Indian Army Jawans perform their morning exercises, near the international border - in the Punjab sector - between India and Pakistan on 20 April 2002. [Image © Indiatimes]
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Army plans new strategy against ultras in J&K
(Times of India, 20 April 2002)

Lt. Gen. Patankar takes charge
(The Tribune, 19 April 2002)

General Padmanabhan to visit US
(Hindustan Times, 19 April 2002)

India reacts sharply to Pak attempts
(Rediff, 19 April 2002)

No decision on Army pullout from Gujarat
(Hindustan Times, 19 April 2002)

Indian military to train with U.S. forces in Alaska
(The Washington Times, 19 April 2002)

Heat triggers blasts in Indian minefields near border
(Hindustan Times, 19 April 2002)

George on Gujarat tour, says Army will stay till needed
(Hindustan Times, 19 April 2002)

Herbs, coolants, balms
(The Pioneer, 18 April 2002)

Withdraw troops from Gujarat
(The Tribune, 18 April 2002)

India buys US radar in landmark deal
(Times of India, 18 April 2002)

Improper storage of ammunition
(The Tribune, 17 April 2002)

COAS citations for outstanding performance
(MoD Press Release, 17 April 2002)

General S. Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff presented the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) citations for outstanding performance in Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations to 14 units of the Army. The citations, which are traditionally presented at the Army Day Parade held every January 15th, were presented on the occasion of the bi-annual Army Commanders' Conference as the Army Day Parade was not held due to operational commitments this year. The 18 Sikh, 8 Maratha LI, 17 Assam Rifles won unit citations for their outstanding performance in COIN operations in the North-East.

The units which were honoured with the coveted citations for their contributions in the COIN operations in J&K are 5 Rajputana Rifles, 14 Rajput, 2 Sikh, 16 Sikh, 20 Sikh, 14 Garhwal Rifles, 4 JAK LI, 1/4 Gorkha Rifles, 27 Rashtriya Riles, 2 Rashtriya Rifles (Sikh LI) and 357 intelligence and field security units. The COAS Sports Championship Trophy was also presented to Madras Sappers who have had the distinction of winning the same for the fifth time. The second and third positions for the sports championship went to the Corps of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (CEME) and Army Service Corps (ASC) respectively. The Silver Trophy for the best Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) went to 111 Infantry Battalion (TA), Kumaon.

Special cooling suit designed by defence scientists
(MoD Press Release, 17 April 2002)

A prototype of solid state cooling suit has been designed by defence scientists for use by the tank crew operating in high temperature zones. The suits have not yet been supplied as the system is still under development. The Research and Development trials of the first prototype of this solid state cooling garment have been highly satisfactory in the laboratory set up and in the tank. The stage of reward by the Government has not yet reached.

Modernisation of ordnance depots
(MoD Press Release, 17 April 2002)

The Government of India has decided to modernize all the seven Central Ordnance Depots located at Agra, Mumbai, Chheoki, Delhi Cantonment, Dehu Road, Jabalpur and Kanpur in a phased manner. However, to begin with modernization of Central Ordnance Depot, Kanpur involving an expenditure of Rs.187 crores approximately has been taken up. This project would be completed by December 2003. Four incidents of fire have been reported in Ordnance/Ammunition Depots during 2001-2002. On 29 April 2001 the fire/blast in 2 Ammunition Sub Depot, Memoon, (18 Field Ammunition Depot) Pathankot amounted to a loss of arms, equipment and property worth Rs 27.69 crores.

On 24 May 2001 the fire/blast in 2 Ammunition Sub Depot, Bridhwal (24 Field Ammunition Depot), Ganganagar amounted to a loss of arms, equipment and property worth Rs 375.04 crores. One person also died in this incident. On 03 June 2001 the fire/blast in Ordnance Depot, Shakurbasti, New Delhi amounted to loss of arms, equipment and property worth Rs. 2.87 Crores. The Court of Inquiry is in progress regarding the blast in Central Ordnance Depot, Jabalpur which took place on 06 August 2001.

The following steps/remedial measures have been taken to ensure safety and security of Ammunition/Ordnance Depots:

(a) All depots have been directed to update safety and security instructions.

(b) All depots have been inspected by a Board of Officers to check adequacy of safety and security arrangements.

(c) Shortages in fire fighting equipment are being made up and defective equipment repaired.

(d) Unserviceable ammunition is being disposed off on priority and allotment of additional fund has been made for creation of more explosive store houses for shifting ammunition presently stored on plinths under canvas.

Causalities of Jawans due to IED explosions
(MoD Press Release, 17 April 2002)

The figures of Jawans who have died or have sustained injuries as a result of mine explosions or explosion of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) are not maintained on a state-wise basis. However, as per available records the Army Headquarters has informed that 61 Army personnel were killed and 159 were wounded due to mine accidents and IED explosions during the last 6 months (01 October 2001 to 31 March 2002). Initial high-level inquiries revealed that the mine laying operations were carried out in adverse climatic and terrain conditions like night laying, fog etc. Due to such constraints certain accidents could possibly be ascribed to human error. In certain cases, mines and fuzes held in inventory for a long period, did not perform satisfactorily. The Government have initiated steps to ensure that new mines and fuzes are introduced to replace the old inventories.

Agni-II to be inducted into Army
(Times of India, 16 April 2002)

Special forces train elite media corps
(Times of India, 16 April 2002)

Army Commanders discuss bringing in more youthful profile
(Hindustan Times, 16 April 2002)

HUJI chief among 11 killed
(The Tribune, 15 April 2002)

No review of border deployment
(Hindustan Times, 15 April 2002)

HC issues contempt notice to Army Chief
(Hindustan Times, 15 April 2002)

India's defence preparedness to get a boost
(Hindustan Times, 15 April 2002)

Army Chief dedicates memorial to martyrs
(The Tribune, 14 April 2002)

Military commanders to meet next week
(The Hindu, 13 April 2002)

Our nuclear policy stems from confidence
(The Hindu, 13 April 2002)

Army cannot remain in Gujarat for long
(The Hindu, 08 April 2002)

Army modernisation: it's time to dust off the rust
(Indian Express, 08 April 2002)

Border standoff: Imminent war or endless squeeze
(NDTV, 07 April 2002)

MoD inks deal with blacklisted French firm
(Hindustan Times, 04 April 2002)

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	An Army soldier trains a border villager to fire a rifle near the Indo-Pak border in Punjab on 03 April 2002. The Indian Army trains border villagers to fire weapons in case of emergency during a war with Pakistan. [Image © Yahoo News]
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J&K army's recruitment drive successful
(NDTV, 03 April 2002)

For the first time in more than a decade of militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, thousands of young men are lining up for the Army's recruitment drives. For years, they were threatened by terrorists to keep away from joining the Indian forces. But with changing times, the young men say they aren't afraid anymore. "I do not have any threat from militants because it is my desire to join the Army. The militants do not have anything to do with it. It is my aim and I will do it," said Raees Ahmed Dar, job applicant.

Army officers feel it is significant that locals have now started turning up in such large numbers to join the forces. "There are about 7,000 to 8,000 applicants to join the Army. What you see here is an indication that people want peace and also want to work," said Brigadier Bikram Singh, Victor Force. The Army believes that more employment opportunities will help the youth denounce the gun culture in the state. And for every man who joins the Army, there is a guarantee there is one less person who would pick up a gun against it.

Indian intelligence helped US identify hijackers
(Hindustan Times, 03 April 2002)

Strange new weapons stink or hurt, but they don't kill
(Deccan Herald, 03 April 2002)

Soldiers of the future may have some new weapons in their arsenals - slippery slime, pain beams, noise guns and stink bombs. The Pentagon is developing non-lethal weapons for soldiers who increasingly find themselves in situations where the line between civilian and enemy isn't clear. Most of the projects are variations on conventional weapons, such as wax bullets that cause stinging pain when they explode on impact. But the military is also exploring technologies that resemble science fiction:

1) A San Diego company is developing a portable, battery-powered sonic rifle that fires bullets of ear splitting noise. The company, American Technology Corp, says the weapon could be used to foil skyjackers without puncturing a plane's fuselage.

2) In San Antonio, the Marines have contracted scientists to develop a sprayable slime that makes stairs and sidewalks as slippery as ice.

3) And Pentagon officials asked researchers in Philadelphia who study taste and smell to come up with the world's foulest odour.

The push to develop such weapons began in the aftermath of the US involvement in Somalia in 1992-93 that put soldiers in the line of fire in urban areas where civilians were present - and in which 18 American soldiers and hundreds of Somalis died in one hellish clash. These unorthodox weapons of the future go far beyond rubber bullets and tear gas. They exploit the body's sensory reflexes, such as the urge to recoil when confronted by an unpleasant or painful sensation. "The idea...is to concentrate on all five senses as well as our ability to walk," said Captain Shawn Turner, a spokesman for the Pentagon's Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate. Armed with a portion of that money, researchers at Philadelphia's Monell Chemical Senses Center tried to find out what smell most repels people. Two years of testing on people from all over the world, yielded a souped up version of human waste, said Ms Pamela Dalton, who led the study. "It's pretty awful," Ms Dalton said. "We found few that were able to smell that and not have an immediate reaction." All it takes, she said, is a few molecules - not nearly enough to be toxic.

Counter insurgency warfare school to be expanded
(Hindustan Times, 01 April 2002)

Lt. Gen. Mehta to take charge of Western Command
(The Tribune, 01 April 2002)

Farewell to Lt. Gen. Surjit Singh
(The Tribune, 01 April 2002)

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, Lt. Gen. Surjit Singh, was given a ceremonial farewell on his superannuation after 41 years of distinguished service at Chandimandir on March 31st. Lt. Gen. S.S. Mehta, GOC-in-C of the Army Training Command at Shimla, is scheduled to take over as the Western Command Chief on April 1st.  Lt. Gen. Singh was presented a guard of honour by a contingent of the 8th Dogra. He also laid a wreath at the Veer Smriti war memorial and paid tributes to the martyrs.  Lt. Gen. Singh was sent-off from the Command House in an open jeep, driven by Chief of Staff Western Command, Lt. Gen. H.S. Kanwar, and pulled by senior officers of the command. Meanwhile, the outgoing President of the Army Wives Welfare Association, Mrs Deep Surjit Singh, was also given a warm farewell by ladies of the station.

Lt. Gen. G.S. Negi takes over Infantry School
(MoD Press Release, 01 April 2002)

Lt. Gen. Gambhir Singh Negi, took over as the Commandant of Infantry School from Lt. Gen. D.B. Shekatkar. Commissioned into the famous 3/3 Gorkha Rifles (3/3 GR) in 1965, Lt. Gen. G.S. Negi has rich command, staff and instructional experience. He commanded the 3/3 GR and on promotion to the rank of Brigadier commanded a infantry brigade and on becoming a Major General commanded a division, in Jammu & Kashmir. He has attended Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command and National Defence College courses. Lt. Gen. Negi is a highly decorated soldier with Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Bar to AVSM and Vishisht Seva Medal. He is also the Colonel of 3 Gorkha Rifles. Before taking over the Commandant of Infantry School, he was Additional Director General-Staff Duties at Army Headquarters.