Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s ARTRAC, recently visited the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram. During his visit, he examined the school’s advanced training methods designed to prepare students for sub-conventional warfare. He also took a close look at the infrastructure supporting these innovative training initiatives.
The Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, established in 1967, has long been a premier institution for training in guerrilla warfare and counter-insurgency techniques. The school’s focus is on unconventional warfare, with an emphasis on real-world scenario exercises, jungle survival, and ambush tactics. The motto “Fight the guerrilla like a guerrilla” encapsulates the school’s approach to training.
During his visit, Lt Gen Manjinder Singh was briefed on the school’s efforts to integrate niche technologies to improve readiness, resilience, and adaptability in operations. These technologies are designed to give soldiers the tools they need to excel in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The General Officer also interacted with a group of 11 officers from friendly foreign countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, France, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Lt Gen Manjinder Singh highlighted the importance of training today’s soldiers to harness the power of technology and innovation. He stressed that a modern soldier must constantly sharpen their skills and refine their tactics to maintain operational readiness. This approach is crucial for the Indian Army as it continues to adapt to emerging threats and challenges.
The CIJWS plays a critical role in preparing soldiers for deployment in challenging environments, particularly in the North Eastern Region of India. The school’s training program includes a wide range of skills, such as jungle ambush attacks, improvised explosive device (IED) defusal, and counter-terrorism. These skills are vital for soldiers operating in areas where insurgency and guerrilla tactics are common.
The school’s history is rich with examples of its contribution to the Indian Army’s success in counter-insurgency operations. Initially established as the Jungle Training School in 1967 in Jowal hills, Meghalaya, it was renamed CIJWS in 1970. Since then, it has played a significant role in training Indian Army personnel and other paramilitary and police forces.
CIJWS has also opened its doors to international cooperation, welcoming soldiers from various countries to participate in its training programs. This initiative began in 2001, with the first batch consisting of three US Army officers. Over the years, the school has hosted troops from the US, France, UK, Singapore, Bangladesh, Nepal, Israel, and Italy, fostering international partnerships and knowledge exchange in counter-insurgency operations.
The visit by Lt Gen Manjinder Singh underscores the ongoing efforts to keep the CIJWS at the forefront of training excellence. With its unique focus on counter-insurgency and jungle warfare, the school continues to be a center of excellence for preparing soldiers to meet the complex challenges of modern warfare.
