Page 5 - Army

Phased induction of Indian army's 'Project Akashteer' underway: Report

The phased induction of control and reporting systems under 'Project Akashteer' of the Indian Army is currently underway and out of a total requirement of 455 systems, 107 have been delivered, official sources said on Tuesday. The project aims to deliver a situational awareness and control for the force to ensure safety of friendly aircraft and engage hostile aircraft in contested airspace. Through this project, a cutting-edge initiative designed to automate air defence control and reporting processes by digitising them, the Indian Army is positioning itself at the forefront of air defence technology, ensuring a secure and vigilant airspace over India, a source said. "Project Akashteer's phased induction is already underway. Out of a total requirement of 455 systems, 107 have been delivered, with an additional 105 expected by March 2025. The remaining units will be delivered by March 2027, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the Indian Army's defence units and formations," the ..

Army JCO killed, 3 soldiers injured in gunfight with terrorists in J-K

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army's special forces laid down his life on Sunday, while three more soldiers were injured in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, officials said. The operation comes amid an intensified hunt underway since the killing of two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) recently. The Army identified the fallen hero as Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar of 2 Para and saluted his supreme sacrifice. The encounter broke out around 11 am when joint search parties of the Army and police intercepted the terrorists in the Keshwan forest, a few kilometres from the spot where the bullet-riddled bodies of VDGs Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar were found. A massive search operation was launched in the forests of Kuntwara and Keshwan on Thursday evening after the terrorists abducted and killed the VDGs. The Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X, "Based on specific intelligence input regarding the presen

Major General A P S Bal takes charge as GOC of Delta force in J-K

Major General A P S Bal took charge as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Counter-Insurgency Force 'Delta' in the Chenab Valley region of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said. He succeeds Major General Upkar Chander. "Major General APS Bal, SM (Sena Medal) assumed the command as GOC CIF (Delta)," the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X. He honoured bravehearts by laying a wreath at the war memorial here and extended his best wishes to all ranks, encouraging them to uphold the highest standards of operational preparedness at all times, it said. Based in Batote, the Delta force was raised on September 5, 1994. It has been instrumental in countering terrorism in the Chenab Valley districts of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban.

Major General Jagdeep Cheema takes over as new ADG, NCC Directorate PHHP&C

Major General Jagdeep Singh Cheema has assumed charge as the 13th Additional Director General (ADG) of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh (PHHP&C), said an official statement here on Saturday. Bringing with his 36 years of distinguished service as the new commander, Major General Cheema will oversee the NCC Directorate PHHP&C, which comprises eight group headquarters located in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh, it said. The directorate covers 56 districts, imparting training to approximately 1.5 lakh cadets in 2,000 colleges and schools, focusing on overall youth development and molding future leaders, the statement said. Cheema is a qualified instructor, having taught at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. His academic qualifications include two MPhil degrees and a PhD from the Panjab University for research on "Critical Appraisal of Joint Warfighting Capabilities of Indian Armed Forces", the ...

Troop disengagement complete; Diwali sweets exchanged, says Army

Troop disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh following a key agreement firmed up between India and China has been completed and patrolling will commence soon at these points, Indian Army sources said on Wednesday. Exchange of sweets between the sides will take place on Diwali tomorrow, they said. The sources added that verification post-disengagement is in progress and patrolling modalities are to be decided between ground commanders. Talks will continue at the local commander level, an Army source said. On October 25, Army sources here said the process was likely to get completed by October 28-29. The agreement framework was signed first at the diplomatic level and then military-level talks took place, they had said, adding the nitty-gritty of the agreement was worked on during the Corps Commander-level talks which was signed last week. Adhering to agreements between the two sides, Indian troops then began to pull back equipment to re

Pakistan govt committed to security of Chinese citizens: Ishaq Dar

The Pakistan government will leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and properties of Chinese nationals living in the country, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said, as he highlighted how authorities arrested most of the attackers involved in recent attacks on workers from China. Dar's remarks came on Tuesday at a conference by the Pakistan-China Institute, titled China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership. Without disclosing specifics, Dar, who is also the Foreign Minister, confirmed that authorities had apprehended multiple suspects believed to be involved in recent incidents, the Dawn newspaper said. Most of the attackers have been hauled up, he disclosed. We will leave no stone unturned to protect the lives and properties of Chinese in Pakistan. These suspects will face justice after due process, and further details will be shared directly with President Xi Jinping during President Zardari's visit to China next month," Dar said. Earlier t

India-China troop withdrawal begins in Eastern Ladakh: What’s happening?

The process of troop withdrawal along the India-China border in Ladakh has started in two critical areas.

Army launches search op along LoC following Pak drone movement in Poonch

The security forces launched a search operation in forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district following a brief firing by the army troops at a suspected Pakistani drone on Tuesday, officials said. The drone, however, returned to the Pakistan side after briefly hovering over the Indian territory in Mandhar area, they said. The officials said the security forces launched a search operation in the forward area due to apprehension of any material being dropped from the drone.

Army officer 'torture': Polygraph tests of 5 police personnel completed

The Crime Branch of Odisha Police informed the judicial commission headed by Justice CR Dash that the polygraph tests of all five police personnel in connection with the alleged torture of an Army officer and sexual assault of his fiancee in custody has been completed. The commission was also apprised that the brain mapping and narco-analysis tests of former inspector in-charge of Bharatpur police station, Dinakrushna Mishra, have been conducted at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. An Army officer was allegedly subjected to torture and his fiancee to sexual assault by policemen when they went to the Bharatpur police station on September 15 to lodge a complaint of road rage. The Odisha Police had earlier suspended the five police personnel, including the IIC of Bharatpur police station, in connection with the incident. Seven engineering students were also arrested on the basis of the road rage complaint and later released on bail. "We have completed the polygraph tests of the suspended five .

GE Aerospace to supply engines for Indian Navy's six missile vessels

"Over 714 vessels globally rely on GE Aerospace's marine gas turbines for their reliability and availability," the company announced on Thursday

Security forces launch search operations in Poonch, Rajouri for terrorists

Security forces have launched a massive search operation to track down terrorists at different places in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday. The officials said police and army launched a joint search operation at Mohri Shahstar in Gursai top area of Poonch district late Wednesday night following information about the presence of some terrorists. Security forces challenged the terrorists moving towards the forest, leading to a brief firing, they said. Reinforcements were rushed and a massive search operation is underway to track down the terrorists, the officials said, adding security forces have deployed drones and sniffer dogs, while a helicopter was also seen hovering over the forest area this morning. In nearby Rajouri district, the officials said security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Kundan and adjoining villages in Shadra Sharief area following information about movement of three suspected ...

Two Agniveers killed as shell explodes during firing practice in Nashik

Two Agniveers were killed when a shell from an Indian field gun exploded during firing practice at the Artillery Centre in Maharashtra's Nashik district, police said on Friday. The incident occurred at the Artillery Centre in the Nashik Road area on Thursday afternoon, an official said. Agniveers Gohil Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21) were killed in the blast, he said. A team of Agniveers was firing an Indian field gun when one of the shells exploded. The duo sustained injuries and were taken to MH Hospital, Deolali, where they were pronounced dead, the official said. Based on a complaint by Havildar Ajit Kumar, a case of accidental death has been registered with the Deolali Camp police, and further investigations are on, he said.

Indian Army one of most trusted organisations in country: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday praised the Indian Army as one of the most trusted and inspiring organisations in the country, highlighting its significant role in safeguarding borders, combating terrorism and assisting civil administration in times of need. Addressing the Army Commanders Conference, held virtually from an army location in Sukma (West Bengal) due to inclement weather that prevented his helicopter from reaching Sikkim, Singh expressed admiration for every soldier's contributions and honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. "The Indian Army plays a significant role in guarding our borders and fighting terrorism apart from providing assistance to the civil administration in every need of hour," he said while addressing the Army Commanders Conference. He commended the Army leadership for advancing the nation's 'Defence and Security' vision, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh noted that he has attended the Army ..

Indo-Russian JV BrahMos Aerospace to reserve vacancies for ex-Agniveers

Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace which manufactures BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles has decided to reserve vacancies for former Agniveers, including in the technical, administrative and security wings of the company. The BrahMos Aerospace became the first leading company in the defence sector to announce reserving vacancies for Agniveers in a range of verticals. An office order by the company said at least 15 per cent of vacancies in technical and general administration will be reserved for the Agniveers. It further said 50 per cent of the vacancies in administrative and security roles, including in outsourced functions, will be reserved for them. BrahMos is encouraging its more than 200 industry partners to reserve 15 per cent of their workforce for Agniveers in roles tied to BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) requirements, the office order said. BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launche

Bangladesh's interim govt gives Army magistracy powers for 2 months

Bangladesh's interim government has granted magisterial powers to the Army for two months to improve law and order in the country and prevent "subversive acts". The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on the government's decision on Tuesday, saying it will be applicable with immediate effect. The powers will be given to commissioned officers of the Army. The order will remain in force for the next 60 days. Section 17 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, or CrPC, which awards Army officers the status of special executive magistrates, says these officers shall be subordinate to the district magistrates, or deputy commissioners, bdnews24.com reported. This authority including arrest and dispersal of unlawful rallies has been conferred upon commissioned officers of the Army. In self-defence and extreme need, the officer can open fire, said an adviser to the interim government on Tuesday, The Daily Star newspaper reported. "We are witnessing subversive acts and disru

Best of BS Opinion: A new drive, tyranny of the status quo in GST reform

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

A safe place for women: Military needs greater gender sensitisation

The military's growing number of women officers highlights the need for gender sensitisation. Recent harassment cases show systemic flaws that must be addressed for true gender equality

Two Army officers assaulted; female friend gang-raped by men near Indore

Two Army officers and their female friends were attacked by men who gang-raped one woman at gunpoint near Jam Gate, Indore

As Haiti's army eyes recruits to fight gangs, youths jump at job offer

The announcement that Haiti's military wanted recruits crackled through a small radio perched on a street stall in downtown Port-au-Prince where Maurenceley Clerge repairs and sells smartphones. It was early morning, and the 21-year-old paused, eager to hear the details. He envisioned earning enough to afford his own food and rent. Two weeks later, he completed the required paperwork and stood in line with hundreds of other Haitians under a brutal sun for the chance to join up. It's the moment I have been waiting for, said Clerge, who stays with a friend who also provides him with food. I want to serve as a citizen of this country and also to move up and upgrade my life. Thousands of young Haitians are jumping at the chance to become soldiers as widespread gang violence creates a rare job opportunity in a deeply impoverished country where work is scarce. Brushing aside the possibility they could be kidnapped, tortured or killed, Haiti's youngest generation is answering the call of a

2 rescued, 1 missing after mass of ice hits climbing team on Pak peak

A Pakistani army helicopter rescued two Russians while one is missing after their team was hit by a pile of ice on a treacherous peak in the country's north, an official said Monday. Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, said a rescue mission was underway to safely bring down two more climbers who were part of the five-member Russian team stranded on Gasherbrum peak in the Karakoram range after the ice formation hit their team. Unfortunately, the expedition encountered a devastating disaster. As the team ascended the mountain, an ice formation, possibly a serac, collapsed, unleashing a catastrophic event, Haidri said. He said the rescue mission was launched on Saturday after the ice hit the climbers, who were on a mission to retrieve the body of a climber lost on the same mountain in 2023. He said there was no government advisory about bad weather and the climbers faced the disaster suddenly after the mass of ice fell on them. Hundreds of climbers try to sca