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Rediff.com  » News » Mission possible: A daring search and destroy op

Mission possible: A daring search and destroy op

September 30, 2014 10:58 IST
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Indian and American troops have been flexing muscles at Ranikhet and Chaubattia in Uttarakhand during the ongoing fourteen day-long joint exercise codenamed Yudh Abhyas.

Indian and American troops execute a cordon and search operation at Ghingharikhal near Ranikhet town as part of the ongoing military exercise Yudh Abhyas. Photograph: Indian Army

Seeking to strengthen and broaden inter-operability and cooperation between the two armies, US soldiers from 5-1 Cavalry and the Indian Army’s 2nd Battalion, 9th Gurkha Rifles have been participating in the field training exercises.

An Indian Army trooper relaying the orders for establishing a cordon. Photograph: Indian Army

The exercise provided an ideal platform for army personnel of the two countries to share their experiences on counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations, under United Nations mandated operations, PRO, Defence, Northern Command said.

Communicating: A command post exercise is underway during which the forces are simulated, involving the commander, the staff, and communications within and between headquarters. Photograph: Indian Army

Commanders and Staff Officers of both sides were exercised to work in close coordination to receive and collate intelligence and to issue suitable operational orders to the combined field training components, who executed these orders on ground, he said.

Indian and American troops close in on target. Photograph: Indian Army

The exercise curriculum was planned progressively where the participants were initially made to get familiar with each other's organisational structure, weapons, equipment, and tactical drills, he said.

Subsequently, the training advanced to joint tactical exercises wherein the battle drills of both the armies were practiced, the PRO said.

Indian and American troops sanitise the perimeter after successfully completing the drill. Photograph: Indian Army

A consolidation and validation exercise witnessed by senior officers and observers of both Armies, in which troops of both nations carried out a daring search and destroy mission in the general area of Ghingharikhal near Ranikhet town, PRO said.

Colonel Aditya Kapur (CO, 2/9 GR) said, "We had received information about four militant that were hiding in the school. Then the Indo-US joint battalion headquarters took the decision of launching both the companies."

"We found four militants hiding in the school, out of which two open fired and were killed, while the other two have been arrested," he added.

India-born sisters Corporal Balreet Kaur and Specialist Jasleen Kaur, both medics for the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (National Guard), serve as cultural liaisons between the armies of India and the United States during Yudh Abhyas. Photograph: Indian Army

In the 10 years since Yudh Abhyas began, the exercise has grown from platoon-level operations to brigade-and battalion-level operations.

State of the art equipment for surveillance and tracking, specialist weapons for close quarter battle with terrorists, explosives and IED detectors, as well as the latest communication equipment are being fielded by both sides.

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