Barrakpore (Kolkata) Aug 24: General Bipin Rawat, Chief of
Army Staff (COAS) visited the Eastern Command Headquarter in Kolkata from August
24-25 2019.
The COAS on 24 August was briefed by Lt Gen MM Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC-in-C (General officer commanding) Eastern Command on the operational readiness of the formations in Eastern Command theatre. The COAS also visited the Palliative Care Centre ‘SPARSH’ in Barrackpore Cantonment which was established on 04 Apr 2019 to provide aid to terminally ill patients and their families who are beyond active medical treatment and suffering from Cancer, Neurological disorders or other critical ailments. He also visited the Solar Power Project in the Cantonment and hailed this novel green initiative.
General Rawat interacting with the patients
The COAS appreciated the high standards of operational
readiness of the Eastern Command and also expressed his utmost confidence over
the capability of the formations of the Eastern Command theatre.
Army Chief interacting with senior officers
The COAS, during his visit also interacted with officers and
soldiers and praised them for their professionalism and exhorted the troops to
continue to work with zeal and dedication to overcome all challenges in the
future.
Army Eastern Command Headquarters Organise Skill Development Workshop in Assam
Dinjan (Assam) Aug 24: An interactive session was organised by Indian Army as part of ‘Project Swavalamban’ wherein the young minds of Tinsukia District interacted with Lieutenant General Rajeev Sirohi, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, (GOC) Spear Corps.
Army conducting a vocational course in Assam
The General officer motivated and inspired the youth of Upper Assam to undertake vocational skills to embrace the path of development and help the nation grow. The interaction took place at Dinjan on 24 Aug 2019. This is a joint project of Indian Army, Pragati Edutech Pvt Ltd Guwahati, and Oil India Ltd. A total of 150 volunteers participated in the interaction.
Over 150 youngsters participated in the skill development program
As part of this Project, specialised courses on ‘Tourism and Hotel Management’ aimed at training the youth in industry knowledge, personality development, spoken English, basic computer knowledge and entrepreneurship have been planned with three months duration. A screening was also carried out by the firms and the candidates were identified for the course. On completion of the course, the institutes have assured 100% job placement.
Lt. Gen Rajeev Sirohi (GOC) Spear Corps Interacting With His Troops
This initiative is a part of ‘Skill India’ and will facilitate the youth of Upper Assam in gaining lucrative employment. This initiative will not only wean the youth away from the fallacy of insurgency but will also set the course for long-awaited desire of locals for peace, prosperity & development in the region.
In a major boost to Indian defence, the Indian Air force (IAF) and the Indian Army are scheduled to receive four batches of the Apache attack helicopter. The IAF has already received two batches.
Boeing’s Apache Guardian formally inducted into the IAF
What Is So Special About The Apache?
The Apache attack helicopter is widely regarded as the world most elite attack chopper and has been used extensively by the United States and Israel in their military campaigns. The original Apache AH-64 was built as a four-blade, twin-engine attack chopper serving as the primary attack chopper for the worlds most powerful military’s.
The Apache boasts a 2X GE T-700 turbo-shaft engine; the chopper is armed with 16X laser-guided Hellfire missiles, Hydra general purpose 70 mm rockets and a 30 mm automatic cannon. The chopper is operated by a two-person crew comprising of a pilot and a gunner.
Hellfire Missiles along with a 30 mm cannon
Developed To Destroy Tanks
The Apache was developed during the cold war to locate and destroy enemy tanks from a considerable distance. The reason for the creation o this devastating machine was NATO’s (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) fear of a Soviet Tank attack in Germany.
Apache attack chopper in actionDestroyed T-55 battle tank during the gulf war
Combat History
The Apache attack helicopter was first deployed during the US invasion of Panama in 1989 and subsequently saw combat in the First Gulf War in 1991. Following the gulf war, these elite attack choppers have been deployed by the US and allied nations in the War against Terror in Afghanistan and against the Islamic State (ISIS) since 2014.
20 Taliban killed in Apache air strikeFirst Apache inducted into IAF
Enhancing India’s Firepower
The induction of the Apache’s in the IAF and Indian Army will serve to boost India’s modernisation efforts, and pack a punch to both Army and IAF’s ageing arsenal.
What did the Indian Navy do this week? SSBCrack will get you up to speed with what the Indian Navy did last week.
Kargil Hero and India’s First Blade Runner Shares his Inspiring Story To Young Officers
Major DP Singh with young Naval officers
(INS Shivaji) Aug 23: Kargil War veteran and India’s first blade runner Major DP Singh (Retd) visited INS Shivaji on 23 August 2019. During his visit, he interacted with the young officers of the Marine Engineering Specialisation Course with an inspiring talk correlating the importance of determination, persistence, sacrifice, courage and strength with his story both before and after the incident in the Kargil war, where he lost his right leg, and what made him take up running with ‘blades’.
India’s first blade runner sharing a copy of his book
Navy Men Cycle To Spread Swacch Bharat Awareness
Naval Personnel Spreading Swacch Bharat Awareness
(Kochi) Aug 23: 20 naval personnel from Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY) (Kochi) undertook a cycle expedition from Kochi to Kuzhupilly Beach to spread the message of Swacch Bharath and environment protection on 23 August 2019. The expedition was flagged off by Admiral Superintendent of NSRY (K). The team undertook beach clean up at Kuzhupilly Beach and also interacted with the local population.
Navy Organises Stress Management Workshop
Naval personnel attending stress management work shop aboard INS Kattaboman
(INS Kattaboman) Aug 23: A Stress Management workshop, in association with Raja yoga Brahmakumaris, was conducted for defence personnel and families at INS Kattaboman on 23 Aug 19. The interactive session taught the audience different ways to channelise the power of the mind to bust stress related to work or home. The event concluded with the tying of Rakhi’s by visiting Brahmakumaris to the participants.
Inter Flotilla Rowing And Pulling Competition AT – 19
Winners receiving the trophy from the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy
(Kavvayi) Aug 25: The Inter Flotilla Rowing and Pulling Regatta AT – 19 of the Indian Naval Academy (INA) was held in the Kavvayi backwaters on 25 August 2019. The two Flotillas fielded two teams each in eight different categories, competing in rowing over a distance of two km in Cox 4, Cox 8 class and pulling 27 feet Drop Keel (DK) whaler boats. 1st Flotilla, comprising Achiever, Braveheart and Cheetah squadrons emerged victors. The Commandant, Indian Naval Academy, Chief Guest for the event, presented the trophy and individual prizes to the winners.
INA Cadets keeping the josh high!A glimpse of the competition
Two Day Space Workshop Organised Aboard INS Valsura
(INS Valsura) Aug 23: A two-day workshop on ‘Space Technology’ was organised at INS Valsura on 23 and 24 August 2019, with the objective of sharing technological advancements and missions undertaken by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with sea warriors of the Indian navy. Shri Deepak Putrevu (Scientist ‘G’), Deputy Project Director of Chandrayan-2 mission and Mr. Kalpesh Borsadiya (Scientist ‘E’), who contributed to the development of receivers for tracking PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles, spoke on a myriad of topics, which included Chandrayan-2, Mangalyaan, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) and satellite applications being used for civil, scientific and research purposes.
AFCAT 2 2019 Question Paper from 25th August 2019 – Questions and Answer 24 & 25 August 2019: AFCAT 2 2019 was conducted online conducted on 24th and 25th August in shift 1 and 2. We have collected a few questions from AFCAT 2 2019 question paper and we thank all the aspirants and our readers who have taken time to submit these AFCAT 2 2019 Questions. Candidates can go through AFCAT 2 2019 questions and answers, we will keep updating this post as and when we get more questions from AFCAT 2 2019. We request aspirants to submit the questions in the comment section below. You will find AFCAT 2 2019 English Maths GK and Aptitude Question Papers and answer from them from shit-1 and shit-2.
Afcat 25 Aug 1 shift paper questions: Q1. How many medals have been won by Micheal Phelps? Q2. Which dynasty established the Ajanta Ellora caves? Q3. Which text of the Vedas refers to Medicine? Q4. “Duckworth Lewis” is related to which game? Q5. Which cricketer reached fastest 10000 runs in ODI? Q6. What is the Capital of Columbia? Q7.Where is the headquarter of WHO? Q8.Who was the founder of Mughal dynasty? Q9. What is the Actual name of Ghisyauddin Tughlaq? Q10. The Khilafat Movement was merged with which movement? Q11. What is the distance between the stumps in cricket? Q12. Who rejected the Muslim League’s demand for Pakistan? Q13. Which book was authored by Vikram Seth? (A Suitable Boy) Q14. Which Desert is not located in Asia? Q15. Who established the Indian National Congress? Q16. Which lines run parallel to the equator? Q17. Who Invented Electricity? Q18. Which gas results in Brown Cloud Atmosphere? Q19. Which of the following a non-ferrous element? Q20. Sun occupies how much percentage of area?
AFCAT 25 Aug 2nd shift paper questions: Full form of CAS? Who built Jama Masjid in Delhi? Who wrote Arthashastra? Mihir Seen is associated with which sports? Khajuraho temple was made by which dynasty? Who was Political advisor to Mahatma Gandhi? Capital of Oman? Highest run scorer in test cricket? Who invented rocket engine? Khilafat movement was initiated by? Who wrote the book “White tiger”? Latitudes and longitudes are always……? Which series is played between India and Australia? Lady Hindu Rajput ruler? Which river originates from Tibet? The heaviest satellite launched by ISRO? The African continent is also known as? Kind of event Asiad is? Metroman of India? Eng section Meaning of idiom ‘in teeth of’ Antonym of “Gullible” Aptitude section 1. A family consists of Grandparents, parents and 4 grandchildren. If avg age of grandparents is 67, avg age of parents is 35 and avg age of grandchildren is 6, then what is the avg age of the family? 2. 6 boys and 3 men can do 5 times the work done by 1 man and 1 boy in an hour. Calculus the ratio of work done by men and by boy? 3. A can finish a work in 20 days. A works for 5 days and leave, then B finish the remaining work in 10 days. How much time will be required to do the work if both A and B work together? 4. If on P, R% rate is compounded half yearly then after an year we get an amount Q. If on P simple interest of S℅ per annum if applied, we get amount Q. What is the relation between R and S?
Q1. How many overs can a bowler bowl in T20 Cricket? Q2. Which radioactive element is used to treat cancer? Q3.Where will next summer Olympic 2020 be held? Q4. Who is the First lady, to win Wimbledon? Q5. Who is grand old man of India? Q6. What is the full form of DRS system? Q7. When did the First battle of Panipat take place? Q8. Which Indian missile has a range of 5000 km? Q9. Who demanded the creation of Pakistan? Q10. What does Upanishads signify? Q11. Who received Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna? Q12. Total Permanent members in UNSC? Q13.Mogadishu is the capital of which country? Q14. How many timezones are there in the world? Q15. Amartya Sen authored which book? Q16. What is the type of architecture of India Gate? Q17.Africa’s highest peak? Q18. Who designed Taj Mahal? Q19. Hottest Desert?
If the cost of rice increases by 25 percent then expenditure of family increase by 10 percent. If family was consuming40kg rice before how much family is consuming now?
two trains start towards each other at same time with speeds 50kmph and 60kmph ,a bird perched first train and starting from first train it went to second train and came back to first train it went back to second train. the distance between trains was 220km and speed of bird was 80kmph what is the total distance travelled by bird?
25 Aug 1st Shift .. 1) WHO headquarters? 2) Veda related to medicine 3) Capital of Cambodia 4) SYNONYMS: INNATE, BAFFLE 5) ANTONYM- Clandestine 6) Total width of stumps including the gaps between them-9inch 7) mass of sun % 8) vikram seth- A suitable Boy. 9) idiom: to cast the first stone 10) Fastest batsman to complete 10000 ODI runs. 11) Lines parallel to north and south of equator. 12) Father of Geometry- Euclid 13) Archipelago: Island:: Massif:? Ans.Mountains 14) odd one out- Tortoise snake dolphin duck 15) Founder mughal dynasty- babur 16) One day trophy- Vijay Hazare trophy 17) Greco roman and freestyle related to- wrestling 18) Michael Phelps total Gold medals 19) Who formed INC- A.O.Hume 20) FGFA full form- fifth generation fighter aircraft 21) which dynasty built kailashnath temple in ellora? 22) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq -Ghazi malik 23) who rejected muslim league’s demand for pakistan- cabinet mission 24) Range connecting Gilgit, Southern china- Karakoram ranges 25) Duck term related to cricket 26) Electricity discovered by – Benjamin Franklin 27) khilafat movement combined with non cooperation movement 28) Which of this is non ferrous- Iron, Cobalt, Copper,Manganese? 29) brown blaze on dome is due to which gas? 30) Venn diagram- A) Indian,tall man, black haired B) Aptitude, Intelligence,Honesty.
25 Aug II Shift 1.African continent known as? 2. Who scored highest score in test series? 3. Full Form of CAS? 4. Longitude and latitude meets at? 5. Revolution speed of earth around sun? 6. Who is the mentor of Mahatma Gandhi? 7. All India khilafat movement started by? 8. What is the capital of Oman? 9. Mihir Sen is associated with which sport? 10. Who is known as “Metro Man” of India? 11. Jama Masjid was Built by which? 12. khajuraho temple was built during which dynasty? 13. Arvind Adiga is the author of which book? 14. Who was the last Rajput ruler? 15. Arthshastra is written by? 16. which river originate from mansarovar? 17. India Australia test series is known as? 18. When an umpire with both hands do a shape of squares then it’s meaning?
1. Capital of Colombia. 2. Kailashnath temple is made in the reign of. 3. Who is the father of geometry. 4. Which plan rejected demand of pakistan. 5. Full form of FGAF. 6. Number of olympic medals by Michael Phelps. 7. Mountain range passing through Pak India and CHina. 8. WHO headquarters. 9. Fastest indian to score 10000 runs. 10. width of stumps including the gap. 11. Founder of mughal dynasty in india. 12. Founder of indian national congress. 13. parallel lines from equator are called as. 14. DUCK term is used in. 15. Freestyle and Greco Roman is a style of which sport. 16. % of sun’s mass in solar system. 17. Which veda deals with medicines. 18. odd one out snake, tortoise, duck, dolphin.
The age of captain of a cricket team is 30 yrs and wicketkeeper is 1 year older. The average of the team excluding captain and wicketkeeper is 1 less than the average of the whole team. What is average of whole team?
If a person rows a boat at the speed of 8kmph and the speed of stream is 1.4 kmph then it takes 2 hrs to reach somewhere and coming back. If he increased his speed by 25percent how will time be affected?
A can do a job in 20 days. He works for 5 days and finishes 1/4 of the total work. Then B comes and finishes the remaining work in 15 days. How many days A and B together will take to finish the job?
The Armed Forces Special Operations Command (AFSOD) is the newly conceived joint special operations command of the Tri-Services. It has been modeled after the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which clubs all of America’s elite Special Operations Forces (SOF) under one strategic command. AFSOD operates under the administration of the Integrated Defense Staff (IDS) in Delhi and is being headed by Major General AK Dhingra, a highly decorated Special Forces officer from the army’s elite 1 PARA SF.
The Indian Air Forces Elite GARUD Commando’sMaj General AK Dhinghra 1 PARA (SF)
Composition Of The Special Ops Command:
Operators From The Elite Counter Terrorism Force The National Security Guard (NSG)
The special operations division comprises of over 3,000 elite special forces commandos, drawn from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Forces special operations forces (SOF) such as the PARA Special Forces, Marine Commandos (MARCOS), GARUD Commandos among other specialised units.
Operators from the Army’s Para (SF) with Israeli Tavor rifles
Why It Was Designed:
AFSOD was designed to overcome overlapping mission profiles among the countries special operations forces (SOF) and to develop an environment of synergy among the elite units. The division was also created keeping in mind future operational profiles which may require the expertise of various specialised groups.
GARUD Commandos in action
AFSOD’s Primary Role:
The central role of AFSOD will be to provide swift and precise responses to rising terrorist threats to the Indian Mainland, and to avoid delayed deployment times and the inter-unit turf issues, which took place during the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks and the 2016 Attack on the Pathankot Airbase. It will also serve as the sharp end of India’s overall national security and military strategy.
Indian Navy’s elite Marine Commandos during a training exercise
With the nature of warfare evolving, small teams with highly trained and specialised personnel are required to operate in today’s ‘Low-Intensity Conflict’ scenario, so the creation of AFSOD is a move in the right direction.
The Mantripukhri Battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of the Inspector General of the Assam Rifles (IGAR) (South), conducted a drug awareness program for a drug free Manipur at Sagolmang Company Operating Base (COB) for the students of Government High School on 19 August 2019. The awareness initiative was a part of the paramilitary forces, ongoing military-civilian outreach programs in the Northeast.
Picture courtesy Assam RiflesStudents being educated about the dangers of controlled substances
The aim of the program was to educate the youth about the hazards of drugs and other controlled substances and inspire them to adopt a healthy lifestyle and develop into responsible citizens of the country.
The concept of military awards and decorations are as old as
the organisation of uniformed fighting forces and is a practice adopted by
militaries around the world. Service medals are awarded to deserving soldiers for
distinguished service, acts of courage, leadership and tactical awareness.
Highly decorated soldiers from the Indian Army
The criteria of awarding decorations vary on the culture and the ethos of the uniformed force recommending it. These decorations serve as a recognition to a competent soldier’s devotion to duty serving as an inspiration to comrades.
The Indian security forces like any other uniformed force, have their own set of military decorations, drawing their ancestry from the British Army’s awards. There are a total of six gallantry awards, divided into war time and peacetime awards, which may be awarded to members of any of the countries vast security agencies.
Indian security forces marching during the 67th Republic day parade
How are gallantry awards vetted?
The commanding officer or any other concerned officer of a unit based on his own or a service members recommendation writes two citations, a long citation and followed by a shorter one. The CO’s citation following which the write up goes to the formation headquarters for vetting and clearance. The formation HQ review the citation and in turn forwards it to the command HQ, who thoroughly vet the recommendation. Based on the merit of the recommendation, the Command HQ either accepts the proposal, reduces the category of the recommended gallantry award or rejects it altogether.
Indian soldiers receiving awards for peacekeeping mission in South Sudan
Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military honour awarded to servicemen and women for displaying the highest degree of bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy in wartime. The PVC is on similar lines to the British Victoria Cross, the United States Medal of Honour, the French Legion of Honour and the Russian Cross of Saint George.
This prestigious gallantry award was introduced on 26 January 1950, the day the country became a republic. The name Param Vir Chakra is drawn from Sanskrit translating to Wheel or Cross of the ultimate brave.
Picture of the PVC on the left with an image of Major Somnath Sharma the first recipient of the war time award on the left
The bronze medal has four replicas of ‘Indra’s Vajra’ embossed on it with the State Emblem in the centre.
The words ‘Param Vir Chakra’ is embossed both in Hindi and English on the reverse and the two versions are separated by two lotus flowers.
The ribbon is of plain purple colour.
Kargil Legend and Param Veer Chakra Awardee Capt. Vikram Batra on the right
All armed forces, reserve forces territorial army and other lawfully sanctioned armed force are eligible to receive the award.
21 personnel have been awarded the decoration, with 14 awards being received posthumously.
What makes the Param Vir Chakra unique is the facts only 21 service members have received the PVC while The US has issued 3,524 medals of honour. the British have distributed 1,355 Victoria Crosses (148 of whom were Indian Soldiers).
Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, Naib Subedar Bana Singh and Sanjay Kumar the only three living PVC awardees with journalist Shiv Aroor
The vetting for the PVC is exceptionally stringent, as the circumstances for the award make it extremely tricky for anyone to corroborate it.
The vetting procedure makes India’s highest battle honour one of the rarest awards for recognised valour.
Recipients or families of the recipients if awarded posthumously receive compensation of rupees 3,000 per month.
Ashok Chakra
The Ashok Chakra is awarded for bravery, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra and is awarded for the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice” other than in the face of the enemy
The Ashok Chakra was established as the “Ashoka Chakra, Class I” by the President of India, 4 January 1952 (with effect from 15 August 1947).
Picture highlighting both sides of the Ashok Chakra
The statutes of the award were revised, and the decoration renamed on 27 January 1967.
Officers, men and women of all ranks of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Central Para Military Forces, Railway Protection Force, Other Police Forces, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces and civilians of either genders in all walks of life can be the recipient of this award.
Recipients of the Ashok Chakra or the families of the awardees, if awarded posthumously receive compensation of rupees 2,800 per month with another 2,800 for every bar added to the award
Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala’s widow and mother received the Ashok Chakra awarded to him posthumously during the Republic Day Parade 2018
Mahavir Chakra
The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second-highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air and maybe awarded posthumously.
Maha Veer translates to extraordinarily brave.
Image highlighting both sides of the Mahavir Chakra
The medal is made of standard silver with a five-pointed heraldic star embossed on it with the points of the star just touching the rim.
The words ‘Maha Vir Chakra’ is embossed both in Hindi and English on the reverse and the two versions are separated by two lotus flowers.
Captain Clifford Nongrum was posthumously awarded the MVC in Kargil
The ribbon is half-white and half-orange colour.
Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the navy and the Air force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and any other lawfully constituted Armed forces.
Recipients or their next of kin receive Rs 2,400/- per month with the same amount if another bar is added to the award.
Kirti Chakra
The Kirti Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra.
It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.
Sapper Prakash Jadhav awarded the Kirti Chakra on the countries 73rd Independence day
Officers, men and women of all ranks of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Central Para-Military Forces, Railway Protection Force, Other Police Forces, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces and civilians of either genders in all walks of life can be recipient of this award.
Rs 2,100 to be awarded to recipients of the award or their next of kin per month and 2,100 for each bar to the decoration.
Vir Chakra
The Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.
It is third highest wartime gallantry awards following the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.
It was established by the President of India on 26 January 1950 (with effect from 15 August 1947) and may be awarded posthumously.
Wing Commander Abhinandan conferred the Vir Chakra this Independence day
Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces.
Recipients or their families in if awarded posthumously receive Rs 1,700 per month with the same amount added to each bar to the decoration.
Shaurya Chakra
The Shaurya Chakra is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra. It was established as the “Ashoka Chakra, Class III” by the President of India, 4 January 1952 (with effect from 15 August 1947).
The statutes for the award were revised and the decoration renamed on 27 January 1967.
The honour may be awarded posthumously.
It is a circular bronze medal with a green ribbon divided into four equal parts by three vertical lines.
Pulwama Avenger Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra on the country’s 73rd Independence day
Officers and men and women of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia, and member of any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces are eligible to receive the award.
Recipients or their next of kin are entitled to a compensation of Rs. 1,500 per month with the same amount added for any further bar on the decoration.
This years awards in numbers
Major Kaustubh Rane was posthumously warded the ‘Bar to Sena Medal’ on 15th August
The president of India awarded soldiers and other security personnel for exemplary acts of valour last week, on the countries 73rd Independence day, the awards included two Kirti Chakras, one Vir Chakra, 14 Shaurya Chakras, eight Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 90 Sena Medals (Gallantry), five Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) and five Yudh Seva Medals.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is one of the Central Armed Police forces (CAPF’S) of India under the ministry of home affairs (MHA). The central security organisation was formed on 15 June 1983, with the mandate of protecting and securing major critical infrastructure installations of the country, ranging from nuclear installations, space establishments, domestic & international airports, seaports, atomic & hydroelectric power plants, sensitive government buildings, heritage sights and infrastructure in Naxal-Maoist prone areas.
Personnel from the CRPF’s Airport Security Group (ASG)
With a recently sanctioned strength of 1,80,000 personnel, the armed police force is supposed to provide security to over 300 industrial units.
Following the hijacking of Indian airlines IC-814 in 1999, and the attack on the World Trade centre on September 2001, the government proposed that the security of airports should come under the CISF. Prior to the proposal airports security was under the purview of the airport police.
Despite being assigned the critical task of protecting sensitive and vital installations of the country, Intelligence reports and statements by high ranking officials have brought to light, the negligence and incompetence of CISF’s top brass. With parliamentary reports highlighting the grave shortage of funds funds, essential equipment and the glaring loopholes in the CISF’s deployment of personnel and vital counter terror contingency plans.
CISF Jawaans guarding the entrance of an airport
Bullet proof jackets issued to CISF personnel incapable of withstanding AK-47 rounds:
The AK-47 (Kalashnikov) was introduced by the soviets in 1948 and since then the name applies to over 200 types of AK pattern rifles, manufactured both legitimately and illegitimately all over the world. The soviet-era rifle has been the most commonly used assault rifle in every conflict, civil war, extremist/terrorist violence across the globe.
Representational Image of an AK series rifle
It is the weapon of choice for terrorists, rebels, insurgents and the likes, due to its ease of handling, maintenance, use, availability, durability, stopping power and cost. In India, every militant killed or arms cache raided had an AK series rifle recovered from them.
Weapons recovered by security forces
despite the likelihood of its personnel facing AK fire, The CISF has for the longest time, issued vests which do not provide them with adequate protection against AK rounds and small arms fire at close range! According a senior CISF officer speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“Bulletproof jackets for CISF personnel were procured in 2011 and a gun shot if fired from close range is capable of piercing the jacket”
Most of the airports are always on high alert and sensitive, use of bulletproof jackets are important in case of terror attacks.
Lack of funds compromise the security of over 27 sensitive airports:
According to a 2018 report prepared by the CISF and intelligence agencies, the government has not provided CISF security cover to over 27 sensitive airports (including Srinagar airport) for over 5 years due to lack of funds.
CISF commando providing security cover to a private chopper
(EXCERPT FROM REPORT)
In the recent report the Committee has opined that, civil aviation security is an integral and important element of national security. Airports are critical infrastructure and very vital from the perspective of national security.
Any large-scale damage or terrorist attack on the airport would be catastrophic with far reaching implications on the citizens and the economy. Explanations given to the committee for non-deployment of CISF at remaining airports was lack of funds. The report also speaks about the status of CISF security cover given to airports till now, adding the committee has recommended that the force should be deployed on priority to hyper-sensitive and sensitive airports in the first go.
CISF Jawaan on patrol duty
Out of the 26 hyper-sensitive airports in the country like the ones in metro cities of Mumbai and Delhi, 18 are under CISF cover while six like Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and others are not. Under the sensitive category there are 56 airports out of which only 37 have the paramilitary’s cover and amongst 16 normal airports only four have CISF security.
To sum it up, out of the total 98 functional airports in the country, 59 are under CISF cover leaving out 39. Out of the 59 airports under CISF cover, 53 are operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and six by joint ventures or private players.,”
Other CAPF’s being forced to cover
Shortcomings in the CISF, is forcing the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), IRB’S (Indian Reserve Battalions) and sometimes even regular State police units to cover for the CISF. These agencies are not specialised in aviation security and is not a part of their doctrine. This additional function is taking resources away from these already strained forces, making it difficult to carry out their own functions.
The CRPF is already deployed in Counter Insurgency areas
There is no viable justification for the 1.42 Lakh strong armed police organisation to outsource their duties to other forces, as the CISF has a dedicated unit tasked with aviation security, known as the Aviation Security Group (ASG). This unit has approximately 2,2000 commandos trained primarily for airport security. The failure to deploy specially trained personnel for their dedicated role needs to be addressed.
Twenty Indian airports lack Counter Terrorism plans:
Twenty ‘hypersensitive’ Indian airports lack counter-terrorist contingency plans covering their approach roads, and is therefore a matter of great concern. ‘Eight’ of these hypersensitive airports are not even covered by the CISF, that alone being a red flag. Counter Terrorist Contingency Plan (CTCP) by the CISF at approach roads are available only at Delhi and Mumbai. The same needs to be put in place at 20 more international and hyper-sensitive airports.
CISF on patrol during Lok Sabha elections
The Parliamentary Committee formed on this issue recommends that airport security should be absolute. The panel headed by TMC Rajya Sabha MP KD Singh said in the report tabled in Parliament during the Winter Session, stressing the urgent need for an aviation security policy “before an untoward incident takes place”. further saying,
“it’s quite scary to know that the security of eight of our hyper-sensitive and 19 of our sensitive airports are not covered by the CISF which has now become the only specialised force for aviation security”.
There have also been deficiencies found in crucial security gadgets at several airports. Raising the question is aviation security receiving the attention and importance it deserves?
Personnel from the CISF’s Quick Response Team
The CISF’s motto is “protection and security” but the force is unfortunately not living up to its credo. How can the average citizen expect to stay safe when the security organisation itself cannot provide their own personnel safety and are having to rely on other forces to do the job assigned to them?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday had announced a series of significant reforms in the Indian Army. The reforms based on the inputs of senior military personnel and internal studies will serve to transform the army into a leaner and meaner fighting force.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
One of the key developments under the massive reorganisation drive is the inception of a special vigilance cell, formed to address allegations of human rights violations and corruption by personnel of the Indian Army. The Human rights body will be set up at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) in New Delhi and will be headed by Additional Directorate General (ADG), a Major General rank officer. The cell will report directly to the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS).
Rashtriya Rifles (RR) soldiers patrolling in the valleyThere have been numerous reports citing use of excessive force in militancy prone areas
The Idea to form an Independent Human rights cell has resulted from increasing International human rights reports, alleging gross violations of human rights by the army in the valley and the Northeast. The body is to investigate the legitimacy of the claims and take actions accordingly.
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