CT & COIN Operations in India: News, Images and Discussion

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 18 Oct 2011 10:18

Pig killed in Rajpora encounter!

http://www.kashmirmediawatch.com/kashmi ... -encounter

sum · Post by **sum** » 19 Oct 2011 14:00

Very good article on RR by NDTV's Nitin Gokhale:
Unsung and unheard, the Rashtriya Rifles plays a critical role

For a counter-insurgency force that is largest of its kind in the world, the Rashtriya Rifles receives very little attention in discussions and writings on India's endless war in Kashmir.

Staying out of the limelight, however, does not take away in any way the immense contribution made by this force in the past two decades in India's fight against Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is important to remember that officially the Rashtriya Rifles is still a 'temporary force', since clearance to raise the force was given under the provisions of Union Composite Table, Part II.

So, theoretically, if the Union government wants, it can disband the 80,000-strong force with an executive order.

However, given the relentless attempts by Pakistan to send highly-trained and heavily-armed terrorists into Kashmir, the chances of such an eventuality in the near future remain low.

Moreover, like the Assam Rifles in the north-east, the Rashtriya Rifles in J&K has emerged as a force that now has unmatched knowledge of the terrain, the people, local dynamics and most importantly, intelligence.

It is now the spearhead of the Indian Army's sub-conventional war doctrine.

In many ways, the Rashtriya Rifles remains a unique experiment in the army's glorious history, mainly because never in the past has such an 'all-arms', polyglot composition worked in tandem to produce such magnificent results.

After all, this is the only force where infantry soldiers work shoulder to shoulder with personnel drawn from other arms and services.

The beginning was not easy though. The Rashtriya Rifles was born under very difficult circumstances.

The initial proposal was to have a new para-military force under the home ministry's control and made up of superannuating soldiers, regular army volunteers on deputation, ex-servicemen and lateral inductees from various para-military forces and central police organisations.

Although good on paper, this proposal never took off and the since the situation in the Kashmir valley was deteriorating swiftly, the army had to find quick answers. So the top brass under then Army Chief General S F Rodrigues decided to make the Rashtriya Rifles an all-army force.

The government was still reluctant to put its full weight behind the idea. Old timers recall that the dominant thought process in 1990 at the highest levels in government was still to push in two divisions of the army -- the 39th and 6th -- into counter-insurgency operations.

The army brass resisted fiercely and insisted on a specialised counter-insurgency force.

Looking back, that decision not to deploy the 39th and 6th division (the latter army HQ reserve) was perhaps the most crucial advice that the army gave to the government.

Under General Rodgrigues, a crack, proven CI formation -- the 8th Mountain Division -- raised and then continuously based in Nagaland for over two decades was shifted to the valley. But even that was not enough.

So as General Rodgrigues made way for General B C Joshi as Chief Of the Army Staff, he simply bulldozed his way through both the military and civil bureaucracy to raise more Rashtriya Rifles units during his short tenure.

General Joshi's view was: India was going to be involved in an extended counter-insurgency similar to the prolonged deployment in Nagaland and Manipur in the north-east. So a new force -- like the Assam Rifles in that region -- was needed which could be permanently located in Kashmir to counter the insurgents.

So General Joshi demanded and got 10 more Rashtriya Rifles sector HQs or 30 battalions equivalent to three divisions. His logic: In the bargain the army would have three additional battle-hardened divisions, ready for rearguard action during any future war.

In nearly 20 years since then, General Joshi's prediction has come true! The Rashtriya Rifles units are now as battle-hardened, seasoned and effective as any infantry formation.

The early Rashtriya Rifles units have been described as 'transit camps', with troops coming and going at regular intervals. The camaraderie and cohesion usually evident in regular army units was missing among diverse troops.

There were also numerous problems of administration and even of indiscipline. However, because of the highest quality of leadership displayed by army officers, those initial hiccups were overcome gradually.

It also helped that under the next COAS, General Shankar Roy Chowdhury, a new formula was evolved on the basic composition of Rashtriya Rifles units. Each regiment was told to raise two Rashtriya Rifles battalions and provide 60 per cent of the strength for each unit. The rest 40 per cent were drawn from all services and arms.

Additionally, the Commanding Officer and his No 2 were drawn from the same regiment. This ensured basic cohesion and discipline. The new formula also engendered a sense of ownership amongst the regiments.

Now as a matter of routine one finds a Rashtriya Rifles battalion proudly displaying its parent regiment's name on display boards and sign posts.

So, across Jammu and Kashmir it is now common to see boards proudly displaying signs such as 36 RR (Garhwal) or 40 RR (Dogra)!

Today the Rashtriya Rifles has a separate directorate in the army HQs and is spread over five CI Force HQs, equivalent to a division.

While two are in the Kashmir valley -- CI Force (K), CI Force (V) -- the other three, CI Force (U), CI Force (D) and CI Force (R) are located south of Pir Panjal.

These 63 battalions of Rashtriya Rifles form the main CI grid in Jammu and Kashmir, thereby relieving regular army units for training and deployment in their original conventional role.

Aware of the potential of these battle-hardened Rashtriya Rifles battalions, the top military leadership in the Northern Command is now gradually thinking of assigning a new role to these formations.

Accordingly, Rashtriya Rifles battalions deployed in Kashmir's hinterland where militancy is at low ebb in the past few years are now being assigned a role along the Line of Control. By doing this, the top brass is readying the Rashtriya Rifles units for multi-tasking in the future.

If militancy remains confined to encounters along the LoC, as has been happening over the past few months, several Rashtriya Rifles units located in the hinterland may find themselves without much of a job.

If these units are slowly given the experience of guarding the LoC, many more infantry battalions can be freed from LoC deployment and can then be trained or redeployed in high altitude areas along the Line of Actual Control with China in Ladakh or in Arunachal Pradesh.

After all, India is planning to raise a full-fledged Mountain Strike Corps in addition to two mountain divisions already under raising in the north-east.

All these plans will fructify quickly once the government decides to regularise the Rashtriya Rifles and not keep a sword hanging on the army's head by giving piecemeal extension.

Shrinivasan · Post by **Shrinivasan** » 20 Oct 2011 06:23

^^^As usual an excellent article by Nithin Ghokale, is he in BR? Am writing a congratulatory note to him.

Marut · Post by **Marut** » 20 Oct 2011 14:12

As Jharkand receives the first batch of six MPV from Mahindra here is the reviewof the MPV. Looks promising, hope it succeeds in reducing our casualties and increasing the naxal body count

Marut · Post by **Marut** » 21 Oct 2011 11:09

Replying to query from Misc Pics of Indian Military thread:

Nick_S wrote:Thanks Marut. Nice article.

Only thing I disliked is the terrible ergonomics for the driver. The vehicle doesnt seem to have power steering and the gear box looks like its from the 50's. I wonder if power steering is purposely excluded from the vehicle to make it more reliable in case of explosion.

It's an armoured personnel carrier. They've put function over form and rightly so. This machine is supposed to protect the occupants from landmine blasts keeping them safe and ready to return fire. Power steering is part of the package or else this beast will not be easy to drive around. Btw the vehicle is not expected to be in running condition after the explosion, but secure enough for the occupants to hunker down and radio for help while firing back from the port holes if under attack. So how does exclusion of power steering increase reliability after explosion?

anishns · Post by **anishns** » 21 Oct 2011 15:27

Steering wheel is as big as the ones in BEST buses and the gearboxes is truly from the 50's

The whole Shakinah component waters down once you look inside the driver cabin

Nick_S wrote:Thanks Marut. Nice article.

Only thing I disliked is the terrible ergonomics for the driver. The vehicle doesnt seem to have power steering and the gear box looks like its from the 50's. I wonder if power steering is purposely excluded from the vehicle to make it more reliable in case of explosion.

Added Later: I take back my whine

From the article the truck indeed has power steering and if the reviewer is to be believed this behemoth is surprisingly easy to handle

I slotted the truck into first gear and slowly got it moving. As I gained a little confidence I got it into second and finally into third. In third gear I was driving at about 40 kilometers per hour and that was as fast as I wished to take this behemoth, after all I didn’t want to push my luck. In terms of the mechanicals, the MPVI is surprisingly easy to drive. The 5 speed gear box does require a bit of muscle, but other than that the drive is great. A reasonably soft clutch, dual circuit full air over hydraulic brakes on all the wheels for great stopping power, and a nice large accelerator pedal do their business well and making it easy to maneuver the MPVI around is power steering. I managed to navigate the MPVI along a thin farm road as well as take a few turns where I had to avoid a ditch. With my co passenger and the large ORVMs assisting me on my judgment, I did manage to take the turn but it also made me realize that driving the MPVI in a crowded area would require a lot of practice.

Nick_S · Post by **Nick_S** » 21 Oct 2011 17:03

Marut wrote:Replying to query from Misc Pics of Indian Military thread:

It's an armoured personnel carrier. They've put function over form and rightly so. This machine is supposed to protect the occupants from landmine blasts keeping them safe and ready to return fire. Power steering is part of the package or else this beast will not be easy to drive around. Btw the vehicle is not expected to be in running condition after the explosion, but secure enough for the occupants to hunker down and radio for help while firing back from the port holes if under attack. So how does exclusion of power steering increase reliability after explosion?

Function over form- well I dont think any function would have been lost if there was some improvement in the ergonomics. While that steering wheel looks rather horrendous its good to know it has power steering.

Also, I did see a video of a MRAP moving after a mine blast. The primary purpose is of course to protect the occupants during a blast, but it would be safer for the occupants if the vehicle could move out of hot zone.

Marut · Post by **Marut** » 21 Oct 2011 21:56

Nick_S wrote: Function over form- well I dont think any function would have been lost if there was some improvement in the ergonomics. While that steering wheel looks rather horrendous its good to know it has power steering.

Also, I did see a video of a MRAP moving after a mine blast. The primary purpose is of course to protect the occupants during a blast, but it would be safer for the occupants if the vehicle could move out of hot zone.

Given the need to fit a MPV within a certain dimensions to meet maneuverability and mobility requirements, there is only so much you can focus on ergonomics. Fitting 16 passengers and driver + commander/co-driver along with the engine and transmission within that space is not going to give you much room for ergonomics beyond the barest minimum.

No one has any idea as to whether a vehicle can move or not after a blast. There are too many imponderables to consider and account for to ensure that the vehicle can move after the blast. Look at the pic below with the exposed drive shaft & axle assembly. How much will it take to blast proof these components. If we do so, then what is the weight penalty. Thus it is better to consider the worst case of immobile vehicle and work on securing the occupants even after the blast.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 21 Oct 2011 23:59

40mm Infrared Illuminant Cartridge, M992: Soldiers now have capabilities to engage the enemy far more effectively during nighttime operations. The US Army's new infrared illuminating cartridges/projectiles produce infrared light that is invisible to the naked eye, but is clearly visible through night vision devices that US soldiers use in Iraq and Afghanistan

( Should come handy to hunt Piggs crossing Border)

Prabu · Post by **Prabu** » 27 Oct 2011 13:17

Prem wrote:
40mm Infrared Illuminant Cartridge, M992: Soldiers now have capabilities to engage the enemy far more effectively during nighttime operations. The US Army's new infrared illuminating cartridges/projectiles produce infrared light that is invisible to the naked eye, but is clearly visible through night vision devices that US soldiers use in Iraq and Afghanistan
( Should come handy to hunt Piggs crossing Border)

Thanks. This will be a very good addition for killing pigs !

Prabu · Post by **Prabu** » 22 Nov 2011 18:10

They are very much terrorists, but the way they have been shot dead may be undemocratic ! So what, as long as they remained terrorists !!

SIT report not a clean chit to Ishrat: GK Pillai

wig · Post by **wig** » 23 Nov 2011 18:19

regarding night vision devices (NVD) here is an article on NVD's being introduced for the IA and BSF to use on the borders during foggy conditions

The new devices, which were advanced version of Night Vision Devices (NVDs), have been made available to Army and BSF jawans, manning forward posts on the borders including LoC and IB. While the NVDs are already being used all along the LoC and IB to monitor movement of infiltrators, their advanced version would be used during foggy weather conditions when visibility is completely reduced to zero, official sources said.

A number of times, the militants had taken advantage of dense fog on the LoC and IB and made attempts to sneak into this side. Security personnel had to lit up the area to fight the fog and trace the militants to thwart their infiltration attempts.

Sources said the advanced version of NVDs has been successfully tested and would prove quite useful in beating the fog during the winter months of December and January. During majority of days in the two months of winter, dense fog engulfed almost entire LoC and IB during nights and early hours of the morning. It is during this period that the militants tried to take maximum advantage of weather conditions and make attempts to infiltrate into this side.

"It had often been seen during winter months that maximum infiltration attempts were made by the militants under the cover of dense fog. Though the infiltration attempts were thwarted, security forces had to fight the hostile weather conditions to eliminate or push back the militants’’, sources said.

http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/11nov22/index.htm

member_20453 · Post by **member_20453** » 24 Nov 2011 19:11

Kishenji, the elusive Maoist leader, has been killed on Thursday evening in a 30-minute gun battle between the rebels and joint forces inside the dense forest of Burishol in West Midnapore, CRPF confirmed. The security forces said that the 207 Cobra battllion killed the Maoist leader.

Acting on specific tip-off that few top Maoist leaders, including Kishenji, are hiding inside the dense forest of Burishol the joint force is raiding the forest since Wednesday. Within 30 minutes after we initiated a gun battle on Thursday jawans noticed a body that resembles Kishenji, said P K Tripathi the superintendent of police of West Midnapore told a television channel.

This is for the second time that the dreaded Maoist leader came in direct confrontation with the joint force.

On March 26, 2010 Kishenji was rumoured to have suffered injuries in a 12-hour gun battle in the Hatishol forest, around 8 kms east of Lalgarh.

The 52-year-old Kishenji, alias Kotteswar Rao, was CPI(Maoist) Politburo and Central Military Commission member. He was charge of the eastern regional bureau for the Maoists.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 73485.aspx

The Cobras have stung, Kishenji dead. Big blow to Maos. Cobra badasses have done it.

member_20453 · Post by **member_20453** » 24 Nov 2011 19:23

New Delhi: In a move to strengthen the combing operation against Naxalites, the Cobra Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now be equipped with Israeli Assault rifles.

Procurement of AX-95 rifle has been ordered from Israel which will prove as a deadly weapon to fight the Naxal menace. More than1000 AX-95 rifles been delivered to train the Cobra soldiers to understand the functioning of the rifle.

One of the CRPF official informed that Cobra battalion is presently undergoing a special training programme. Two trainers from Israel have given detailed instruction to 40 Cobra soldiers on the handling of rifle.

The official claimed the special rifle will be used in operation against Naxals before the year end.
While detailing about the qualities of the AX-95 rifle, another senior CRPF said the rifle is weighs only three kilograms which makes it easy to hold. 5.56 mm bullet can be used in it apart from 9 mm bullet. It can release 260 bullets in one round.

Currently, the security forces are using AK-47 and AK-56 during combing operations.

http://post.jagran.com/cobra-battalion- ... 1320655791

I think he means the X-95 carbine, nice addition, good to see that Cobra is really being armed well.

http://www.israel-weapon.com/default.as ... 2D4FC24%7D

atreya · Post by **atreya** » 24 Nov 2011 19:43

It can release 260 bullets in one round.

DDM strikes again!

kittoo · Post by **kittoo** » 24 Nov 2011 19:50

Septimus P. wrote:http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-new ... 73485.aspx

The Cobras have stung, Kishenji dead. Big blow to Maos. Cobra badasses have done it.

A great news. What a day! Sharad pawar got slapped and Kishenji dead! Amazing!

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 24 Nov 2011 20:22

great news.

member_20453 · Post by **member_20453** » 24 Nov 2011 21:30

would love to have some nice pics of the COBRA forces, can't find decent pics. They seem to be getting some new gear.

Gaur · Post by **Gaur** » 24 Nov 2011 22:16

Great. This was totally unexpected and is a cause for jubliation.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 24 Nov 2011 22:18

Septimus P. wrote:would love to have some nice pics of the COBRA forces, can't find decent pics. They seem to be getting some new gear.

check out the al jazeera report that was posted here.

can anyone extract the CoBRA part of the vids from the full video ?

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 24 Nov 2011 22:55

a screen grab of the COBRA can allow us to recheck what he has

Got to speak to some SF guys today - The Tavor is well loved - they are equipped and moved on

holographic sights are all the rage now

Upendra · Post by **Upendra** » 25 Nov 2011 00:00

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 25 Nov 2011 00:05

thx upendra, do you have a shot of the articulate guy in sunglasses who is talking to the villagers.

Upendra · Post by **Upendra** » 25 Nov 2011 00:22

Sandipan · Post by **Sandipan** » 25 Nov 2011 10:30

Cobra Picture

Courtesy : crpf.gov.in

member_20453 · Post by **member_20453** » 25 Nov 2011 10:55

Awesome pics guys, where is the Al-jazeera video?

Upendra · Post by **Upendra** » 25 Nov 2011 11:20

Septimus P. wrote:Awesome pics guys, where is the Al-jazeera video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EW06kd_up8

Sandipan · Post by **Sandipan** » 25 Nov 2011 11:22

Cobra Contingent Marching

Courtesy : Crpf.nic.in

sum · Post by **sum** » 25 Nov 2011 11:25

^^ For a second, i thought that was a PLA contingent!!!

The CoBRA certainly seems to have got no problems with funds for its kitting etc...

Surya · Post by **Surya** » 25 Nov 2011 12:07

who the hell decided on those Soviet ishtyle jackboots

thank god they are not doing Hizbollah march else some of our members would have burst a vein

upendra

great grabs

thanks

sandipan
thanks

hulaku · Post by **hulaku** » 25 Nov 2011 20:12

Rahul M wrote:can anyone extract the CoBRA part of the vids from the full video ?

The video with just the COBRA and CRPF Commandant Interview Part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43RbC-Ldq28

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 25 Nov 2011 21:12

The intel guy, "Come to the camp also... we will be able to explain to you better... What are the problems... How to encounter all these problems"

Dmurphy · Post by **Dmurphy** » 25 Nov 2011 22:46

*tongue in cheek alert*

Sandipan wrote:Cobra Contingent Marching

Courtesy : Crpf.nic.in

For a moment they looked like Adolf's army doing a "Heil Hitler!" with that head gear!

Darth Vader!

Please don't kill me gurus.

bksahu · Post by **bksahu** » 26 Nov 2011 01:05

my god!!! i still cant believe they are COBRAs......
Please tell me its really true.... can we get more pictures in that outfit!!!!

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 26 Nov 2011 01:08

thanks a lot hulaku and upendra.

Gaur · Post by **Gaur** » 26 Nov 2011 01:51

Dmurphy wrote:

Darth Vader!

Please don't kill me gurus.

Which PDW is the soldier holding? Looks somewhat like MSMC but not totally so.

Sandipan wrote: http://crpf.gov.in/PublishingImages/Image1.jpg

Why are the CRPF soldiers wearing IA camo? Surely they should wear their own camo pattern.

VinayG · Post by **VinayG** » 26 Nov 2011 10:05

Darth Vader!

George J · Post by **George J** » 27 Nov 2011 06:52

prithvi wrote:............ Corner Shot..the Israeli Gun accessory... and searched a little in google to find out that NSG has acquired it post 26/11.. is it really an effective solution against a hostage situation or COIN/CT Operation?...........

It was also approved for purchase by Force One. Off course approved vs acquired are two different things.

George J · Post by **George J** » 27 Nov 2011 06:57

On the lines of 26/11 related CT ops:

Anyone have any open source info on "what exactly the MARCOS did or did not do at the Trident?"

Their operations at the Taj have been documented in their own interview and also by the late J Dey in Mid Day. But for some reason very little is known about their involvement in the Trident.

Dmurphy · Post by **Dmurphy** » 27 Nov 2011 09:44

GJ, welcome back!