Archive for April, 2007
Friday, April 20th, 2007
April 20, 2007 (FIDNS)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is prosecuting 34 ethnic Burmese rebels currently lodged in Presidency jail in Kolkata, on April 19, 2007, produced before the court seven sealed boxes, about four by two feet in size and several other arms including a rocket launcher in a dismantled condition. The CBI did not produce any witnesses. Rest of the arms /ammonution and two speed boats which are on the list of seizured items from the Burmese rebels, have not been submited.
Judge Ashim Kumar Roy of the City Sessions Court last month directed the Commander-in-chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to produce in court on April 18, the weapons and ammunition along with the speed boats and trawlers, which were allegedly seized from the rebels during an operation in February 1998.
Failing to produce the arms and ammunition on April 18, the CBI promised to produce it on 19 April, 2007, before the court.
Akshay Kumar Sharma, one of the defence counsels said the few articles produced were not even half of what was claimed to have been seized from the rebels, who were allegedly accused of ‘gunrunning’.
“There is no evidence against these freedom fighters and the prosecution is just playing with the proceedings. Whenever the time comes to produce any proof against these people they [the prosecution] come up with some lame excuses,” Sharma said.
“We are saying that there are no weapons, no boats and no trawlers with them. The whole story is cooked up,” Sharma added.
The arms produced by the CBI today were examined by Judge Ashim Kumar Roy of the City Sessions Court along with the defence counsel and the prosecutors, and were then sent to the District Commissioner (Headquarters) for custody.
Siddarth Aggarwal, another defence counsel said the arms produced have no authenticity. There is no proof that these are the same arms that were seized from the rebels. A witness will have to explain the evidence that was produced.
“These are some of the pieces that must have been lying around, because there is no verification of the fact that these are the same ones. But anyway, the witness will have to come and talk about it,” Aggarwal said.
The prosecution, however, failed to produce any witnesses claiming that a witness has gone to the United Kingdom for training and another witness is appearing for an examination.
The counsel for the prosecution said that the rest of the arms and ammunition and the explosives that were allegedly seized from the rebels are in Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Island . He claimed that it is ‘dangerous’ to bring them to the court in Kolkata.
The prosecutors also claimed that the two boats, which were allegedly used by the rebels to bring the arms and ammunition were washed away by the Tsunami and that the army is still looking for them.
Siddarth said the prosecution is making a mere excuse to get out of a problem situation and does not believe that there are any arms and ammunition under the army’s custody in Port Blair.
He said unless the boats and trawlers are produced, how can the prosecutors claim that the rebels were carrying these arms.
“If I am being accused of bringing in certain arms and ammunition, where are the boats in which I came? Without those boats there is no proof against me. I cannot bring them by putting them on my shoulders or I cannot swim with these arms,” said Siddarth adding that the prosecution is using tactics to delay the proceedings.
Following the examination of evidences produced by the CBI, the Judge Ashim Kumar Roy adjourned the court and fixed the next date of hearing of witnesses from May 21 to 25.
Posted in General Indian Armed Forces News | Comments Off
Friday, April 20th, 2007
April 20, 2007 (FIDSNS)
The Defence Minister of New Zealand Mr. Phil Goff called on Defence Minister Shri AK Antony on April 10, 2007. Both the leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and Defence Cooperation.
When Mr Goff had visited India as foreign minister in 2001, India and New Zealand had discussions on strengthened and active role of the Commonwealth in Fiji for ensuring the return of democracy in the island nation.
Posted in General Indian Armed Forces News, Military News - Asia | Comments Off
Friday, April 20th, 2007
April 20, 2007 (FIDSNS)
Vice Admiral Raman P Suthan, AVSM VSM will assume command of the premiere Eastern Naval Command, one of the two operational commands of the Indian Navy on 30 Apr 07. Vadm Suthan takes over from Vice Admiral A K Singh, who retires that day.
The Eastern seaboard has gained prominence in the recent past and this is witnessed by the increasing engagement with immediate regional neighbours like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and other states of South East Asia. The Eastern Fleet is on overseas deployment and the ships have just completed a visit to China and Japan to exercise with their ships. All this is in consonance with the ‘Look East Policy’ of our country. Also, the coming days would see Indian Navy exercising with US Fleet in the Bay of Bengal.
Admiral Suthan takes over the Eastern Naval command after two years stint in Delhi. He took over his present appointment as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff on 24 Jul 06 when “Operation - Sukoon” (evacuation of civilians) from Beirut to Larnaca was in full swing. The prompt response by the Indian Navy has won admiration, the world over.
The Admiral was born on 14 Aug 1949. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasala and was commissioned in the Indian Navy in July 1970. He saw action early in life as the Navigating Officer of INS Kavaratti, which took active part in Eastern Fleet operations off erstwhile East Pakistan in 1971. After specialisation in Navigation and Direction, he has held various staff, instructional, operational and command appointments. The Flag Officer is a graduate of the prestigious Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. During his long and illustrious career, Vice Admiral Raman P Suthan has commanded five ships of different size and capabilities. His other important assignment at sea includes Fleet Navigation Officer of Eastern Fleet. As Flag Officer, he has been Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, one of the two sword arms of the Navy.
Ashore, his appointments include Chief Staff Officer (Training) in Southern Naval Command in 1991-92 and Defence Advisor at High Commission of India, Singapore from 1993-96. The Flag Officer has been widely associated with the personnel policies of the Navy, having held the appointments of the Director of Personnel, Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resources Development) and Controller Personnel Services at Naval Headquarters for over four years. He has had the unique distinction of being Chief of Staff of two Commands, Southern and Eastern Naval Command and hence had a wide range of administrative, training and operational experience. It was during his appointment as Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command that the successful and highly acclaimed post-tsunami relief operations on the Eastern seaboard were undertaken.
VAdm Raman P Suthan is a recipient of Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal (VSM) for his highly distinguished service.
Posted in Indian Navy News | Comments Off
Thursday, April 19th, 2007
19 April, 2007 (FIDSNS)
“Yes, the issue did figure in our discussions” Said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael G. Mullen, addressing a Press confrence in New Delhi. It was in a reply to a question of berthing and access in Indian ports. This issue was taken up with Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta.
US Navy Ships have been berthing in Indian ports when requested.
Posted in Military News - America | Comments Off
Thursday, April 19th, 2007
18 April, 2007 (FIDSNS)
The Defence Secretary today handed over a cheque of back wages of over Rs. 1,16,00,000/- to Field Marshal S H F J Manekshaw at the Military Hospital in Wellington. This is in connection with Government’s decision that officers holding honorary ranks of Field Marshal of the Army and Marshal of the Air Force would be entitled to salary and emoluments package alongwith several other facilities in keeping with rare honours attached to these ranks. These back wages will be effective from Jan 01, 1973, when Gen Manekshaw took up the Field Marshal rank and from this month onwards he will get the enhanced salary. When asked by the Field Marshal Manekshaw whether any imposition of tax on his new salary structure, the Defence Secretary replied that if at all tax has to be imposed it will be at the minimum. He said he will try to exempt it from tax deduction.
Field Marshal Manekshaw is now undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital, Wellington.
Posted in General Indian Armed Forces News, Indian Army News | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
18 April, 2007 (FIDSNS)
Ria Novosti reports that India and Russia will conduct joint naval counter-terrorism exercises called INDRA-2007 in the Sea of Japan on April 24-26.
INDRA-2007 is a biennial joint exercise between the Russian and Indian navies aimed at practicing cooperative engagement in the fight against terrorism. It is the third such exercise since 2003.
As reported by Russian Pacific fleet news sources, Russian will be represented by two large anti-submarine ships, a missile boat, a diesel submarine, a group of mine-sweepers, a tanker, two tug boats, two Ka-27 Helix helicopters and an Il-38 May maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
The Indian naval group will comprise of INS Rana, INS Ranjit, INS Mysore, INS Kuthar and INS Jyoti.
The exercises will include surface live ammunition firing, air defense and anti-submarine warfare maneuvers. The naval groups will also practice operations related to maintaining maritime order and countering piracy, terrorism, and drug smuggling.
Posted in Indian Navy News, Military News - Russia | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
April 17, 2007 (FIDSNS)
The Government has decided that officers holding honorary ranks of Field Marshal of the Army and Marshal of the Air Force would be entitled to an upgraded pay and emoluments package along with certain other facilities in keeping with the rare honour attached to these ranks. The upgraded package would become effective from the date of holding of these ranks, as a mark of the country’s deep appreciation of the invaluable services rendered.
With this decision Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw and Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, would be entitled to the same scale of pay as a Chief of the Service, along with a Special Pay. Residential accommodation or House Rent Allowance in lieu and Leave Travel Concession would also be admissible to both the dignitaries as per rules applicable to the Chief of Service.
Other facilities such as Staff Officer, a nominated Staff Car, Medical facilities, and an official Hospitality allowance would also be made available.
The dignitaries would also be extended the status of State Guest on visit to any state.
Posted in General Indian Armed Forces News, Indian Air Force News, Indian Army News | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
April 17, 2007 (FIDSNS)
Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major PVSM AVSM SC VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff ‘flagged off’ the IAF Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Mountaineering Expedition Team to Mt Cho Oyu today in an impressive ceremony at Air HQ (Vayu Bhawan), New Delhi.
Mt. Cho Oyu, the sixth highest peak in the world will be attempted by a team of fifteen air warriors from the North West route in China in Apr-May 07. Expedition to Mt. Cho Oyu is part of the major events planned as Indian Air Force celebrates its Platinum Jubilee.
The team led by Wg Cdr RC Tripathi VM will leave for the expedition on 19 Apr 07. Mt. Cho Oyu stands astride the Nepal/Tibet border, just 30 miles West of Mt. Everest. The climb route is from Tibetan side of the Nangpa La pass which used to be old trading route to Nepal.
The expedition team will be entering Tibet via Kathmandu and Lhasa and thereafter driving over the Tibetan Plateau to the North side of the mountain. From the last roadhead, a three days approach march would lead to the Base Camp. The team will establish three higher camps after the advance base camp before attempting the final summit push some time by end of May 2007.
Earlier, IAF created history in the mountaineering fraternity by hosting the tricolour on top of Everest on 30 May 2005. The air warriors of the Indian Air Force (including lady officers) have been pursuing mountaineering activity as a part of adventure for more than three decades. Today Indian Air Force has a nucleus of qualified mountaineers ready to take on the challenge of climbing any peak in the world.
The Air Chief encouraged the mountaineers and told them that not only did they have the blessings of the Air Force – the whole Nation was behind them and wished them all success.
Posted in Indian Air Force News | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 17th, 2007
17 April, 2007 (FIDSNS)
Two Indian Navy Ships INS Rana and INS Ranjit conducted joint manouvers with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Northern Sea Fleet off the eastern coast of China on 16 April, 2007.
India’s two naval ships INS Rana and INS Ranjit had arrived at the port city of Qingdao on April 12.
The Indian navy band enthraled the locals of Qingdao in the May Fourth Square.
Posted in Indian Navy News, Military News - Asia | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 17th, 2007
April 17, 2007 (FIDSNS)
The first trilateral naval exercise between India, Japan and the United States called TRILATEX 07 was held April 16 off the western coast of Japan.
The one-day training event gave senior leaders and ship and aircraft crews a chance to work on interoperability between the three nations.
“During the upcoming trilateral exercise … the most powerful democracy, the most populous democracy and the most prosperous democracy will come together to promote interoperability,” said India’s Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet Rear. Adm. R. K. Dhowan before the exercise took place.
During TRILATEX 07, the three navies worked together on exercises such as air defense, sea surveillance and communications.
“Exercises like TRILATEX are very important for our respective navies because when we understand each other’s capabilities, we can work together,” said Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Doug Crowder. “This comes on the heels of another successful exercise between India and the United States – Malabar 07 – and will surely not be the last between our great navies. I look forward to further interaction with my friends in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian navy.”
The United States was represented by USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Mustin (DDG 89), two SH-60B Seahawks, one P-3C Orion and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 5.
Japanese ships that participated include JS Kirishima, JS Ikazuchi, JS Murasame, JS Takanami and three SH-60Ks.
The Indian Navy joined the exercise with INS Mysore, INS Kuthar, INS Jyoti, one Chetak helicopter and one Sea King helicopter.
Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. Fleets, composed of approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time.
Posted in Indian Navy News, Military News - America, Military News - Asia | Comments Off
Monday, April 16th, 2007
16 April, 2007 (FIDSNS)
Engaged in anti-ULFA operations in insurgency-hit Assam, the Indian army joined the state’s traditional Rongali Bihu celebrations.
To project the Army’s humane face, “An Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove” slogan has been adopted by the chief of army staff General J J Singh during the ongoing Rongali Bihu festival.
A defence spokesman at the army’s Four Corps headquarter at Tezpur, heading the operation against the banned ULFA, said that the army has sensitised its officers and jawans towards the emotions of the Assamese people during the auspicious Bihu celebration.
The Army’s particiaption in the fistivities “focuses on the humanitarian face of the army and their fair play reinforces the faith of the common people in the security force”, he said.
The spokesman said that in the two days preceding Bihu, two hardcore ultras of the strike force 28 battalion were apprehended without resorting to firing.
On 13 April, 2007, PTI had reported that the army had achieved a major success in its operations against the ULFA in Assam by breaking the backbone of the banned group’s strike force, the “28 battalion”.
“As many as 20 top ULFA ultras, including 16 from the 28 battalion, have been killed in the past fortnight. This is a severe blow which has broken their backbone,” Maj Gen N C Marwah, general officer commanding of the 2 Mountain Brigade that is heading counter-insurgency operations in upper Assam.
The army, after intensifying its operations in upper Assam, particularly after the massacre of Hindi-speaking people by the ULFA in January, scored several successes including the recent gunning down of eight rebels in Manabhum reserve forest of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, he said.
After the oeprations in Manabhum, the 28 battalion was in disarray as most cadres of its “Charlie company”, who were active in the upper Assam districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugar as well as Arunachal Pradesh, were either captured or killed.
Meanwhile, a senior army officer who recently took a media team on an aerial survey of suspected ULFA hideouts on the Manabhum-Myanmar border and in Dibru Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary, claimed the force had intercepted satellite telephone messages of the ULFA revealing their plans for major strikes after the Bihu festival.
Posted in Counter Terrorism, Indian Army News | Comments Off
Monday, April 16th, 2007
16 April, 2007, (FIDSNS)
In consonance with its focus on publishing original research papers having direct bearing on Defence, the Defence Science Journal is planning to bring out a Special Issue on Nano Materials: Science and Technology being brought out under the special editorship of Dr J.P. Agrawal, Director (Retd), Dte of Materials, DRDO HQrs, Delhi. Besides full-length research papers, authors are also welcome to submit review articles, and short communications for this Special Issue and broad areas are as follows:
=Review highlighting state-of-the-art Nano Materials: (i) Materials; (ii) Technology
=Applications with special reference to Defence
=Design, Theory and Modelling
=Synthesis of Nano materials: Physical Methods; Chemical Methods
=Characterisation of Nano Materials
=Carbon Nano tubes – History, Synthesis, Properties, Applications, Present Status
and Future Scope.
=Nano Crystals, Nano Wires, Nano Fibres and Nano Composites – Preparation,
Properties, Applications, Present Status and Future Scope
=Biomaterials and Bioinspiration
=Nano Safety
The papers should highlight state-of-the-art in the subject and report findings clearly.
Papers suggesting new avenues for research and development are also welcome. The
special issue is proposed to be published in November 2007 and the papers may be
submitted latest by 31st May 2007 at the following address:
The Editor
Defence Science Journal
Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC)
Metcalfe House, Delhi – 110 054
E-mail: pub_desi@rediffmail.com Phone : 011-23819975
dirdesidoc@vsnl.net.in Fax : 011-23819151
Posted in Defence Research and Development | Comments Off
Monday, April 16th, 2007
16 April, 2007 (FIDSNS)
Ebel Es Saqi, Lebanon: Personnel of 15 Punjab Regiment, known as INDBATT-9 (Indian Battalion), deputed to United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), were awarded UN Medals under a UN Mandate. The award ceremony was organised on April 13, 2007.
Maj Gen Claudio Graziano of Italy who is the UNIFIL Force Commander presented UN medals.
A dental laboratory was also innagurated in the unit’s medical complex by Brig-Gen Ramon Ambrasio Merino who is the Sector Commander East.
15th Punjab was inducted in Lebnon on december 2006. Like 4th Punjab, which 15th Punjab replaced, earned a name for itself in a short span of time.
15th Punjab in addition to regular duties organised medical camps, Quick Impact Projects for children, Jaipur foots for the war amputee etc
On March, 2007, Lebanese movement Hezbollah on Monday lauded the Indian Army deployed as UN peacekeepers in the southern part of that country. “The role of Indian army deployed as part of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon is very positive and it has no problem with the people and Hezbollah,” Hezbollah spokesperson Ali Fayyad said.
Posted in Indian Army News | Comments Off
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