Brigadiers, colonels to be advisers on anti-Naxal ops
The Indian Army has agreed to depute some officers of the rank of brigadier and colonel to the Union home ministry to act as military advisers for anti-Naxalite operations and strategy in different states, defence sources confirmed. The Army agreed to this after refusing to depute major-generals as it felt officers of such high rank were not needed for such a job.
“The Army has agreed to send brigadiers and colonels as advisers. The home ministry had earlier asked for major-generals, but the Army declined on the ground that major-generals would be too senior for such a task. In any case, colonels are the cutting edge of the Army and have the maximum field experience in leading counter-insurgency operations and are just right for the job,” a defence source said.
“We are waiting for the home ministry to spell out the exact number of officers needed as advisers. We have been given to understand they will be posted in various states as advisers to work out anti-Naxalite strategy,” the source added.
The Army is likely to complete establishment of its sub-area headquarters in Raipur shortly. It is also likely to set up a training centre for Special Forces in central India and is looking for suitable land. The Centre is also considering the option of setting up a Unified Command to tackle the Maoist menace. The Cabinet Committee on Security had earlier decided not to involve the armed forces directly in combat roles in anti-Naxal operations.
The defence ministry is planning to pull out 25 Indian Air Force helicopters now on United Nations peacekeeping duty in Congo and Sudan as the Indian Air Force might need these if it is given extra anti-Naxal surveillance responsibilities.
The defence ministry had earlier strongly opposed any combat role for the armed forces in anti-Naxal operations.
The Army said it was already overstretched due to counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and the Northeast, while the Indian Air Force is wary of any collateral damage in case it is ordered to go on the offensive against the Naxals.
The Army, which faces an acute shortfall of officers, also does not want any thinning out of its presence in Jammu and Kashmir, as this could lead to a spurt in militants’ infiltration across the border.
The Naxalite situation was, however, discussed in detail at the recent Army commanders’ conference.
Post new comment