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We Have Vital Stakes In Ensuring Stable Indo-Pacific: Gen Pande

By LokMarg 27th September 2023

Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Wednesday said that to suggest India and the US merely have “skin in the game” in the Indo-Pacific region would be an “understatement”, adding the stakes are high in ensuring stability, cooperation and a focused approach.

“To say that we have skin in the game is an understatement. I think we have vital stakes today in ensuring that the Indo-Pacific is stable, that it is secured, that there is cooperation and that the focus is on the right things,” said Army Chief general Manoj Pande while addressing the conclusion ceremony of Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) at Manekshaw Centre in Delhi.

The armies of India and the US hosted the 13th biannual IPACC, the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), and the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum in the national capital from September 25-27.

The gathering is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region.

“As we draw this forum to a close, I want to express my gratitude to each one of you, for participating and enriching the discussions with your insightful perspectives on the theme – ‘Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace & Stability in the Indo-Pacific’,” said General Pande.

He added that the collective viewpoints on regional and sub-regional security dynamics, challenges, concerns and aspirations, have brought to fore important aspects that impact, contribute and need to be addressed, if ‘peace’ and ‘stability’ is to be achieved and sustained, in the Indo-Pacific region.

General Pande also acknowledged and appreciated the ‘Trust Quotient’ that all fostered and helped build, during the deliberations.

“The frank exchange of thoughts and ideas has reaffirmed that India and the US are bonded by a common thread, of ‘values’ that stand for collective good, adherence to ‘international laws and conventions, respect for each other’s sovereignty and a yearning for peace. In doing so, the two countries have asserted that, despite their geographical separation, they stand united in their commitment towards ‘peace’ and ‘stability’” said General Pande.

He also listed the key takeaways from the conference – which according to him were –commitment towards collaboration, exchange of best practices, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, concerns on climate change, and the need for a synergized response.

He also said that the need to give impetus towards enhancing bilateral relations through ‘Military Diplomacy’, is the next key takeaway.

“India and the US have also affirmed the need for ‘open and sustained dialogue’, as a cornerstone for fostering mutual understanding and cultivating relationships. It clearly emerged that it is through shared values of cooperation, collaboration, and pursuit of common goals, that the foundations for a constructive engagement are laid. That is the only way ahead, to give effect to ‘peace’ and ‘stability’,” said the Indian Army Chief.

He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to Army Chiefs and Heads of Delegations of the Indo-Pacific Nations to jointly host this event with the US Army.

General Pande also thanked Gen Randy George, Chief of Staff of the US Army and his team for making the 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs’ Conference, the 47th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) 2023, a grand success.

The objective of these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship.

Participation in IPAMS has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1977, to 31 nations in Seoul, Korea in 2017. (ANI)

Indian Army Soldier on Leave Abducted, Killed In Manipur

By LokMarg 17th September 2023

A 41-year-old Indian Army soldier was abducted and later killed while he was on leave in Manipur’s Imphal West district, officials said on Sunday.

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ministry of Defence, Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom (41), was abducted and later killed by three unidentified miscreants, while on leave at Tarung, Happy Valley, Imphal West.

He was deployed at Leimakhong Military Station, Manipur, officials said, adding that he is survived by his wife and two children.

“Sepoy Serto was abducted from his home at about 10:00 am on September 16, 2023. As per the statement of his 10-year-old son, who is the only eyewitness to the crime, said that three miscreants entered the home while the father and son were working on the porch and placed a pistol on his father’s head and forced him into a white coloured vehicle, and drove away with him,” Defence PRO said in a statement.

“There was no news of the braveheart till this morning. At about 9:30 AM his body was found at Khuningthek Village, East of Mongjam under Sogolmang Police Station, Imphal East,” the statement read. (ANI)

Army Dog Lays Down Her Life To Save Handler In Kashmir Encounter

By LokMarg 12th September 2023

Making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian army, a six-year-old dog (female labrador) laid down her life shielding her handler during an encounter that broke out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri on Tuesday.

Kent, a canine from the 21 Army Dog Unit, was leading a group of soldiers on the trail of fleeing terrorists when it came under heavy fire and succumbed at the scene, the Public Relations Officer, Indian Army, Jammu informed through a statement.

Kent was at the forefront of ‘Operation Sujaligala’, the statement read.

Additional Director General of Police, Mukesh Singh, said one terrorist and an army jawan were killed in the encounter that broke out in the Narllah area of the Rajouri district in the Jammu region.

Three more jawans, including a Special Police Officer (SPO), were also injured in the exchange of fire.

Last week, a terrorist was killed in a joint operation conducted by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Reasi district.

“War-like stores including one AK series assault rifle with magazines were recovered during the search following the encounter,” an official said.

Indian Army defused an Improvised explosive device (IED) in the same region on September 3. (ANI)

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Boeing Begins Production Of Apache For Army

By LokMarg 16th August 2023

Defence major Boeing has said it has started the production of Apache Helicopters for the Indian Army at its state-of-art facility in the US (Mesa, Arizona).

The Indian Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters, renowned for their advanced technology and exceptional performance, are poised to enhance operational readiness and fortify defence capabilities.

The production process builds upon an ongoing collaboration with Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), which plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing of AH-64E fuselages at its cutting-edge facility in Hyderabad, India.

Earlier this year, TBAL delivered the first AH-64 Apache fuselage to the Indian Army.

“We are pleased to reach yet another significant milestone, highlighting Boeing’s unwavering commitment to support India’s defence capabilities,” said Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India.

“The AH-64’s state-of-the-art technology and battle-tested performance will elevate the Indian Army’s operational effectiveness and amplify its defensive capabilities”, read the press release.

The company’s accomplishments encompass the successful delivery of 22 AH-64E Apaches to the Indian Air Force in 2020.

Boeing entered into a contract to produce six additional AH-64Es for the Indian Army, with deliveries anticipated in 2024.

Christina Upah, Vice President of Attack Helicopter Programs and Senior Boeing Mesa Site Executive, emphasized, “The AH-64E continues to be the world’s premier attack helicopter”.

The company’s engagement with over 300 local Indian companies, in conjunction with its joint venture focusing on manufacturing key components, reflects Boeing’s vision for a resilient and interconnected aerospace ecosystem in India.

With annual sourcing exceeding $1 billion from India, Boeing’s role as a catalyst for growth extends beyond the technical realm.

The company employs over 5,000 individuals within India and collaborates with over 13,000 supply chain partners, fostering community engagement and implementing citizenship programs that touch the lives of over 500,000 individuals. (ANI)

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Manipur: Army Says Insurgent Held After Fresh Violence, Ammunition Seized

By LokMarg 6th August 2023

The Indian Army on Saturday said it had apprehended one armed insurgent and recovered “war-like stores” during a search operation launched hours after three people died in a fresh wave of violence in Manipur’s Bishnupur district.

One self-loading rifle, ammunition and war-like stores were recovered during the operation.

The Spear Corps of the Indian Army, in a statement, said that under ‘Operation Mongcham’ multiple operations were launched in the aftermath of the incident at Kwakta, Bishnupur in the wee hours of Saturday.

Further, according to the statement, during a search operation launched in the general area of Mongcham at 5.30 pm on Saturday, the forces came under fire from insurgents and retaliated.

“During one such search operation, the #IndianArmy column drew effective fire from armed insurgents from the general area Mongcham at approximately 5.30 PM today. Own troops retaliated in a calibrated manner & in the ensuing firefight, one armed insurgent of KIA (Non-SoO Group) sustained Gun Shot Wound & has been apprehended while others managed to escape,” the Spear Corps of Indian Army said in a tweet.

Earlier, on Saturday, officials said at least three people died in Manipur’s Bishnupur district as fresh violence broke out on Friday late night.

On Thursday, Manipur Police said the overall situation in the Northeast state, which has seen ethnic violence over three months, was still tense.

In a press note issued on August 3, the state police said that there had been sporadic incidents of firing and mob congregation.

The violence in the Northeast state has claimed over 100 lives while displacing thousands more.

Clashes broke out between Metei and Kuki communities on May 3 days after the Manipur High Court asked the state government to consider adding the former, the majority community in the state, to the list of Scheduled Tribes.

The prevailing situation in Manipur triggered bedlam in both Houses of Parliament in the ongoing Monsoon Session, with the Opposition members stalling proceedings demanding a discussion and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a viral video, purportedly showing two women in the Northeastern state being stripped and paraded in the nude.

Adamant on their demand that all listed businesses in both Houses be suspended for a discussion on the Manipur situation, the Opposition members raised slogans and disrupted proceedings, resulting in repeated adjournments.

A delegation from the Opposition alliance — I.N.D.I.A — recently visited Manipur for two days, during which they met displaced locals at relief camps and called on Governor Uikey. (ANI)

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Manipur: Fresh Firing Reported At Bishnupur

By LokMarg 8th July 2023

The situation in Manipur remains volatile as intermittent firing continued at the general area of Kangvai-Awang Lekhai area in Bishnupur district on Friday night.

According to the sources, Additional Border Security Forces (BSF) were inducted to bring the situation under control as columns of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles moved to the general area of Songdo.
The sources further said that one police personnel was injured during a retaliatory firing incident.

An exchange of fire was also reported in the Laikot area of YKPI with the situation being monitored by the security forces.

A mob of nearly 200 people built up at Mahabali road and set two vehicles on fire near the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, Manipur.

According to sources, the mob also tried to snatch weapons from the police.

“The police had to resort to firing to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control, although no casualties were reported in the incident,” the sources said.

No casualty has been reported.

The sources further said that another mob of nearly 200 people had gathered at Palace Compound in Imphal West but Army and Rapid Action Force personnel were able to disperse by 12.30 am today.

According to a statement by Manipur Police, the situation is tense in some parts with sporadic incidents of firing, but is normal in most districts in Manipur, an official statement from Manipur police said on Thursday.

“The situation is tense in some places with sporadic incidents of firing and congregation of unruly mob during the last 24 hours. However, the situation is normal in most districts,” said the statement.

The statement added that the State Police and Central forces on Thursday conducted search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas in both the hill and valley districts of the state.

The official statement further said that on July 6, a joint team of Manipur Police and the Central Security Forces (CSF) destroyed 24 bunkers in the districts of Manipur. (ANI)

Women Activists In Manipur Are Deliberately Interfering In Ops Of Security Forces: Army

By LokMarg 27th June 2023

Noting several incidents in past of women-led mob interfering in operations of security forces in Manipur, the Indian Army has said that “blocking” movement of security personnel is not only unlawful but also detrimental to their efforts towards restoring law and order.

In a tweet on Monday, the Spear Corps of the Indian Army posted a video, showing several incidents of women activists “deliberately” interfering in the operations of the security forces, ranging from “blocking” their route to “accompanying armed rioters”.
“Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property. Indian Army appeals to all sections of the population to support our endeavours in restoring peace,” Spear Corps of the Indian Army said in a tweet.

A recent such instance happened last week when security forces had to “release” 12 cadres of the proscribed extremist outfit, including self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba, who is the mastermind of the 6 Dogra ambush case of 2015, which had killed 18 army personnel.

On June 24 operation, 12 cadres of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) were apprehended along with arms, ammunition and War like stores.

The army said that the officer on the ground made a considerate decision to hand over all 12 cadres to the local leader, after a mob of approximately 1200-1500, led by women and the local leader immediately surrounded the target area and prevented Security Forces from continuing with the operation, which was launched in Village Itham (06 km East of Andro) in Imphal East district. (ANI)

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Manipur: Army Conducts Flag March In Imphal

By LokMarg 18th June 2023

The Indian Army conducted a flag march in the violence-affected area in Imphal Valley.

Meanwhile, authorities in Imphal East district on Saturday decided to relax curfew hours from 5 am to 5 PM on Sunday, June 18 in order to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items.

As per the circular issued by the district magistrate, Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana Devi, “Total public curfew under Section 144 CrPC, 1973 prohibiting the movement of any person outside their respective residences imposed in Imphal East District vide this Office Order dated 3rd May 2023 is hereby relaxed from 5 AM to 5 PM on 18th June 2023 except for the area for which the schedule is given below in order to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food supplies”.

The areas where the curfew will be relaxed include the Hatta crossing to the RDS crossing, the Imphal River from Sanjenthong to Minuthong, Minuthong to Hatta crossing, and RDS crossing to Sanjenthong.

Curfew has been imposed under section 144 in Manipur after clashes broke out between Kuki and the Meitei communities on May 3. The violence that followed has claimed over 100 lives and displaced thousands.

On Friday, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) office in Manipur’s Thongju was vandalised by a mob, officials said.

Nine people were killed while more than 10 were injured in fresh violence in Manipur on Wednesday.

The state government has further extended the shutdown on the internet in the state up to June 20.

On Wednesday, miscreants tried to burn down the official residence of Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen in Imphal West. His home was partly burnt.

Violence gripped Manipur on May 3 after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. (ANI)

Army Says Police Reassured Of Action In Jawan’s Wife Molestation Case

By LokMarg 11th June 2023

Taking note of the alleged molestation of a jawan’s wife by more than forty people, the Indian Army on Sunday put out a statement saying they got in touch with the police administration, which assured proper investigation.

The jawan’s wife alleged that she was attacked and molested by more than forty people and also verbally abused.

“An Indian Army soldier in uniform gave a statement fearing for the safety of his family. Army has already contacted the #Police authorities who have assured all help post-investigation,” read a post on the official Twitter handle of the Indian Army’s Northern Command.

The army said that they accord high priority to the well-being of families, who stay away from the soldiers deployed in field areas.

“Action is at hand to arrest others. The #IndianArmy accords high priority to well being of families who stay away from the soldiers deployed in field areas. In the instant case, local military authorities have reached out to the families and are also in constant touch with the civil #administration including civil police to ensure the safety of the soldier’s family. Police have assured safety of the family,” the Northern Command tweeted.

Earlier in the day, the jawan had alleged that she stripped half-naked and beaten very badly.

“More than 40 people attacked me. They verbally abused me using obscene language. They also touched me inappropriately. They are not letting our family live in peace. They are threatening me,” the wife of the jawan said in Vellore on Sunday.

The Superintendent of Police, Thiruvannamalai, Karthikeyan said an FIR was registered under relevant sections on a complaint lodged by the jawan.

“Based on a complaint by the jawan, an FIR was filed under relevant sections. Two of the accused — Ramu and Hariprasad — have already been arrested,” the SP said.

He said preliminary investigation suggests that the incident was the fallout of a “civil dispute”.

“It appears to be the fallout of a civil dispute. Yes, some things happened. However, what we are saying as of now is only on the basis of the preliminary investigation. A thorough probe in the next couple of days will give us a better sense of what might have happened,” said Karthikeyan.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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Indian Army Raising New Units To Counter China, Pak In Cyber Warfare

By LokMarg 27th April 2023

Amid the rising activities of adversaries China and Pakistan in the online domain to target India, the Indian Army has operationalised new specialist units to counter these threats and challenges under its cyber warfare initiatives.

The decision was taken during the Army Commanders Conference held in the third week of this month headed by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande.
“To safeguard the communication networks and increase preparedness levels in this niche domain, Command Cyber Operations and Support Wings (CCOSW) are being raised in Indian Army,” government sources said here.

They said that Cyberspace has emerged as an important component of the military domain both in grey zone warfare as well as conventional operations,” they said.

Highlighting the importance and requirement of such specialist units, the sources said the expansion of cyber warfare capabilities by our adversaries has made the cyber domain more competitive and contested than ever before.

“The Indian Army today is rapidly migrating towards net centricity, which entails an increased reliance on modern communication systems at all levels,” they said.

Specifying the role of these new units, the sources said: “These organizations will assist the formations to undertake the mandated cyber security functions to strengthen the cyber security posture of the Indian Army.”

In the last few years, the Army has taken multiple steps to counter the aggression of adversaries in the form of virtual honey trapping and hacking.

The Defence Cyber Agency is working at the tri-services level to deal with these issues. (ANI)

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