All the terrorist camps and around 15 launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir "are full", according to top army commander Lt Gen B S Raju, who anticipates an increase in infiltration attempts from across the border this summer to replenish the diminishing terrorist cadres in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Shiv Sena on Friday targeted the Centre by questioning the "efficacy" of the 2016 surgical strike and said the perception that it would demoralise Pakistani terrorists remained an "illusion" as Indian soldiers continue to get killed in terror attacks in Kashmir. Accusing the Modi government of boasting about how Pakistan was straightened out after the surgical strike, the Sena sought to know whether it has really happened. It also observed that troubled borders were not good for the country's well-being.
The remark by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil assumes significance as the BSF is being phased out of counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir to be replaced by the Central Reserve Police Force.
Decks have been cleared for the country-wide launch of Indian army's own Mobile Communication System, code named 'Mercury blaze', next month.
Terrorism has to be fought at its root of origination. Today we are just removing cobwebs but not killing the spider, asserts counter-insurgency expert Brigadier Narender Kumar (retd).
The bomb attack on West Bengal minister Jakir Hossain snowballed into a political controversy with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleging that it was a preplanned conspiracy as certain people were 'pressuring' him to switch over to another party, while opposition parties demanded National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the issue.
Borsaikia, commander of a company of the 28th battalion of the outfit, was one of the most-wanted ULFA leaders.
This is just one of the many cases recorded in the new report of the Human Rights Watch and Ensaaf. The 123 -page report, 'Protecting the Killers: A Policy of Impunity in Punjab, India' examines the challenges faced by victims and their relatives in pursuing legal avenues for accountability.
The banned United Liberation Front of Asom has criticised the GOC 4 Corps of the Indian Army B S Jaswal, the head of the counter-insurgency operations in Assam, for issuing a 'threatening' statement aimed at families of ULFA militants.
"I agree that insurgency situation in worse in Assam than that in J&K. That is obvious from the greater number of insurgent groups operating in Assam compared to those in J&K. Still, Assam has progressed despite the prevailing insurgency. The people of the state are no longer much bothered about militancy and have become adept to carry on with their daily life and jobs putting up a brave front against militants," Gogoi said.
It is understood that he was confirmed positive for coronavirus on Thursday night.
The revenue budget of the defence services is likely to go up 3.2 times in the next Budget if the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission are accepted. On an average, the services had recommended a salary hike of up to 4.5 times. They had also sought a five-and-a-half times increase in counter-insurgency allowances. They had expected an increase of 3.8 times. The increase in salaries that has been granted is 3.2 times. Allowances, by and large, have been doubled.
The counter-insurgency operation on the Indo-Myanmar was under planning for the last three months. The June 4 ambush that killed 18 Indian soldiers only hastened the attack. Sheela Bhatt provides exclusive details of the planning for the operation.
"It traces out the causes, which lead to insurgencies and concepts of how to tackle them," he said, adding that the doctrine was unclassified and would be put soon on army website.
The decision on redeployment was taken after intelligence reports said South Kashmir had turned into a militant hub.
The army has about 200 UAVs, mostly the Searcher 1, Searcher 2 and Heron supplied by Israeli Aerospace Industries, but security experts feel mini-UAVs will give troops an edge in operations against militants.
With terrorist groups increasingly taking to suicidal attacks, the internationally-renowned Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram, has introduced a course on suicide terrorism
With the expansion of its role in counter-insurgency opertions, the central paramilitary force has already decided to set up a dedicated intelligence apparatus to give more teeth to its operations.
Why does the army remain embroiled in counter-insurgency, denying itself a peace dividend even after expending blood and treasure in imposing calm?
Officials said the EC has directed them to provide security to Sharmila as 'she travels alone almost all the time'.
An encounter broke out on Wednesday between militants and security forces in Awanitpora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district but no casualties have been reported so far.
A preliminary internal assessment has concluded that the three-member suicide squad had chosen the Samba-based armoured unit with deliberate care, since a Cavalry or armoured unit is normally not as adept at counter-insurgency operations as an infantry unit, reports RS Chauhan.
India, US troops will hold anti-terror drill in the N-E state
Army has now 85 such specialised units, with each unit comprising 24 dogs. Of these as many as 35 are deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, 15 in North-East and some in Western and Southern Army Commands.
The Central Reserve Police Force will replace the Border Security Force in the hinterland of the Kashmir Valley for counter-insurgency operations by March.
Defence Minister A K Antony said the highest incidence of suicides, 328 cases, had been reported from the Army, mostly from personnel engaged in counter insurgency operations.
After completion of Summary of Evidence against Major Gogoi and his driver in early February followed by the initiation of court martial proceedings, the two men have been held guilty on two counts -- "fraternising" with a local in spite of instructions to the contrary and "being away from the place of duty while in operational area", the officials said.
A 140-strong Indian contingent is participating with troops from the 25th Infantry Division of the US Pacific Command in Yudh Abhyas 06-02, the second training exercise of its type this year.
It is estimated that around two dozen terrorists are well-entrenched within the city limits, while their movement and visibility in rural areas have become a routine.
Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, considered a close confidante of army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, was appointed on Monday as the new head of Pakistan's powerful spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence.
Railway authorities have increased the presence of security personnel in the Guwahati Railway Station.
Newly appointed army chief Joginder Jaswant Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to take stock of the security situation and counter insurgency operations.
