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Two infiltration bids today. One in Uri, another in Naugam. One encounter is going in Handwara.

In the Uri attempt it self , there were ~15 militants trying to infiltrate since last midnight , today very early morning Pak rangers started giving them cover fire , our response meant 8~10 casualties on their side rest fled back.
 
Indian Army in Global Hunt for Assault Rifles, Endangering Excalibur
By: Vivek Raghuvanshi, October 6, 2016 (Photo Credit: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI — India has begun a global hunt to buy 185,000 7.62x51mm-caliber assault rifles, with more than $1 billion set aside for acquisition project, putting into question the fate of the homegrown assault rifle Excalibur, which is still in development by the state-owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

The fresh request for information (RFI) issued last week contains modified requirements and is expected to receive positive results, according to an official with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The official said the formal tender will be issued in April 2017.

"That project [Excalibur] does not have any future as Indian Army's requirement is of 7.62x51mm, whereas Excalibur is 7.62x45mm," a senior Indian Army official said.

Rahul Bhonsle, a retired Indian Army brigadier and defense analyst, said: "DRDO projects will remain technology demonstrators given that they do not provide the confidence to the customer, the Indian Armed Forces, that these weapons systems are modern or state of the art."

No DRDO official was available to comment on the fate of the Excalibur assault rifle.

An earlier attempt to buy the assault rifles, through a global tender in 2011, failed as only Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) had been able to fulfil the requirements.

Those involved in the 2011 trials were IWI, Colt of the United States, Beretta of Italy, and Ceska of the Czech Republic.

Detailing the new requirements in contrast to the 2011 tender, the senior Army official said: "It is single caliber now and not multi-caliber. Secondly, earlier [it] was 7.62x39mm, now [it] is 7.62x51mm."

The 2011 tender had sought a transfer of technology to the state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), which manages 41 state-owned defense factories.

The fresh RFI is likely to attract the same companies from the 2011 trials, according to the MoD official.

The RFI says the Army is seeking the specific caliber to replace the homegrown 5.56mm INSAS, an Indian small arms rifle.

The broad parameters specify the lightweight rifle should have a minimum effective range of 500 meters with limited recoil. With multi-option telescopic sights, the rifle should also be capable of being fitted with 40mm under-barrel grenade launchers.

The RFI also stipulates that the rifle should be compatible with visible laser-target pointers, holographic and other sights, and the rifle should be state of art in terms of design, metallurgy and performance parameters in such a way as to remain relevant for at least the next 25 years.

"The RFI is watered down, yet it still remains complex. Why does the Army require an assault rifle with a telescopic sight? [It] is not clear. Does it want every soldier to have a sniper capability? These complex, qualitative requirements do not augur well for the future of this RFI ... unless at the [request for proposal] stage there is a change," Bhonsle said.

"The range of 500 meters is highly optimistic," he added.

Email: vraghuvanshi@defensenews.com

http://www.defensenews.com/articles...hunt-for-assault-rifles-endangering-excalibur
 
President's Secretariat
08-October, 2016 23:06 IST
President of India inaugurates Berhampore Military Station


The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Berhampore Military Station today (October 8, 2016) at Berhampore, West Bengal.

Speaking on the occasion the President said that Berhampore Military Station has great importance because it is the only such station between Siliguri and Kolkata which is very near to Bangladesh border. He appreciated the sacrifices of the soldiers on the occasion and said that our soldiers have shown exemplary courage in every battle field. He saluted the brave hearts whose sacrifices are unparalleled.

The foundation stone of the Berhampore Military Station was laid by Shri Pranab Mukherjee two years back in February, 2014.

Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Shri Abhijit Mukherjee, Members of Parliament, Shri Zakir Hussain, Labour Minister, West Bengal, and Lt. Gen. Praveen Bakshi, GoC-in-C Eastern Command were also present on the occasion.

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Ministry of Defence
09-October, 2016 13:33 IST
Celebrating 67th Raising Day by Territorial Army

The Territorial Army celebrated it’s 67th Raising Day on 09 October 2016. To mark the occasion, an impressive parade was held at the Army Parade Ground in New Delhi. In a befitting ceremony, General Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Army Staff reviewed the parade and complimented the Territorial Army fraternity for doing yeoman service to the nation.

Territorial Army was exemplified by a spectacular display of their capabilities during the parade which was commanded by Col Krishnandu Barker and comprised of ten marching contingents, fifteen bands and three tableaus of Railway Engineers, Oil Sector & Ecological Territorial Army units.

Territorial Army soldiers, resplendent in their regimental attires, marched with military precision to the martial tunes displaying their impeccable standards and enviable bearing with enthusiasm and zeal. Tableaus of Ecological Task Force, Railway Engineers and the Oil Sector units showcased the valuable contribution of the Departmental Territorial Army units to the nation in the fields of environment conservation and in maintenance of essential services like Railways and Oil production and supply.

The parade was witnessed by other civil and military dignitaries, including military and defence-attaches from friendly foreign countries. Several prominent personalities have come forward to join the citizens’ Army and have not only enriched it organisationally but have contributed immensely in enhancing its image amongst the youth of the nation. Territorial Army has grown into a force with multi-dimensional capabilities.

The Chief of Army Staff applauded the good work done by the Territorial Army personnel in various fields and wished all ranks and their families good luck for a glorious future.

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Ministry of Defence
09-October, 2016 13:33 IST
Celebrating 67th Raising Day by Territorial Army

The Territorial Army celebrated it’s 67th Raising Day on 09 October 2016. To mark the occasion, an impressive parade was held at the Army Parade Ground in New Delhi. In a befitting ceremony, General Dalbir Singh, the Chief of Army Staff reviewed the parade and complimented the Territorial Army fraternity for doing yeoman service to the nation.

Territorial Army was exemplified by a spectacular display of their capabilities during the parade which was commanded by Col Krishnandu Barker and comprised of ten marching contingents, fifteen bands and three tableaus of Railway Engineers, Oil Sector & Ecological Territorial Army units.

Territorial Army soldiers, resplendent in their regimental attires, marched with military precision to the martial tunes displaying their impeccable standards and enviable bearing with enthusiasm and zeal. Tableaus of Ecological Task Force, Railway Engineers and the Oil Sector units showcased the valuable contribution of the Departmental Territorial Army units to the nation in the fields of environment conservation and in maintenance of essential services like Railways and Oil production and supply.

The parade was witnessed by other civil and military dignitaries, including military and defence-attaches from friendly foreign countries. Several prominent personalities have come forward to join the citizens’ Army and have not only enriched it organisationally but have contributed immensely in enhancing its image amongst the youth of the nation. Territorial Army has grown into a force with multi-dimensional capabilities.

The Chief of Army Staff applauded the good work done by the Territorial Army personnel in various fields and wished all ranks and their families good luck for a glorious future.

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Is it just me who always thinks the tableaus are an eyesore?
 
Ministry of Defence10-October, 2016 17:39 IST
ANC Celebrates 16th Raising Day 2016: Cincan Reviews Parade

16th Raising Day was celebrated by the Andaman and Nicobar Command on 08 Oct 2016. The only tri-service operational Command of the Indian Armed Forces commemorated its raising, by conducting several events over three days (07 – 09 Oct 16).

The Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command, Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, AVSM, reviewed the parade at INS UTKROSH and awarded Unit Citations to five Units for their outstanding performance in the last one year.

In his address, the CINCAN congratulated all the components for the synergy displayed in operations and training, optimum utilisation of resources and achievement of desired operational efficiency. He commended all ranks for flawless conduct of bilateral exercises with the littorals and jointness in operations, resulting in reduction in poaching activities, rescue of 47 civilians from the sea in the last one year, and successful conduct of Disaster Management Exercise. The CINCAN also highlighted several activities in the last one year such as participation in community outreach programmes and social welfare schemes under the aegis of Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA), conduct of multi specialty medical camps in remote areas and Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan as part of the commitment of ANC to serve the Islanders.

The CINCAN informed the Armed Forces personnel that several important projects of strategic significance had been approved by MoD in the recent months. He observed that these projects, coupled with recent induction of operational assets by all the components such as MI-17V5 helicopter, Dornier aircraft, Guided Missile Corvette, IPV, Fast Interceptor Crafts and radars would further enhance the operational capabilities of the ANC, in its primary role of safeguarding the territorial integrity of India.

The CINCAN exhorted all ranks and their families to maintain high level of alertness in order to guard against inimical elements. He also emphasized upon revisiting the preparedness against natural disasters and continuing efforts towards community outreach. The ceremony concluded with presentation of Unit Citation to five units as recognition of professional excellence in last one year. These units are 20 GRENADIERS, INS BITRA, COMMAND DIVING UNIT, COAST GUARD AIR ENCLAVE and 151 SQUADRON.

As part of the celebrations, CINCAN also attended a Barakhana organised at Brichgunj on 07 Oct 2016, a traditional meal with troops and families of all components of the ANC. Among other events, a media conference was held on 08 Oct 2016, chaired by CINCAN.

The celebrations concluded with Amphibious demonstration at Corbyn Cove beach on 09 Oct 16, attended by about 650 students from local schools. Amphibious and other ships of Navy and Coast Guard, armoured troops carriers of Army and aircraft of the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard participated in the demonstration. Amphibious operations are conducted to carry troops ashore via sea so as to regain a territory lost to the enemy or to gain enemy territory for progressing further operations. These operations are also conducted to render assistance during disaster relief when access to land by road/air becomes difficult. Being located in the island territories of Andaman and Nicobar, amphibious operations are the raison d’etre of ANC and are the pinnacle of joint operations by its components.

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http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nati...ndo-tibetan-border-police-canines-horses.html
In a first, special medals for Indo-Tibetan Border police canines, horses
Published Oct 10, 2016, 12:33 pm IST
Updated Oct 10, 2016, 12:38 pm IST
ITBP has chosen its workhorse 'Thubderbolt' and female dog 'Sophia' for the maiden decoration to be awarded to them.
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(Photo: ITBP Twitter)
New Delhi: For the first time, four-legged 'soldiers' who accompany troops in combat zones for sanitisation exercises and logistical tasks will be decorated with special medals instituted exclusively for them on lines of those given to troops.

The initiative has been taken by Sino-India border guarding force ITBP which has instituted an 'Animal Transport' and a 'K9' (canine) medal and has chosen its workhorse 'Thubderbolt' and female dog 'Sophia' for the maiden decoration to be awarded to them during its forthcoming 55th anniversary celebrations.

While the Indo-Tibetan Border Police force has been credited for inducting the first Belgian Malinois dogs for anti-Maoist operations in the country and other tough assignments like infantry patrols few years back, the force traditionally has a strong animal transport unit comprising horses, mules and ponies to aid troops guarding the high-altitude posts along the 3,488 km long Indo-China border.

Officials said this will be the first time that a security force had ordered the minting of special medals in this regard and till now exemplary work by these four-legged soldiers was recognised by issuing of regular commendation cards by the force chief or others.

The ITBP, they said, has made a beginning in recognising the exemplary and loyal support of these animals who literally walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the men in uniform whether in operations or any task in the internal security domain.

"The canines, horses and other animals are our silent arm which keeps working relentlessly.”

"The institution of medals is a special way to convey that we are thankful to them for their loyal services. The metal medals have been designed and minted in-house," ITBP Spokesperson Deputy Commandant Vivek K Pandey said.

The special medals were recently approved by ITBP Director General Krishna Chaudhary who will himself honour Sophia and Thunderbolt by putting the medals around their neck after a majestic parade to mark the force's anniversary in Greater Noida near here, they said.

While Sophia is credited with successfully sanitising events attended by VVIP dignitaries including numerous attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has sniffed out numerous Improvised Explosive Devices in the Naxal theatre, Thunderstorm has worked for a number of years in providing ammunition and rations to high-altitude ITBP posts on the border under hazardous climate, blizzards and thin oxygen all year round.

Sophia is at present deployed in the Naxal theatre in Chhattisgarh, while Thunderstorm is training at the ITBP centre in Bhanu near Chandigarh.

The 80,000-personnel strong ITBP was raised in 1962 in the aftermath of the Chinese aggression and the force, apart from rendering border guarding duties, is tasked to carry out various activities in the internal security domain in the country while its special squad is deployed to secure Indian diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.
 
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laying wreath at ‘Shaurya Smarak’, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on October 14, 2016.
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi unveiled the war memorial ‘Shaurya Smarak’, at Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh on October 14, 2016. The Governor of Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh, Shri O.P. Kohli, the Union Minister for Defence, Shri Manohar Parrikar, the Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visiting the museum at Shaurya Smarak, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on October 14, 2016. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is also seen.
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http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...d-forces-at-shaurya-samman-sabha_1939974.html

Bhopal: Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday lauded the valour of the Indian armed forces at the Shaurya Samman Sabha here and said that the nation has always set great example of courage for the world.

Parrikar while addressing the ex-servicemen in 'Shaurya Samman Sabha' said, "This nation has always displayed valour from Shiva ji Maharaj to Rana Pratap.

“The courage and valour of our armed forces was witnessed by the world in the wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971 the valour.

“This monument is to commemorate their sacrifice. And this is coming at a time when our armed forces have once again displayed their valour."

Parrikar earlier this week said the Indian Army and 127 crore people of the nation should be applauded for the operation.

Speaking at the 'Strengthening India's Defence Capabilities' event, Parrikar said, "127 crore people of this country and the Indian armed forces deserve the credit for the surgical strikes. Now, it should be clear where the credit lies. I don't take it."

India conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) on September 29.

ANI
 
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