India paradrops troops on island

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 14

India has conducted an important exercise to land parachute-borne troops on a remote island and is now planning an event in August in the deserts that will include Russia and China.

A tri-services team of paratroopers was airdropped on Teressa island in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The exercise called ‘bullstrike’ was to mimic the need of landing men on an island to counter the enemy and also possible terrorists. The air drop included some troops dropping in a free fall from a plane called ‘combat free fall’ in military parlance. The exercise was done on May 9 and not made public.

India fears a threat from sea to several of its islands and has a role as dominating the Indian Ocean where some of the islands are vulnerable.

Separately, delegates of eight countries, including Russia and China, arrived in Jaisalmer today to plan out what will be the fifth International ‘Army games’ to be conducted in August. This will be first multi-nation participation by China in India. India will be hosting for the first time and will showcase military potential.

Other countries participating today and also in August will be Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. Barring Zimbabwe, the others, including India, were considered by the US and its allies as part of the Soviet Bloc during the Cold War (1945-1991). The event in August will be over five stages and see the participation of some 250 personnel.

Though called ‘games’, it will have specialist military activity like checking infiltration and laying an ambush. It will have obstacle course. It see troops doing night infiltration and survival exercise. Weapons to be used are AK-47 and INSAS — both rifles. Draganov sniper rifles and infantry carrying armoured vehicles.