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
Gen. Bipin Rawat
Mishandling of Armed Forces can weaken the Nation
Jaibans Singh There was an instance recently where the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, had allegedly addressed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat as "Shri" and put down his designation as "Secretary" DMA, in an official letter to the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Ministry of Defence (MOD). The first thought that comes to … [Read more...] about Mishandling of Armed Forces can weaken the Nation
Army Chief’s has laid down an honest, transparent Kashmir policy
Jaibans Singh The annual press conference of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Indian Army, on the occasion of Army Day, was held on 10, January this year. As was expected, more than 50 percent of the questions related to Kashmir and the situation there. This is a clear indication that the media stays tuned to the Kashmir imbroglio more than anything else. The Army Chief, General … [Read more...] about Army Chief’s has laid down an honest, transparent Kashmir policy
Stone Pelting during encounters: Does it help?
Farooq Wani The recent incident of stone pelting on an army administrative convoy of vehicles, which prompted a response of firing and led to the death of two young boys, has opened a debate on the growing confrontation between the security forces and Kashmiri youth. Since insurgency broke out in the Kashmir Valley in 1990s, mobs have been prudently avoiding direct … [Read more...] about Stone Pelting during encounters: Does it help?
Heed Army Chief’s call to challenge radicalisation in J&K
Jaibans Singh “Foot in mouth” is accepted as a common affliction for politicians universally and more so in India. Of late, this affliction seems to be attaining unprecedented heights with the Indian Armed Forces also being subjected to some very ill-informed, obtuse and crude comments by politicians. Recently, a state minister of the Mehbooba Mufti led government of Jammu … [Read more...] about Heed Army Chief’s call to challenge radicalisation in J&K
Circa 2017: A lot achieved but miles to go in Jammu and Kashmir
Jaibans Singh 2017 offered a mixed bag for Jammu and Kashmir in both the political and security domain. The state witnessed a modicum of peace and virtual destruction of the terror machinery, due to relentless counter terrorist operation by security forces. The going was, however, not totally smooth as many issues came up, some due to circumstances and others most cleverly … [Read more...] about Circa 2017: A lot achieved but miles to go in Jammu and Kashmir
Army Super-40 initiative provides road map for youth development
Dr. Simrit Kahlon Amidst the environment of despondency that has enveloped Kashmir for quite some time now, the recently declared result of the IIT-JEE Advance examination has brought happy tidings. A record nine students of the 2016-17 Super -40 batch being coached under an initiative by the Indian Army have cleared the coveted competitive examination. This is the best … [Read more...] about Army Super-40 initiative provides road map for youth development
Gen. Rawat is right: Law and order cannot be compromised
Jaibans Singh An interview by Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, to the news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) in the last week of May has caused a lot of ripples. Sadly, many from the media and the burgeoning fraternity of “analysts” have no good words for the honest and forthright remarks that he made in the course of the interview. Two remarks made by the General have … [Read more...] about Gen. Rawat is right: Law and order cannot be compromised
Defeatist operational procedures in Kashmir need to be reversed
Jaibans Singh The Army Chief, Gen. Bipin Rawat, in a recent statement said that those attacking security forces during Counter Terrorist (CT) operations will be treated as “anti-nationals” and will face “tough action.” A statement of this nature by the Army Chief should have come a long time back. The difficulty being faced and the avoidable casualties being suffered by … [Read more...] about Defeatist operational procedures in Kashmir need to be reversed
New Chief, New Challenges
Jaibans Singh A few years ago, when the UPA government was in power the BJP, in opposition, would often lament that the Congress lacked “strategic culture.” This was said in context with the sorry state of affairs in the Armed Forces for which the blame was put on the ineffectual Defence Minister, AK Antony. The hasty, opaque, and insensitive manner in which the present NDA … [Read more...] about New Chief, New Challenges