire was raging on the Trikuta hill and was fast approaching the Shrine. Squadron Leader Multani was immediately tasked with dousing the fire by using a Helicopter Bambi bucket. Multani got airborne for the site in a jiffy. By then, the fire had turned into an inferno and was only 100 meters away from the main walkway to the shrine, putting at risk the lives of thousands of pilgrims. 
The fire was spotted on a steep slope surrounded by tall trees making it inaccessible to the firefighters on the ground. Realising the criticality of time, Multani identified the reservoir of Salal Dam at Riasi as a potential source to fill up water. 
Reduced visibility due to smoke, excessive turbulence and limited turn radius reduced any margin of error as the aircraft had to be operated at its maximum capacity. The alignment of the fire line required the water drop to be carried out in a direction facing into the hill, making it dangerously difficult unlike other firefighting operations. With the Bambi bucket under slung at 30 meters below the aircraft, the terrain clearance was marginal. The complexity of the mission required courage and skilful handling of the chopper maintaining a high degree of situational awareness. 
During the process of dousing the fire, the bunch cable holding the Bambi bucket had got entangled, making it impossible to fill up the water. Returning to base for rectification would have caused loss of precious time and would have allowed the fire to spread. Squadron Leader Multani located a restricted but clear patch next to the reservoir and with no assistance available of ground to secure the Bambi bucket, he deftly manoeuvered the aircraft to land safely. He then himself removed the entanglement and resumed the firefighting operations.Accurate and relentless operations succeeded in dousing the fire and preventing a major catastrophe on the Trikuta hills.

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Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani. (Others)
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Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar

A pilot who while flying a sortie experience multiple failures in quick succession and still managed to land with a single engine preventing a Category 1 accident and saving a valuable aircraft. Flying in a difficult terrain, he experienced oil system failure after 20 minutes of flying. Subsequently, the left engine of the aircraft caught fire. Tanwar calmly assessed the situation and reacted in a controlled manner while staying with the plane. On experiencing oil system failure, he correctly switched off the engine and prevented an engine seizure. He managed to land with a single engine and recover the aircraft.

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Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar (Others)
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Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma

A pilot who was authorised to fly an air test sortie on MIG 29 aircraft, which involved testing of aircraft at supersonic speeds at a height of 10 kilometres. While conducting this test in Supersonic Flying Corridor, 110 kilometres away from base at a speed of 1.1 Mach&mdash;which corresponds to 1200-1300 kmph of true air speed, the canopy perspex of the aircraft shattered resulting in explosive decompression and perspex pieces hitting Sharma on the right shoulder. Notwithstanding the reduced frontal visibility, very high cockpit noise level and heavy aircraft weight, Sharma skillfully handled the damaged aircraft and executed a safe emergency landing. He not just saved his own life and the aircraft, but also prevented possible catastrophic damage to en-route strategically important and vital petro-chemical installations and populated areas.

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Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma. (Others)
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Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma

A pilot who was authorised for a battle innoculation mission. While carrying out the attack profile, the front canopy burst with a loud bang. Verma was hit by large pieces of canopy perspex with great force on his next, resulting in deep wound and injury to his shoulder. The severe wind blast also caused his head to hit the canopy combing, almost rendering him unconscious. Verma was quick to regain control of the aircrat using his instincts. The aircraft was very close to Bareilly town and an ejection would have resulted in catastrophic damage on the&nbsp;ground. 
He displayed exceptional courage to brave the strong air blast inside the cockpit, very hazy vision and grave injuries to his shoulder and arm while recovering the aircraft. He prevented loss of property on ground and recovered an expensive aircraft despite being wounded.

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Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma. (Others)
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The officers braved machine failure and damage in the air to prevent catastrophe on the ground

As the Indian Air Force celebrated its 85th anniversary on October 8, it honoured six officers with Vayu Sena Medals for gallantry. From an officer who took on terrorists during the attack on the Pathankot airbase and confined them to a specific area, which eventually proved to be the gamechanger; to the officer who saved sixteen lives (and an MI 17 helicopter); to the pilot whose relentless flying helped douse a hill fire that was threatening to reach the Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu & Kashmir; to officers who braved machine failure and damage in the air to prevent catastrophe on the ground -- here are their stories. Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey On January 2, 2016 when heavily armed terrorists stormed the Pathankot Air Force Station, Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey was leading a squad of IAF Special Forces for a search operation at the under-attack air base.A UAV contact with four suspects was reported to Dubey at about 2.45 am inside MES Yard. Showing keen situational awareness, Dubey estimated that the terrorists were in close proximity to the residential area and immediately deployed his forces to lay a cordon. While searching the area, his team came under intense hostile fire from terrorists, grievously injuring one of his team members. Dubey maintained his composure and effectively marshalled his troops and spread them out in the area to contain the terrorists within a designated area. Despite a gunshot wound on the right thigh, Squadron Leader Dubey led from the front and along with his buddies, continued to fight with four terrorists at extremely close range. As a result, he was able to contain them at the same spot for 25 minutes till reinforcements arrived and was able to prevent the terrorists from entering the residential area and creating a possible hostage situation. Dubey also evacuated his injured buddy and returned to action immediately. He then continued to lead his troops till the conclusion of the operation on January 7, 2016. Squadron Leader Bhavesh Kumar Dubey. (Others) × Squadron Leader Vikas Puri Squadron Leader Vikas Puri is a flying pilot and posted with the MI-17 Helicopter Unit since 2013. On March 12, 2016, Puri was detailed to fly a MI-17 helicopter from Shillong to Tezpur with AOC-in-C, HQ EAC and other senior officials of his entourage on board. The first 30 minutes of the flight were uneventful. Then suddenly, the aircraft experienced fuel booster pump failure which immediately leads of a “rarest of the rare” emergency of “both engine failure” in MI-17 choppers. Flying at a height of only 4,000 feet in a difficult terrain and with very limited time in hand, Puri promptly analysed the situation and initiated correct recovery actions. Unaware of the actual cause of failure, displaying exceptional courage, astute technical knowledge, exceptional crew coordination, time ingenious actions and adept handling of the toughest emergency in a helicopter, Squadron Leader Puri recovered the aircraft safely by force-landing it. Even while losing height critically, the officer maintained his composure and dexterously manoeuvred the helicopter to safety barely 250 meters above ground level and averted a certain catastrophe. Squadron Leader Vikas Puri. (Others) × Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani In the wee hours of May 18, 2016, the Indian Air Force received a frantic call from Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board saying a forest fire was raging on the Trikuta hill and was fast approaching the Shrine. Squadron Leader Multani was immediately tasked with dousing the fire by using a Helicopter Bambi bucket. Multani got airborne for the site in a jiffy. By then, the fire had turned into an inferno and was only 100 meters away from the main walkway to the shrine, putting at risk the lives of thousands of pilgrims. The fire was spotted on a steep slope surrounded by tall trees making it inaccessible to the firefighters on the ground. Realising the criticality of time, Multani identified the reservoir of Salal Dam at Riasi as a potential source to fill up water. Reduced visibility due to smoke, excessive turbulence and limited turn radius reduced any margin of error as the aircraft had to be operated at its maximum capacity. The alignment of the fire line required the water drop to be carried out in a direction facing into the hill, making it dangerously difficult unlike other firefighting operations. With the Bambi bucket under slung at 30 meters below the aircraft, the terrain clearance was marginal. The complexity of the mission required courage and skilful handling of the chopper maintaining a high degree of situational awareness. During the process of dousing the fire, the bunch cable holding the Bambi bucket had got entangled, making it impossible to fill up the water. Returning to base for rectification would have caused loss of precious time and would have allowed the fire to spread. Squadron Leader Multani located a restricted but clear patch next to the reservoir and with no assistance available of ground to secure the Bambi bucket, he deftly manoeuvered the aircraft to land safely. He then himself removed the entanglement and resumed the firefighting operations.Accurate and relentless operations succeeded in dousing the fire and preventing a major catastrophe on the Trikuta hills. Squadron Leader Sukhwinder Singh Multani. (Others) × Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar A pilot who while flying a sortie experience multiple failures in quick succession and still managed to land with a single engine preventing a Category 1 accident and saving a valuable aircraft. Flying in a difficult terrain, he experienced oil system failure after 20 minutes of flying. Subsequently, the left engine of the aircraft caught fire. Tanwar calmly assessed the situation and reacted in a controlled manner while staying with the plane. On experiencing oil system failure, he correctly switched off the engine and prevented an engine seizure. He managed to land with a single engine and recover the aircraft. Squadron Leader Abhishek Singh Tanwar (Others) × Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma A pilot who was authorised to fly an air test sortie on MIG 29 aircraft, which involved testing of aircraft at supersonic speeds at a height of 10 kilometres. While conducting this test in Supersonic Flying Corridor, 110 kilometres away from base at a speed of 1.1 Mach—which corresponds to 1200-1300 kmph of true air speed, the canopy perspex of the aircraft shattered resulting in explosive decompression and perspex pieces hitting Sharma on the right shoulder. Notwithstanding the reduced frontal visibility, very high cockpit noise level and heavy aircraft weight, Sharma skillfully handled the damaged aircraft and executed a safe emergency landing. He not just saved his own life and the aircraft, but also prevented possible catastrophic damage to en-route strategically important and vital petro-chemical installations and populated areas. Squadron Leader Rijul Sharma. (Others) × Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma A pilot who was authorised for a battle innoculation mission. While carrying out the attack profile, the front canopy burst with a loud bang. Verma was hit by large pieces of canopy perspex with great force on his next, resulting in deep wound and injury to his shoulder. The severe wind blast also caused his head to hit the canopy combing, almost rendering him unconscious. Verma was quick to regain control of the aircrat using his instincts. The aircraft was very close to Bareilly town and an ejection would have resulted in catastrophic damage on the ground. He displayed exceptional courage to brave the strong air blast inside the cockpit, very hazy vision and grave injuries to his shoulder and arm while recovering the aircraft. He prevented loss of property on ground and recovered an expensive aircraft despite being wounded. Squadron Leader Ramesh Verma. (Others) ×

6 IAF officers get Vayu Sena medal for gallantry: Here are their stories

The two Garud Commandos of the Indian Air Force who were killed during <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmir-2-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-in-bandipora-21254">a counter-insurgency operation in Bandipora district&#39;s Hajin area</a> in Jammu &amp; Kashmir were members of the first batch of 28 Garud Commandos who have been inducted for a six-month long &ldquo;live situation training&rdquo;.&nbsp;

This is the first time IAF personnel have died in counter-insurgency operation in Kashmir.

The 2016 terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force station is what ostensibly prompted the move to get IAF commandos join Indian Army personnel in counter-insurgency operations in the conflict-ridden state.

Sergeant K Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan were part of the 14-member Garud squad which was accompanying a team of the 13 Rashtriya Rifle on this mission.

In an official statement, the Indian Air Force said that intel was received on the night of October 10 by the Army conveying that 5-6 terrorists were hiding in a house in Hajin village.

&quot;The joint team laid a cordon around the house today at 0400 hours,&quot; the statement said.

&quot;Terrorists ran out of the house lobbing grenades and firing indiscriminately towards the cordon party. Two terrorists firing indiscriminately ran towards the position of Garuds who challenged them and killed two terrorists. In the intense operation two IAF Garuds&nbsp;(Sergeant Khairnar Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan) sustained serious multiple bullet injuries and were evacuated to Base Hospital, Srinagar where they succumbed to the injuries and were martyred,&quot; the statement added.

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Smt <a href="https://twitter.com/nsitharaman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nsitharaman</a> interacting with IAF Garud Commandos at the IAF Show at Nirma University <a href="https://t.co/qxKKzcw2IC">pic.twitter.com/qxKKzcw2IC</a>
&mdash; Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/916301228753092608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&ldquo;Hajin is a hotbed of terrorist activity. There was a specific input about the presence of terrorists in that area and the operation was launched in the wee hours. Once contact with the terrorists was established, they attempted to break contact and while doing so they sprayed bullets indiscriminately,&rdquo; army sources told WION.

&ldquo;The Garud commandos had cordoned off the area of operation. And while trying to escape, the terrorists ran into a buddy pair of Garud commandos,&rdquo; sources added. It was then that the terrorists fired on the&nbsp;two commandos killing them. Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter.

Sources said IAF&#39;s Garud Commandos are being made to undergo a six-month-long training&nbsp; - two week of induction training and five-and-a-half months live situation training.

The mortal remains of both the martyrs are being brought to Chandigarh for onward transportation to their respective native places in Maharashtra and Bihar.

A wreath laying ceremony will take place in Chandigarh Air Force Station on Thursday morning.

Raised and trained on the lines of Indian Navy&#39;s MARCOS and Indian Army&#39;s Para-Commandos, the Garuds are primarily tasked with guarding critical Air Force Bases. They are also trained to conduct airborne and counter-terrorist operations.

 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZEcfGwPdhL8" width="560"></iframe> 
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This is the first time IAF personnel have died in counter-insurgency operation in Kashmir.

The two Garud Commandos of the Indian Air Force who were killed during a counter-insurgency operation in Bandipora district's Hajin area in Jammu & Kashmir were members of the first batch of 28 Garud Commandos who have been inducted for a six-month long “live situation training”. This is the first time IAF personnel have died in counter-insurgency operation in Kashmir. The 2016 terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force station is what ostensibly prompted the move to get IAF commandos join Indian Army personnel in counter-insurgency operations in the conflict-ridden state. Sergeant K Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan were part of the 14-member Garud squad which was accompanying a team of the 13 Rashtriya Rifle on this mission. In an official statement, the Indian Air Force said that intel was received on the night of October 10 by the Army conveying that 5-6 terrorists were hiding in a house in Hajin village. "The joint team laid a cordon around the house today at 0400 hours," the statement said. "Terrorists ran out of the house lobbing grenades and firing indiscriminately towards the cordon party. Two terrorists firing indiscriminately ran towards the position of Garuds who challenged them and killed two terrorists. In the intense operation two IAF Garuds (Sergeant Khairnar Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan) sustained serious multiple bullet injuries and were evacuated to Base Hospital, Srinagar where they succumbed to the injuries and were martyred," the statement added. Smt @nsitharaman interacting with IAF Garud Commandos at the IAF Show at Nirma University pic.twitter.com/qxKKzcw2IC — Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) October 6, 2017 × “Hajin is a hotbed of terrorist activity. There was a specific input about the presence of terrorists in that area and the operation was launched in the wee hours. Once contact with the terrorists was established, they attempted to break contact and while doing so they sprayed bullets indiscriminately,” army sources told WION. “The Garud commandos had cordoned off the area of operation. And while trying to escape, the terrorists ran into a buddy pair of Garud commandos,” sources added. It was then that the terrorists fired on the two commandos killing them. Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter. Sources said IAF's Garud Commandos are being made to undergo a six-month-long training - two week of induction training and five-and-a-half months live situation training. The mortal remains of both the martyrs are being brought to Chandigarh for onward transportation to their respective native places in Maharashtra and Bihar. A wreath laying ceremony will take place in Chandigarh Air Force Station on Thursday morning. Raised and trained on the lines of Indian Navy's MARCOS and Indian Army's Para-Commandos, the Garuds are primarily tasked with guarding critical Air Force Bases. They are also trained to conduct airborne and counter-terrorist operations.

In a first, Indian Air Force men on 'live situation' training killed in J&K

Air Force chief BS Dhanoa has said India&#39;s first three women fighter pilots will fly the &quot;Bison&quot;.&nbsp;

The Mig-21 aka the &quot;Bison&quot;, though now obsolete, was for a long time the backbone of the Air Force.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The present consideration is to put them to MiG-21 &quot;Bison&quot;&nbsp;squadrons. Our opinion is that it&#39;ll sharpen their skills. It (the MiG-21 &quot;Bison&quot;) is more manual than other sophisticated aircraft,&rdquo; Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday on the sidelines of Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

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<h5>The present consideration is to put them to MiG-21 &#39;Bison&#39; squadrons. Our opinion is that it&#39;ll sharpen their skills. It (the MiG-21 &#39;Bison&#39;) is more manual than other sophisticated aircraft,&#39; Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said</h5>
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Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth, and Mohana Singh were commissioned as flying officers in July 2016 after the fighter stream was opened to women on an experimental basis. They are currently training on British Hawk advanced jet trainers at an IAF facility in Kalaikunda, West Bengal. 
&nbsp; 
The trio is likely to start flying fighter jets next month after having completed a strenuous training programme.

The Air Force chief said flying a plane like the MiG-21 &quot;Bison&quot; enhances a pilot&#39;s ability.

It helps polish a fighter pilot&#39;s skill more than flying more sophisticated planes, he added. 
&nbsp; 
Chaturvedi, Kanth, and Singh are expected to be posted together once they start flying fighter jets.

That will be done so that they can learn from their combined experiences, and also so that they have company.

The Indian Air Force was on Sunday celebrating 85 years of its founding. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Mig-21 'Bison', though now obsolete, was for a long time the backbone of the Air Force

Air Force chief BS Dhanoa has said India's first three women fighter pilots will fly the "Bison". The Mig-21 aka the "Bison", though now obsolete, was for a long time the backbone of the Air Force. “The present consideration is to put them to MiG-21 "Bison" squadrons. Our opinion is that it'll sharpen their skills. It (the MiG-21 "Bison") is more manual than other sophisticated aircraft,” Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday on the sidelines of Air Force Day celebrations at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The present consideration is to put them to MiG-21 'Bison' squadrons. Our opinion is that it'll sharpen their skills. It (the MiG-21 'Bison') is more manual than other sophisticated aircraft,' Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said × Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth, and Mohana Singh were commissioned as flying officers in July 2016 after the fighter stream was opened to women on an experimental basis. They are currently training on British Hawk advanced jet trainers at an IAF facility in Kalaikunda, West Bengal. The trio is likely to start flying fighter jets next month after having completed a strenuous training programme. The Air Force chief said flying a plane like the MiG-21 "Bison" enhances a pilot's ability. It helps polish a fighter pilot's skill more than flying more sophisticated planes, he added. Chaturvedi, Kanth, and Singh are expected to be posted together once they start flying fighter jets. That will be done so that they can learn from their combined experiences, and also so that they have company. The Indian Air Force was on Sunday celebrating 85 years of its founding.

India's first three women fighter pilots will fly the 'Bison'

Alert Indian peacekeepers repulsed an attack by a group of around 30 armed men, suspected to be Mai Mai cadres (local armed group), on its Lubero post in Congo on October 6.&nbsp;Friday&rsquo;s&nbsp;attack was a rare frontal assault on UN forces deployed for protecting civilians in Congo.

&quot;At around 0200 GMT, a group of armed men, probably Mai-Mai, attacked the MONUSCO (UN mission in the DRC) position&quot; near central Lubero, General Bernard Commins, Deputy Chief of the UN troops in the restive country, announced.

Two of the attackers were killed and two were wounded, while two Indian peacekeepers were also suffered minor injuries in the attack.&nbsp;The injured cadre was given immediate first aid by the Indian doctor at the MONUSCO camp and later shifted to Indian Hospital in Goma.

The Mai-Mai became prominent as armed community militias during the Second Congo War (1998-2003), when they effectively allied with the government to battle invading troops notably from Rwanda as well as foreign rebels. Some Mai-Mai forces never gave up the weapons they got from the regime.&nbsp;Since the beginning of 2017, Mai-Mai militias have regularly attacked Congolese Army positions in North Kivu and in neighbouring South Kivu. The Lubero region lies about 300 km North of Goma, the main town of North Kivu province, where dozens of illegal armed groups control several villages. They have been at odds with the government for&nbsp;exploiting mineral resources and prey on local residents.

On September 16,&nbsp;22 children including six girls were extricated by Indian troops from Nyabiondo, a village in the Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo on&nbsp;thus foiling attempts by Armed Groups from turning these children into &lsquo;Child Soldiers&rsquo;. This was the culmination of a 48 hour Long Range Mission launched by the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion based on information received from locals. These children were later handed over to UN Child Protection Agencies for rehabilitation.

On the same day, soldiers of another Indian Battalion prevented displacement of an entire village involving more than 200 families in the Miriki area. The exodus was being caused by fighting between rival groups leading to panic in the region. An immediate show of force by Indian soldiers drove off the fighting groups and brought the situation under control.

More than 2600 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in DR Congo under the UN Peacekeeping Mission called MONUSCO. It is the largest and most complex UN Peacekeeping Mission. The Indian Brigade is deployed in the most unstable province, North Kivu covering an area of 43700 square kilometers with 948 villages and 42 camps for the 1,80,000 internally displaced people. Indian troops conduct 2300 patrols per month to ensure the protection of civilians; the main mandate of MONUSCO.

Alert Indian peacekeepers repulsed an attack by a group of around 30 armed men, suspected to be Mai Mai cadres (local armed group), on its Lubero post in Congo on October 6

Alert Indian peacekeepers repulsed an attack by a group of around 30 armed men, suspected to be Mai Mai cadres (local armed group), on its Lubero post in Congo on October 6. Friday’s attack was a rare frontal assault on UN forces deployed for protecting civilians in Congo. "At around 0200 GMT, a group of armed men, probably Mai-Mai, attacked the MONUSCO (UN mission in the DRC) position" near central Lubero, General Bernard Commins, Deputy Chief of the UN troops in the restive country, announced. Two of the attackers were killed and two were wounded, while two Indian peacekeepers were also suffered minor injuries in the attack. The injured cadre was given immediate first aid by the Indian doctor at the MONUSCO camp and later shifted to Indian Hospital in Goma. The Mai-Mai became prominent as armed community militias during the Second Congo War (1998-2003), when they effectively allied with the government to battle invading troops notably from Rwanda as well as foreign rebels. Some Mai-Mai forces never gave up the weapons they got from the regime. Since the beginning of 2017, Mai-Mai militias have regularly attacked Congolese Army positions in North Kivu and in neighbouring South Kivu. The Lubero region lies about 300 km North of Goma, the main town of North Kivu province, where dozens of illegal armed groups control several villages. They have been at odds with the government for exploiting mineral resources and prey on local residents. On September 16, 22 children including six girls were extricated by Indian troops from Nyabiondo, a village in the Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo on thus foiling attempts by Armed Groups from turning these children into ‘Child Soldiers’. This was the culmination of a 48 hour Long Range Mission launched by the Indian Rapid Deployment Battalion based on information received from locals. These children were later handed over to UN Child Protection Agencies for rehabilitation. On the same day, soldiers of another Indian Battalion prevented displacement of an entire village involving more than 200 families in the Miriki area. The exodus was being caused by fighting between rival groups leading to panic in the region. An immediate show of force by Indian soldiers drove off the fighting groups and brought the situation under control. More than 2600 Indian peacekeepers are deployed in DR Congo under the UN Peacekeeping Mission called MONUSCO. It is the largest and most complex UN Peacekeeping Mission. The Indian Brigade is deployed in the most unstable province, North Kivu covering an area of 43700 square kilometers with 948 villages and 42 camps for the 1,80,000 internally displaced people. Indian troops conduct 2300 patrols per month to ensure the protection of civilians; the main mandate of MONUSCO.

Indian UN peacekeepers repulse armed attack in Congo

A total of 228 ceasefire violations occurred in 2016 along the Line of Control in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, an area which is under the operational control of the Indian Army.

This year, till October 3, the number of such violations had already more than doubled to 503.

That translates roughly to around 56 violations a month on average, or almost two a day.

In fact, last year&rsquo;s total figure of 228 ceasefire violations was crossed this year in July itself, underlining the frequency with which Pakistan has engaged in&nbsp;unprovoked firing in violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding between it and India.&nbsp;

As compared to the eight casualties suffered by the Indian Army due to these ceasefire violations in 2016, the number of soldiers killed this year has already touched 14.

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Till October 3, this year the Army has killed a total 150 terrorists: Sources
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/915544816594780160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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About 275 terrorists are active in Kashmir out of which over 250 are active in the north of Pir Panjal Range: Sources
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/915546333292806144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The number of infiltration attempts, too, has witnessed an upswing in Jammu and Kashmir.

While 88 infiltration attempts took place in 2016, the number of such bids had already touched 56 by the end of August this year.

As per official figures, 35 terrorists were killed in 2016 while trying to infiltrate into India. This year, till August, 42 terrorists had been killed while attempting to infiltrate into India.

It&rsquo;s not just soldiers who are bearing the brunt of the ceasefire violations.

Civilians residing in areas near the Line of Control have also suffered collateral damage.

On October 3, the Indian government summoned Pakistan&rsquo;s deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest with him over the deaths of three Indian children in an unprovoked ceasefire violation on October 2 by Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector.

India conveyed to Pakistan that&nbsp;such &ldquo;deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices&rdquo;.

There have been almost two ceasefire violations a day this year

A total of 228 ceasefire violations occurred in 2016 along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir, an area which is under the operational control of the Indian Army. This year, till October 3, the number of such violations had already more than doubled to 503. That translates roughly to around 56 violations a month on average, or almost two a day. In fact, last year’s total figure of 228 ceasefire violations was crossed this year in July itself, underlining the frequency with which Pakistan has engaged in unprovoked firing in violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding between it and India. As compared to the eight casualties suffered by the Indian Army due to these ceasefire violations in 2016, the number of soldiers killed this year has already touched 14. Till October 3, this year the Army has killed a total 150 terrorists: Sources — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2017 × About 275 terrorists are active in Kashmir out of which over 250 are active in the north of Pir Panjal Range: Sources — ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2017 × The number of infiltration attempts, too, has witnessed an upswing in Jammu and Kashmir. While 88 infiltration attempts took place in 2016, the number of such bids had already touched 56 by the end of August this year. As per official figures, 35 terrorists were killed in 2016 while trying to infiltrate into India. This year, till August, 42 terrorists had been killed while attempting to infiltrate into India. It’s not just soldiers who are bearing the brunt of the ceasefire violations. Civilians residing in areas near the Line of Control have also suffered collateral damage. On October 3, the Indian government summoned Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest with him over the deaths of three Indian children in an unprovoked ceasefire violation on October 2 by Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector. India conveyed to Pakistan that such “deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices”.

Ceasefire violations in J&K already more than double last year, infiltration on upswing too

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Raghvendra Rao

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