On the occasion of Army Day, I convey my greetings and best wishes to all ranks of the Army, ex-servicemen, civilians and their families.

The Indian Army continues to be actively engaged in fighting external and internal threats to the integrity of the nation. Our comrades who are carrying out these tasks in J&K and the North East in trying conditions are upholding our glorious traditions of valour, sacrifice and steadfast devotion to duty. I compliment all those deployed in these areas for their immense contribution in improving the proxy war and internal security situation.

With changed security environment in the Indian sub-continent, especially due to the uncertain situation in our neighbourhood, there is a definite requirement for us to be most vigilant all the time. This is the price that the Army has to pay for the security of our nation. I have no doubt that all ranks will do their duty to the fullest extent.

On the occasion of the Army Day, I call upon all ranks to rededicate themselves to the service of our motherland as we have always done in the past and shall always do in the future.

May God be with us in the service of our nation.

(S Padmanabhan)

General

SS : Now that winter is at its height, how does the Army plan to use this period to eliminate the militants present in Jammu and Kashmir?

GEN : During winters, due to snowfall in the upper reaches of Pir Panjal, Samshabari and other mountain ranges in J&K, the terrorists tend to gravitate to population centers, the Jammu region and the lower reaches of J&K. We intend to deny them this avenue of escape from the rigours of winter. Further, the counter-infiltration posture is being strengthened and force multipliers like electronic devices are being deployed. Border fencing along the IB should also help in counter-infiltration. Relentless counter-terrorist operations will continue. At the same time, concerted military-civic action will also be undertaken to wean away the people from militancy.

SS : After the September 11 incident what changes have been noticed in the tactics being used by the militants in the Kashmir Valley? How does Army plan to tackle them?

GEN : Initially there was some reduction in terrorist related violence, probably due to confusion amongst the terrorists. However, probably since mid-October there has been an escalation in violence. Our plan is to intensify our ongoing counter-terrorist operations and see that terrorists are put out of action wherever and whenever they may be encountered.

SS : How do you perceive the situation in the North East? How much of military involvement would you approve?

GEN : The Nagaland peace process has brightened the hope for restoration of peace in the state. A peace process is also progressing satisfactorily with some group in Assam. The Army has contributed significantly towards creating an environment conducive for peace initiatives. Insurgency in the North East, as elsewhere, is to be viewed and tackled as a national problem, not just as a security issue. The Army will continue to play its role whenever called upon to do so.

SS : The Short Service Commissioned women officers have been in the Army for the last nine years. How do you rate their performance? Have you any plan to grant regular commission to women officers and induct them into the combat arms?

GEN : The performance of women officers has been generally satisfactory. As of now there are no plans to grant regular commission to women officers or induct them into combat arms.

SS : The Army Sports Institute has been established to bring about significant improvement in the standard of sports. How is this proposed to be done?

GEN : Consequent to the establishment of the Army Sports Institute at Pune, we have undertaken creation of state-of-the-art infrastructure for sports. This includes modern firing ranges, synthetic athletic track and facilities and equipment for selected sports in which we are strong. Talent scouting has been instituted with the aim of identifying and selecting potential sportsmen for enrolment. We are also making arrangements for good Indian and foreign coaches for our sportsmen. The Sports Authority of India is also helping the Army in securing the services of good coaches.

GEN : At present, the requirement is being managed out of the existing 8421 dwelling units covering 68 cantonments and military stations constructed or re-appropriated as SF accommodation for Other Ranks of the Indian Army. This is grossly inadequate. The Prime Minister's landmark decision of undertaking the construction of deficient married accommodation for all ranks of the Defence Services in the next four years through a dedicated budgetary provision of Rs 4000 crore per year will greatly alleviate the problem and, once implemented, will enable a quantum jump in the present satisfaction levels.

GEN : The Army "IT Road Map 2008" is a detailed guide to the assimilation of information technology into the Army's functioning. It covers various levels from training of soldiers to most advanced areas like virtual reality and information warfare. The projects currently underway focus on establishment of the Army intranet, IT training and development of application software. Similarly, IT training has been started at basic, middle and advanced levels at all training institutions. Select officers are being trained at IITs, CDAC and with industry as well. In addition, use of the internet is being encouraged all over.

GEN : The present and future battlefield environment requires substantially enhanced 'jointness', both in planning as well as in prosecution of operations. Major reforms, based on the report of the task force for 'Review of the Management of Defence', are underway. In addition, the process of integrating the Services headquarters with the Ministry of Defence has commenced. Substantial delegation of administrative and financial powers to the Services is being done so as to speed up the decision-making process.

GEN : Self-reliance has been the corner-stone of our equipment philosophy for a long time and, in this regard, a close working relationship between the Army and the DRDO has been established over the years.

The long-term plans of the Army envisage a progressive decrease in imported military equipment and we hope that by the end of the current decade our inventory of indigenous equipment would outnumber imported equipment. These equipment fall in the category of high technology end as well as in the commercial realm and we are confident that in our efforts to modernise the Army, our R&D organisation as well as the production agencies will stand shoulder to shoulder with us. We are, therefore, developing close linkages with the industry, in both public as well as the private sector.