Sino-Indian Army Joint Exercise
Manipur-posted soldiers gain experience:
Guwahati, Dec. 27: Four decades after Thuingaleng Muivah led a team of Naga National Council (NNC) members to China for training in guerrilla warfare, the Chinese army is helping India deal with militancy.
Brig D.S. Dadwal, the head of the Indian contingent that participated in the first joint military exercise between the two countries -- Hand-in-Hand 2007 -- said on his return today that the common aim of the neighbours was to eliminate the “scourge of terrorism”,
The contingent, drawn from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry unit posted in Bishnupur district of Manipur, believes the experience of a joint exercise with China will help it conduct counter-insurgency operations better. “Such exercises definitely help you to hone your skills and use them at Ground Zero,” Brig. Dadwal said.
The five-day drill was conducted at the Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province of China. Battalion commander Col J.S. Budhwar said a mock hostage rescue drill was conducted by launching a joint attack on hypothetic terrorist camps along the Sino-Indian border.
“Development of military-to-military relations was an integral part of the overall improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said. “The focus of the exercise was on how to tackle the growing menace of global terrorism.”
The Chinese team demonstrated its skills in martial arts and other self-defence actions, while the Indian troops taught them yoga, Col Budhwar said.
Defence spokesman Col Y.K. Joshi, who was part of the contingent, said China also arranged for a display of its arsenal. The weapons on show included the QB295 5.8mm automatic rifle used to kill hostile live targets and destroy light armour, the QS292 9mm pistol designed for commanders and special forces to destroy live targets in short distance, and the QJB95 5.8mm machine gun used by infantry squads.
Also on display were the QS B91 7.62mm dagger pistol weapon used in person-to-person combat, the QL287 35mm automatic grenade launcher, the PF98 rocket launcher, the QBU 5.8mm sniper rifle, the PP89 60mm mortar and a special vehicle for troop mobility and logistical support.
China’s openness, Brig Dadwal said, was a pointer to the improvement of ties between the two countries.
The next joint exercise will be held in India next year.
Posted On: The Telegraph
Guwahati, Dec. 27: Four decades after Thuingaleng Muivah led a team of Naga National Council (NNC) members to China for training in guerrilla warfare, the Chinese army is helping India deal with militancy.
Brig D.S. Dadwal, the head of the Indian contingent that participated in the first joint military exercise between the two countries -- Hand-in-Hand 2007 -- said on his return today that the common aim of the neighbours was to eliminate the “scourge of terrorism”,
The contingent, drawn from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry unit posted in Bishnupur district of Manipur, believes the experience of a joint exercise with China will help it conduct counter-insurgency operations better. “Such exercises definitely help you to hone your skills and use them at Ground Zero,” Brig. Dadwal said.
The five-day drill was conducted at the Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province of China. Battalion commander Col J.S. Budhwar said a mock hostage rescue drill was conducted by launching a joint attack on hypothetic terrorist camps along the Sino-Indian border.
“Development of military-to-military relations was an integral part of the overall improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries,” he said. “The focus of the exercise was on how to tackle the growing menace of global terrorism.”
The Chinese team demonstrated its skills in martial arts and other self-defence actions, while the Indian troops taught them yoga, Col Budhwar said.
Defence spokesman Col Y.K. Joshi, who was part of the contingent, said China also arranged for a display of its arsenal. The weapons on show included the QB295 5.8mm automatic rifle used to kill hostile live targets and destroy light armour, the QS292 9mm pistol designed for commanders and special forces to destroy live targets in short distance, and the QJB95 5.8mm machine gun used by infantry squads.
Also on display were the QS B91 7.62mm dagger pistol weapon used in person-to-person combat, the QL287 35mm automatic grenade launcher, the PF98 rocket launcher, the QBU 5.8mm sniper rifle, the PP89 60mm mortar and a special vehicle for troop mobility and logistical support.
China’s openness, Brig Dadwal said, was a pointer to the improvement of ties between the two countries.
The next joint exercise will be held in India next year.
Posted On: The Telegraph