India: Military Snippets-4

Pinaka' tested successfully

Media reports Balasore, August 13, 2008: Army and defence scientists jointly carried out sample trials of ‘Pinaka’ multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) weapon system being developed by India on August 13 at the Proof Experimental Establishment (PXE) Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 km from Balasore in Orissa state. According to a defence official, the objective of the trials was “to assess its stability in flight as well as accuracy and consistency."

'Pinaka' had already undergone several tests since 1995. 'Pinaka' is an area weapon system to supplement the existing artillery fire power at ranges beyond 30 km. Its advantages are quick response time and high rate of fire. The unguided rocket system 40 km, 'Pinaka' can fire salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. One salvo each (12 rockets) from the battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9 sq km.

The system's capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it deadly with ability to destroy solid structures and bunkers.

Muslim soldier's entry into Puri temple creates flutter

Media report, 13 Aug 2008, Puri: The entry of a a Muslim soldier who came with an army brigadier into the Jagannath temple, a 12th century shrine, which is off-limits to non-Hindus caused a flutter in this temple town in Orissa. Some priests there raised an alarm after they saw the soldier's name badge.

Havildar M A Rashid said "I had absolutely no idea about the rule. Nobody stopped me at the temple gate." Rashid is employed at the Army Air Defence College at Golabandha in Gopalpur, accompanied Brig. Prakash. The brigadier defended his bodyguard's unintentional mistake.

The visit of Rashid was certainly unintentional and it is better to ignore it. But at the same time Army should understand and act appropriately respecting local sentiments. Unfortunately we do not understand why men in uniform accompany officers on their private jaunts.

Defence Minister Orders probe into Congo charges

Media reports; 14 Aug 2008, New Delhi: Indian defence minister A K Antony quickly ordered a thorough and time-bound investigation into the UN allegations of sexual exploitation and child abuse by Indian soldiers in Congo. He was responding to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon who asked for disciplinary action to the “maximum degree permitted by Indian law” against those found to be involved in the case. A UN statement had said that its internal investigation had found prima facie evidence that Indian soldiers "may" have engaged in sexual exploitation and child abuse while serving in Congo during 2007-2008.

It had alleged that as many as 100 Indian soldiers could be involved in having sex with minor Congolese girls in exchange for food or small sums of money in North Kivu Province in Congo.

This is not the first time allegations of such aberrations have been made about peace-keeping troops deployed in UN mission (MONUC) in Congo. Such allegations have been made against armies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh of MONUC and Sri Lanka while serving in Haiti. The alleged offences range from gold smuggling to arms trading, and of course exploitation of girls.

The Army’s reaction in July 2008 to this report is interesting. It had brushed aside allegations against Indian soldiers regarding gold smuggling and arms trading as a malicious campaign to "undermine the credibility" of its soldiers deployed in Congo It said all allegations against its soldiers ranging from gold smuggling and arms trading to even sexual exploitation had been found 'false and baseless'.

Only one incident of 'aberrant behaviour' by in the peace-keeping mission in Congo came to light during the probe conducted into the allegations by UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).

The army said disciplinary action had been initiated against the three Indian soldiers — a Lt-Colonel, a subedar and a havaldar — after their involvement was contained in the UNOIOS report. This it said was in keeping with its 'zero tolerance' policy against any acts of omission or commission which violates 'the code of professional ethics'. The facts of the case in question are that an Indian soldier was 'lured' into purchasing a small quantity of counterfeit gold dust for around $480 by a local trader in the North Kivu province of Congo.

Investigations have revealed the soldier, on becoming aware of having being cheated, along with his JCO and his immediate superior officer, detained the trader to recover the money. Subsequently, the trader, an anti-social element, returned the money," said media reports quoting an officer…The three soldiers were recalled to India. After detailed investigations, headed by a Lt-General, and disciplinary action initiated against the three under the Army Act.

But Ban Ki Moon’s statement has made all the difference. The OIOS report has alleged that Indian peacekeepers were involved in a child prostitution racket being run near a base camp at Masisi. The Army had ordered an "internal inquiry" by Brigadier Inderjeet Narayan, commander of the North Kivu brigade after its vice-chief Lt-Gen Milan Naidu visited Congo in May.

India has the largest presence in the 16,475-strong MONUC with 4372 soldiers. This is followed by Pakistan with 3,551 soldiers. At present, India has 8,896 soldiers deployed in six UN missions.

Generally Indian soldiers have a very good record as peace keepers of the UN. In a few occasions the UN command set up which had not been the ideal to handle troops coming from different societies with armies in various stages of development. Soldiers from certain western nations have also faced problems the world over with allegations of rape, graft, unnecessary use of force not to mention the abuses like we've seen in Iraqi prisons for example.

Indian Army Act is highly restrictive regarding the individual rights of its citizens serving as its soldiers. So it has to ensure that false allegations are not foisted upon the soldiers who have no recourse to judicial remedies a common citizen enjoys. However, army should be aware that 21st century demands greater public accountability particularly from the armed forces. It has to act fairly and swiftly to ensure it does not tolerate acts of indiscipline from it soldiers, particularly when serving with international set ups.

And not only should it act but it should be known to others that it acts. Moreover, the UN working itself has been under a cloud over allegations of corruption and embezzlement for sometime now. So the UN service has to be handled with kid glove. And the army response need not be defensive but factual, without breast-beating about ‘conspiracies to tarnish its image.’

That can come through only when its credibility in responding to allegations is swift and transparent. We are confident Indian army is conscious of this and do so as it had done in J and K.