Month: June 2009

IAF cargo held at Helsinki

While Finnish Customs suspect a Finnair official to be guilty of the export violation for transporting 19 crates of military equipment, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has indicated Balmer Lawrie to be at fault in the matter, for not executing proper documentation. The cargo was impounded in May last year.

PoK suicide attack extends Pak-Taliban war

“It’s too early to conclusively say the Taliban have changed their strategy and expanded the conflict to PoK. But while one attack doesn’t necessarily make a strategy, it (the frontline) has definitely been extended, and in such a way as to strike at the Pakistan Army out of the existing area of conflict.”

Army open to ‘Arunachal Scouts’ plan

The Indian Army views with favor the idea of raising ‘Arunachal Scouts’ battalions to complement the existing Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police presence in Arunachal Pradesh, as they are also considered highly motivated, since they are essentially providing security for their own homes and families.

Indian Army confirms ‘problems’ if Nepal joins ICC

The creation of a legal and jurisdictional ambiguity with respect to Nepalese Gorkha troops of the Indian Army has now been confirmed to StratPost by army lawyers. “The army cannot deploy these troops when, by their mere presence, they may render any operation liable for scrutiny by the ICC,” said one lawyer.

Graft, divides raise doubts about Pak Army

The operational capability of the Pakistan Army in the face of Taliban challenges in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) has much to do with the command authority of its officer cadre. But judging from recent events and the perception of the integrity of the officer cadre, especially at senior levels, the Pakistan Army fails to encourage confidence in its abilities to effectively combat the Taliban.

IAF MiG-21 crashes in Assam

An Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG-21 Type 77 aircraft crashed immediately after take-off from Chabua air base in Upper Assam. The pilot, sensing a technical snag, ditched the aircraft and ejected safely, making this the fifth IAF plane crash in less than two months.

Forces unhappy at putdown over China remarks

‘The problem is that our strategic and diplomatic affairs are being handled in an environment of institutionalized timidity. We can’t run for cover just because of editorials in Chinese newspapers and reactions by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.’

Graft probe to delay artillery purchase

The army chief, General Deepak Kapoor has indicated that the long-pending artillery guns procurement may be further delayed due to the ongoing investigations into the corruption scandal involving former Ordinance Factory Board Director General Sudipta Ghosh.