Page 8 - Indian Army

Revisit denial to disclose report on armed forces' pay: CIC to PMO

The Central Information Commission has directed the Prime Minister's Office to "revisit" its refusal to disclose under the RTI a 14-year old report by a Group of Ministers led by former External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on pay and pension of armed forces personnel on grounds that it was "highly sensitive". The directive came after the RTI applicant told the panel that substantial portions of the report that were termed "highly sensitive" and "prejudicially affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India" by the PMO, have already been declassified and disclosed by the Defence Ministry. Through his RTI application dated January 31, 2021, S Y Savur had sought the copy of the report submitted by Mukherjee on December 19, 2008 for then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's approval and copy of the approval along with file notes, office memorandum along with all relevant information that "preceded" the approval. The PMO had refused to disclose the report and other documents, calling t

Andhra cadre IAS Giridhar Aramane takes charge as new defence secretary

Seasoned bureaucrat Giridhar Aramane on Tuesday assumed charge as the new defence secretary at a time the government has been focusing on modernising the three services. Aramane, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was serving as secretary of the ministry of road transport and highways prior to his new assignment. Before taking charge, Aramane laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the fallen heroes. "We draw inspiration from these bravehearts and promise to work towards fulfilling their dream of making India a safe and prosperous country," he said. Aramane succeeded Ajay Kumar, who retired from service on Monday. In his 32-year career as an IAS officer, Aramane has held various important positions in the central government as well as the Andhra Pradesh government. He also served as an additional secretary in the cabinet secretariat. Aramane looked after the exploration division in the ministry of petroleum and natural gas and was exec

Army's first inter-service paragliding championship begins in Bir Billing

The first Inter services paragliding X-country championship begin with a colourful opening ceremony at the mountainous belt of Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh. Commenced on Saturday, the Championship, a first of its kind, is being conducted from October 29 to November 01, under the aegis of army adventure wing (AAW), defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said on Sunday. The day's activities saw around 15 paragliding pilots from the Indian Army and Navy taking off from Billing and landing at Bir located approximately 13 to 14 kilometers, in a display of their ability of navigating X-country in air. "Paragliding is primarily a recreational and competitive adventure sport. The ability of the paragliding flight to last many hours and cover large distance is, what is of great importance to the Armed Forces, as it will facilitate aerial insertions behind enemy lines," Anand said. The opening ceremony was presided over by Brigadier AK Singh, who welcomed the paragliding pilots from the

IAF, French air force participate in bilateral exercise called Garuda VII

Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF) are participating in a bilateral exercise, named 'Garuda VII', from October 26 to November 12, 2022, at Air Force Station Jodhpur.In this exercise, FASF is participating with four Rafale fighter aircraft, one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and a contingent of 220 personnel. The IAF is participating with Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft, as well as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Mi-17 helicopters, read a press statement from the Ministry of Defence on Friday.The IAF contingent will also include Combat Enabling Assets like Flight Refuelling Aircraft, AWACS and AEW & C. This joint exercise will provide a platform for both the countries to enhance operational capability and interoperability, while also sharing best practices.This is the seventh edition of the bilateral exercise. The first, third and fifth editions were conducted in India in 2003, 2006 and 2014 at Air Force ...

India's defence ministry world's biggest employer, says Statista report

India's Ministry of Defence is world's biggest employer with 2.92 million people, which includes combined active service personnel, reservists and civilian staff, according to a report in 'Statista'

Explained: Why Gilgit-Baltistan crucial for India? What is its history?

India's northward journey of development will be complete after reaching Gilgit and Baltistan, said Rajnath Singh. Let's know what the Gilgit-Baltistan issue is and how does it affect India

Rajnath Singh visits J&K's Budgam for attending 'Shaurya Diwas' programme

On the 76th Infantry Day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 'Shaurya Diwas' programme organized by the Indian Army in Budgam

Rajnath Singh to visit Srinagar to participate in 'Shaurya Diwas' programme

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday will visit Srinagar to participate in the "Shaurya Diwas" programme organised by the Indian Army

India, US to conduct 'Yudh Abhyas' near China border from Nov 15: Report

Before this, between November 8 and 18, the member countries of the "Quad" will conduct the Malabar exercise off Yokosuka in Japan

Army chief reviews security situation along northern borders in Sikkim

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Monday visited forward areas in Sikkim to review the security situation along the northern borders and also greeted soldiers on Diwali. Gen Pande visited military stations in north Bengal and border areas of Sikkim on October 23-24, the defence ministry said in a statement. He wished all ranks on the occasion of Diwali and also reviewed the security situation along the northern borders of Sikkim, the ministry said. The Army chief expressed satisfaction at the pace of infrastructure development along the border areas. He was accompanied by Lt Gen R P Kalita, Army Commander of Eastern Command, and Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich, GOC Trishakti Corps, the statement said. At Sukna Military Station on Sunday, Gen Pande interacted with the troops during a programme showcasing India's cultural heritage and unity in diversity, which was organised on the eve of the festival. On Monday, the Army chief, accompanied by Kalita and Aich, visited forward areas in north

Arunachal chopper crash: Army personnel's bodies cremated at native place

The army personnel who died in the crash of an Army helicopter in Arunachal Pradesh were cremated at their native place with full military and state honours. The funeral pyre of Rohitashv Kumar in Posana village of Jhunjhunu and Vikas Bhambhu in Rampuria village of Hanumangarh was lit by their minor daughters. The third jawan Maj Mustafa Zakiuddin Bohra from Rajasthan who was also killed in the crash was buried on Sunday in Udaipur. Hundreds of people took part in the funeral procession, leaving behind Diwali celebrations, to bid their last adieu to the soldiers with teary eyes and slogans in praise of the country and soldiers who lay their life for the motherland. In Jhunjhunu, Minister Rajendra Gudha, Additional District Collector JP Gaur and SP Mridul Kachhawa also paid tribute to the martyr. Earlier, the body had reached Gudhagaudji police station at 9.30 pm on Sunday from where the funeral procession was taken out. Soldier Welfare Minister Rajendra Singh Gudha, former MLA ..

India considers war as last resort; strength necessary for peace: PM Modi

India stands for peace and has always considered war as not the first but last resort, but its armed forces have the strength and strategies to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday. Addressing soldiers here on Diwali, Modi said India is against war but also underscored the need for strength to ensure peace and asserted that its growing power boosts the chances of global peace and prosperity. The whole world is looking at India which is a "balancing force", he told soldiers at the site of the armed forces' heroic feats in the Kargil war in 1999 as India beat back Pakistani forces. Modi invoked the epics of Ramayan and Mahabharat to assert that it is in Indian tradition to avoid war be it in Lanka or Kurukshetra and the country stands for world peace. The prime minister highlighted numerous measures taken by his government to boost economy and development, saying a country is safe only when its borders are secu

Induction of women in armed forces will boost India's strength: PM Modi

Highlighting the reforms in armed forces by the Centre, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the induction of women officers will boost the country's strength.Prime Minister landed in Kargil on Monday to celebrate Diwali with soldiers."For me, all of you have been my family for years now. It is a privilege to spend Diwali with our brave jawans in Kargil," Prime Minister Modi saids."Over the last eight years, we have laid emphasis on implementing reforms in the armed forces. We have opened positions in the forces for women. Women's power will strengthen our armed forces. The induction of women officers under 'permanent commission' will result in the growth of our power," he said.PM said the armed forces are the pillar of the country's safety and security. "A nation is safe when the border is secure, the economy is strong and the society is full of confidence. India wishes this festival of lights paves way for global peace,"He said it is because the armed forces are protecting ...

India has never considered war first option; we believe in peace: PM Modi

India has always viewed war as the last resort, but the armed forces have the strength and strategies to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday. Addressing the armed forces here on Diwali, the prime minister also recalled his visit to this frontier region in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Indian military had "crushed the hood of terror". "There has not been a single war with Pakistan when Kargil has not flown the victory flag," he said adding that Diwali symbolised the "celebration of the end of terror". "I have witnessed the Kargil war closely. It was my duty that had brought me to Kargil back then. There are many memories of that time when the sounds of victory were reverberating all around," Modi said, continuing with the tradition set by him to celebrate Diwali at the country's frontiers. "In Kargil, our armed forces had crushed the hood of terror and people still remember the Diwa

Death toll in Army helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh rises to 5

The toll in the Army helicopter crash in Arunachal Pradesh rose to five with the body of the last missing personnel recovered on Saturday, a defence spokesperson said. The advanced light helicopter (ALH), carrying five Army personnel including two pilots, was on regular sorties when it crashed at 10.43 am on Friday near Migging, around 25 km south of Tuting, he said. The bodies of the four other personnel were recovered on Friday evening from the crash site in a densely wooded mountainous area, around 35 km from the border with China, defence spokesperson Lt Col A S Walia said. The deceased Army personnel were identified as pilots Major Vikas Bhambhu and Major Mustafa Bohara, CFN Tech AVN (AEN) Aswin K V, Havildar (OPR) Biresh Sinha and NK (Ppr) Rohitashva Kumar, he said. The cause of the crash is not yet known and details are being ascertained, the officer said. "It is reported that the weather was good for flying operations. The pilots had more than 600 combined flying hours on

Three die in Army helicopter crash in Arunachal; search ops underway

An Army helicopter crashed at Migging in West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday morning, a defence official said. The advanced light helicopter, carrying Army personnel, was on regular sorties, he said. The incident took place at 10.43 am, and search operation is underway, the official said. Further details are awaited.

Production opportunites worth Rs 8 trillion in next eight years: Army chief

Army Chief General Manoj Pande said that the Russia-Ukraine war has made it critical for countries to establish indigenous production and reduce import dependence

MGS, Light Tank, WhaP: DRDO presents 3 'Make in India' successes at DefExpo

The DRDO has chosen Larsen & Toubro as a "design cum production partner"

Indian Army celebrates diamond jubilee of battle of Walong with China

The Indian Army is celebrating the diamond jubilee of the battle of Walong, a shining example of unparalleled bravery, guts and sacrifice by the soldiers who fought the Chinese onslaught in 1962.

For UN missions, Bharat Forge rolls out 16 Kalyani M4 vehicles to Army

"The (Kalyani M4) vehicle can withstand three tri-nitro-toluene charges under the wheels and one 50 kg IED blast at one side," stated the media release