Tracing the development of night vision devices by DRDO from its earliest days, Dr. V K Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to defence minister, Secretary Deptt.of Defence R&D and DG DRDO highlighted the achievements of DRDO in the field of electro-optics. He also mentioned about the development of ‘Thermal Imaging based commander’s sight for T-72 and T-90 tanks as well as BMPs, thus removing the night blindness of these Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Mentioning about the progress made by IRDE in this critical area, he gave the example of recently developed Integrated Multi Functional Sight that weighs within 3.5 kg, as compared to the 1st generation devices of similar nature, that used to weigh around 55 kg.

Emphasizing the need to strengthen manufacturing infrastructure in the country, he stated that the country had to gear up to produce the advanced Thermal Detectors indigenously, “Our biggest weakness is the availability of infrared imaging detector fabrication facilities. In 80s we were chasing a sum of 60 crores(to establish this facility), in 90s we were chasing a sum of 100 crores and in 2000s we were chasing the sum of 1000 crores. There is a need to take a decision in regard to set up this facility with foreign collaboration, in order to fill this vital technology gap”. He also invited the industry partners, scientists, academicians to work together to overcome these gaps so that dependence on imports can be minimized.

Anil Kumar, CMD, BEL put forth the industry perspective and assured that BEL centres are always ready to support the indigenisation efforts of the country and will deliver the quality instruments in time to the armed forces.

The seminar aimed at familiarizing Armed forces with the capabilities of DRDO in thermal imaging field and understand their present and future requirements. The event is being attended by senior officers from the Armed Forces, the Ordnance factories, public sector giants like Bharat Electronics and private sector partners. Eight foreign firms from countries France, Belgium, Greece,Israel, Netherlands & USA also participated and exhibited their products.

The DRDO – BEL combine exhibited a variety of Thermal Imagers covering wide range of applications for Army, Navy & Air force. EOFCS for navy, HHTI with LRF, Commander’s TI sights for T-72, T-90 & BMP, Commander’s Panoramic sight for MBT, Holographic sight & Light-weight Laser Target Designator were the main equipment exhibited by IRDE.

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He was received at Nagrota helipad by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen KT Parnaik. Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC 16 Corps apprised the visiting general about the prevailing operational situation in the Corps along Line of Control as well as internal security tasks. The Army Chief later visited Rajouri to interact with commanders and troops. He took stock of the operational and logistics preparedness and was briefed by the formation commanders on the situation along the Line of Control.

General Bikram Singh at Nagrota Helipad. Image: MoD

As Indian Army Chief, this is his first visit to Nagrota. Gen Bikram Singh has working experience of the operational dynamics in the State of J&K as he has commanded a Battalion, a Brigade, a Division and a Corps in the State.

The Army Chief had arrived at Technical Airport in the morning and was received by Maj Gen Ashwini Kumar, GOC Tiger Division and Air Commodore PE Patange, AOC, Air Force Station Jammu.

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A ‘Big day of my life’ says Rifleman Peer Mohd Ummar of Naugam attired smartly in Angolas with an upright Blood Red Turban, flanked by his jubilant parents. ‘I wanted to serve my country and that dream has come true today. Training at my Regimental Centre has given me enough confidence and strength to serve my Nation with pride and honour. “Now, my parents and I can live with status and dignity in my community and village” claims the proud Parade Commander and recipient of Bana Singh Medal for being the Best recruit in Drill.

Passing out parade at JAK LI Regimental Centre, Srinagar on 19 April 2013

The Recruits ushered into the life of soldering have been rigorously trained in various activities including Tactics, Firing, Physical and Mental build up. Recruit Inder Kumar Sharma was adjudged as the Overall Best and was presented with the ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’ Sheikh Abdullah Sword of Honour. The parade ground at the JAK LI RC was decked up aesthetically as per Military Custom. The venue was flooded with the proud parents of young soldiers and other distinguished guests. At the end, proud parents and relatives carried out the Pipping Ceremony of the soldiers. Now the young soldiers are ready to join their battalions to meet the varied and diverse challenges of military life.

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The drinking water point was formally inaugurated by Brigadier SS Mamak, in the presence of senior officials of Police and CRPF. The Maulvi of the Shrine, Maulvi Mohammed Akbar thanked the army for the kind gesture and said the drinking water point will alleviate the problems faced by the pilgrims to a large extent.

Indian Army installs drinking water point at Baba Payamuddin Reshi shrine

Ziarat or the mosque of Baba Reshi is situated on the slopes below Gulmarg in Baramulla District of Jammu and Kashmir. The well-known Muslim saint was a courtier of the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. The tomb was built in the year 1480 after his death.

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India has stationed 2200 troops comprising of two battalions, one based in Jonglei and the other in Malakkal, Upper Nile, on the border with Sudan.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the killing stating that such an act is a war crime. He called on South Sudanese government to bring the perpetrators to justice as the act falls under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. UN pays a compensation USD 70,000 to the next of kin in death cases, whereas the disability compensation is decided as per the degree of disability suffered by a soldier on active duty in UN Peacekeeping Operations.

Indian Army said the soldiers from 9 Mechanised Infantry battalion and 6 Mahar Regiment were escorting a convoy of UN vehicles from Gurmuck to Bor in South Sudan when a suspected militia group attacked it with small arms and Rocket-propelled Grenades (RPGs). The firefight lasted more than one hour in which the one officer, one JCO and three jawans were killed.

The names of the martyred are Lt Col Mahipal Singh, Havaldars Heera Lal and Bharat Sasmal from 9 Mechanised Infantry and Naib Subedar Shiv Kumar Pal and Sipahi Naval Kishore from 6 Mahar.

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The incident took place at the Mahe firing range, after an officer assaulted a soldier, for allegedly entering a Border Security Force guest house room without knocking and an officers wife was in it. The solder was rushed to hospital and a rumour spread about his death, leading to clashes. Commanding Officer Colonel P Kadam, two officers and eight soldiers were injured. A similar incident between officers and soldiers of the 16 Cavalry Unit in Samba near Jammu on August 8, 2012, and 5 soldiers were dismissed. The incidents have one thing in common :leadership failure.

If professional soldiers rise against their officers, it should be noted that officers would have done something extreme. Indian Army is still a clone of the Imperial British India Army and the time to change passed decades ago. Army hopefully will learn from the recent leadership failures and transform the byegone era feudal officer-soldier relationship.

Indian Army also has to change the concept of officers and soldiers. The force cribs about the shortage of officers, while ignoring the changing profile of soldiers, who are better educated than before. Some steps in the direction were seen during General VK Singh’s tenure, however, it should be taken forward.

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On receiving information, Army launched a rescue mission with the highly trained Avalanche rescue Team.

Indian Army Avalanche Rescue Team

Army also provided hot tea to the stuck passengers while the rescue was on.

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“A person out of the mob assaulted the Army personnel with an iron rod creating a life threatening situation. To extricate themselves, the patrol fired aiming in the air which could not have resulted into injury. In any case, the place of incident where the person died was well away from the location of the patrol and could have no way been affected by the firing by the patrol in the air. This calls for detailed investigation by the Police,” said the army release.

Army reiterated that the death of Tariq Ahmad s/o Ghulam Rasul could not have been caused due the firing by the Army personnel as extreme caution was exercised by them and the fire was deliberately aimed in the air. “There were intelligence inputs with regard to the plans by the terrorists to entangle Army personnel, particularly in Baramulla, in a protest and to attack the Army taking shield of the crowd with a view to trigger large scale violence. This will provide a fodder for the inimical elements to disturb the peace,” added the release.

Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC-in-C Northern Command on Wednesday expressed his deep sorrow and regret over the loss of precious life in Baramula. He further offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He has also ordered a time bound inquiry into the incident.

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The 197 LUH’s are vital for replacement of Cheetah and Chetak Helicopters operated by the Indian forces. The deal was first cancelled in 2007, when it was found that there was a possible conflict of interest. A member of Indian Army trial team was the brother of a private sector company executive which serviced similar helicopters. The approx $1.5 billion deal has two contenders, Russian Kamov Ka-226T “Sergei” and Eurocopter AS 550 C3 Fennec.

As a measure, India is inducting upgraded Cheetah and Chetak helicopter called Cheetal and Chetan helicopters.

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The Army Commander also visited the formations deployed in the Valley and praised them for exercising a very high degree of control and upholding the highest ethos of Army and respecting the Human Right norms while managing the internal security situation, prevailing in the Valley.

Lt Gen KT Parnaik visits troops deployed in Kashmir Valley – Feb 12, 2013

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