Trained to hunt and kill Maoists, the Central Reserve Police Forces, Commando Battalion for Resolute Action strikes terror into the hearts of Naxalites. They are the go-to unit for counter Naxal Operations, here are five things you must know about India’s elite counter-guerrilla force.
COBRA Operatives on a reconnaissance operation for 6 days
Eliminating Naxals:
Raised in 2008, COBRA is a lethal specialised and highly flexible special operations force tasked to neutralise left-wing extremism (LWE), for this the elite commando’s serving in the CRPF ‘s crack force employ a variety of counter-guerrilla tactics such as, Long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRRP) lasting for days, often with minimal supplies and limited support prompting COBRA personnel to utilize the flora and fauna of the jungle for food and shelter. They are tasked to gather actionable intelligence on the whereabouts of insurgents, formulate a superior strike plan and then proceed to deliver the killing blow by carrying out lethal coordinated ambushes and precision strikes on key targets.
The CRPF’s elite COBRA has ten battalions, commandos from this unit are exclusively trained in guerrilla tactics and jungle survival, operating in small, well-coordinated and agile units. With principles of hot pursuit and force dispersion forming the skeleton of how they operate. The relatively small force utilise similar guerrilla tactics as their adversary, with ruthless persistence and surgical precision.
COBRA Operators deployed in the jungles of Chattisgarh
Most equipped CAPF unit:
The central government had set up the COBRA in 2008 with, 13,000 crore rupees making the elite CRPF unit most equipped and funded CAPF unit in the country. To further enhance the elite forces combat capability, the CRPF has in a first, invited international bids offering contracts for, modern 5.66 mm carbines, 24,000 bullet-proof helmets, over 300 explosive detectors and another 300 wire/cable locator equipment to counter Naxalites.
COBRA Operators are attune to the jungle
The CRPF is also set to buy 29 bomb trucks and 350 bomb blankets, on the lines of the elite National Security Guard’s (NSG) bomb detection unit, for its COBRA unit. The step has been taken after the CRPF faced serious causalities in past years, with 46 commandos being killed by Naxalites in 2016.
Armed to the teeth:
The COBRA commandos operate indigenously manufactured
equipment manufactured in the Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance
Factories Board, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The crack commando
force has been armed to the teeth matching the firepower of army infantry
platoons with:-
INSAS rifles
AK rifles
X-95
Browning Hi-Power
Glock pistols
Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle.
Glock 19 9mm pistol sported by COBRA’s
COBRA sniper teams are ace marksmen with the ability to eliminate critical targets completely undetected, completely merging with the surrounding foliage. These elite sniper teams use a variety of precision weapons, most commonly the,
Dragunov SVD
Mauser SP66
Heckler & Koch MSG-90 sniper rifles.
COBRA’s Train on a variety of weapon systems
As aforementioned Cobras are trained extensively in guerrilla and jungle warfare tactics in the CRPF’s specialised jungle warfare institutions in Belgaum and Koraput. They operate on the philosophy ‘to kill a guerrilla you must be a guerrilla.’ Their training regime(physical) and duration are on similar lines of the Elite Counterterrorism unit the NSG and while counter-terrorism is the NSG’s game, counter-guerrilla is the COBRA’s.
COBRA soldiers taking aim with Israeli X95
Trained by Intelligence agencies:
Trained extensively in HUMINT and HVT Tracking
Operating on pinpoint intelligence these jungle warriors are extensively trained in gathering intelligence and counterintelligence tactics by spooks from some of the country’s premier intelligence agencies. Their intelligence acumen adds to their potency as an elite commando force capable of operating independently to counter a grave asymmetrical national security threat.
The Inter Squadron
Boxing Championship was conducted at the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala on 19
August 2019. Naval cadets from all six squadrons of the naval academy took part
in the combat sport, competing in eight different weight classes. The Daredevil
squadron won this year’s boxing tournament, bagging the most amount of
victories.
A glimpse of this years competition
The Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Vice Admiral SV Bhokare, (AVSM, YSM, NM) awarded the Daredevil squadron the Inter Squadron Boxing Championship Trophy and distributed individual prizes to the boxers.
Blue corner emerges victorious
Boxing plays a crucial role in military training. The sport is incorporated into officer training all around the world. Every cadet regardless of the academy is required to have at least one bout. The brutal sport builds psychological resilience and the physical endurance expected of defence service officers in their role.
Here Is a Glimpse of This Years Inter Squadron Boxing Tournament
Commandant awards a victorious combatantDaredevil squadron being awarded the championship trophyRed corner pull back evasivelyBlue corner lands a flawless overhand right
Wing Commander Abhnandan Varthaman became a household name with his calm and composure in the face of the enemy inspiring an entire nation, as they anxiously anticipated the return of the Indian fighter pilot, who was caught in Pakistani territory after downing a technologically superior Pakistani F-16, following the events of Operation Bandar. With Wing Commander Abhinandan soon to return to regular flying duties let us get know five things which will shed light on the flying aces unparalleled courage and levelheadedness in the face of enemy capture.
Digital Sketch of Wing Commander Abhinandan
Third Generation MiG-21 pilot:
Donning the uniform to become an air warrior was perhaps in Abhinandan’s blood, as two generations of the Varthaman family have earned the honour of serving in the air force, before Abhinandan.
MiG-21 Bison the aircraft which shot down the superior F-16
Wing Cdr. Abhinanadan’s father was Air Marshall Sinhakutty, one of the air forces top brass and recipient of the Visisht Seva Medal in 2002. An honour he received for commanding a MiG-21 fighter squadron in the east, where his unit served with the distinction of having flown 9,500 sorties without a single accident. His father has received countless honours throughout his distinguished air force career, and was himself a highly decorated MiG-21 pilot. His grandfather too was a renowned MiG-21 pilot, making Wing Cdr. Abhinandan the third generation of his family to fly the iconic soviet aircraft.
Air Marshall Sinhakutty addressing the press during his sons capture
His mother was the primary source of his courage:
As aforementioned, Abhinandan was an air force brat, however his demeanour and steely resolve was not simply a reflection of growing up on IAF stations. According to Group Capatain Tarun Singha, a close friend of the family, it was the courageous exploits his mother, Dr Shobha Varthaman, which rubbed off on the daredevil officer.
Dr Shobha Varthaman worked for Doctors Without Borders
Abhinandan’s mother served as a doctor for the aid organisation ‘Doctors Without Borders.’ During her illustrious career, she volunteered to provide medical assistance in some the most violent conflicts in modern times, put herself in harms way on a near daily basis.
Wing Cdr Abhinandan’s parents Dr Shobha and Air Marshall Sinhakutty Varthaman
The family friend has written extensively about Dr. Shoba’s daredevil exploits in war ravaged countries. The gutsy lady has provided medical and humanitarian assistance in the northern territory of the Ivory coast in 20005, a place known for it lawlessness. A hot-spot where only the machete and the AK-47 ruled. While serving in the Ivory Coast she traveled 300 km away from the peacekeeping corridor, into the heart of rebel-controlled territory to provide immediate assistance to civilians caught in the cross fire, forced to suffer the cost of war.
UN Peacekeepers in War torn Ivory coast
She was deployed to civil war-ravaged Liberia and Nigeria
where indiscriminatory killings and violent Inter/intra tribal conflicts
between villages, the powerful oil companies and the government.
Inter faction killing in Liberia
Dr Shobha experienced some close calls during her time in the second Gulf war in Iraq, serving as the only anesthesiologist in the region at the time. She has seen the worst of the Iran-Iraq standoff and later served in Papa Guinea in 2009 where she treated tribals who were wounded by arrow heads and other primitive weapons.
US Marines deployed during the second Gulf War
She ran both an orthopedic hospital and pediatric hospital in earthquake ravaged Haiti where over 300,000 people lost their lives, during this crisis various crime groups resorted to raiding hospitals for medical supplies.
Abhinandans’s father was a consultant for
the 2017 film Kaatru Veliyidai:
Air Marshall Sinhakutty worked as a consultant for the 2017 Tamil film Kaatru Veliiyidai, with its story revolving around a squadron leader from the Indian air force captured by the Pakistani army, after advancing into enemy territory during the Kargil war. The similarities between the real and reel situations were indeed quite stark.
The Indian Air Force MiG-21
Bison Squadron No. 51 has come up with new shoulder patches with title ‘Falcon
Slayers’ to commemorate the shooting down of Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fighter
jet by Wing Commander Abhinandan on February 27 2019.
Abhinandan Inspired shoulder patch given to members of the 51 squadron
Abhinandan was stationed at Srinagar air base with his squadron No. 51, when PAF F-16 jets intruded Indian air space in retaliation to Balakot airstrike by the IAF a day earlier. He engaged in a dogfight with a vastly superior F-16 jet and shot it down, being the first ever first ever pilot in military aviation history to shoot down a US-made F-16 fighter jet. Since his release, Wing Cdr. Varthaman has been officially moved from No. 51 Squadron to No. 23 Squadron (Panthers) which is equipped with MiG-21 Bison and based at Suratgarh Air Force Station but the F-16 kill will remain with his previous No. 51 Squadron while the kill will be credited to Varthaman.
The heroics of the day also
earned the squadron the title ‘AMRAAM Dodger’, for successfully evading the
AMRAAM missiles of the PAF F-16s. Pilots of the Su-30MKI Squadron, which also
took part in the aerial intercept and survived the volley of 4-5 AMRAAMs fired by
the Pak jets, have also given themselves the ‘AMRAAM Dodger’ title in new
patches.
Abhinandan was beaten up, choked, deprived of sleep by Pakistani captors but he didn’t share critical military secrets.
“Wing Commander Abhinandan didn’t break nor share any military information despite Pakistani “interrogation”
According to a senior officer, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman staved off Pakistani interrogators trying to extract crucial information on Indian troop deployment, high-security radio frequencies and sensitive logistics during the first 24 hours of his captivity in Pakistan after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down in a dogfight over the Line of Control.
According to another IAF officer who was a part of Abhnanadans’s debriefing team, Wing Cdr. Abhinandan was made to stand for long hours in stress positions designed to break him and was further subjected to loud music to increase his discomfort, the official said, requesting anonymity.
USAF personnel going through SERE Training to prepare for the eventuality of capture
He added that as Pakistani officers tried to extract information from him about the frequencies that the IAF uses to transmit messages, deployment of fighter jets and logistical arrangements. According to the incident reports, there have been signs of internal injuries caused during his time in captivity, it is believed to have been caused by the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) interrogators during their bid to extract information, though it cannot be confirmed for certain.
Wing Commander Abhinandan didn’t break, share military info despite Pakistani “interrogation”:
With the gallant air warrior having received the Vir Chakra, the countries third highest military award on the countries 73rd independence day, a new generation of flying aces can take inspiration from Wing Commander Abhinandan’s heroic exploits.
A fierce gun battle is underway between terrorists and security forces in Baramulla of North Kashmir. It is being said that at least 2-3 terrorists are likely trapped in an encounter. J&K Police Special Operations Group (SOG), Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed to neutralise the militants.
Soldiers from the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles combating insurgents in the valley
This has been the first security forces encounter with terrorists since the abrogation of Article 370 from the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August 2019. Further details are awaited.
Guidelines to reader: You may skip next paragraph if
you want. This is a long piece I have tried to be as detailed and as concise as
possible. I have tried to paint entire picture, so that you can derive your own
learnings from my experience. I consider myself to have gotten lucky, I did not
do any special preparations & therefore I have not shared any “strategies”.
I advise you to devise your own plan & strategy. If you knew that you are
going to a battle, would you not prepare & plan as good as you can to
emerge victorious? Would you not arm yourself to teeth & train hard? Please
do the same for SSB, plan and prepare well. May you emerge victorious!
Dear Reader,
before I tell you my story I would like to take this opportunity to express my
gratitude & gratefulness to people who I credit for my recommendation from
33 SSB. I am thankful and owe this moment to Cdr Natarajan & the entire
faculty at Armed Forces Preparatory Academy Nagpur, Capt Gurbax Gulati, Lt.
Gen. Vinod Vashisht, Lt. Anil Markana, Dr. S Venkata Krishnan, Pratik Nayak,
Tufel Noorani, & many others who I cannot recall at the moment including
friends, family, teachers & parents.
A little
introduction & background: My first brush with SSB was at Allahabad through
NDA entry, I was screened out back then. I blame myself for the lack of
awareness & preparation back then. This rejection was tough for me to
digest; I was not expecting a screen-out. On the return journey I resolved to
be back someday & get at least screened in & if the stars aligned maybe
a recommendation for the FAUJ followed by a good career trajectory & a fair
share of glory. Fast forward 5 years [completion of B.Tech took me 5 years, a
little bad luck coupled with backlogs] down the line I decided to appear for
CDSE to give a final shot to the resolve 19 year old me had made. When the
results came out the lady luck was smiling at me, I had cleared writtens
without any extraordinary preparation. I decided not to waste the opportunity
that the almighty had bestowed upon me.
As soon as I saw
my name in the list I started Googling about material for preparation of SSB, I
went through Blogs, answers on Quora, videos on YouTube, and any available
material for free on internet. I was dead sworn against the idea of taking
coaching. Therefore, I ordered Cdr. Natarajan’s book from Amazon. I got in
touch with Capt. Gurbax Gulati & took some guidance from him [I have no
defense background no one in my family, extended family or immediate social
circle happens to be in defense. Capt did not know me we happened to be at same
workplace, & I was desperate for guidance so I just walked to him]. After
finishing off the book, I still felt I lacked experience & practice required
to get screened-in. I looked up about
AFPA & it’s way to teach, I felt it to be different from typical coaching
academy. I have always learnt better in smaller group, so the 25 students
per batch advertisement appealed me & I signed up for it. Apart from the
guidance I got to meet a bunch of students from the whole of the country, I
noted every detail we were taught. I tried to get better every day in those 2
weeks, since I knew the joining of job was just around the corner & I
wouldn’t get any time later to practice or recall it.
Fast forward to reporting day for 33 SSB: My SSB started the moment I met first of the fellow candidate, I tried to ensure I interact with as many candidates that I can. I tried to connect with them know them better remember the names & details. Things in long run get easier (in terms of co-ordination & rapport) if you know who is your partner/comrade/buddy. To some of you this may come naturally, for others it may require a little effort. Personally for me I have been INFJ-A [Introversion (I), Intuition (N), Feeling (F), Judgment (J)] personality type, I had to put in some efforts. If you have to put in some efforts do it, it’ll be worth it but do not be fake/artificial/unnatural. I took the initiative to load everyone’s luggage on the bus along with other since I thought this would give me opportunity to get closer with most of the individuals. Remember to develop camaraderie with fellow candidates, not that you should get carried away. You are here to clear the SSB but do not look at others with a sense of insecurity or competition, rather look at them as partners. Do what you would do for your closest friend.
After settling
down I opened up my notes tried to revise them, I ensured I read them carefully
& project whatever is expected from candidates. I did fairly well in PPDT,
I opened up the discussion. During the discussion I was carefully listening to
everyone’s story [Please listen to everyone’s story & try to remember them,
it helps a lot. Would you not be open to a person who has been receptive &
respectful to you?] My story was different from others but I identified a
common theme in everyone’s story and opened the discussion by proposing it as a
common theme. The Group’s response was a resounding affirmation. [Qualities
Projected: Initiative, Ability to Influence Group, Social Adaptability,
Co-operation) Later as the discussion proceeded I tried to keep forth logical
points based on observation [Therefore it is important to observe picture
carefully & remember it] Think Logically, Perform Freely. Have logical
reasons to justify your statements; Do not hesitate in putting forward your
points or speaking up/discussing. If you remain silent the assessors cannot
evaluate your OLQs. If you are silent you will be screened out anyway, you
would rather speak up give your 100% of efforts & then accept your fate.
The Psych Tests
were scheduled for Day-1, again here I had done no practice/preparation. I
performed freely and I avoided all the don’t’s and showed my honest self. I
could not manage the required number of 45 quality SRT, I could only do 38. I
missed 3 WATs, missed details in 1 TAT, did not have any prepared story for
blank slide, I wanted to be spontaneous. The SSB expects you to be spontaneous,
so I tried to be spontaneous. In SD again I was spontaneous. Being spontaneous
does not mean being careless or negative, I always kept in mind the guidelines
like: be realistic, be positive, project your strengths, let them know how you
are working on your weaknesses. Credits for Psych/PPDT to Ashok Kumar
Thamburaj.
My interview was
scheduled for the same day as Psych i.e. on Day-1, I could not do any
preparation for interview that I had planned for 4 days at SSB [Learning:
Prepare for interviews in advance before coming for SSB, as Raghu Raman says be
prepared “ Aaj Mukabla Hogaa”.] My interview had lots of I don’t know sir, I am
not aware sir. I did some intelligent guessing but before I did that I told the
interview that this is my guess and this is my methodology/assumptions for
guessing. Do not lie in the interview, these guys are very experienced they are
trained to detect a lie and keep smiling. You won’t even know what they may
have found out about you. The man on the other side of desk is trained &
smarter than you, accept that before you enter the room. Prepare for interview
like you would prepare for any job interview know deeply and in detail about
organization, it’s assets, organizational structure, your motivation for
joining it (Do not say patriotism: The fact that you are interested in service
before self is a testament for patriotism, patriotism can be one of the reason
it cannot be the only reason). The important and crucial part of tackling the
interview is to always keep smiling, handle the stress with ease & not to
lose your nerve when you are backed against the wall. Stay abreast with current
affairs, an officer is expected to be well rounded about the happenings taking
place in surrounding. (Tip: Make Newspaper & Books your best friends). It’s
okay to give a wrong answer/commit a factual mistake, it is what makes you
human. But do not bluff. Do not lie. Do not get under stress after realizing
you have committed a mistake, try to rectify it if you can Or let bygones be
bygones. Prepare for a list of rapid fire questions. Credits for interview
performance to Col. Rahul Gowardhan
GTO part is
fairly simple & easy, you will be good in GD if you are well rounded with
current affairs. For GPE think logically, perform freely. Try to give an
organized plan in your answer sheet by clearly mentioning your AIM, RESOURCES,
SITUATIONS TO BE TACKELD IN PRIORITY. Individual Obstacles are simple if you
have had good practice. For GTO Tasks, keep in mind Cantilever Principle watch
Cdr Natarajan’s video course that’s available on Amazon.in. Apart from it the
advice we were given is “Bindass Andar Ghuso, Daro Matt” Do not hesitate in
entering the Task. Credits for GTO: Cdr Natarajan, Col Ravi Nair
The conference
is easy if you are good at handing interview, you’ll know as soon as the
conference starts, if it is going to be a long one or a short one. The way
board president started off I knew this one was going to be a long one, in that
moment I knew the conference held the fate of borderline case. For someone like
me I simply didn’t want go down without putting up a fight. I had been praying
for a long conference, a border line case instead of a 2 minute conference.
When the moment came, the same rules applied not to get under stress, to keep
smiling & give sharp confident responses. The conference went on for 15
minutes. I did not realize about the length of conference until I was told
about it by my group members. By the end of conference I was satisfied of being
considered for recommendation if not recommended. Later after 2 hours when the
result came out, it took few seconds to let the verdict sink in. My fellow mates
were clapping, and I could not have been humbled more. More than the happiness
of result I was happy about the warmth with which fellow mates & friends
had accepted the verdict. All in all it was a humbling experience; all of the
group members had played their share in Chest Number-17’s recommendation.
Dear Reader, I
hope this read was worth your time. May you emerge victorious!
-Achl Joshi, Chest No: 17 recommended for INA JAN 2020 GS(X)
Supreme Court lawyer Alakh Alok Srivastava filed a criminal complaint against activist and Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement leader Shehla Rashid over her allegations against the Army on the situation in Kashmir. Demanding immediate arrest and stringent action against Rashid, Srivastava said her comments incited dissatisfaction towards the Government of India, which is prima facie an offence of Sedition under Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Rashid, in a series of tweets posted on the night of August 18, accused the Indian Army of “torturing” locals in the garb of “interrogating” them and creating an “environment of fear” in Shopian, located in southern Kashmir. She even said “Armed forces were entering houses at night” and “picking up boys”.
The Union Public Service Commission will conduct the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2019 at various Centres/Venues all over India on 08th September, 2019 (Sunday). The Commission has uploaded the e-Admit Card of the admitted candidates on its website (http://www.upsc.gov.in). The admitted candidates are advised to download their e-Admit Card for Examination and take a printout thereof. The admitted candidates will have to produce the printout of their e-Admit Card at the allotted Venue for appearing in the Examination along with proof of Identity (as entered in Online Application) such as Aadhaar Card/ Voter Card/ PAN Card/Passport/Driving Licence/Any other Photo ID Card issued by the State/Central Government. In case the photograph is not visible or available on the e-admit Card, candidates are advised to carry three (3) identical photographs (one photograph for each session) along with the printout of e-Admit Card at the Venue of the Examination for appearing at the Examination with an undertaking.
No paper Admit Card will be issued for the Examination by the Commission. In case of any discrepancy in the e-Admit Card, the same may be communicated to the commission immediately at e-mail ID: [email protected] latest by 03rd September, 2019 to enable the Commission to take a decision in the matter. The candidates are advised to take a printout of the e-Admit Card well in advance to avoid last minute rush. “Important Instructions to the candidates” must be read carefully by the candidates. It may also be noted that entry into the Examination Venue, shall be closed 10 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the Examination. No candidate shall be allowed the entry into the Examination Venue after closure of the entry.
Candidates should also note that they shall not be allowed to appear at any other Examination Venue except the Examination Venue mentioned in the e-Admit Card. Candidates are also advised to bring black Ball Point Pen to the Examination Hall for this Examination. Candidates may submit representations, if any, on the questions asked in the Question Papers of this Examination to the Commission through the “Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)” only by accessing the URL: https://upsconline.nic.in/miscellaneous.QPRep within a period of Seven (07) days from the date of Examination. No representation through any other mode and received after the above period shall be accepted by the Commission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of the much-awaited Chief of Defence Staff position, on the country’s 73rd Independence Day. The appointment will create a single point of contact for all matters on defence and will serve to bolster inter-services cooperation ensuring operational synergy. The Kargil review committee first recommended the need for Tri-services chief in 2000. With the green light finally given to the appointment, here are three things you must know about the CDS position!
Chief’s of the three services
1) Recommended two decades ago due to
security lapses in Kargil:
Soldiers celebrating hard earned victory at Kargil
Following significant lapses in security which led up
to such a large-scale intrusion by the Pakistan army in 1999, the government
was prompted to set up the Kargil Review Committee in 2000, to analyse how
things went so wrong and suggest recommendations. The KRC cited the lack of
synergy as a critical failure in the Kargil conflict and recommended the
creation of the Chief of Defence Staff two decades ago.
More than 500 soldiers lost their lives in Kargil, countless were injured
2) Reservations from the bureaucracy:
The recommendation was not adhered to as it faced
stiff resistance from the bureaucracy, civilian leadership and from a few
within the military. Resistance from the administration resulted in the
creation of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) as a compromise.
Parliament of India
The role of the IDS was to assist the chairman of the
chief of staff committee (Chairman CoCS), and is widely considered by many in
the military, and strategic community to be a toothless position, many whom
have routinely commented on the issue. This appointment is considered to be a first
among equals and cannot give direction to other arms of defence forces than the
one the persons heads.
Tri service chief’s at the CoSC
3) Armed Forces have lacked synergy for the longest time:
It is an open secret that the three-armed forces;
Army, Navy and Airforce lack synergy! Operating independent service commands
instead of the theatre command system used by other robust democracies. A
Theatre command means that all three arms of the military would work under a
unified command – modelled after the CDS at the central level.
Personnel of all three services in formation to create the tri-services crest
As aforementioned, India does not follow such a
structure, unlike other powerful militaries, despite demands for such among
senior military men and strategic experts. It follows a single-service command
structure with the Indian forces having 19 commands – six of the Indian Army,
three of the Indian Navy, seven of the Indian Air Force, one tri-service
command at Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
Tri services exercise to boost cooperation
Each of these commands reports through separate chains to their respective chiefs, who as mentioned, are not known for best of coordination. Take another example. All three forces have separate Eastern, Western and Southern commands. Army and air force also have Central and South-Western commands. Same name, same regions, different headquarters and at times diverging strategies, this has and continues to prevent seamless performance in the times of conflict or war.
Lt. Gen. P.S. Rajeshwar taking charge as the 12th Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman COSC,
So, the CDS, when appointed, will be the overall commander-in-chief, and his command shall flow to individual theatre commanders. Given India’s long and porous land borders with varying topography, and two major seaboards, coupled with hostile adversaries in the countries immediate neighborhood, a “theatre” system of tri-service command is best suited for the optimum management of both external and internal security challenges.
Trishakti Complex the cradle of Tri services jointmanship
Frequently the clashing egos of the top brass leads to devasting results in the lives and serving conditions of the men and women doing the legwork. After all, success in modern war hinges on the formulation of a joint military strategy and its collective and integrated execution. Therefore, the need for a single point military advice for India’s civilian political masters cannot be overemphasised.
4) Highest Defence Appointment:
Representational image
While it is still unclear whether the post will be
headed by a five-star officer as initially recommended by the Kargil Review
Committee or a four-star general, which is at present the highest rank a
defence services officer can reach, the selection of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will create the
most senior position in the Indian Armed forces, heading all three services.
5) Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
frontrunner:
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat is the
frontrunner for the prestigious military appointment. General Rawat in his
tenure as army chief has led a successful clandestine operation against Pakistan
based terror group Jaishe-e-Mohammed (J-e-M) and has been proactive about
several issues plaguing the Indian army, such as posting grievances on social
media, stone pelting and the proportionate use of force, treating stone pelters
as terrorists, announcing several reforms during his term as Army Chief such as
the implementation of integrated Battle groups to restructure the Army,
enhancing its tail to teeth ratio.
General Bipin Rawat adressing the media
The creation of the Chief of Defence Staff will bolster India’s defence capabilities allowing the forces to deal with the evolving nature of threats.
The Indian Navy is introducing computer-based examination for the selection of Direct Entry Officers after graduation. The first Indian Navy Entrance Test (Officers), i.e. INET (Officers), is scheduled in September 2019 in various centers across the country. INET (Officers) will be used for screening for Permanent Commission and Short Service Commission Officer candidates for all graduate entries other than those that are screened by UPSC or University Entry Scheme.
INET Navy will be conducted in Sep 2019, admit card for INET can be downloaded soon from the official website.
Currently, officer candidates are shortlisted for interviews by Services Selection Board (SSB) on the basis of marks scored in graduation (or post-graduation for certain entries). Henceforth, shortlisting for SSB will be undertaken on the basis of marks scored in INET (Officers).
INET Navy Notification and Exam Date
Under the new process, only one advertisement will be published every six months and applicants would need to exercise their option for entries that they wish to be considered for, on the basis of their educational qualification. Details of entries, age and educational qualifications are available on www.joinindiannavy.gov.in. Candidates are advised to register once on the website to fill in their personal, communication and educational particulars, as well as upload their supporting documents. Doing this before the application submission window opens, is advisable in order to save time. Eligible candidates will receive automated email alerts when the application submission window opens.
INET Navy Exam Pattern and Question Papers
INET (Officers) will have four sections, viz English, Reasoning and Numerical Ability, General Science and Mathematical Aptitude, and General Knowledge. Candidates would need to pass in each section to be considered for a SSB call. Candidates will be called up for SSB interview on the basis of performance in INET (Officers) and their entry preference. To be considered for final Merit List, candidates would need to qualify in SSB and subsequent Medical Examination. Merit List will be drawn up on the basis of marks scored in INET (Officers) and SSB Interview marks. Selected candidates will undergo Basic Training at the Indian Naval Academy.
Jitendra Singh, the security guard from Surat, who has written over 4,500 letters to the families of martyrs, had been invited to Delhi by eminent military writer Rachna Bisht Rawat. The patriotic security guard received an invite to the launch of her new book Kargil the untold stories from the war, held at the United Services Institution in Delhi. For the man who writes letters to families of martyrs, this trip from Surat to Delhi was a soul touching experience, a journey he says he cherishes and will never forget!
Military Writer Rachna Bisht Rawat With Jitendra Singh
“I contacted Rachna Bisht Rawat last year,” says Jitendra explaining how he got in touch with the military writer. “I had read the Hindi copy of her book, The Brave a few years ago and wanted to tell her my life story, so I asked an acquaintance for her number.” he further explains, “I spoke to her, we had a great conversation and since then have stayed in touch!”
Jitendra Singh at his village displaying his life work
The Kargil war changed the course of Jitendra’s life. Unable to participate in the war due to medical rejection at a recruitment rally. A young Jitendra was forced to helplessly watch the consequences of the conflict through the sidelines. He witnessed the ravages of battle, not on the front lines but through the eyes of the families left devastated at the loss of their sons. He saw coffins draped in the tricolour arrive at his village every day.
With letters from young soldiers telling their families not to worry reach weeks after the news of their death broke them. Observing helplessly he vowed that, it would not be the last letter the families receive and their stories will not die with them.
“I made a promise to those who did not return that their letters will not be the last their families receive! Their memories will live on forever, I will make sure of it” says Jitendra 20 years later with the same conviction! Jitendra Singh’s promise has taken almost everything from him, his youth, social relations and a significant bit of his vision.
“I earn a meager salary of about rupees 10,000, over 3,000 goes in paying rent and 6,000 in stationary and other supplies needed to continue my vision.” says an exasperated Jitendra.
“Night duty pays more.” He elaborates saying, “however I cannot put in night shifts since I have developed a cataract from writing in dimly lit rooms for all these years.” “They won’t hire me!” Jitendra says helplessly.
Expressing his pride, he talks about the happiness his work has brought to the families, highlighting an incident. “I had written to the brother of Devaram a martyr hailing from the Barmer District of Rajasthan, he was a soldier serving in the Jat Regiment and had lost his life in the war of 1971.”
Elaborating further Jitendra says “His brother received the letter and contacted me expressing his joy and disbelief, he told me its been more than 50 years since my brothers death and people of the country he fought to protect still remember him, I am proud and have no complaints from the nation!”
Jitendra Singh at his Surat Residence
Rachna Bisht and Jitendra had kept in touch with Jitendra assisting her by providing the renowned writer with some information on Kargil martyrs. “I had helped Rachna with some information on Lance Naik Bachan Singh,” he says, “she told me she is working on a book on Kargil. “A few months later invited me for the launch, she wanted people to know my life story!” Jitendra proclaims joyfully. The patriotic security guard soon went on his second flight, with his first sponsored by Bajaj for being an invincible Indian.
A Life Changing Journey:
He left for Delhi on 8 August and was soon in for a heartwarming surprise! “The people from Indigo received me at the entrance of Surat airport and took me straight up to the VIP lounge, and all the staff took pictures with me! They were very courteous; they never let me stand in line throughout my journey!” says Jitendra vividly recollecting his journey.
Jitendra Singh Being Greeted On board By The Indigo Airlines StaffCabin Crew Takes Picture With Jitendra Singh
Speaking about his overall experience travelling to Delhi he says “The journey was excellent! The people at Indigo treated me with the utmost respect, I felt honoured nearly in tears!” he says with genuine happiness in his voice. “The staff clapped at my arrival on board the plane. Both the pilot and the Air Hostess made announcements telling the rest of the passengers my life story; the pilot said I am a national pride! Everybody on board clapped with sincerity!” There are sparkles in his eyes! “Seeing all the passengers on board genuinely care about who I am and what I do was overwhelming, I got emotional and nearly broke down in tears! It was a moment of pride like I had achieved something, I’m not crazy!”
Jitendra Singh Clicking Pictures With Indigo Staff
Upon landing Delhi, the cabin crew and the pilot took a series of pictures with the man who writes letters before being given a bouquet with his name on it. Following which he was boarded onto a private Indigo vehicle to the departure terminal.
Indigo Staff Giving Jitendra Singh a Bouquet after landing
Kargil: Untold Stories From The War
Reaching the venue Jitendra Singh was stunned by the sight of the place, “It was a huge place!” says Jitendra visualising the United Services Institution hall. Within a short time after his arrival, he met Colonel VN Thapar, the father of Kargil War hero and household name Captain Vijayant Thapar. Captain Thapar was a young officer from the Rajputana Rifles who was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for acts of raw courage. “Colonel Thapar called me enthusiastically and said ‘how are you Jitendra?’ I was proud!”
Jitendra Singh With Colonel VN Thapar
Jitendra Singh fondly recalls his conversation with Kargil hero Colonel Sonam Wangchuk nicknamed the Lion of Ladakh! “I went up to Colonel Wangchuk and told him that I knew he celebrated his sons birthday on those icy unforgiving peaks during the war.” He was further narrating to him every detail of his units bravery. The Lion of Ladakh was visibly impressed and said to him “You are a great man! how do you remember so much?” Jitendra replied to the gallant officer’s appreciation, telling him that he had spent 20 years keeping the memories of soldiers alive! “Receiving admiration from a man of his stature assured me that I took the right call in life!”Jitendra elaborates with intoxicating passion!
Jitendra Singh Next To The Lion Of Ladakh Colonel Sonam Wangchuk
Jitendra Singh went on to meet many military stalwarts and families of decorated warriors who never came home, he passionately shared to them his life story earning the respect and admiration of all those present.
“It was the most important moment of my life, I experienced my purpose in this world, as I looked at the crowd sharing my life journey, I went back to the day I started on this path and smiled to my younger self, it was surreal!” Says jitendra with his voice quivering.
Jitendra Singh Sharing His Experiences As The Man Who Writes LettersJitendra Singh Winning The Crowd With His Story
Jitendra Singh has expressed his appreciation towards Rachan Bisht Rawats efforts and his gratitude towards everyone for the respect given to him. Most importantly he was proud to witness the lives he has touched under one roof .
Picture with Rachna Bisht taken from Jitendra Singh’s Phone
The man who writes letters will continue his excellent work with the satisfaction of knowing that he is making a difference. And despite not getting the opportunity to serve in uniform, the men in olive consider him no less a soldier!
