Colonel Alok Mathur (Retired) Siachen , known as the highest battle field of the world, is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas. In Balti dialect the word means "Garden of Roses.” It forms the western edge of the Union Territory of Ladakh and is the second longest Glacier in any non-polar region. The 2500 sq kms Glacier originates from Indira Col in the … [Read more...] about Operation Meghdoot: Victory in the face of monumental odds
Defence and security
Between cowardice, stupidity and bravery
Brig PS Gothra (Retd) “We were grazing our goats in the jungle below when two gunmen appeared and they asked us to leave the place immediately. So, we left our goats behind and are moving to our hamlet to inform our parents,” said the four children when we saw them coming up on the track we were moving on. I could clearly see fear in their eyes. We gave them some toffees and … [Read more...] about Between cowardice, stupidity and bravery
IAC Vikrant 2.0: An important milestone of self reliance
Col Alok Mathur, SM, (Veteran) The Indigenously built 45,000 ton Indian Aircraft Carrier Vikrant 2.0, will be commissioned on 15 August, 2022, Amrit anniversary of India’s independence. Aircraft carriers are the pride of any Navy. They are the core of a Naval battle group, secured by Destroyers ,Frigates, Corvettes and Mine sweepers; Submarines function as support groups. … [Read more...] about IAC Vikrant 2.0: An important milestone of self reliance
China in Nepal: The Indian perspective
Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan Nepal’s relationship with China’s first recorded official engagement dates back to the middle of the seventh century, when Nepal’s armed forays into Tibet led to Chinese intervention favouring the latter. It resulted in the signing of the Sino-Nepalese Treaty of 1792, which provided a tribute-bearing mission from Nepal to China every five years as a … [Read more...] about China in Nepal: The Indian perspective
Chief of Defence Staff : An imperative for the Indian Armed Forces
Lt General Satish Dua The government of India has recently issued a notification regarding appointment of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). According to this notification, the CDS may be appointed from among serving as well as retired three or four star rank officers from all three services — Army, Navy and Air Force — subject to their being less than 62 years of age. This … [Read more...] about Chief of Defence Staff : An imperative for the Indian Armed Forces
With sensitive implementation Agnipath scheme will become a force multiplier
Jaibans Singh Agnipath scheme, the new Human Resource policy of the Indian Armed Forces, after remaining on the drawing board for a couple of years, has finally been approved and declared. The declaration has triggered unprecedented violence across the country. It is now very clear that the actual aspirants have a limited role in the violence and that it has been engineered … [Read more...] about With sensitive implementation Agnipath scheme will become a force multiplier
Border Road Organisation: Lifeline for front-line troops
Col Alok Mathur, SM ( Veteran ) Border Road Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 62nd Raising day on 7 May 2022. Raksha Mantri (RM) Rajnath Singh appreciated the contribution of BRO in nation building and providing the connectivity to its forward troops deployed in inhospitable and difficult terrain of North eastern region bordering China occupied Tibet (COT}, … [Read more...] about Border Road Organisation: Lifeline for front-line troops
Ukraine crisis poses high security challenges to India
Hardeep Bedi The ongoing Russo-Ukraine War has the international community in a state of flux with each country working on its options and postures. The US and NATO have adopted the aggressive posture of imposing sanctions on Russia which have not, by any means, lowered the resolve of Russian President Vladimir Putin to go ahead with the military operation to completely … [Read more...] about Ukraine crisis poses high security challenges to India
Pakistan’s Socio-economic instability makes it dangerous for India
Jaibans Singh India has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the decisive victory over Pakistan in the war of 1971 as "Swarnim Vijay Varsh" with great enthusiasm. Functions were held, battles remembered and veterans of the war felicitated. With the infectious enthusiasm over and done with, it is time for a reality check - did the great victory break Pakistan and eliminate … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s Socio-economic instability makes it dangerous for India
Indo-Pakistan War, 1971: With no lessons learnt, Pakistani belligerence continues
Jaibans Singh The first two weeks of December normally witness a lot of activity in the strategic domain across the Sub-continent as three countries go through the traditional reminiscence of the Indo-Pakistan War, 1971. The war led to the permanent dismemberment of Pakistan and creation of a new nation - Bangladesh All three countries look at the narration of the War … [Read more...] about Indo-Pakistan War, 1971: With no lessons learnt, Pakistani belligerence continues