nsurgency first erupted in India in Nagaland in 1956 when Angami Zaphu Phizo led Naga National Council started armed struggle. In 1966, the same story was repeated when Mizoram went up in flames. The Army units initially inducted to control the situation suffered heavy casualties. It was then realised that troops suffered avoidable casualties because of inadequate training for such operations.
A pressing need was felt to appropriately condition Infantry battalions earmarked for Counter Insurgency Operations before induction. Under the directions of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) SHFJ Manekshaw, MC, then General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, a decision was taken to establish a School to meet this much needed requirement. Accordingly, in 1967, Lieutenant Colonel (later Lt Gen) Mathew Thomas, established an adhoc Jungle Training School at Mynkre near Jowai (Shillong). In September 1968, this was designated as Eastern Command Counter Insurgency Training School.
Later the school was re-located at Vairengte in Mizoram and on 01 May 1970 started functioning as Counter Insurgency & Jungle Warfare (CIJW) School with Brigadier (later Lt Gen) Mathew Thomas as the founder Commandant.
On 01 August 1971, the School was placed in suspended animation in view of the impending Indo-Pak War. The Headquarters of the School provided the nucleus for Kilo Force and saw action in Operation ‘JACKPOT’ in erstwhile East Pakistan. The then Commandant, Brigadier (later Lt Gen) Anand Swarup, was awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his indomitable courage and leadership. In 1972, the School reverted back to its basic role and has grown in stature and strength successfully. Over the years progressive upgradations in all facilities has enabled CIJW School to carve a unique niche for itself.
The CIJW School presently, has over the years grown from a small training establishment for the Indian Army to a World Class Premier Training Institution. Today there is a long list of Foreign Armies that are lined up to send their contingents to train at the School. In addition the Army Headquarters receives innumerable requests from all CAPFs and PMF for training their contingents at the CIJW School. The IHQ of MoD (Army) has very appropriately nominated CIJW School as a Centre of Excellence in the field of Sub Conventional Operations. A major training asset of the School is the availability of most suitable terrain around it. The jungles provide the exclusivity that any training establishment longs for. The School has also designed an area that is akin to the terrain obtaining in J&K for imparting realistic training.
The Institution has so far trained over approximately six thousand officers, nearly twelve thousand JCOs and over two lakh personnel below officers rank. In addition 1,562 foreign students from as many as thirty countries have also undergone Counter Insurgency training here.
The essence of practical training is reinforced in the School’s training areas reminding constantly that while serving in the Armed Forces soldiers have no choice but to train and equip to combat terrorism. If not, they may end up training all their lives for a conventional war they may never fight, but fight a war all their lives for which they were never trained.
Training at the School is demanding - it is more of mental robustness than physical endurance he stresses. Dexterity, fitness alertness, marksmanship and innovativeness are among few attributes this great School instills.
International Interface for CI / CT Training. To understand and combat the growing menace of terrorism, armies world over are required to interface with each other so that they learn from each others experiences. Over the last few years the School has been the preferred destination for foreign visits, because of the tremendous experience of the Indian Army in combating the scourge of insurgency. It is a matter of pride that till date 400 Officers and 1162 Soldiers from 30 countries have undergone training at the school. In addition a large number of foreign delegations have been hosted by the School.
During the last four decades, it has blossomed into a ‘Centre of Excellence’, a rich repository of knowledge in the field of Sub Conventional Warfare. The School has, through continuous excellence, carved a place for itself in the global map. Hundreds of foreign soldiers from over 30 countries have trained at the School and the list is ever growing. CIJW School has transformed the ‘Gateway to Mizoram’ into a much sought after place by foreign Armies. The professionalism demonstrated by the instructors of the School is unmatched and has enabled this unique institution to live up to its Credo - “Fight the Guerrilla Like a Guerrilla”.
Trainees practicing on the Artificial Rock Climbing Wall