J&K: Arnia sector encounter ends, 12 dead

AND RESULT

The encounter in Arnia sector of Jammu region close to Indo-Pak border ended this morning after the remaining fourth militant was gunned down by security forces during the terror attack on an Army patrol that in all left 12 people dead including five civilians and three army personnel.

“The encounter has ended and boys did a good job by preventing the militants from striking anywhere,” Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police K Rajendra told PTI here.

“In all, we have lost three Army personnel and five civilians. All the four militants have been killed,” he said, after the end of the encounter this morning which lasted over 24 hours following the fidayeen attack.

Yesterday, it was stated that four militants were killed and one more was still holed up in an army bunker which came under attack. Officials said today there was some confusion on establishing the identity of one the dead yesterday. The operation to neutralise the militants began yesterday morning and went on throughout the day but was suspended during the night.
An Army official said that security forces, who had launched a cordon and search operation at the site of encounter in Arnia this morning to retrieve bodies of the civilians, came under fire from a militant holed up in a bunker triggering fresh exchanges in which he was killed. 

CRPF needs second-hand US military vehicles to counter Maoist attacks

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) wants the Centre to purchase used mine-resistant and ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) from the US, which have already been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. A message has been delivered to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), highlighting that the ever-growing sophistication in combat tactics of Maoists calls for urgent modernisation of the forces. The CRPF has recommended to the home ministry that purchasing these used MRAPs will be far less expensive than making new purchases.  “At present, the CRPF is facing attacks using IEDs, which are very basic in nature and generally found in jungle areas. Maoists are likely to come up with more technologically sophisticated IEDs in near future. Maoists may use these IEDs once they shift their movement to urban areas,” a CRPF note sent to the home ministry stated. “The US forces are withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan. These MRAPs are also being withdrawn and will be available in spare in the US,” the CRPF note said. The CRPF has urged the government to provide the force with equipment that can counter the IED threat. Other than the MRAPs, the CRPF has also listed equipment and technology that is needed to counter the high threat posed by IEDs. Explosive detectors or field labs to find IEDs will be effective in eliminating the menace. There have been nearly 450 deaths in the force due to IED explosions, and deaths in ambushes laid by the Maoists have accounted for more than 50 per cent of the killings in the force. Sources said that over the last few years, the rebels have switched to planting explosives rather than engaging in direct combat with the forces. “The strategy ensures that there is mass casualty and the risk of casualty on their side is much less,” a CRPF officer said. Till now, according to sources, they have been making IEDs which are of a localised nature, but with their expertise increasing the rebels have the potential to make a remote-controlled bomb that could cause much more damage. In the wake of this threat, the CRPF has written to the home ministry stating that the force needs a “futuristic approach.” “We should be ready to face the emerging challenges successfully,” the CRPF note said. The CRPF is also of the view that there is a need to develop forensic and biometric capabilities that can be used in field areas where different IEDs, explosive and remnants can be collected and scrutinised. It is also recommended that a “bomb library” like the one created in the US be started in India to analyse different kinds of explosives.

                                                                                                                 
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Hand in Hand 2014 Indo-China anti terrorism exercises

The joint training exercise is focused upon training on crossing of obstacles, special heliborne operations, firing of various weapons, handling and neutralization of improvised explosive devices and conduct of cordon and search operations in insurgency and terrorism environment.

This exercise is expected to develop mutual understanding and respect for each other's military. The objective of the training is enhancing confidence and trust between the two armies which may be called upon to grapple with anti terrorism operations even under the UN mandate.

Earlier on November 16, the Chinese contingent from the 13 Group Army, Chengdu Military Region comprising of one infantry company along with supporting staff landed at the Lohegaon airfield in two IL- 76 Aircrafts directly from China.

An opening ceremony was held at the parade ground in Aundh Military Camp. The opening ceremony was attended by Lt General Bobby Mathews, Corps Commander of the Indian Army and Lt General Shi Xiangyuan, Deputy Commander of Chengdu Military Command of the People's Liberation Army, besides many senior army officials of both nations.

The parade was commanded by Lt Colonel Tian Jeiwen, Commanding Officer of People's Liberation Army contingent. Both the senior military officers addressed the contingents before Lt General Shi Xiangyuan of Chinese People's Liberation Army, declared the joint exercise open.

The conduct of joint military exercises is also an important step to uphold the values of peace, prosperity and stability in the region by jointly eradicating terrorism. The exercise terminated on November 25. 

Israeli IMI for FMBT tank Project

According to Israeli media report India might rope in Israeli Military Industries (IMI)  for joint partnership in the design and development of the proposed homemade future main battle tank and setting up a facility to jointly manufacture a variety of ammunition , India recently  quietly lifted a ban on Israeli Military Industries (IMI) which was imposed few years back due to corruption charges against them. In past IMI has worked with India has an consultant on development of Arjun tanks . Indian army has still not made it clear if new tank will be follow up of Arjun MK-2 tank based on current variant or they want all new tank similar to weight class of T-90 . DRDO carried out  third-party evaluation few years ago after disputes with Indian army emerged on performance of  Arjun tanks, Israeli IMI was roped in which Independently tested Arjun Tanks in India with their own crew and  endorsed that Arjun tanks performance was excellent and on par with Tanks which are made in Israel . Israeli experts were also of the opinion that Arjun would outrun any competition, including Russian built T-90 tanks which are also in Indian Army’s Arsenal .After blacklisting of IMI consultation for Arjun tank  was curtailed but now India likely will re-engage with them soon .

                                                                                                                                               by -idrw.org

The War on Terror should have been on Pakistan, not Afghanistan

The concept of America's 'War on Terror' began on 11 September 2001 with the collapse of the World Trade Centre in New York. It was Al-Qaeda that claimed responsibility of the attacks and America swung into action and prepared to invade Afghanistan which was the stronghold of the Al-Qaeda network.

America however forgot that Pakistan that neighbours Afghanistan has more terrorist camps and organisations than all the terrorist groups put together in the world. The US along with its allies should have taken time to identify the real threat to the free world. 

Logically a nuclear armed Pakistan that harboured terrorist was more dangerous to the world than the terror groups in Afghanistan. But America instead made its biggest mistake in choosing Pakistan as the top ally on the war on terror. George Bush the then US President had threatened to bomb Pakistan "back to the stone age" after the September 11 attacks if the country did not cooperate with America's war on Afghanistan. 

General Pervez Musharraf was stunned at the bluntness of the US in delivering the threat to a soverign country. Musharraf had no choice but to allow U.S. and allied forces to make Pakistan their base and mount operations into Afghanistan.

WAR ON TERROR SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON PAKISTAN, WHY?
- First of all Al-Qaeda's top leader and the world's most wanted man 'Osama Bin Laden' was found in Pakistan by US Special Forces protected by none other than the Pakistani Army. 

- The top three most wanted on the US most wanted terrorist list are all in Pakistan.

- The successor to Osama Bin Laden is also believed to be hiding in Pakistan with assistance from ISI and the Pakistani Army inside a closed military area.

- Pakistan today has the fastest growing nuclear arsenal in the world and has been found guilty of preliferating nuclear weapons to rogue states like North Korea & Iran. It's just a matter of time before they fall into the hands of Islamic terrorists groups.

- The People of Pakistan have been completely radicalised and the population of the country has deep rooted anti-US sentiments. They have zero tolerance towards any other faith or religion other than the Islam. To top it up, Pakistan has the highest Islamic population growth rate in the entire Asian continent with no bright future. 


If the United States and its allies had invaded Pakistan instead of Afghanistan and neutralised its nuclear arsenal, installed a stable government and integrated Pakistan's economy with the mainstream financial sectors then the world today would have been a much safer place.
                                                                         by - defencenews.in

Ahead of elections, Army seizes large quantity of arms, ammunition.... in J&K

 In one of the major successes against militants, army today recovered a major arms haul near the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of North Kashmir. Army said by the recovery of these weapons they have foiled potential threat to the poll process.
An Army spokesman said that troops deployed along the LoC in Keran sector recovered a huge haul of weapons including 18 AK-47 rifles and 5 pistols.  The spokesman said that these weapons were potential threat to the poll process and Army intercepted these weapons and prevented them from falling in the hands of militants operating in Kashmir.
The search operation in the area is going on and sources said that the weapons were recently smuggled from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the militants. They said that militants are desperate to smuggle weapons as the militants are falling short of weapons due to tight vigil along the LoC by the Army over the years.
The spokesman said that in another operation, based on specific input,  was launched jointly launched by Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police at Hajibal forest area in Baramulla district early today.
“Extensive search led to the discovery of a well entrenched hideout from which large quantity of weapons, ammunition and other war like stores to include which one sniper rifle, two pistol, two UBGL, 23 UBGL, 23 UBGL grenade, 18 hand grenade, six RPG, two disposable RL, four radio set, two mor bombs, two combat dresses with assorted ammunition and belted ammunition were recovered”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that the hideout seems to have been used by transient militants as a safe hiding place and its destruction will further enhance the safe environs on fringe areas of Baramulla town and is a major setback to militants operating around Baramulla.
Army said that recent incidents show that militants are desperate to target the poll process in Kashmir valley but their designs have been foiled. “These operations, when seen in conjunction with the arrest of the militant and grenade throwing incident in last 48 hours indicates the desperate attempts by terrorists to disrupt the so far peaceful election related activities and success of security forces in thwarting such ill designs”, he said.
The Lt General Subrata Saha commended the troops on LoC and hinterland for maintaining a robust counter infiltration and counter militancy grid.
The arms haul is the biggest in recent years. Last time on September 27, 2012 Army recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition including 10 AK-47 rifles with 20 magazines, 98 chinese made pistols (.30 MAUSER) with 196 magazines and two sub machine guns (.30 Cal, folding Butt) with four magazines. The arms and ammunition was packed in chinese newspapers.

ONLY TWO REMAIN Indian Competition to Replace INSAS

The competitors originally included the Colt Combat Rifle(sic) (probably the Colt Advanced Carbine), the CZ 807 Bren, the IWI Galil ACE, the SIG 556, and the Beretta ARX-160. However, the competition has been pared down to only two rifles: The ACE and the ARX-160. Unique to the Indian solicitation, the rifles must be capable of converting from 5.56mm caliber to 7.62x39mm. It’s not clear what the reasoning behind this requirement is, but perhaps the Indians are considering taking advantage of the extensive local logistical support for the latter caliber.

The winning rifle will earn its parent company a contract for 66,000 weapons to start, with license production following afterward. If Beretta wins, it will be the first time the ARX-160 has been adopted as standard issue by any military outside of Italy. If IWI wins, it will represent the latest in a long line of contracts earned by the humble ACE.

After all which 155mm 52 cal gun

The Indian Army's beleaguered artillery modernisation programme has been revitalised by the Narendra Modi government as the Defence Acquistion Council (DAC) on Saturday gave a goahead to invite fresh bids for 814 mounted gun systems estimated to be worth Rs. 15,750 crore.

The apex decision making body on military purchases met for the first time under the chairmanship of new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who promised fast and transparent decisions to clear a pile of backlog. To speed up decisions, Parrikar now plans to hold DAC decisions more frequently instead of once a month.

India has not bought a single piece of artillery ever since the Bofors scandal in the late 1980s. The jinx may finally be broken with the fresh decision to make the guns in India with foreign collaboration. The process to buy guns has been derailed at least half a dozen times on allegations of corruption.

Several Indian companies are in the contention for the contract including TATA SED with its 155mm truck mounted gun system and L&T-Ashok Leyland-Nexter 155 mm gun. As per an earlier plan, the initial 100 guns were to be imported and the remaining 714 to be produced in India.

The Army is looking to replace its old 105 mm light fields guns with a mix of towed, mounted and wheeled artillery. Bids have already been invited for 155mmx52 calibre towed guns. The process to acquire truck mounted guns would now start afresh.

The Army's 2000 existing 105 mm guns need to be replaced. Through these options, it was hoped to complete the new purchases by 2027. The total cost of artillery modernisation is estimated to be over Rs. 35,000 crore. Officials hoped that the new initiative would make some headway to end the gun crisis in the Army.