02-01-2005, 11:40 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New war doctrine will be given priority: Army chiefÂ
New Delhi
Army has been directed to carry out anti-militancy operations with a more "humane" touch, new Chief of Army Staff General J J Singh today said emphasising that there was a need to "reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir and North East to spur the movement towards normalcy."
While informing that a new armed forces joint doctrine was on the anvil, Singh said the recently released new army war doctrine would be refined and battle tactics and war manoeuvres practiced on the ground.
"Counter-terrorism operations can be optimally effective while being polite," was the message of new army chief to his troops after taking over as the 22nd Chief of the Army Staff after a ceremonial guard of honour.
<b>"Army units have been directed to use minimum force while carrying out anti-militancy operations to avoid innocents being hit and to avert collateral damage," he said. </b>
Asserting that ceasefire along the volatile line of control with Pakistan was holding and the two armies observing restraint, J J Singh said any fresh withdrawal of troops in Jammu and Kashmir would be carried out after a review of the situation once the snow starts melting on the high Himalayan Ranges and ascertaining the "intentions across."
Singh, the first Sikh officer to don the mantle of army chief, said his task would be to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir by winning their hearts and minds.
In his first wide-ranging interaction with the media, Singh outlined his priorities saying that operational readiness of the army would be made more reactive and his efforts would be to speed up the transformation of the army into a hi-tech force, which used satellites and information technology to be in command of battlefields.
Replying to a volley of questions on the recent spurt of indiscipline in the force, the new Army Chief maintained that for such a huge force these were "miniscule".
"We do not condone such mistakes. Prompt and stern disciplinary action follows any complaint," Singh said adding that in addition an introspection was also being carried out.
"There is a drive to analyse these cases. There is no cover up. We are taking the bull by the horn," he said.
On the continuing problem of shortage of officers, Singh said the armed forces academies were facing no shortage of volunteers but efforts were on not to dilute parameters.
He said the shortage was being overcome by recruitment of more women in non-combat units and increasing the quota of giving commission from the ranks.
The Army Chief asserted that in time of emergency or conflict, there would be no shortage of officers in combat units as officers from other branches would be enrolled for combat command duties.
Outlining his thrust on welfare measures, Singh said he would lay greater emphasis on upgrading life in cantonments.
He said a fair deal would be given to the ranks and some pilot projects started for economic empowerment of ex-servicemen.
The new Army Chief said he would lay special emphasis on sports and physical fitness in the Army to bring back its youthful profile. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
New Delhi
Army has been directed to carry out anti-militancy operations with a more "humane" touch, new Chief of Army Staff General J J Singh today said emphasising that there was a need to "reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir and North East to spur the movement towards normalcy."
While informing that a new armed forces joint doctrine was on the anvil, Singh said the recently released new army war doctrine would be refined and battle tactics and war manoeuvres practiced on the ground.
"Counter-terrorism operations can be optimally effective while being polite," was the message of new army chief to his troops after taking over as the 22nd Chief of the Army Staff after a ceremonial guard of honour.
<b>"Army units have been directed to use minimum force while carrying out anti-militancy operations to avoid innocents being hit and to avert collateral damage," he said. </b>
Asserting that ceasefire along the volatile line of control with Pakistan was holding and the two armies observing restraint, J J Singh said any fresh withdrawal of troops in Jammu and Kashmir would be carried out after a review of the situation once the snow starts melting on the high Himalayan Ranges and ascertaining the "intentions across."
Singh, the first Sikh officer to don the mantle of army chief, said his task would be to reach out to the people in Jammu and Kashmir by winning their hearts and minds.
In his first wide-ranging interaction with the media, Singh outlined his priorities saying that operational readiness of the army would be made more reactive and his efforts would be to speed up the transformation of the army into a hi-tech force, which used satellites and information technology to be in command of battlefields.
Replying to a volley of questions on the recent spurt of indiscipline in the force, the new Army Chief maintained that for such a huge force these were "miniscule".
"We do not condone such mistakes. Prompt and stern disciplinary action follows any complaint," Singh said adding that in addition an introspection was also being carried out.
"There is a drive to analyse these cases. There is no cover up. We are taking the bull by the horn," he said.
On the continuing problem of shortage of officers, Singh said the armed forces academies were facing no shortage of volunteers but efforts were on not to dilute parameters.
He said the shortage was being overcome by recruitment of more women in non-combat units and increasing the quota of giving commission from the ranks.
The Army Chief asserted that in time of emergency or conflict, there would be no shortage of officers in combat units as officers from other branches would be enrolled for combat command duties.
Outlining his thrust on welfare measures, Singh said he would lay greater emphasis on upgrading life in cantonments.
He said a fair deal would be given to the ranks and some pilot projects started for economic empowerment of ex-servicemen.
The new Army Chief said he would lay special emphasis on sports and physical fitness in the Army to bring back its youthful profile. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->