Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Elite Indian Troops Practice Strategic Operations

Elite Indian Troops Practice Strategic Operations
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - May 5, 2009: Even as Pakistan's Army battles Taliban fighters near the capital Islamabad, India's elite land forces, capable of hitting deep inside enemy territory, have begun exercises in Punjab along the Pakistani border. The Ambala-based Kharga Corps, a rapid-action force of 15,000, is equipped to operate behind enemy lines and to carry out a proactive strategic role. "The exercise is being conducted as a two-sided exercise to practice the elite Kharga Corps in their operational tasks," the Defence Ministry said in a May 4 statement. "The Army aims to validate its doctrine of proactive strategy through the exercises." A senior Defence Ministry official said the weeklong exercise began May 3 at Barnala along the Indo-Pakistan border. "A large number of tanks, infantry combat vehicles, artillery guns and specialist vehicles continued these maneuvers by day and night under near warlike conditions," according to the ministry's statement. "A parachute drop by airborne troops and other heliborne operations was also undertaken to supplement the offensive by the mechanized forces." Indian defense forces have been preparing for operations behind enemy lines and incorporated a new military doctrine to this effect in 2004. The Army has 5,000 elite soldiers, trained at unknown locations by Israeli troops, who can swiftly enter enemy territory and even operate behind enemy lines, Indian Army sources said. New Delhi has complained several times at international forums that Muslim terrorists from various groups are being trained deep inside Pakistan. Immediately after the Nov. 26 Mumbai terror attacks, it was debated in the media whether India should attack terrorist bases operating inside Pakistan.

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