Indian Army

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

This article is about the post-independence Indian Army. For the army of British India, see Indian Army (1895–1947). For the pro-Japanese
rebels of the Second World War calling themselves "Indian National Army", see Indian National Army.

Indian Army

Flag of the Indian Army

Founded August 15, 1947

Country India

1,414,000 active
Size
1,800,000 reserve

Part of Indian Armed Forces

Headquarters New Delhi, India

 Gold, red and black
Colour

Commanders

Chief of the Army

General Deepak Kapoor
Staff

Field Marshal Cariappa

Notable
Field Marshal
commanders
Manekshaw

The Indian Army (IA, Devanāgarī: भारतीय थलसेना, Bhāratīya Thalsēnā) is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed
Forces. Its primary mission is to ensure the national security and defense of the Republic of India from external aggression and threats, and
maintaining peace and security within its borders. It also conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other
disturbances.

The Indian Army came into being when India gained independence in 1947, and inherited most of the infrastructure of the British Indian Army
that were located in post-partition India. It is a voluntary service and although a provision for military conscription exists in the Indian
constitution, it has never been imposed.

Since independence, the Army has been involved in four wars with neighboring Pakistan and one with the People's Republic of China. Other
major operations undertaken by the Army include Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot and Operation Cactus. Apart from conflicts, the Army
has been an active participant in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), a General, is a four star commander
and commands the Army. There is never more than one serving general at any given time in the Army. Two officers have been conferred the
rank of Field Marshal, a 5-star rank and the officer serves as the ceremonial chief.

With about 1,414,000 soldiers in active service[1] and about 1,800,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's second largest army.[2] By
2020, the Indian Army plans to upgrade 2,000 T-72s, over 1,500 T-90s, and few hundred other tanks.
Contents
[hide]

• 1 Mission
• 2 History
o 2.1 British Indian Army
o 2.2 First and Second World Wars
o 2.3 Inception
• 3 Conflicts and Operations
o 3.1 First Kashmir War (1947)
o 3.2 Inclusion of Hyderabad (1948)
o 3.3 Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)
o 3.4 Sino-Indian Conflict (1962)
o 3.5 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
o 3.6 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
o 3.7 Siachen conflict (1984)
o 3.8 Counter-insurgency activities
o 3.9 Kargil conflict (1999)
o 3.10 United Nations Peacekeeping Missions
o 3.11 Major Exercises
 3.11.1 Operation Brasstacks
 3.11.2 Operation Parakram
 3.11.3 Operation Sanghe Shakti
 3.11.4 Exercise Ashwamedha
• 4 Structure of the Indian Army
o 4.1 Commands
o 4.2 Corps
 4.2.1 Regimental Organisation
o 4.3 Other Field Formations
• 5 Regiments
 o 5.1 Infantry Regiments
o 5.2 Artillery Regiments
o 5.3 Armoured Regiments
• 6 Indian Army Staff
o 6.1 Strength
o 6.2 Statistics
 6.2.1 Sub-Units
o 6.3 Rank Structure
• 7 Combat Doctrine
• 8 Equipment
o 8.1 Aircraft
• 9 Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra
• 10 Future developments
• 11 See also
• 12 References

• 13 External links

[edit] Mission
Indian Army

Headquarters
 New Delhi
History and traditions
Indian military history
British Indian Army
Indian National Army
Army Day (15th January)
Equipment
Equipment of the Indian Army
Components
Regiments
Personnel
Chief of Army Staff
Ranks and insignia

The Indian Army doctrine defines its as - "The Indian Army is the land component of the Indian Armed Forces which exist to uphold the ideals
of the Constitution of India." As a major component of national power, along with the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, the roles of the
Indian Army are as follows:

• Primary: Preserve national interests and safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of India against any external threats by
deterrence or by waging war.

• Secondary: Assist Government agencies to cope with ‘proxy war’ and other internal threats and provide aid to civil authority when
requisitioned for the purpose."[3]

[edit] History
The Maurya Empire at its largest extent under Ashoka the Great.
Main article: Military history of India

[edit] British Indian Army

Main article: British Indian Army

A Military Department was created in the Supreme Government of the East India Company at Kolkata in the year 1776, having the main
function to sift and record orders relating to the Army issued by various Departments of the Govt of East India Co.[4]

With the Charter Act of 1833, the Secretariat of the Government of East India Company was reorganised into four Departments, including a
Military Department. The Army in the Presidencies of Bengal, Bombay & Madras functioned as respective Presidency Army till April 1895,
when the Presidency Armies were unified into a single Indian Army. For administrative convenience, it was divided into four Commands viz.
Punjab (including the North West Frontier), Bengal, Madras (including Burma) and Bombay (including Sind, Quetta and Aden).

The British Indian Army was a critical force in the primacy of the British Empire in both India, as well as across the world. Besides maintaining
the internal security of the British Raj, the army fought in theaters around the world - Anglo-Burmese Wars, Anglo-Sikh Wars, Anglo-Afghan
Wars, Opium Wars in China, Abyssinia, Boxer Rebellion in China. It is no coincidence that the decline of the British Empire started with the
Independence of India.

[edit] First and Second World Wars

Main article: Indian Army during World War I

In the 20th century, the British Indian Army was a crucial adjunct to the British forces in both the World Wars.

1.3 Million Indian soldiers served in World War I (1914-1918) for the Allies after the Britain made vague promises of self-governance to the
Indian National Congress for its support. Britain reneged on its promises after the war, following which the Indian Independence movement
gained strength. 74,187 Indian troops were killed or missing in action in the war.[5]

In World War II (1939-1945), 2.582 Million Indian soldiers fought for the Allies, again after British promises of independence. 87,000 Indian
soldiers died in the war.

[edit] Inception

Upon independence and the subsequent Partition of India in 1947, the British Indian Army was divided between the newly created nations of
Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Four Gurkha regiments were transferred to the British Army, while the rest were incorporated into the Indian Army.

[edit] Conflicts and Operations

[edit] First Kashmir War (1947)

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

Almost immediately after independence, tensions between India and Pakistan began to boil over, and the first of three full-scale wars between
the two nations broke out over the then princely state of Kashmir. Upon the Maharaja of Kashmir's reluctance to accede to either India or
Pakistan, Pakistan sponsored a 'tribal' invasion of parts of Kashmir.[6] The men included Pakistan army regulars. Soon after, Pakistan sent in
more of its troops to annex the State. The Maharaja, Hari Singh, appealed to India, and to Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the Governor General,
for help. He signed the Instrument of Accession and Kashmir acceded to India (a decision ratified by Britain). Immediately after, Indian troops
were airlifted to Srinagar and repelled the Pakistani invaders.[6] This contingent included General Thimayya who distinguished himself in the
operation and in years that followed, became a Chief of the Indian Army. An intense war was waged across the state and former comrades found
themselves fighting each other. Both sides made some territorial gains and also suffered significant losses. After the war, India was able to
capture over 50% of Kashmiri territory from Pakistan.
An uneasy UN sponsored peace returned by the end of 1948 with Indian and Pakistani soldiers facing each other directly on the Line of Control,
which has since divided India from Pakistani-held Kashmir. Tensions between India and Pakistan, largely over Kashmir, have never since been
entirely eliminated.

[edit] Inclusion of Hyderabad (1948)

Main article: Operation Polo

After the partition of India, the State of Hyderabad, a princely-state under the rule of a Nizam, chose to remain independent. The Nizam, refused
to accede his state to the Union of India. The following stand-off between the Government of India and the Nizam ended on 12 September 1948
when India's then deputy-Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel ordered Indian troops to secure the state. With 5 days of low-intensity fighting,
the Indian Army, backed by a squadron of Hawker Tempest aircraft of the Indian Air Force, routed the Hyderabad State forces. Five infantry
battalions and one armored squadron of the Indian Army were engaged in the operation. The following day, the State of Hyderabad was
proclaimed as a part of the Union of India. Major General Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri, who led the Operation Polo was appointed the Military
Governor of Hyderabad (1948-1949) to restore law and order.

[edit] Liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu (1961)

Main article: Portuguese-Indian War

Even though the British and French vacated all their colonial possessions in the Indian subcontinent, Portugal refused to relinquish control of its
Indian colonies of Goa, Daman and Diu. After repeated attempts by India to negotiate with Portugal for the return of its territory were spurned
by Portuguese prime minister and dictator, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, India launched Operation Vijay on 12 December, 1961 to evict the
Portuguese. A small contingent of its troops entered Goa, Daman and Diu to liberate and secure the territory. After a brief conflict, in which 31
Portuguese soldiers were killed, the Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Afonso de Albuquerque destroyed, and over 3000 Portuguese captured,
Portuguese General Manuel António Vassalo e Silva surrendered to the Indian Army, after twenty-six hours and Goa, Daman and Diu joined the
Indian Union.

[edit] Sino-Indian Conflict (1962)

Main article: Sino-Indian War

The cause of the war was a dispute over the sovereignty of the widely-separated Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh border regions. Aksai Chin,
claimed by India to belong to Kashmir and by China to be part of Xinjiang, contains an important road link that connects the Chinese regions of
Tibet and Xinjiang. China's construction of this road was one of the triggers of the conflict.

Small-scale clashes between the Indian and Chinese forces broke out as India insisted on the disputed McMahon Line being regarded as the
international border between the two countries. Despite sustaining losses, Chinese troops claim to have not retaliated to the cross-border firing
by Indian troops.[7] China's suspicion of India's involvement in Tibet created more rifts between the two countries.[8]

In 1962, the Indian Army was ordered to move to the Thag La ridge located near the border between Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and about
three miles (5 km) north of the disputed McMahon Line. Meanwhile, Chinese troops too had made incursions into Indian-held territory and
tensions between the two reached a new high when Indian forces discovered a road constructed by China in Aksai Chin. After a series of failed
negotiations, People's Liberation Army attacked Indian Army positions at the Thag La ridge. This move by China caught India by surprise and
by October 12, Nehru gave orders for the Chinese to be expelled from Aksai Chin. However, poor coordination among various divisions of the
Indian Army and the late decision to mobilize the Indian Air Force in vast numbers gave China a crucial tactical and strategic advantage over
India. On October 20, Chinese soldiers attacked India in both the North-West and North-Eastern parts of the border and captured vast portions of
Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh.

As the fighting moved beyond disputed territories, China called on the Indian government to negotiate, however India remained determined to
regain lost territory. With no peaceful agreement in sight, China unilaterally withdrew its forces from Arunachal Pradesh. The reasons for the
withdrawal are disputed with India claiming various logistical problems for China and diplomatic support to it from the United States, while
China stated that it still held territory that it had staked diplomatic claim upon. The dividing line between the Indian and Chinese forces was
christened the Line of Actual Control.

The poor decisions made by India's military commanders, and, indeed, its political leadership, raised several questions. The Henderson-Brooks
& Bhagat committee was soon set up by the Government of India to determine the causes of the poor performance of the Indian Army. The
report of China even after hostilities began and also criticized the decision to not allow the Indian Air Force to target Chinese transport lines out
of fear of Chinese aerial counter-attack on Indian civilian areas. Much of the blame was also targeted at the incompetence of then Defense
Minister, Krishna Menon who resigned from his post soon after the war ended. Despite frequent calls for its release, the Henderson-Brooks
report still remains classified.[9]Neville Maxwell has written an account of the war.[10]

[edit] Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Tanks of 18th Cavalry of the Indian Army take charge at Pakistani positions during the 1965 war.

A second confrontation with Pakistan took place in 1965, largely over Kashmir. Pakistani President Ayub Khan launched Operation Gibraltar in
August 1965 during which several Pakistani paramilitary troops infiltrated into Indian-administered Kashmir and tried to spark an anti-India
rebellion. Pakistani leaders believed that India, which was still recovering from the disastrous Sino-Indian War, would be unable to deal with a
military thrust and rebellion. However, the operation was a major failure since the Kashmiri people showed little support for such a rebellion and
India quickly moved forces to drive the infiltrators out. Within a fortnight of the launch of the Indian counter-attack, most of the infiltrators had
retreated back to Pakistan. Battered by the failure of Operation Gibraltar and expecting a major invasion by Indian forces across the border,
Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam on September 1, invading India's Chamb-Jaurian sector. In retaliation, the India's Army launched
major offensive throughout its border with Pakistan, with Lahore as its prime target. Though the Indian Army's break through of the final phases
of Pakistani defense was considerably delayed due to logistical issues, the conflict was largely seen as a debacle for the Pakistani Army.[11]

Initially, the Indian Army met with considerable success in the northern sector. After launching prolonged artillery barrages against Pakistan,
India was able to capture three important mountain positions in Kashmir. By September 9, the Indian Army had made considerable in-roads into
Pakistan. India had its largest haul of Pakistani tanks when the offensive of Pakistan's 1 Armoured Division was blunted at the Battle of Asal
Uttar which took place on September 10 near Khemkaran. Six Pakistani Armoured Regiments took part in the battle against three Indian
Armoured Regiments with inferior tanks. By the time the battle had ended, the 4th Indian Division had captured about 97 Pakistani tanks in
either destroyed, or damaged, or in intact condition. This included 72 Patton tanks and 25 Chafees and Shermans. 32 of the 97 tanks, including
28 Pattons, were in running condition.[12] In comparison, the Indians lost only 32 tanks at Khemkaran-Bhikkiwind. About fifteen of them were
captured by the Pakistan Army, mostly Sherman tanks. Pakistan's overwhelming defeat at the decisive battle of Assal Uttar hastened the end of
the conflict.[13]

At the time of ceasefire declaration, India reported casualties of about 2,000 were killed. On the other hand, it was estimated that about 3,800
Pakistani soldiers were killed in the battle, 9,000 were wounded and about 2,000 were taken as prisoners of war.[14][15] About 300 Pakistani tanks
were either destroyed or captured by India and an additional 150 were permanently put out of service. India lost a total of 190 tanks during the
conflict and about 100 more had to undergo repair.[13] In all, India lost about half as many tanks as Pakistan lost during the war.[16] Given India's
advantageous position at the end of the war, the decision to return back to pre-war positions, following the Tashkent Declaration, caused an
outcry among the polity in New Delhi. It was widely believed that India's decision to accept the ceasefire was due to political factors, and not
military, since it was facing considerable pressure from the United States and the UN to stop hostilities.[17]

[edit] Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

See also: Battle of Longewala, Battle of Hilli, and Battle of Basantar

An independence movement broke out in East Pakistan which was brutally crushed by Pakistani forces. Due to large-scale atrocities against
them, thousands of Bengalis took refuge in neighboring India causing a major refugee crisis there. In early 1971, India declared its full-support
for the Bengali rebels, known as Mukti Bahini, and Indian agents were extensively involved in covert operations to aid them.

On November 20, 1971, Indian Army moved the 14 Punjab Battalion and 45 Cavalry into Garibpur, a strategically important town near India's
border with East Pakistan, and successfully captured it. The following day, more clashes took place between Indian and Pakistani forces. Wary
of India's growing involvement in the Bengali rebellion, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched a pre-emptive strike on Indian military positions
near its border with East Pakistan on December 3. The aerial operation, however, failed to accomplish its stated objectives and caused India to
declare a full-scale war against Pakistan the same day. By midnight, the Indian Army, accompanied by Indian Air Force, launched major
military thrust into East Pakistan. The Indian Army won several battles on the eastern front including the decisive of battle of Hilli, which was
the only front where the Pakistani Army was able to buildup considerable resistance.[18] India's massive early gains was largely attributed to the
speed and flexibility with which Indian armored divisions moved across East Pakistan.[19]
Indian Army personnel celebrate Indian victory at the end Battle of Basantar on top of a knocked out Pakistani Patton tank.

Pakistan launched a counter-attack against India on the western front. On December 4, 1971, the A company of the 23rd Battalion of India's
Punjab Regiment detected and intercepted the movement of the 51st Infantry Division of the Pakistani Army near Ramgarh, Rajasthan. The
battle of Longewala ensued during which the A company, though being outnumbered, thwarted the Pakistani advance until the Indian Air Force
directed its fighters to engage the Pakistani tanks. By the time the battle had ended, 34 Pakistani tanks and 50 armored vehicles were either
destroyed or abandoned. About 200 Pakistani troops were killed in action during the battle while only 2 Indian soldiers lost their lives. Pakistan
suffered another major defeat on the western front during the battle of Basantar which was fought from December 4 to 16th. By the end of the
battle, about 66 Pakistani tanks were destroyed and 40 more were captured. In return, Pakistani forces were able to destroy only 11 Indian tanks.
None of the numerous Pakistani offensives on the Western front materialized.[20] By December 16, Pakistan had lost sizable territory on both
eastern and western fronts.

Under the command of Lt. General J.S Arora, the three corps of the Indian Army, which had invaded East Pakistan, entered Dhaka and forced
Pakistani forces to surrender on 16 December, 1971, one day after the conclusion of the battle of Basantar. After Pakistan's Lt. General A.A.K.
Niazi signed the Instrument of Surrender, India took more than 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war. At the time of the signing of the Instrument of
Surrender, 9,000 Pakistani soldiers were killed-in-action while India suffered only 2,500 battle-related deaths.[15] In addition, Pakistan lost 200
tanks during the battle compared to India's 80.[21]

In 1972, the Simla Agreement was signed between the two countries and tensions simmered. However, there were occasional spurts in
diplomatic tensions which culminated into increased military vigilance on both sides.

[edit] Siachen conflict (1984)

Main article: Siachen conflict

Armored vehicles of Indian Army personnel stationed in Siachen. India currently controls much of the glacier including the strategic Sia La and
Bilafond La mountain passes.

The Siachen Glacier, though a part of the Kashmir region, was not officially demarcated in maps prepared and exchanged between the two sides
in 1947. As a consequence, prior to the 1980s, neither India nor Pakistan maintained any permanent military presence in the region. However,
Pakistan began conducting and allowing a series of mountaineering expeditions to the glacier beginning in the 1950s. By early 1980s, the
government of Pakistan was granting special expedition permits to mountaineers and United States Army maps deliberately showed Siachen as a
part of Pakistan. This practice gave rise to the contemporary meaning of the term oropolitics.

India, possibly irked by these developments, launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984. The entire Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army was
airlifted to the glacier. Pakistani forces responded quickly and clashes between the two followed. Indian Army secured the strategic Sia La and
Bilafond La mountain passes and by 1985, more than 1000 sq. miles of territory, 'claimed' by Pakistan, was under Indian control.[22] The Indian
Army continues to control more than 2/3rd of the glacier.[23] Pakistan made several unsuccessful attempts to regain control over Siachen. In late
1987, Pakistan mobilized about 8,000 troops and garrisoned them near Khapalu, aiming to capture Bilafond La.[24] However, they were repulsed
by Indian Army personnel guarding Bilafond. During the battle, about 23 Indian soldiers lost their lives while more than 150 Pakistani troops
perished.[25] Further unsuccessful attempts to reclaim positions were launched by Pakistan in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, most notably in Kargil
that year.

India continues to maintain a strong military presence in the region despite extremely inhospitable conditions. The conflict over Siachen is
regularly cited as an example of mountain warfare.[26] The highest peak in the Siachen glacier region, Siakangri, is strategically important for
India because its immense altitude and proximity to the Karakoram Highway enables the Indian forces to keep check on any Pakistani or
Chinese movement in the region.[27] Maintaining control over Siachen poses several logistical challenges for the Indian Army. Several
infrastructure projects were constructed in the region, including a helipad 21,000 feet (6,400 m) above the sea level.[28] In 2004, Indian Army was
spending an estimated US$2 million a day to support its personnel stationed in the region.[29]

[edit] Counter-insurgency activities

Indian Army personnel during a counter-insurgency training operation.

The Indian Army has played a crucial role in the past, fighting insurgents and terrorists within the nation. The army launched Operation Bluestar
and Operation Woodrose in the 1980s to combat Sikh insurgents. The army, along with some paramilitary forces, has the prime responsibility of
maintaining law and order in the troubled Jammu and Kashmir region. The Indian Army also sent a contingent to Sri Lanka in 1987 as a part of
the Indian Peace Keeping Force.

[edit] Kargil conflict (1999)

Main article: Kargil War

In 1998, India carried out nuclear tests and a few days later, Pakistan responded by more nuclear tests giving both countries nuclear deterrence
capability. Diplomatic tensions eased after the Lahore Summit was held in 1999. The sense of optimism was short-lived, however, since in mid-
1999 Pakistani paramilitary forces and Kashmiri insurgents captured deserted, but strategic, Himalayan heights in the Kargil district of India.
These had been vacated by the Indian army during the onset of the inhospitable winter and were supposed to reoccupied in spring. The regular
Pakistani troops who took control of these areas received important support, both in the form of arms and supplies, from Pakistan. Some of the
heights under their control, which also included the Tiger Hill, overlooked the vital Srinagar-Leh Highway (NH 1A), Batalik and Dras.
Indian Army near Jammu trucks carry supplies for Indian troops fighting in Kargil in summer 1999.

Once the scale of the Pakistani incursion was realized, the Indian Army quickly mobilized about 200,000 troops and Operation Vijay was
launched. However, since the heights were under Pakistani control, India was in a clear strategic disadvantage. From their observation posts, the
Pakistani forces had a clear line-of-sight to lay down indirect artillery fire on NH 1A, inflicting heavy casualties on the Indians.[30] This was a
serious problem for the Indian Army as the highway was its main logistical and supply route.[31] Thus, the Indian Army's first priority was to
recapture peaks that were in the immediate vicinity of NH1a. This resulted in Indian troops first targeting the Tiger Hill and Tololing complex in
Dras.[32] This was soon followed by more attacks on the Batalik-Turtok sub-sector which provided access to Siachen Glacier. Point 4590, which
had the nearest view of the NH1a, was successfully recaptured by Indian forces on June 14. [33]

Though most of the posts in the vicinity of the highway were cleared by mid-June, some parts of the highway near Drass witnessed sporadic
shelling until the end of the war. Once NH1a area was cleared, the Indian Army turned to driving the invading force back across the Line of
Control. The Battle of Tololing, among other assaults, slowly tilted the combat in India's favor. Nevertheless, some of the posts put up a stiff
resistance, including Tiger Hill (Point 5140) that fell only later in the war. As the operation was fully underway, about 250 artillery guns were
brought in to clear the infiltrators in the posts that were in the line-of-sight. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge
the outposts manned by the Pakistan soldiers, who were out of visible range. The Indian Army mounted some direct frontal ground assaults
which were slow and took a heavy toll given the steep ascent that had to be made on peaks as high as 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Two months into
the conflict, Indian troops had slowly retaken most of the ridges they had lost;[34][35] according to official count, an estimated 75%–80% of the
intruded area and nearly all high ground was back under Indian control.

Following the Washington accord on July 4, where Sharif agreed to withdraw Pakistani troops, most of the fighting came to a gradual halt, but
some Pakistani forces remained in positions on the Indian side of the LOC. In addition, the United Jihad Council (an umbrella for all extremist
groups) rejected Pakistan's plan for a climb-down, instead deciding to fight on.[36] The Indian Army launched its final attacks in the last week of
July; as soon as the Drass subsector had been cleared of Pakistani forces, the fighting ceased on July 26. The day has since been marked as
Kargil Vijay Diwas (Kargil Victory Day) in India. By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all territory south and east of the Line of
Control, as was established in July 1972 per the Shimla Accord. By the time all hostilities had ended, the number of Indian soldiers killed during
the conflict stood at 527.[37] while more than 700 regular members of the Pakistani army were killed.[38] The number of Islamist fighters, also
known as Mujahideen, killed by Indian Armed Forces during the conflict stood at about 3,000.[39]

[edit] United Nations Peacekeeping Missions

Indian Army soldiers arrive in Korea in September 1953 for peacekeeping along the neutral buffer zone

The Indian Army has undertaken numerous UN peacekeeping missions:[40]

• Angola, UNAVEM I, 1988-1991

• Angola, UNAVEM II, 1991-1995
• Angola, UNAVEM III, 1995-1997
• Angola, MONUA, 1997-1999
• Bosnia & Herzegovina, UNMIBH, 1995-2002
• Cambodia, UNAMIC, 1991-1992
• Cambodia, UNTAC, 1992-1993
• Central America, ONUCA, 1989-1992
• Congo, ONUC, 1960-1964
• El Salvador, ONUSAL, 1991-1995
• Ethiopia & Eritrea, UNMEE, 2000-2008
• Haiti, UNMIH, 1993-1996
• Haiti, UNSMIH, 1996-1997
• Haiti, UNTMIH, 1997
• Haiti, MIPONUH, 1997-2000
• Iran & Iraq, UNIIMOG, 1988-1991
• Iraq & Kuwait, UNIKOM, 1991-2003
• Israel, UNDOF
• Liberia, UNOMIL, 1993-1997
• Lebanon, UNOGL,UNIFIL, 1958
 • Middle East, UNEF I, 1956-1967
• Mozambique, ONUMOZ, 1992-1994
• Namibia, UNTAG, 1989-1990
• Rwanda, UNAMIR, 1993-1996
• Sierra Leone, UNOMSIL, 1998-1999
• Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, 1999-2005
• Somalia, UNOSOM, 1993-1995
• Yemen, UNYOM, 1963-1964

The Indian army also provided paramedical units to facilitate the withdrawal of the sick and wounded in the Korean War.

[edit] Major Exercises

Indian Army T-90 tanks take part during an exercise in the Thar Desert.

[edit] Operation Brasstacks

Operation Brasstacks was launched by the Indian Army in November 1986 to simulate a full-scale war on the western border. The exercise was
the largest ever conducted in India and comprised nine infantry, three mechanised, three armoured and one air assault division, and included
three armoured brigades. Amphibious assault exercises were also conducted with the Indian Navy. Brasstacks also allegedly incorporated
nuclear attack drills. It led to tensions with Pakistan and a subsequent rapprochement in mid-1987. [41][42]

[edit] Operation Parakram

Main article: 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff

After the December 13, 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, Operation Parakram was launched in which tens of thousands of Indian troops
were deployed along the Indo-Pakistan border. India blamed Pakistan for backing the attack. The operation was the largest military exercise
carried out by any Asian country. Its prime objective is still unclear but appears to have been to prepare the army for any future nuclear conflict
with Pakistan, which seemed increasingly possible after the December attack on the Indian parliament.

[edit] Operation Sanghe Shakti

It has since been stated that the main goal of this exercise was to validate mobilisation strategies of the Ambala-based II Strike Corps. Air
support was a part of this exercise, and an entire battalion of paratroops was paradropped during the conduct of the war games, with allied
equipment. Some 20,000 soldiers took part in the exercise.

[edit] Exercise Ashwamedha

Indian Army tested its network centric warfare capabilities in the exercise Ashwamedha. The exercise was held in the Thar desert, in which over
300,000 troops participated.[43]. Asymmetric warfare capability was also tested by the Indian Army during the exercise.[44]

[edit] Structure of the Indian Army

Initially, the army's main objective was to defend the nation's frontiers. However, over the years, the army has also taken up the responsibility of
providing internal security, especially in insurgent-hit Kashmir and north-east.

The army has a strength of about a million troops and fields 34 divisions. Its headquarters is located in the Indian capital New Delhi and it is
under the overall command of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), currently General Deepak Kapoor, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC
[edit] Commands

The army operates 6 tactical commands . Each command is headed by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief with the rank of Lieutenant
General. Each command is directly affiliated to the Army HQ in New Delhi. These commands are given below in their correct order of raising,
location (city) and their commanders. There is also one training command known as ARTRAC.The staff in each Command HQ is headed by
Chief Of Staff (COS) who is also an officer of Lieutenant General rank.

[edit] Corps

A Corps is an army field formation responsible for a zone within a Command theatre. There are 3 types of Corps in the Indian Army: Strike,
Holding & Mixed. A Command generally consists of 2 or more Corps. A corps has Army Divisions under its command. The Corps HQ is the
highest field formation in the army.

Headquarters, Indian Army, New Delhi • Southern Command, headquartered at Pune, Maharashtra
o XXI Corps (ex IPKF), headquartered at Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh
• Central Command, headquartered at Lucknow, Uttar
 31st Armored Division headquartered at Jhansi
Pradesh
 36th RAPID Sagar
o I Corps, headquartered at Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
 54th Infantry Division headquartered at
 4th Infantry Division headquartered at
Hyderabad/Secunderabad
Allahabad
 Artillery brigade
 6th Mountain Division headquartered at
 Air defence brigade
Bareilly
 475th Engineering Brigade
 33rd Armored Division headquartered at Hisar
 Engineering Brigade • South Western Command, headquartered at Jaipur,
Rajasthan
• Eastern Command, headquartered at Kolkata, West o XII Corps, headquartered at Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Bengal
 4th Armored brigade
o III Corps, headquartered at Dimapur, Nagaland
 340th Mechanized brigade
 23rd Infantry Division headquartered at Ranchi
 11th Infantry Division headquartered at
 57th Mountain Division headquartered at
Ahmedabad
Leimakhong  12th Infantry Division headquartered at Jodhpur
 o IV Corps, headquartered at Tezpur, Assam
• Western Command, headquartered at Chandigarh
 2nd Mountain Division headquartered at
o II Corps, headquartered at Ambala, Haryana
Dibrugarh
 1st Armored Division headquartered at Patiala
 5th Mountain Division headquartered at
 14th RAPID Dehradun
Bomdila
 22th Infantry Division headquartered at Meerut
 21st Mountain Division headquartered at
 474th Engineering Brigade
Rangia
 612th Mechanised Independent Air defence
o XXXIII Corps, headquartered at Siliguri, West Bengal
brigade
 17th Mountain Division headquartered at
o IX Corps, headquartered at Yol, Himachal Pradesh
Gangtok
 26th Infantry Division headquartered at Jammu
 20th Mountain Division headquartered at
 29th Infantry Division headquartered at Pathankot
Binnaguri
 2nd Independent Armored brigade
 27th Mountain Division headquartered at
 3rd Independent Armored brigade
Kalimpong
 16th Independent Armored brigade
 Artillery brigade
o X Corps, headquartered at Bhatinda, Punjab
• Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur, Jammu  16th Infantry Division headquartered at Sri
and Kashmir Ganganagar
o XIV Corps, headquartered at Leh, Jammu and Kashmir  18th RAPID Kota
 3rd Infantry Division headquartered at Leh  24th RAPID Bikaner
 8th Mountain Division headquartered at Dras  6th Independent Armored brigade
 Artillery brigade  615th Independent Air defence brigade
o XV Corps, headquartered at Srinagar, Jammu and  471st Engineering Brigade
Kashmir o XI Corps, headquartered at Jalandhar, Punjab
 19th Infantry Division headquartered at  7th Infantry Division headquartered at Firozpur
Baramulla,  9th Infantry Division headquartered at Meerut
 28th Infantry Division headquartered at Gurez  15th Infantry Division headquartered at Amritsar
 Artillery brigade  23rd Armored brigade
o XVI Corps, headquartered at Nagrota, Jammu and  55th Mechanised brigade
Kashmir
 10th Infantry Division headquartered at
• Training Command, headquartered at Shimla, Himachal
Akhnoor
Pradesh
 25th Infantry Division headquartered at Rajauri
  39th Infantry Division headquartered at Yol
 Artillery brigade

 Armored brigade

[edit] Regimental Organisation

In addition to this (not to be confused with the Field Corps mentioned above) are the Regiments or Corps or departments of the Indian Army.
The corps mentioned below are the functional divisions entrusted with specific pan-Army tasks.
Arms

1. Indian Infantry Regiments

2. Armoured Corps Regiments - The Armoured Corps School and Centre is at Ahmednagar.
3. Regiment of Artillery - The School of Artillery is at Devlali near Nasik.
4. Corps of Signals
5. Corps of Engineers - The College of Military Engineering is at Dapodi, Pune. The Centers are located as follows- Madras Engineer Group
at Bangalore, Bengal Engineer Group at Roorkee and Bombay Engineer Group at Khadki, Pune.
6. Corps of Army Air Defence-Center at Gopalpur in Orissa State.
7. Mechanised Infantry - Regimental Center at Ahmednagar.
8. Army Aviation Corps(India)

Services

1. Army Dental Corps

2. Army Education Corps - Center at Pachmarhi.
3. Army Medical Corps - Center at Lucknow.
4. Army Ordnance Corps - Centers at Jabalpur and Secunderabad (HQ).
5. Army Postal Service Corps - Centre at Kamptee near Nagpur.
6. Army Service Corps - Center at Bangalore
7. Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers- Centers at Bhopal and Secunderabad .
8. Corps of Military Police [2] - Center at Bangalore
9. Intelligence Corps - Center at Pune.
10. Judge Advocate General's Deptt. - Institute of Military Law kamptee,Nagpur.
11. Military Farms Service
12. Military Nursing Service
13. Remount and Veterinary Corps

14. Pioneer Corps

[show]
v•d•e
Indian Army arms and services

RegimentsInfantry (Mechanised) · Artillery

Armoured · Army Aviation · Army Air Defence · Engineers ·

Corps
Signals · Intelligence

Dental · Education · Medical · Ordnance · Postal Service ·