20180406
Army modernisation is gradually gaining momentum

Emphasis on 'Make in India': The army's modernisation plans received a major boost when the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accorded Acceptance of Necessity to several weapons systems tor the infantry in February 2018. The modernisation of the army is...

India Strategic | Apr 6, 2018
20180406
From strategic partnership to transactional relationship

India's new policy to diversify its sources of defence procurement, especially its reliance on Western weapons platforms despite their greater cost, had not been received well in Russia and the relationship had tended to deteriorate into a transactional rather than a strategic one. Russian leaders...

Defence & Security Alert | Apr 6, 2018
20180206
For lies & deceit

On January 4, the US government suspended security assistance to Pakistan for failing to take 'decisive action' against Taliban groups operating against the US and Afghan army personnel from safe havens in Pakistan. As for the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear warheads, these are well...

Defence & Security Alert | Feb 6, 2018
20180206
DAC clears $2b Indian army proposal for assault rifles

The DAC also approved the procurement of 5,719 Sniper Rifles for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force at a cost of Rs 982 crore under the 'Buy Global' category. The army's efforts to replace the malfunctioning 5.56 mm INSAS rifle, with a fault-free modern assault rifle, have been hanging fire for...

India Strategic | Feb 6, 2018
20180202
अब सर्जिकल स्ट्राइक से आगे की बड़ी कार्यवाई करनी होगी
Defence Monitor | Feb 2, 2018
20180106
Last man last round

In Lest We Forget Capt Amarinder Singh has written: "In an unusual mark of respect for which the Chinese are not usually noted, their bodies had been covered with blankets, pegged down with bayonets. There could have been no greater tribute to their courage than this acknowledgement by their enemy"....

India Strategic | Jan 6, 2018
20180106
The Indian Army’s stellar role in nation building

Loved and respected by his countrymen, the Indian soldier is a role model for the people of India. The Indian soldier's role in nation building has been truly outstanding.

India Strategic | Jan 6, 2018
20171214
राष्ट्रीय एकता व राष्ट्र निर्माण में थलसेना की भूमिका
Defence Monitor | Dec 14, 2017
20171205
Xi is king

On the same pedestal as Mao, Xi Jinping has once again asserted at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that he is Chinas undisputed leader, writes BRIG GURMEET KANWAL. He holds three posts - President of China, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the Chairman...

Geopolitics | Dec 5, 2017
20171105
Guns & Rifles: Slow Pace of Artillery and Infantry Modernisation

Under the army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan formulated in 1999, the Regiment of Artillery had decided to standardise the calibre of its guns at 155 mm so as to be able to engage targets deep inside enemy lines and to reduce the logistics trail through commonality of ammunition. The...

India Strategic | Nov 5, 2017
20171005
Can India fight China and Pakistan simultaneously?

As part of its grand strategy, China seeks to confine India to the backwaters of the Indian Ocean as a subaltern State and is using Pakistan as a proxy to keep India embroiled in conflict. Pakistan's offensive operations will probably begin in J&K, but may not necessarily remain limited to J&K.Can...

Salute | Oct 5, 2017
20171005
Strategic competition in Southern Asia: Emerging trend lines

While the region is riven by radical extremism, political instability, socio-economic challenges and ethnic tensions, exacerbated by the proliferation of small arms and narcotics trafficking, the China-India Strategic competition and China's collusion with Pakistan are key factors in the vitiated...

Geopolitics | Oct 5, 2017
20171005
Strategic competition in southern Asia: Emerging trend lines

While the region is riven by radical extremism, political instability, socio-economic challenges and ethnic tensions, exacerbated by the proliferation of small arms and narcotics trafficking, the China-India Strategic competition and China's collusion with Pakistan are key factors in the vitiated...

Geopolitics | Oct 5, 2017
20170805
Agenda for General Rawat

It is operational preparedness and the improvement of the army's combat effectiveness that should be the highest priorities for General Rawat. In March 2012, General VK Singh, then the COAS, had written to the Prime Minister about 'critical hollowness' in the Army's operational preparedness.

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170805
Helming the MoD

Several pragmatic amendments were approved by the Defence Minister and DPP 2016 was issued in early-April 2016.Weapons and equipment purchase projects worth over Rs 1,50,000 crore have been accorded 'acceptance of necessity by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Defence Minister since he...

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170805
Critical Hollowness

Several pragmatic amendments were approved by Manohar Parrikar, then defence minister, in the new Defence Procurement Procedure to streamline procurement procedures and encourage participation of the private sector in defence manufacture. Unless the remaining deficiencies in weapons, ammunition and...

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170805
In complete control

"Large-scale military reforms were initiated by Xi Jinping to make the PLA a more modern force"that can preserve China s territorial integrity and project power in China's area of strategic interest to extend China's strategic outreach through increased military presence overseas, especially in the...

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170805
Combined arms

Are these acquisitions in order? Is it desirable for both the army and the air force to be equipped with attack helicopters? In order to answer these questions, it is necessary to first analyse the role played by air power - comprising fighter-ground attack aircraft, attack helicopters and combat...

VAYU | Aug 5, 2017
20170805
India-China strategic competition: Seeds of conflict

Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary, has written: "Of late, China has been resorting increasingly to unilateral actions seeking to alter the status quoThe Chinese side maintains that in the"Convention Between Great Britain and China relating to Sikkim and Tibet", the southern-most point identified...

Geopolitics | Aug 5, 2017
20170803
डोकलाम: चीनी अश्वमेघ पर भारत की लगाम
Defence Monitor | Aug 3, 2017
20170405
Defence preparedness and military modernisation need urgent attention

If future responses to terrorist attacks lead to conflict, is India prepared? The short answer is that the state of defence preparedness merits the government's urgent attention. The budgetary allocations earmarked on the capital account for the modernisation of the armed forces will continue to be...

India Strategic | Apr 5, 2017
20170405
For peace sake

India's nuclear force structure is based on a triad of land, sea, and air based forces: Prithvi-2 SRBMs and Agni-1 to 4+ IRBMs manned by the Missile Groups of the Indian Army; nuclear glide bombs under-slung on Mirage 2000 and SU-30 MKI fighter-bomber aircraft of the Indian Air Force; and, in due...

Force | Apr 5, 2017
20170405
Challenges aplenty for the new defence minister

Parliaments Standing Committee on Defence and the armed forces have repeatedly recommended that it should be raised progressively to 3.0 per cent of the GDP if India is to build the defence capabilities that it needs to meet future threats and challenges and discharge its growing responsibilities as...

Geopolitics | Apr 5, 2017
20170305
Afghanistan: India must deploy troops

Besides a stable and preferably neutral government, India's political objectives include the following: ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a base and safe haven for terrorists and radical extremists: counter Pakistan's quest for strategic depth, acquire access to Afghanistan and through...

Salute | Mar 5, 2017
20170205
India’s nuclear capped missiles: Role in strategic deterrence

India's nuclear force structure is known to be based on a triad: Prithvi short-range ballistic missiles and various versions of the Agni IRBM manned by the missile groups of the Indian Army; nuclear glide bombs carried underslung on hard points on fighter-bomber aircraft of the Indian Air Force;...

Geopolitics | Feb 5, 2017
20170105
Cooperative society framework for the indo-pacific region

When asked, US officials normally point to India joining international counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation efforts; sharing intelligence; upholding the rules and norms governing maritime trade; providing help to the littoral states to meet their security needs; helping to counter piracy and...

Salute | Jan 5, 2017
20170105
Unpredicatbility the flavour of the times

"India's response to individual incidents of terrorism had so far been predictable - calling Pakistan lame and avoiding any reaction overtly. Now, by launching surgical strikes and taking other pro-active actions, India has introduced an element of unpredictability. Pakistan can no longer be sure...

Defence & Security Alert | Jan 5, 2017
20170105
Imperative need for a comprehensive national security strategy

A comprehensively formulated National Security Strategy reflects the national will to protect and promote national interests pertaining to security and dissuades adversaries from attempting to play mischief and also provides guidance to all stakeholders on policies related to national security....

Geopolitics | Jan 5, 2017
20161005
Pakistan Army: Stung in the tail

In keeping with its visceral hatred of India and in order to weaken India, as also to further China's objectives of reducing India's influence in Asia and confining it to the backwaters of the Indian Ocean as a subaltern state, the Pakistan army has adopted a carefully calculated strategy of...

Oct 5, 2016
20161001
आर्टिलरी आधुनिकीकरण: बढ़ते लेकिन धीमे कदम
Defence Monitor | Oct 1, 2016
20160801
लद्दाख मोर्चे के लिए भी स्ट्राइक कोर ज़रूरी
Defence Monitor | Aug 1, 2016
20160505
Indo-US Strategic partnership: A force for cooperative security in the Indo-Pacific

"In this era of strategic uncertainty, the only certainty is that Chinas rise 1s unlikely to be entirely peaceful. Chinas brazen violation of international norms in recent years, particularly its construction of military facilities on reclaimed islands in the South China Sea, and its growing...

Salute | May 5, 2016
20160105
Veterans – A resource to reduce officers’ shortage

As the shortage of officers is primarily in the ranks of Captain and Major, the solution apparently lies in a revamped short-service entry scheme which offers lateral induction into civilian Jobs after five to eight years of service in the Army. It would do the budding central services officers a...

Samaan | Jan 5, 2016
20151207
थलसेना: आधुनिकीकरण ने पकड़ी रफ़्तार
Defence Monitor | Dec 7, 2015
20151017
नहीं माना पीछे हटने का मौखिक आदेश
Defence Monitor | Oct 17, 2015
20150817
पाक के ‘ऑपरेशन जिब्रालटर’ के उड़ा दी धज्जियाँ
Defence Monitor | Aug 17, 2015
20150816
Noxious neighbour

There is disagreement on making peace overtures to India between the civil society in Pakistan and the Pakistan army and the ISI that exercise undue influence on the country's foreign and security policies. Pakistan's conflict with India will end only if, and when, a similar realisation dawns on the...

The Week | Aug 16, 2015
20150806
All weather partnership India-Russia defence cooperation

As the BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missile arched gracefully into the sky for its sixth test flight on November 23, 2003, and pierced the hull of its target some minutes later, it marked a new high point in the defence cooperation relationship between India and Russia. At present, India...

Aug 6, 2015
20150805
In defence of our defenders

Delay in OROP implementation could affect the morale of soldiers. The ministry of defence has repeatedly appealed against the court judgements that favour the veterans and soldiers widows- often contesting the award of paltry sums, even as the cost of litigation exceeds the amount at stake.

VAYU | Aug 5, 2015
20150705
Indian Army’s pivot to the mountains

In view of India's unresolved territorial disputes with China and Pakistan in the mountainous Himalayan region, there is a very high probability that the next major land conflict on the Indian sub-continent will again break out in the mountains. During the long history of post-independence conflicts...

Salute | Jul 5, 2015
20150505
Pakistan’s proxy war in Kashmir continues unabated

The twin terror attacks at Kathua and Samba in the Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir on March 20-21, 2015, the anti-India rally held by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masarat Alam at Srinagar on April 15, 2015, and renewed attempts by the Pakistan army and the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate to...

Salute | May 5, 2015
20150505
CDS and the theatre commands in India: An idea whose time has come

Ideally, the CDS should be an overall commander-in-chief and from him command should flow to individual theatre commanders. Contrary to the belief that only the United States needs a theatre system because of its wider geo-political interests and involvement in security issues all over the globe,...

May 5, 2015
20150206
Pakistan’s war on terror

Pakistan cannot survive as a coherent nation state unless the army gives up its agenda of seeking strategic depth in Afghanistan, attempts to destabilise India through its proxy war and stops meddling in politics. The Pakistan army has let down Pakistan and must make amends.

Diplomatist | Feb 6, 2015
20150206
Modernisation of army resumed after a decade of stagnation

The army has initiated a project to equip all its infantry battalions with a system that had for long been called the Future Infantry Soldier as a System. The BMS system will be integrated with the Army Static Communications system.

Fauji India | Feb 6, 2015
20150106
Defensive and offensive operations in the plains

Among countries with modern armed forces, India and Pakistan are possibly the only two countries in the world that believe in the concept of separate holding and strike corps, for defensive and offensive operations, respectively. Once battle is joined and the enemy launches an offensive in the corps...

Jan 6, 2015
20140606
Artillery modernisation: End of stagnation

Under the army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan formulated in 1999, the Regiment of Artillery had decided to standardise the calibre of its guns at 155mm so as to ensure commonality of ammunition. The artillery plans to plan a total of 2,820 guns of all types to replace obsolescent guns and to...

SP's Land Forces | Jun 6, 2014
20121104
The battle of Rezang La

Though the 1962 war was a complete disaster for the country, there were many instances where Indian soldiers exhibited their indomitable spirit and unparallelled courage Fiffy years ago, India suffered the ignominy of a military […]

The Pioneer | Nov 4, 2012
20121028
Give the Stressed jawan a break and a buddy

The central police and paramilitary forces, now called central armed police forces (CAPFs), have been increasingly employed for internal security duties over the last ten years, particularly for counterinsurgency operations in areas affected by left […]

The Times of India | Oct 28, 2012
20121028
Give the stressed jawan a break and a buddy

The central police and paramilitary forces, now called central armed police forces (CAPFs), have been increasingly employed for internal security duties over the last ten years, particularly for counterinsurgency operations in areas affected by left […]

The Times of India | Oct 28, 2012
20120220
Fighting terrorism

In an address to officers of the Intelligence Bureau on December 23, 2009; the Home Minister had envisioned the NCTC as an Organisation capable of "Preventing a terrorist attack, containing a terrorist attack should one take place, and responding to a terrorist attack by inflicting pain upon the...

The Tribune | Feb 20, 2012
20120130
Strike Corps: Rethinking Structure and Role

Pakistan’s so-called ‘low nuclear threshold’, as perceived by most Indian analysts, and the need to mass firepower rather than forces when planning to fight in a nuclear environment, prompt the need for a fresh look […]

Defence & Technology | Jan 30, 2012
20120115
Facing up to China

While India-China relations have been fairly stable at the strategic level, these have been marked by political, diplomatic and military instability at the tactical level due to Beijing’s increasing belligerence. The latest incident is that […]

The Pioneer | Jan 15, 2012
20120101
Things better, but we’ve got to keep eye open, powder dry

Though the year gone by was relatively peacefull for India, the security environment in India’s regional neighbourhood has been steadily deteriorating. The greatest causes of regional instability are the strident march of , Islamist fundamentalism […]

The Times of India | Jan 1, 2012
20120101
Things better, but we’ve got to keep eye open, powder dry

Though the year gone by was relatively peacefull for India, the security environment in India’s regional neighbourhood has been steadily deteriorating. The greatest causes of regional instability are the strident march of , Islamist fundamentalism […]

The Times of India | Jan 1, 2012
20111120
Ayo Gorkhali! The war cry that has done us proud

A week ago, 2/5 GR (FF)— the Second Battalion of the Fifth ‘Gorkha Rifles, frontier Force popularly known as the VC paltan Celebrated its 125th anniversary. The famous battalion is called VC paltan because of […]

The Times of India | Nov 20, 2011
20110911
Let’s stop being MAD, move to CBMs

In 1998, India went nuclear. Within weeks, Pakistan Followed suit with multiple nuclear tests. Having included al nuclear weapons in their ever growing arsenal, both India and Pakistan now have incorporated nuclear capabilities into their […]

The Times of India | Sep 11, 2011
20110724
Big chinks in our security armour

India faces complex external and internal security threats and new challenges are emerging on the horizon. unresolved territorial disputes with China and Pakistan, insurgencies in Jammu & Kashmir and the northeastern states, the rising tide […]

The Times of India | Jul 24, 2011
20060624
Shoot before talking

Even if the suspicion is not too strong and the links of terrorists with the organisation across the border have been established only tenuously, to begin with, retaliation must be swift and accurately targeted to deliver the message that India has shown enough restraint and that from now onwards,...

Sahara Time | Jun 24, 2006
20060116
A peace pact waiting to be made

As the foreign secretaries from India and Pakistan try this week to sustain the peace process amidst growing mutual suspicion, the Siachen question offers one potential area where recent progress could be consolidated. When demilitarisation at Siachen is finally completed, it will act as a...

Jan 16, 2006
20050801
Americas summer of discontent

Military officials in the Pentagon are known to be of the view that Iraq’s political and military leaders are unlikely to be ready to lead the counter-insurgency effort till the summer of 2006.

The Indian Express | Aug 1, 2005
20050716
Uncle Sam’s bear hug

Since the September 11 attacks in New York, India has acted decisively to support America's war on terrorism, even though the US has still not fully acknowledged that India too faces a similar threat from Islamist fundamentalist terrorism. Contrary to the US belief during the Cold War that India was...

The Tribune | Jul 16, 2005
20050712
Siachen conflict and the Indo-Pak rapprochement

The latter is unwilling to accept delineation of the AGPL as it has been telling its own people that they are in a dominating position at Siachen. If Pakistan violates a mutually agreed disengagement from Siachen and occupies vacated areas at any time in the future, India will have many options -...

Jul 12, 2005
20050405
Demilitarising Siachen: Desirable but difficult

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced at Siachen Base Camp during a visit on August 13, 2004, that "Military personnel will meet to discuss the demilitarisation exercise and report back to their respective governments." Referring to the issue of demarcation of the Actual Ground Position Line,...

Apr 5, 2005
20050228
Defence budget: Some worries

Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence has argued for long that the budgetary allocations made for defence are grossly inadequate. Former finance minister, Jaswant Singh, had created history of sorts by instituting a rolling, non-lapsable defence modernisation fund of Rs 25,000 crore in the...

The Indian Express | Feb 28, 2005
20050203
‘High probability of India’s next war being in mountains’

Among his deductions were the high probability that the next war would erupt in the mountains with a medium chance it would remain confined to that region and not escalate. Calling for the Indian Army to further upgrade its mountain warfare capability, Brig Kanwal suggested that out of the three...

Daily Excelsior | Feb 3, 2005
20050101
American strategy, Pakistani need

Besides the need to continue to retain Pakistan's support in the hunt for al-Qaida and Taliban terrorists, the US is acutely aware of the fragility of the Musharraf regime in the face of Islamist hardliners in the army, in particular, and the country, at large. The US is planning to cooperate with...

Hard News | Jan 1, 2005
20041227
The LoC fence is bad strategy

The only possible gain that may have been considered worthwhile by planners is that such a fence would eventually give a semblance of strategic finality to the LoC as an international border. It clearly emerges that the fence has no military utility and its construction is bad strategy and poor...

The Indian Express | Dec 27, 2004
20041226
Pervez Musharraf under pressure

Pakistan is living through turbulent times and General Musharraf, its self-styled President, is under tremendous pressure. Pakistan's proxy war with India will go on because the Pakistan army will not allow Musharraf to change its fundamental policy towards India.

The Tribune | Dec 26, 2004
20041218
India protests too much

The United States had co-opted Pakistan as a frontline state in its fight against communism during the Cold War, and armed it with Patton tanks, F-86 Sabre Jets and F-104 Starfighters. The sharp Indian reaction to the announcement of a new US arms package for Pakistan is understandable.

The Pioneer | Dec 18, 2004
20041206
Facelift for the UN

The panel has emphasised that in the age of globalisation, poverty, deprivation and mass disease are as great threats to states as terrorism and WMD. Development and human security are frontline issues and the panel has laid stress on these. The panel has reaffirmed the right of states to defend...

TOI | Dec 6, 2004
20041201
Maximising minimum security

Other notable measures included the establishment of a National Security Council with an active National Security Advisory Board, the partial merger of the three Services Headquarters with the Ministry of Defence and the establishment of the Strategic Forces Command to manage India's nuclear...

Hard News | Dec 1, 2004
20041001
India-Pakistan Detente Peace balks

The realisation is gradually dawning in Pakistan that it has gained nothing from half a century of conflict with India, and that while India has made rapid economic strides, Pakistan has become a basket-case economy that has to be bailed out by periodic doses of generous aid from the World Bank and...

Hard News | Oct 1, 2004
20040905
Demilitarising Siachen: Put on Ice

According to the joint statement issued at the end of the talks, the two sides agreed to "continue their discussions with a view to resolving the Siachen issue in a peaceful manner". Unless Pakistan reviews its rigid stand on delineation of the AGPL, the Siachen conflict will remain an intractable...

Hard News | Sep 5, 2004
20040722
The last Shangri La

Nestled between the snowcapped high-altitude mountains of the Great Himalayan Range and the Shamshabari Range in north Kashmir is the pristine Gurez Valley - probably the last remaining Shangri La since the Zanskar Valley in Ladakh was discovered a few decades ago. Spouting near Kaobal Gali, a pass...

The Tribune | Jul 22, 2004
20040702
Managing security

Though the National Security Advisory Board of the National Security Council has drawn up a draft nuclear doctrine that is fairly comprehensive and a strategic forces command has been established, the remaining contours of the nuclear force structure, including its targeting, surveillance, early...

Jul 2, 2004
20040701
Maximum security minimum fuss

While a strategic defence review is yet to be conducted, the CMP won't ruffle any feathers, which augurs well for a national political consensus on major foreign policy and security issues. The UPA promises to make the National Security Council a "Professional and effective institution" and has...

Hard News | Jul 1, 2004
20040701
Chinks in the armour

Although India had established diplomatic relations with Israel under a Congress government headed by P V Narasimha Rao in 1992, the previous National Democratic Alliance government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee had warmed up to Israel like never before. Today, despite the Left's stance against...

Hard News | Jul 1, 2004
20040615
Not merely an oil shock

The World Bank has estimated that the energy demand in India will grow at 5.3 per cent up to 2010 and at 10 per cent after that. More than 70 per cent of India's oil, that has a share of about 36 per cent in India's energy pie, is now imported.

The Tribune | Jun 15, 2004
20040601
Rightsizing is Wrong

Ac expenditure on manpower accounts for over 90 per cent of the army's budget, all possible avenues need to be explored to save manpower costs without compromising the army's operational preparedness. Such a move offers a lucrative opportunity to save on manpower costs by increasing the number of...

Hard News | Jun 1, 2004
20040528
Military route to the civil services

While critics might argue that it would prevent qualified MBAs and engineers from joining the central services it is still debatable whether the 'generalist' central services really need them. Compulsory military service for the entry into the civil services will also result in giving civilian...

Sahara Time | May 28, 2004
20040523
Seize the moment

There is little likelihood of quick results on Kashmir as India sees the present dialogue process as a means of maintaining the status quo and Pakistan perceives it as a means to change the status quo in its favour. India should make a case against capping short-range ballistic missiles, such as...

The Week | May 23, 2004
20040406
CDS and the theatre commands in India : An idea whose time has come

Ideally, the CDS should be an overall commander-in-chief and from him command should flow to individual theatre commanders. Contrary to the belief that only the United States needs a theatre system because of its wider geo-political interests and involvement in security issues all over the globe,...

Apr 6, 2004
20040323
Listen, the general is speaking

Responding to questions in an interview that was telecast live during the India Today Conclave, the general stated quite unequivocally that no leader in Pakistan could afford to ignore the centrality of Kashmir as a dispute between India and Pakistan. Do we now know where we stand, or did we always...

The Indian Express | Mar 23, 2004
20040226
Paramilitary Forces-II

The CPMFs must work out an arrangement with the army to not only allot more vacancies in army courses but also to run special courses for CPMF personnel in their training academies. With their present organisational structure, organic weapons and rudimentary surveillance capabilities, they are not...

The Statesman | Feb 26, 2004
20040225
Paramilitary Forces-I

The army, the navy, the air force and the coast guard are armed forces of the union. The Border Security Force was raised as a paramilitary force and was initially led by regular army officers.

The Statesman | Feb 25, 2004
20040224
Pakistani nukes may end up in jihadi hands

No real analysis has emerged about the implications for India, particularly of the likelihood of Pakistani nuclear warheads falling into jihadi hands. Ever since Pakistan's tit-for-tat nuclear explosions at Chagai in May 1998, there has been widespread apprehension that its nuclear warheads may fall...

The Indian Express | Feb 24, 2004
20040220
Chief of Defence Staff a necessity

Well into the first decade of the 21st century and almost six years after nuclear India is still without a Chief of Defence Staff. While the tri-service Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff was formed, it is still headed by a three-star officer who reports to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff...

The Tribune | Feb 20, 2004
20040124
Are Pakistan’s nukes in safe hands?

India would be particularly vulnerable to nuclear terrorism if the lunatic fringe of Pakistan's jihadi forces were to lay their hands on nuclear warheads, While the threat to the US from nuclear terrorism is no doubt real, that to India is much greater because of India's contiguity with Pakistan and...

Sahara Time | Jan 24, 2004
20040122
But keep the powder dry in Kashmir

It allows the Pakistani army the freedom to continue its nefarious activities in Kashmir without fear. It allows the Pakistani army the freedom to continue its nefarious activities in Kashmir without fear of retribution.

The Indian Express | Jan 22, 2004
20040116
War in Iraq

Like in Gulf War I, Kosovo and in Afghanistan, the first deadly payloads in Gulf War Il were delivered from the air - by coalition air force, including, the air corps of the US marines, land-attack cruise missiles attack helicopters and smart artillery shells. In the ultimate the analysis the Powell...

Sahara Time | Jan 16, 2004
20040101
Last man standing

Inducted into the theatre of operations well before the actual war began, the US Army's under-cover Delta Force, Green Berets and Rangers; the Navy's SEALS, and a handful of Air Force and Marine Corps units, together with British and Australian SF units, played a bigger role in Iraq than in any...

Force | Jan 1, 2004
20040101
Pakistan army’s downsizing effort

After a meeting of senior formation commanders last week, Major General Shaukat Sultan, the spokesperson of the Pakistan army, announced that in an effort to improve its teeth-to-tail ratio, the army will reduce its strength by 50,000 personnel during the year 2004. The Pakistan army has long been...

Jan 1, 2004
20040101
Nuke proof

Though nuclear weapons are not weapons of fighting a war, the capability and the readiness of the armed forces to absorb these weapons and adapt themselves to the requirements of the nuclear age determine the size of a nation's nuclear force structure at any given point of time. The chances of...

Newsray feature | Jan 1, 2004
20030427
‘AirLand’ synergy the key

Employed in synergism with ground forces, air power is a force multiplier that can pave the way for victory. It is this synergy between the Indian army and our air force that needs improvement, where the response time between an immediate air strike being initiated and delivered is still greater...

Hindustan Times | Apr 27, 2003
20020917
Geo Political Instability

Political considerations must not be allowed to override international security concerns; and militarised foreign policy should not dictate political discourse. To ensure security and stability, today all nations need to exhibit immense political will, ingenuity and imaginations while dealing with...

The Statesman | Sep 17, 2002
20020828
Asian Security-II

There is a consensus among Asian countries that the early elimination of nuclear weapons is unlikely to come about without a pro-active part being played by the non-nuclear weapon states because, in the perception of the nuclear weapons states, nuclear deterrence has become even more relevant in the...

The Statesman | Aug 28, 2002
20020827
Asian Security-I

While the countries of South Asia are plagued by the challenges of regional security, the countries of southeast Asia are more concerned with balancing the prowling influence of China and non-military challenges rather than conventional sources of insecurity. The received wisdom is that Asia is too...

The Statesman | Aug 27, 2002
20020807
Operation Vijay-II

While army convoys had continued to ply throughout Pakistan's daily bombardment of Drass village and other points on NH 1A, it had not been considered prudent to allow civilian traffic to ply on the the highway till Tiger Hill was finally cleared and direct observation of the road was denied to the...

The Statesman | Aug 7, 2002
20020806
Operation Vijay-I

While the overall strategic aim of Pakistan in engineering intrusions across the LoC under the facade of Kashmir militancy was quite obviously to provide a fresh impetus to the flagging jehad and again attempt to focus international attention on the Kashmir issue, the intrusions had multiple...

The Statesman | Aug 6, 2002
20020723
Tactical Nukes-II

Indian advocates of tactical nuclear weapons pre-suppose that when pushed to the wall, Pakistan would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons against India's mechanised forces inside Pakistani territory. Many Indian analysts recommend that in response to a Pakistani nuclear strike on Indian forces,...

The Statesman | Jul 23, 2002
20020722
Tactical Nukes-I

An examination of the range of nuclear weapons, their yield, the location of the delivery system, the location of the target and the alert or readiness status of the weapon, reveals much overlap between tactical, theatre and strategic nuclear weapons. If nuclear weapons are to be employed as...

The Statesman | Jul 22, 2002
20020615
Chinese Military – I

After an extensive review of regional wars since the 1980s, the PLA leadership concluded that new means of firepower are important factors in determining the outcome of modem military operations, the degree of jointmanship and overall coordination between the different branches of the armed forces...

The Statesman | Jun 15, 2002
20020608
Strategic Crossroads

"Pakistan's army has been actively aiding and abetting infiltration along the LoC. Its ISl-controlled jehad factories have been working overtime to produce fedayeen suicide squads. The ruthless Fedayeen mercenaries of the Al Qaeda, the Taliban, the Lashkar-e-Taiba and umpteen other such...

The Statesman | Jun 8, 2002
20020516
United Nations-II

Echoing a similar view, former Soviet - President Mikhail Gorbachov called the KOSOVO war "a disgrace to all of us who tried to build a New World Order based on political methods and a strong role for the United Nations Security CouncilInstead, we see Nato itself as supreme arbiter, using military...

The Statesman | May 16, 2002
20020515
United Nations-I

Since most of the conflicts that require UN intervention are in the Third World countries, these developing countries have a major stake in ensuring that the UN peace-keeping apparatus functions smoothly and impartially. The most important task facing the developing countries is to work in a united...

The Statesman | May 15, 2002
20020504
Generating Asymmetries-II

Because of the high density of air defence weapons in the tactical battle area, air forces the world over are advocating that battlefield air interdiction, that is, the engagement of targets deep' inside enemy territory, would provide greater payoffs than close air support missions. The problem of...

The Statesman | May 4, 2002
20020503
Generating Asymmetries-I

The primary agents of firepower will be the guns, mortars, multi-barrel rocket launchers and surface-to-surface missiles of the artillery, the guns and missiles of mechanised forces in close combat with the enemy and the missiles, cannon, rockets and bombs of attack helicopters and fighter ground...

The Statesman | May 3, 2002
20020413
Clash of civilisations

His hypothesis is simple and straightforward: "The fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural. Nation-states will remain the most powerful actors...

The Statesman | Apr 13, 2002
20020328
Nuclear Posture

Tellis examines the persistent claim of prominent Indian strategic theorists that India will adopt an indigenous nuclear doctrine that seeks to avoid the pitfalls of the dominant strategic solutions incarnated during the Cold War and whether it would be reasonable to suggest that India would develop...

The Statesman | Mar 28, 2002
20020321
Whither Musharraf?

General Musharraf finds himself in a most unenviable position - Pakistan's polity has been torn asunder by recent events, the Mullahs are up in arms, his support base within the army is being gradually eroded and Indian troops are lined up in full battle gear across Pakistan's eastern border....

The Statesman | Mar 21, 2002
20020312
Asymmetric Warfare-II

The aim will be to make the few remaining heavy forces more mobile and easily deployable and the light forces more lethal. The moves towards Force XXII and the Army After Next are a reflection of the Pentagon's latest assessment of US strategy and the force structure required to defend vital...

The Statesman | Mar 12, 2002
20020311
Asymmetric Warfare-I

Simultaneously, work had commenced on the early 21st century army force to be called Force XXI, to be fully operational by 2010. Force XXI would be followed by a still more modernised new force that would be designed to meet future challenges likely to confront the US army around 2020-25.

The Statesman | Mar 11, 2002
20020125
Nuclear Standoff-II

The first is to clearly spell out that a nuclear strike on Indian soldiers, including those who may be within Pakistani territory during war, would be deemed to be a nuclear strike on India and would invite massive punitive nuclear retaliation. India's desire to develop a credible minimum nuclear...

The Statesman | Jan 25, 2002
20020124
Nuclear Standoff-I

Writing in the Pakistan Defence Journal, General Lodhi stated; "In a deteriorating military situation when an Indian conventional attack is likely to break through our defences or has already breached the main defence line causing a major set-back to the defences which cannot be restored by...

The Statesman | Jan 24, 2002
20020116
Chinese Military-II

China's new strategy focuses on handling limited, short duration conflicts along Chinas periphery and in economically important maritime areas. Henry Kissinger has written: "China has always dealt with foreign dangers, with extraordinary tenacity. it-has survived 5000 years of turbulent history by...

The Statesman | Jan 16, 2002
20011217
Internal Security

The-employment of the central security 'forces for internal security duties and counter-insurgency operations is mostly ad hoc and diverts their attention and resources from their primary roles.

The Statesman | Dec 17, 2001
20011126
Defence Cooperation

Headline-grabbing reports of a $10 billion long-term defence cooperation agreement between India and Russia during External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh's June 2001 visit to Moscow once again brought to the fore the extent to which the India-Russia defence cooperation relationship has recently...

The Statesman | Nov 26, 2001
20011124
Afghanistan:Emerging Scenario

In the worst case scenario for Pakistan, if the Taliban is completely defeated and evicted from Afghanistan, Pakistan will nave to contend with approximately 30,000 to 40,000 fully armed and trained militiamen on it soil, including about 5,000 Arabs who are either fugitives from justice in their...

PTI Feature | Nov 24, 2001
20011121
Nuclear Terrorism

The US may get around the basic premise of the Non-Proliferation Treaty that binds the five recognised nuclear weapons states not to attack non-nuclear states with nuclear weapons by claiming that the possession of nuclear warheads even by terrorist organisations being hosted by a state makes the...

The Statesman | Nov 21, 2001
20011024
After Taliban – II

The number of Afghan refugees in India already runs into about 50,000 and India can ill afford another major influx. India should not get militarily involved in the conflict as that may inflame public opinion within India as well as earn the wrath of Islamic countries.

The Statesman | Oct 24, 2001
20011023
After Taliban – I

While there may be some merit in this argument, the real reason is that there are few military targets to hit and the widely dispersed Taliban forces cannot be severely confronted without causing major damage to innocent Afghan civilians in whose towns and villages the Taliban take shelter. Although...

The Statesman | Oct 23, 2001
20011011
Military Response

US B-52 bombers from Diego Garcia, F-15 and F-16 fighter bombers and British Tornados from air bases in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar are likely to be utilised for delivering heavier payloads against larger targets such as air strips. Contrary to popular perceptions, the US is...

The Statesman | Oct 11, 2001
20010929
International danger diabolic: Osama’s war

With a grim face, President George W. Bush declared war on terrorism and General Colin Powell, his Secretary of State, lost no time in pointing a finger at Osama bin Laden as the primary suspect. In striking at the heart of US capitalism and national security, Osama bin Laden, perhaps the preeminent...

PTI Feature | Sep 29, 2001
20010915
Kashmir Success

Contrary to the canards being spread by vested interests, that the army is tired and India is negotiating from a position of weakness in J&K, the army has actually enhanced its capability to deal with the foreign sponsored insurgency by several orders of magnitude. The army has never been so assured...

The Statesman | Sep 15, 2001
20010911
Guarding nation’s frontiers: Need for Hi-tech aid

Though precision-guided munitions are relatively more costly than standard high-explosive shells, these 'smart' munitions are more effective since only a direct hit from a 'dumb' artillery shell can destroy a bunker.

Daily Excelsior | Sep 11, 2001
20010822
Kashmir army has militants on the run

Contrary to the canards being spread by vested interests, that the army is tired and India is negotiating from a position of weakness in J&K, the army has actually enhanced its capability to deal with the foreign-sponsored insurgency by several orders of magnitude. The army has never been so assured...

PTI Feature | Aug 22, 2001
20010815
Nation’s Pride-II

Dubbed "Scrupulously apolitical" the Indian army's greatest achievement since Independence is undoubtedly its monumental contribution to keeping the Indian nation united, despite strong fissiparous tendencies, strident religious fundamentalism, ethnic dissonance and externally aided insurgencies.

The Statesman | Aug 15, 2001
20010814
Nation’s Pride-I

For over 50 years since independence, the Indian army nas been at the forefront as the guarantor of the nation's freedom against external aggression, along with the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, and as the primary force engaged in keeping the nation together in the face of internal discord,...

The Statesman | Aug 14, 2001
20010804
Gauging Musharraf

The Pakistan army's single-minded pursuit of its proxy war for over a decade clearly indicates its long-term game plan to destabilise India by keeping the pot boiling in Kashmir, keep the Indian army and other security forces embroiled in counter-insurgency operations and, more recently, to extend...

The Statesman | Aug 4, 2001
20010703
Pakistan’s Military-II

In any case, the Pakistan army had by then gone too far with its planning for Operation "Badr" in the Kargil district of J&K and was not going to allow Sharif to ruin what the Pakistan GHQ thought was a bold plan to once again seize the military and moral high ground in Kashmir. Bruised and battered...

The Statesman | Jul 3, 2001
20010702
Pakistan’s Military-I

Now, less than two years later, the General has appointed himself President of Pakistan for five years and signalled that he is here to stay as General Zia-ul Haq. On the demise of General Zia, General Aslam Beg stepped into the power vacuum as COAS and Ghulam Ishaq Khan, a Pakistan Civil Service...

The Statesman | Jul 2, 2001
20010611
PoK area residents demand Balawaristan

"Not only were the NLI soldiers used as cannon fodder, even the bodies of their dead comrades were moved at night to avoid publicity and they were mostly buried in the same civilian clothes in which they had left for the front line." Residents of the Northern Areas also claim that the wounded NLI...

The Tribune | Jun 11, 2001
20010530
Nuclear hazards

Nuclear weapons states must clearly spell out their strategy, inspire confidence in their adversaries that they will abide by their declared stance and should give credible evidence that adequate checks and balances have been built into their nuclear decision-making process and nuclear weapons...

The Statesman | May 30, 2001
20010529
Nation states

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Martin Wolf expresses the view: "The modern form of globalisation will not spell the end of the modern nation-state. International economic integration magnifies the difference between good and bad states failed states, disorderly states, weak states and corrupt states...

The Statesman | May 29, 2001
20010514
Star wars

Missile defences require an elaborate surveillance and early warning system to detect a hostile launch through military satellites and ground-based radars and suitable interceptors to destroy the incoming missile before it can reach its intended target.

The Statesman | May 14, 2001
20010507
Pipeline politics

The 2,200 km overland pipeline from Assaluyeh and Bandar Abbas in Iran, which would pass through Pakistan and link up with the existing HBJ pipeline in Rajasthan, is likely to cost about $3 billion.

The Statesman | May 7, 2001
20010427
The big guns who blazed a trails of glory

Regimental reunions are a lot like joyous summer holidays — anticipated with relish, experienced with happiness and remembered with nostalgia. The recent artillery Reunion at Deolali was as memorable as the nine others that had […]

The Times of India | Apr 27, 2001
20010422
Strategic Culture

Since the May 1998 Pokhran-ll nuclear tests and India's declaration of itself as a nuclear armed state, India's strategic culture is being gradually reshaped to a more resurgent and vigorous one and India has at long last launched a quest for strategic autonomy.

The Statesman | Apr 22, 2001
20010317
Defence Expenditure

Ironically, each one of them further reduced the budgeted defence expenditure, both in real terms and as a percentage of the GDP. At 3.59 per cent of the GDP in 1987-88, the defence expenditure was the highest ever after 1963-64 when it had been hiked from 1.69(1961-62) to 3.84 per cent of the GDP...

The Statesman | Mar 17, 2001
20010210
Cyber Warfare

Regardless of what term is used to describe the war form of the future - besides cyberwars, the other terms in vogue include knowledge warfare, information warfare and command and control warfare - jt is clear that an information and knowledge driven new type of war-form has emerged.

The Statesman | Feb 10, 2001
20010128
Unholy warriors

Syed Salahuddin, wants India to recognise that Pakistan is a party to the Kashmir dispute, to agree to engage in tripartite talks with Pakistan and Kashmiri representatives and to reduce the number of troops deployed in Kashmir to 1989 levels. Violent acts of terrorism in J&K and elsewhere in India...

The Statesman | Jan 28, 2001
20010106
Deterrent Power

Since India's GDP is growing at the compounded annual rate of approximately seven per cent, it clearly emerges that the expenditure likely to be Incurred on maintaining a credible minimum deterrent comprising 200 nuclear warheads is eminently affordable.

The Statesman | Jan 6, 2001
20001216
Limited War

The Indo-Pakistan conflicts of 1947-48, 1965 and 1971, the Falklands War, the long drawn out lran-lraq conflict, the Soviet intervention in and ignominious withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Gulf War of 1990-91 were all limited wars. Not only does the sudden outbreak of a limited war between India...

The Statesman | Dec 16, 2000
20001203
Mission Kashmir

Most security analysts commenting on the Prime Minister's unilateral declaration of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan have completely missed the primary motivation for the initiative - it reflects the overwhelming desire of the Kashmiri people for peace. Disgusted at...

The Statesman | Dec 3, 2000
20001120
Defence Intelligence

The artillery, firing large - calibre high explosive shells and 155-mm precision strike ammunition. Though precision-guided munitions are relatively more costly than standard high explosive shells, these 'smart' munitions are more effective since only a direct hit from a 'dumb' artillery shell can...

The Statesman | Nov 20, 2000
20001104
Afghanistan Imbroglio

Abdul Rashid Dostum's Northern Alliance, propped up by tacit support from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, the Central Asian Republics bordering Afghanistan, and by the physical presence of approximately 20,000 Russian troops north of Afghanistan's border, can still influence the final...

The Statesman | Nov 4, 2000
20001022
Military power

Though present apprehensions of Aziz and Mahmoud Ahmed posing a threat to Musharraf would appear to be exaggerated, they may fall out with their leader if Musharraf appears to give in and compromises with either India or the West on Pakistan's policies on major issues such as the resolution of the...

The Statesman | Oct 22, 2000
20000929
Militancy in Kashmir: Trends and responses

Attempts were made by the ISI to widen the arc of militancy to areas in the States bordering J&K, such as in the Dalhousie-Chamba area of Himachal Pradesh. When finally implemented, these measures will help to prevent forced migration of members of the minority community and enable the JKP and the...

The Sentinel | Sep 29, 2000
20000923
Military Service

Compulsory military service for entry into the central services will also result in giving civilian bureaucrats a better understanding of India's defence and security interests and needs and will create a permanent bond of camaraderie and friendship between Civilians and the military. In sum,...

The Statesman | Sep 23, 2000
20000917
India’s External Security Environment

India has adopted a policy of Zero tolerance' for terrorism and has clearly stated that there can be no meaningful discussions with Pakistan till that country completely stops the sponsorship of terrorism in India. China's unjustifiable opposition to India's nuclear weapons programme, its continuing...

The Sentinel | Sep 17, 2000
20000907
Signing CTBT

FLAWS. "Secondly, the CTBT did not envision any linkage with time-bound nuclear disarmament. Without such a linkage, the CTBT has further legitimised the nuclear weapons of the five nuclear weapons states. The Indian representative had explained at Geneva that India could not"accept any restraints...

The Statesman | Sep 7, 2000
20000827
A proxy war

Favourable prospects for peace in J&K unnerved the Pakistan army and the ISI. Though Islamabad had approved the Hizbul's initial cease-fire move, to score some diplomatic brownie points, Pakistan's military rulers belatedly realised that their control over the militancy in Kashmir would be gradually...

The Statesman | Aug 27, 2000
20000822
Pakistan’s Crisis of credibility

While the Indian estimates of Pakistani casualties were 45 officers and 704 other ranks, Sharif has stated that Pakistan "Had to suffer heavy loss of human lives which was more than even the 1965 war."Withdrawing across the Line of Control with unseemly haste, the Pakistan Army even disowned Its...

The Sentinel | Aug 22, 2000
20000820
Pakistanis seek truth on Kargil

Calling the Kargil fiasco the "Biggest debacle after the 1971 war with India," Sharif bemoaned the fact that he was not taken into confidence by Pakistan's rogue army about its Kargil plans and, though the preparation for the intrusions began in January, 1999, he was informed only on May, 1999, when...

The Tribune | Aug 20, 2000
20000815
National Security

Consequent to the submission of the Kargil Review Committee Report, the Cabinet Committee on Security had appointed a Group of Ministers headed by the Home Minister to study its recommendations and advise the CCS. The GoM, in turn, appointed four task forces to carry out an in-depth analysis of the...

The Statesman | Aug 15, 2000
20000801
Pakistan’s darkest hour

Good battalions are known to have even launched counter-attacks to bring back custom of war, the Pakistan army refused to take back the bodies of four of its regular soldiers directly from the Indian Army during the Kargil conflict, and finally did so only under international pressure through the...

The Pioneer | Aug 1, 2000
20000715
“No first use” Doctrine India’s strategic dilemma

While India may have no intentions of launching a major conventional offensive into Pakistan, given India's conventional superiority, Pakistan has based its national security strategy on the first use of nuclear weapons to prevent its comprehensive military defeat like in 1971 and its disintegration...

The Tribune | Jul 15, 2000
20000708
Pakistan: Six months into the jackboot

Six months after Pakistan came back under the jack boot, initial public support for the Army has waned and the people are despairing of one poor governance having been replaced by another and more authoritarian at that. Writing in Dawn, columnist Ayaz Amir said, "Since dislodging a government in...

The Sentinel | Jul 8, 2000
20000628
Pay-back time on the LoC

The only language the military junta in Pakistan is likely to understand is that of violence - directed not against innocent civilians inside POK but against Pakistan's army deployed on the LoC. It is possible for India to turn on the screws by inflicting local military defeats on the Pakistan army...

The Indian Express | Jun 28, 2000
20000509
Chinese challenge

China's growing power and influence in Asia poses a long-term strategic challenge to India. The long-term requirement is to match China's strategic challenge in the region and develop a credible military deterrence against the use of nuclear and missile weapon systems.

The Statesman | May 9, 2000
20000404
Psychic warfare: Military exploitation of paranormal

Imagine psychic intelligence agents capable of remotely reading top secret files and visualising the exact layout of military installations thousands of kilometres away, reading the minds of the enemy's civilian and military leaders and altering their thought processes, even killing them through...

Daily Excelsior | Apr 4, 2000
20000128
Terrorised for how long?

How should the Indian state apparatus fight the menace of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in J&K and elsewhere? The experience gained over ten years suggests that a reactive counter-insurgency policy, limited to military action against the militants within India's borders, cannot eliminate insurgency....

The Indian Express | Jan 28, 2000
20000111
Catapult Gunnery

THE INDIAN mountain batteries were the most unusual and colourful military units ever formed in the long history of the British Empire. The long campaigns in the North West Frontier Province in which these batteries […]

Hindustan Times | Jan 11, 2000
20000101
Briefcase Nukes : The new nightmare

Among the world's foremost terrorist organizations, the Al-Qaeda is the most determined and most likely to come into possession of a nuclear warheads sooner or later A future nexus between the Al-Qaeda and the intransigent North Koreans cannot be ruled out as both share a pathological hatred for the...

Sahara Time | Jan 1, 2000
19991231
Why India can’t intervene

Perhaps the real reason for India not having exercised the military rescue option, the primary option under such circumstances, is that India lacks the military capability to plan and execute the type of operation that the situation demands. Though these countries support the anti-Taliban Northern...

The Indian Express | Dec 31, 1999
19991201
Nothing to Wear

Every time a woman has to go out, she stares mournfully at her open wardrobe, usually fully stacked, and a primordial cry emanates from her lips: “I have nothing to wear”. Usually a man has […]

Hindustan Times | Dec 1, 1999
19991103
Costs of filling gaps

Prior to the Kargil conflict, an infantry brigade, under the Leh infantry division, was responsible for operation in Kargil. The number of posts requiring air-maintenance in Kargil sector will be much lesser than those in Siachen due to the proximity of most posts in Kargil To the Srinagar-Leh NH1A....

The Indian Express | Nov 3, 1999
19991026
Security agenda for the government

A comprehensive national security strategy should then be formulated to deal with the threats so that the responsibilities of the armed forces and concerned government departments are clearly enunciated. Though the National Security Advisory Board of the National Security Council has drawn up a...

Hindustan Times | Oct 26, 1999
19991015
Return of the jackboot

While the ill-conceived Kargil misadventure venture was the catalyst that hastened confrontation between the members of the power troika in Pakistan, the origins of the conflict lay in Sharif's diplomatic overtures towards India and the Pakistan military leadership's discomfort with his Kashmir...

The Indian Express | Oct 15, 1999
19991002
Let the army remain apolitical

On all crucial issues, he relies on the collective wisdom of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, the Army Commanders and his Principal Staff Officers before taking a decision. If the Indian Army has performed its tasks with the singularity of purpose and the professional competence that it has it is...

The Tribune | Oct 2, 1999
19990903
The Sardar’s Hat

IN March 1989, 20 military observers from India joined the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia. Of the lot, Chetinder and I were the only Sikhs. From the time we walked into the […]

The Times of India | Sep 3, 1999
19990830
Of brave men and pretty girls

As the battles raged on for the recapture of icy mountain tops from the enemy in Batalik, Kaksar, Dras and Mushkoh Valley sub-sectors of Kargil district, the war cries of a dozen Indian Army regiments […]

Hindustan Times | Aug 30, 1999
19990723
Artillery’s key role in Kargil

Had longer range MBRLs such as Smerch, which has a range of 100 kilometres, been available, it would have been possible for the Indian artillery to hit Skardu from Kargil. Mortars of artillery regiments that rendered yeoman service in the Kargil conflict included 120-mm mortar and the 160-mm heavy...

Hindustan Times | Jul 23, 1999
19990722
Time for Sharif’s survival script

For Pakistan's survival as a nation and the success of democracy, the civilian rulers have no option but to rein in the army, with the help of the United States if necessary. With his brute majority in the National Assembly, Mian Nawaz Sharif can still rise from the ignominy of defeat and make...

The Indian Express | Jul 22, 1999
19990720
These dead men tell a gory tale

They did it because it is the Indian custom to honour the dead. The dead Pakistani soldiers were honoured despite the barbaric torture of Indian soldiers and the mutilation of the bodies of our brave men. Pakistan's nefarious aim in using mainly NLI soldiers as cannon fodder was obviously to limit...

TOI | Jul 20, 1999
19990623
Not by lives alone

The Army's heroic effort to recapture high-altitude mountain ridges from Pakistan-sponsored intruders in the Batalik, Kaksar and Dras areas of Kargil has highlighted the need for early acquisition and deployment of sophisticated surveillance and early warning devices and precision strike munitions...

The Indian Express | Jun 23, 1999
19990601
Kargil intrusions : Pakistan getting desperate

If the Pakistan Army and the ISI have carried out these elaborate intrusions without the prior approval of their Prime Minister, it is apparent that the Army continues to call the shots in Pakistan and negotiating with the elected leadership of that country will be futile and perhaps even...

Jun 1, 1999
19990430
No old hat, this!

In The spring of 1989, 20 military observers from India joined the United Nations. Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia. Of the lot, Chetinder and I were the only Sikh officers. From the time we […]

Hindustan Times | Apr 30, 1999
19980924
The three musketeers

In the early 1970s, as the saying went, subalterns were meant to be seen and not heard and, when seen, they were expected to be seen training hard with their troops. During our regiment’s annual […]

Hindustan Times | Sep 24, 1998
19980702
Herbie on a UN Mission

On our UN mission in Namibia, military observers had precious little to do after the first three months as the implementation of UN Resolution 435 proceeded with clockwork precision and without the usual hassles which […]

Hindustan Times | Jul 2, 1998
19980420
Happy Hour

UNITED NATIONS (UN) peace-keeping missions bring together a large number of army contingents and civilians from various corners of the world. The famous “Blue Berets”, respected the world over as harbingers of peace, and honoured […]

Hindustan Times | Apr 20, 1998
19971015
Land mines ban: Just a ‘feel good’ convention?

The recently concluded negotiations at Oslo to ban anti-personnel mines are part of the Ottawa Process, begun in October 1996 when 50 States pledged to work together for a total ban on APMs by December 1997. Princess Diana's interest in the welfare of landmine victims and the award of this years'...

TOI | Oct 15, 1997
19841101
CATAPULTING TO FAME

The Indian Mountain Batteries were the most unusual and colourful military units ever formed in the long history of the British empire. Their campaigns in the North-West Frontier Province, reminiscent of Kipling’s Gunga Din, were […]

The Times of India | Nov 1, 1984