A CRPF Publication on OPS Issues
Issue VI | July-September 2015
case study
Basing Bahar Camp Attack
OPS Diary
The Peacekeepers
Review
The Year 2015
Vs an Army
The Epic Battle of Sardar Post
Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India releasing “Warriors Remembered”, a compendium of martyrs
The message
celebrating the epic battle of Sardar Post Chief Patron Zulfiquar Hasan, I.P.S IG (Ops), Directorate General Chief Editor P.S. Rajora DIG (Ops), Directorate General Editor Amit Kumar Second-in-Command Monitoring (Ops) Directorate General Design © PealiDezine www.pealidezine.com pealidezine@gmail.com
Cover Photo: DPR/MOD You may send your valuable articles along with photographs at the following address: DIG (Operations) Directorate General, C.R.P.F C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road New Delhi - 110003 E-mail: opsmontcell@crpf.gov.in Phone: 011-2436140, 2436150
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his year, the force is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Sardar Post Battle of 1965. This was an epic battle in which only a small contingent of a Para Military force not only successfully repulsed the attack of a full Pakistani Brigade but held on to the post for almost 12 hours till the Indian Army reached there. The police contingent also inflicted heavy casualties to the enemy. The battle was indeed a proud moment of not only CRPF’s history but the nation’s military history as well. These was a great mismatch in the fighting capabilities of the two warring sides in terms of manpower, training and war machinery. Everything was tilted heavily in favour of the Pakistani Army. The reason for success there was grit, determination and clever tactics. This valiantly fought gun battle has inspired us to achieve many grand feats and will continue animate us in the future. Various events and exhibitions were organized in different parts of the country to mark the Golden Jubilee of the event. Our endeavour, however was to make the citizens of our nation aware of this historic deed of our predecessors. For this, a comic book on “Sardar Post” has been published and is available for sale in CRPF establishment and at book stalls. This great battle fought by our predecessors offers many valuable lessons in camaraderie, courage and the will to win and is sure to inspire the present generations of the force. This year CRPF has won 101 gallantry medals which is a record haul and this is the first time in the force’s 76-year history that it has scored a century of medals. The force has remained a strong pillar of the Indian security apparatus be it the battle of 1965 or 1971 with Pakistan where we fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indian Army and rendered valuable assistance in the war efforts. It was the CRPF that bore the brunt of the Chinese Army ambush of a CRPF patrol near Hot Spring in 1959. The wars of 1962, 1965 and 1971 have ended long back but the CRPF is still fighting the battle for the nation’s security. Not even a single day lapses when there is no attempt on CRPF men’s lives – an encounter with left-wing extremists (LWE), an improvised explosive device (IED) lying silently beneath an innocent looking track in the dense jungles of Central India, stone pelting and fidayeen attacks in Jammu and Kashmir or attempts to snatch arms in the wet N Hills. This year only 1,724 IED’s have been recovered in LWE-affected states. On an average there are 3-4 such deadly attempts per day which shows that the fight is still on.
Zulfiquar Hasan, I.P.S
IG (Ops), Directorate General
contents
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18
OPS Bulletin July-September 2015
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45
04 | remembrance Homage to the Martyrs
Heroes who gave up their lives to uphold the nation’s pride
42 | Case study
05 | achivements
In-depth analysis of the recently noticed trends of camp attacks by Maoists in Chhattisgarh
Our achievements and losses during May-December, 2015
52 | the review
06 | Cover Story
Assessing and evaluating the operations executed by CRPF, around the country in 2015
One of the most glorious chapters in the military history of the nation was written by the bravehearts of CRPF on 9 April 1965, in the epic battle of Sardar Post
56 | The Report
Achivements and Sacrifices
Vs an Army
14 | mission diary Liberia Diary
Indian peacekeepers in Liberia, including a women’s contingent, were honoured with medals
18 | Field diary From the Battlefield
Inspiring tales of achievements and sacrifices while protecting the country from insurgents
40 | Off the Field Excelling in Sports
FAIRFAX, World Police & Fire Games, saw CRPF contingent excelling in various events
Rocket Attacks of Police Camps
Summing Up the Year
The Sitrep
A Periodic Report of the Current Internal Security Scenario
68 | talent hunt Hitting the Bull’s Eye
Archery Talent Hunt competition organised by 202 CoBRA under special projects of civic action programme
70 | rescue Ops The Unlikely Saviours
Stories of security forces turning good samaritans in Bastar, the CRPF’s healing touch
cover story
Vs An Army The Epic Battle of Sardar Post
One of the most glorious chapters in the military history of the nation was written by bravehearts of CRPF on 9 April 1965 when only 2 Coys of 2nd Bn CRPF stood their ground and repulsed the attack of a full Pakistani Brigade rendering them heavy casualties during the Indo–Pak war of 1965.
On 13 March, the CRPF constructed Sardar Post, 4,600 m southwest of Kanjarkot Photo: DPR/MOD
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cover story
S
ensing the aggressive posture of Pakistan on the Kutch–Sindh border during early 1965, 4 Companies of 2nd Bn CRPF were ordered to set up border posts at SARDAR and TAK. The Sardar Post was located in a flat area which was tactically disadvantageous. In the early hours of April 9, 3,500 men of 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan Army comprising of 18 Punjab Bn, 8 Frontier Rifles and 6 Balooch Bn stealthily launched simultaneous assault on SARDAR and TAK Posts as a part of Operation “Desert Hawk.” Head Constable Ranjit Singh was on duty at Sardar Post at the time, manning a machine gun. Sensing some movement about 50 to 100 yards to his north, he realised, with a soldier’s innate instinct for danger, that it was enemy movement. He challenged the intruders, and his action was met with a rain of bullets from the opposite direction. This was rapidly followed by artillery fire from 25 pounder-guns. Rushing to his aid, Singh’s fellow soldiers took up their positions too, and retaliated bravely. Soon all the personnel deployed on the post realized that it was the attack of a full Pakistani Brigade. Prior to the attack a patrolling party under command Subedar Kabirman Subba was sent to patrol the area of that fateful night. This party was trapped in the firing of both sides. The party in these difficult circumstances started advancing towards their camp through a nala and sent a signal to Tak Post. The Tak Post Commander asked head Constable Mahadev Nilgunde to investigate, as he felt that it might be a move of the enemy to infiltratate into the post in guise of CRPF personnel. Despite the enemy fire concentrated by the enemy on the area, HC Nilgunde went out of the post and identified Jamadar Jainarayan Singh of the night patrol and then the patrol was allowed to move in. But the biggest disadvantage was the limited availability of ammunition Right: As skirmishes continued, the Indian armed forces were on high alert Left: Sacred earth from the battlefield at Sardar Post stored in an urn
in the post, quite insufficient to last the duration of the battle. To conserve ammunition after some amount of firing had taken place, the Post Commander ordered his men to held their fire. A well thought-out strategy, this decision proved to be a game changer for the ensuing battle. The sudden and deafening silence from the Indian side as the mists of the night drifted toward dawn led the Pakistanis to believe that all the personnel manning
Photos: DPR/MOD
Jawans relax for a while during a routine day patrol in the Rann of Kutch which saw an attack by Pakistan’s armed forces
Destroyed Pakistani tanks in the Kutch area
Twenty of the attacking columns then crept even closer. Immediately, a hail of bullets rang out, and flattened the unsuspecting enemy
the post had been killed or wounded. Nevertheless, the incoming Pakistani columns fanned out, surrounding Sardar Post. There was still not a sign of life from the Indian forces. All was quiet. Twenty of the attacking columns then crept even closer. Immediately, a hail of bullets rang out, and flattened the unsuspecting enemy. Another wave of enemy attackers, coming in from the rear, met with the same fate as their predecessors who had fallen in front. Fourteen of them were injured and four were captured alive. In retrospect, it is to the credit of Constable Shiv Ram of Sardar Post that he detected enemy movement 600 yards away. Despite the grave risk from intermittent shelling, he ran to Tak Post to inform Subedar Balbir Singh who was in charge of the 3 inch mortar about this and directed the firing of the artillery and mortars. Subedar Balbir Singh was quick enough
to direct Indian mortar fire to destroy the enemy Observation Post (OP). Constable Shiv Ram then returned to Sardar Post. Later in the day, he noticed enemy vehicles moving in from the north-east. Again at personal risk he went to Tak, gave the information to Subedar Balbir Singh and as a result the vehicles were either put out of action or forced to withdraw. One OP inside the Tak Post was then destroyed by Head Constable Mahadev Nilgunde as it could be dangerous if it would have been captured by the enemy. A message conveyed at Tak Post was to send extra ammunition for the medium machine gun (MMG) at the Sardar Post. Amid heavy shelling CT/DVR Kishan Singh promptly volunteered to supply ammunition in a Jeep to the Sardar post. He ran the gauntlet of enemy fire three times in order to deliver the much needed ammunition to Sardar Post.
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cover story
Shri Narender Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India at the CRPF pavilion at India Gate during the exhibition “Shauryanjali”: Assistant Commandant Gauri Singh briefed him about the Battle of Sardar Post Photo: CRPF
There was a brief moment when the Pakistanis achieved slight success, when one of the machine guns on the north-eastern corner of the Post got jammed. Nevertheless, the CRPF men rallied swiftly, continuing their defence of the Sardar Post to the last man. As the Pakistanis moved in closer, Head Constable Bhawana Ram, deployed on the eastern parameter of Sardar
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The exchange of fire lasted over 12 hours during which the enemy made three attempts – all in vain
Post, displayed commendable vision and when the MMG in his area was silenced he collected all the grenades at his post and kept throwing them at the incoming Pakistani troops. Indeed, his gallantry was to a great extent instrumental in demoralising the intruders and forcing them to retreat from the Post. The exchange of fire lasted over 12 hours during which the enemy made three attempts – all in vain – to overrun the post. The Pakistanis were eventually beaten back, but they succeeded in taking 19 CRPF men captive including the Post Commander, Major Sardar Karnail Singh. The retaliation by the CRPF men was so fierce and unexpected that despite their numerical and armament superiority, the enemy were
Standing Against an Army
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his year, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Battle of Sardar Post which was fought during 1965 Indo–Pak War. Prior to formation of the Border Security Force, the CRPF, which is the leading internal security force of the country was also assigned border guarding duties. Guarding our frontiers CRPF has faced the foreign invasions twice – first in Hotspring, Laddakh in 1959, where 10 CRPF men laid down their lives in ambush carried out by Chinese Army. The second attack was done by the Pakistani Army in Rann of Kutch in April 1965. Undeterred, the attack was repulsed successfully by a much smaller contingent of CRPF. Various events have been conducted this year to commemorate the battle. The CRPF was invited to showcase the Sardar Post saga during an exhibition
Shaheed L/Naik Ganpath Ram
Shaheed Naik Kishore Singh
organized by the Indian Army, at India Gate Lawns, New Delhi from 14 to 27 September 2015 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the 1965 Indo–Pak War. The exhibition was visited by lakhs of visitors and was successful. The battle was also showcased during CRPF Annual Welfare Exhibition–2015 and subsequently during the India International Trade Fair–2015 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14 to 27 November 2015. This initiative helped in generating awareness among the masses and media about the historic battle of Sardar Post. A logo was also designed for the souvenirs which were distributed to the dignitaries and visitors. A comic book on Sardar Post was also published and released by Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister.
Shaheed CT Shamsher Singh
Shaheed CT Kishan Singh
Shaheed CT Jain Singh
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Clockwise from Top left: His Excellency the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee visiting the CRPF pavillion Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitly at the exibition CRPF pavillion School children
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cover story
Indian soldiers manning a trench Photo: DPR/MOD Left: Cover page of hindi daily Hindustan, with the news of the Pakistani attack
compelled to flee. The fleeing Pakistan Army left behind 34 dead soldiers including two officers. Four Pakistani soldiers were captured alive. The fact that six CRPF men made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of the nation is a unique and unparalleled feat in military history, where a heavily outnumbered contingent of paramilitary personnel forced the withdrawal of a regular army Infantry Brigade and, what is more, held them at bay for over 12 hours The valour of the CRPF men who displayed exceptional bravery, unmindful of their own safety and the well being of their dear ones and driven solely by their duty to defend their motherland at all cost was
widely applauded and recognized by a grateful Nation. Shri Gulzari Lal Nanda, the then Hon’ble Home Minister had remarked “This battle will go down in the history of Indian Police, nay in the history of military battle”. Seven CRPF officers and men were decorated with the prestigious President’s Police Medal for Gallantry and seven of them were awarded Police Medal for Gallantry, for their act of unparalleled bravery in the face of grave adversity of the brave men. In recognition of this unique feat and to commemorate their martyrdom of the brave men; 9 April is celebrated as Day of Valour in CRPF.
A camel border patrol in Kutch
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mission diary
Liberia Diary
Indian Peacekeepers Awarded Medals for Courage
July-September 2015 | OPS Bulletin | 15
mission diary
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ndian peacekeepers in Liberia, including a women’s contingent, were honoured with medals for their courage and service in maintenance of peace and security in the West African country. The 125-strong Indian Formed Police Unit along with 12 Indian personnel of the UN Police serving in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) were awarded medals during a parade ceremony held recently in Congo Town in Montserrado County. Addressing the Indian peacekeepers, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Liberia, Farid Zarif expressed his gratitude to the soldiers for their “courage and dedication” in serving Liberia during its time of distress. He said the peacekeepers offered their services in a nation that “is in distress and in need of support and help from the international community. That is the highest manifestation of your humanism”. India is the largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping operations, with nearly 180,000 troops having served in 44 of the 69 peacekeeping operations so far, including the 103 strong Indian female police unit in Liberia.
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Libera Bids Farewell to Female Peacekeepers
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iberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Farid Zarif bid farewell to the Indian Formed Police Unit (FPU). The all female police unit, the first in the history of UN peacekeeping, has served the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) since 2007 and will soon depart the country as Liberia gets ready to assume full responsibility for national security amidst the ongoing UNMIL drawdown. Both leaders paid tribute to the influence of the peace keepers on Libera.
“The contribution you have made in inspiring Liberian women, imparting in them the spirit of professionalism and encouraging them to join operations that protect the nation; for that we will always be grateful.”
“Our security service now has 17 per cent women – we owe all that to you, because it was not even one percent a few years ago. And these women want to emulate you in the way you’ve served this country”, said President Sirleaf. Farid Zarif said : “You leave behind a legacy of true and dedicated service in support of Liberia and the Liberia National Police, and in delivering services to the people of Liberia. You should be proud that by your presence, you have made tremendous contribution by bringing greater stability, confidence and assisting in the strengthening of the capacities of the Liberia National Police.”
Indian women peacekeepers with the Hon’ble Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
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off the field
Excelling in Sports
FAIRFAX: World Police & Fire Games
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he World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) is a biennial athletic event, open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. First conducted at San Jose, California, USA in 1985, the WPFG has been since organized every alternate year. The team from All India Police Sports Control Board has been participating in the WPFG since 1989, which was held in Vancouver, Canada and have continued to be active participants. In 2015, the Indian police sports contingent consisting of 53 sportspersons and three officials took part in the WPFG conducted from 26 June to 5 July in Fairfax county, Virginia, United States. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was well represented in the 2015 police contingent. Nine sportspersons – Ms L. Nirupama Devi, Asstt. Comdt. (Judo), SM/GD Vedpal (Wrestling), INSP/Mah. Richa Mishra (Swimming), CT/GD Naresh Kumar (Wrestling), CT/GD Girish Ramachandran (Athletics), CT/GD Pankaj Singh (Archery), CT/Mah. Monika Choudhary (Athletics), CT/Mah. Ayana Thomas (Athletics) and CT/Mah. Sumandeep Kaur (Archery) were from CRPF. Besides this, two other sportspersons, CT/Mah. Nidhi Bhardwaj (Judo) and CT/GD Jaswant Singh (Taekwondo) also participated in the games at their own cost. The police contingent came out with flying colours during the 2015 games, securing a total of 157 medals which includes 88 gold, 49 silver & 20 bronze medals. Of the total medal tally, the CRPF secured 36 medals, including 23 gold, nine silver and four bronze medals.
Richa Mishra, an Inspector in CRPF currently holds 5 National swimming records in her name. She bagged 11 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze at National Games 2011
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ROCKET ATTACKs ON POLICE CAMPs
Camp AT BASING BAHAR, DISTrict – NARAYANPUR, CHHATTISGARH DATED 26th-27th MAY 2015
Case Study
This is an in-depth analysis of the recently noticed trends of camp attacks by Maoists in Chhattisgarh using dangerous area weapons. The study further suggests effective measures against attacks using area weapons. These measures should be immediately adopted in and around every camp. — IIM, Pune, CRPF
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n a dastardly attack, Maoists targeted a police camp in Narayanpur disrtrict of Chhattisgarh in the intervening night of 26 and 27 May 2015 and injured four policemen. The Maoists opened indiscriminate fire on the Basing Bahar camp of Chhattisgarh police under Kursunar police station limits, about 24 km away from the district headquarters. Maoists also launched country made rockets at the camp and fired about 25 such rockets in this camp attack from two directions between 2310 hours on 26 May to 0230 hours on 27 May, in which rebels destroyed the wireless communication system of the Basing Bahar camp.
Layout of the camp and direction of firing
General Terrain and Ground Details of the Camp Site The Basing Bahar Nallah camp of Chhattisgarh police is located on a flat plateau having thick forest, surrounded by tall trees. Basing nallah passes from north and west sides. River Indravati flows in the south, which is at the back of the camp, while in the east side a helipad is situated, a large area is secured by concertina wire. The camp is situated in Abujmad area and is about 24 km away from district headquarters Narayanpur and is one of the highly Maoist infested districts of Chhattisgarh because of its borders with Gadchirroli (Maharashtra). A fair proportion of population of this area is Maoist sympathizer which increases the propensity of camp attacks by ultras. This was the third Maoist attack on the camp since its establishment few months back.
Sequence of Events On 26 May 2015, at about 2310 hours, Basing Bahar police camp was attacked by Maoists from two sides
i.e. north and west side of the camp by launching rockets and followed by firing. Immediately the camp was brought to stand to by the sentries and the camp commander asked all personnel to take position in the morchas and ascertain the position of Maoists; and then retaliated the attack in a befitting manner with firing of grenade by UBGL and 51-inch mortar bombs towards the nallah from where Maoists were launching the improvised rockets. Due to effective retaliation from security force Maoists started withdrawing themselves before firing came to halt at about 0230 hours on 27 May 2015. Before launching the attack, the Maoists disrupted the electric supply and blocked the road by placing big boulders and felled trees on the Gumiyabeda axis towards Basing Bahar camp to thwart movement of any probable reinforcement from Kursunar and Narayanpur side. They also placed pressure bombs (Tiffin IEDs) around the camp to inflict casualties during maneuvering in countering the attack. About 25 high explosive improvised rockets were fired by the Maoists, out of which six remained unexploded after landing in and around the police camp due to technical snag. Most of the rockets fell
July-September May-June 2015 2016 | OPS Bulletin | 43 00
Case Study either on the boundary or outside the camp premises except few, which landed on the tents being used as living area and bathing point. Four personnel received splinter injuries that were, later on, evacuated by chopper to Jagdalpur and Raipur for better treatment.
Some Similar Camp Attacks in Chhattisgarh Attack on Kuakonda CRPF camp Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, 8 July 2010 About 100 armed Maoists struck at the 111 Bn CRPF camp at P.S. Kuakonda of district Dantewada, Chhattisgarh in the wee hours of 8 July 2010, drawing well calibrated retaliation from CRPF and police personnel. In this attack Maoists fired 3 to 4 improvised HE Bombs of 51 mm mortar. Subsequently, Maoists also attacked the house of ex-Congress MLA Shri Avdhesh Gautam in the nearby Nakulnar village. Five security personnel of Chhattisgarh police posted at Gautam’s house retaliated. In the attack, two relatives of the Congress leader were killed and two others injured, including his son and a security personnel. During the search next morning tail units of two H.E. bomb of 51 mm mortar fired by Maoists were recovered; one from across the road in front of the main gate of CRPF/P.S. Kuakonda camp and other one from outside the camp premises in front of Morcha No.6. Both the bombs had exploded but fortunately there was no casualty. Attack on BSF camp Udanpur, Kanker, Chhattisgarh In the intervening night of 1-2 April, 2012 at 0040 hours to 0400 hours Maoists surrounded and attacked COB Udanpur, B/41 Bn, BSF under limits of Koyalibada police station of Kanker district in Chhattisgarh. At about 0040 hours two sentries of B/41 Bn, BSF observed movement of persons at some distance from their camp with the help of HHTI. On further scanning of the area, some kind of movement was noticed on other places also. On observing that Maoists are carrying weapons, sentries alerted the
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Planned ambush site for the enforcement
camp. On noticing the activities in the camp, Maoists opened heavy fire with rockets, bombs and small arms from three directions. Troops also retaliated with effective fire. Due to small arms and precision mortar/ rifle grenade firing by troops, Maoists changed their position and retreated further back. Maoists then fired intermittently from various locations by using mortars, rockets and improvised bombs supported by few rounds/ bursts of small arms fire; in between they were using crackers also. Through HHTI and NVDs troops were able to watch Maoist movement and fired upon them. This continued till 0040 hours. Well coordinated fire and heavy loss to Maoists forced them to flee. At about 0815 hours party consisting of BSF and Chhattisgarh police left for COB Udanpur. En route when party reached Murnar,
Improvised rocket launcher recovered from a nearby tree
approximately 2 km short of Udanpur, they found a road block by felling a tree on the road supported by IED pit (empty) at the centre of the road with channel for laying command wire. Once this party reached COB Udanpur, a thorough search of the camp was carried out. During search, troops recovered one crude rocket launcher at a distance of approx 150 metres from COB on a bundh nearby a tree, connected with a long electric wire for initiation, 4 bomb mortar 51 mm HE, 20 petrol bombs (unexploded), 6 improvised petrol/HE rockets, scrap of 7 rocket projectile with foldable fins, one wire cutter, few detonators, one small knife and two camouflage caps (on one PLGA written in ink). A number of craters were found all around the COB. Five bombs/projectiles landed in the outer periphery of COB i.e. between the bundh and fencing. Three bombs/ projectiles landed inside the camp. Various splinter marks could be seen on the trunks and branches of trees inside the camp. Few splinter marks could be seen on the walls of the barrack also. Troops tactical, coordinated and calibrated fire with rifle, LMG, MMG, AGL, 51 mm mortar and rifle grenade out-maneuvered the guerillas. Troops also employed surveillance equipments like
Soldiers on vigil
HHTI and NVDs to their advantage in a big way. It is worth noticing that Maoists had attacked the same BSF COB camp (Udanpur) in the intervening night of 30 June-1 July. This encounter lasted for half an hour. Maoists fired on the camp from a distance of 100 yards from Mendki river which flows from the camp. No BSF jawan was injured in this incident and they also did not found body of any Maoist. The attack on Basing camp has left security forces worried as many new camps have been set up in some of the very sensitive patches of Bastar in last two years, effectively curbing the movement of Maoists. The attack indicates that with increasing pressure of security forces across the Bastar region, more camps could be vulnerable to the Maoist attack. Keeping in view the pattern of attack, it can be deducted that it was launched after a detailed rehearsal by technically apt Maoists cadres. It is felt that these crude rockets and arsenals are being manufactured inside the deep jungles of Maad. On the basis of circumstantial evidences and remnants of rockets, it appears that these improvised projectiles were composed of the following components which is quite similar to that of a conventional rocket – fuse assembly,
July-September 2015 | OPS Bulletin | 45
Exploded rocket bomb
Pencil cells fitted inside bamboo
striker with striker spring, .22 mm cap, commercial non electric detonator & cordex as booster. Warhead or main body – main charge (high explosive – ANFO or emulsion explosive) & 10 notched iron rings for fragmentation effect. Housing for propellant – filled with low explosive (gun powder) as propellant. Fin assembly – with six foldable fins for aero dynamic stability to achieve desired range during flight. Electric initiator with command wire and power source. Range of rockets were about 300 to 350 metres, length was around 28 inch and the total weight of each rocket was about 4.00 kg.
Improvised Rocket used in the Attack
Unexploded bombs found at the scene (CPOB-Udanpur)
A rocket is a projectile that travels through the air and carries a high explosive bomb. It is driven by a stream of burning gases produced with burning of low explosive. It works on action & reaction principle and is pushed forward by expelling their exhaust in opposite direction at high speed.
Fuse Assembly
Exploded rocket
Fuse assembly of fired rocket
A fuse is a device used in ammunition which is designed to set forces into action to ignite .22 mm cap to detonate or deflagrate the charge or primer under specified conditions. In this case, it was an impact fuse which initiates on impact at the head of the striker. When striker hits .22 mm cap, it produces flash which detonates the detonator. Further, this detonation is boosted by cordtex; cordtex also carries the boosted detonation to main charge for blasting it completely.
Main Warhead Unexploded rockets and petrol bombs found from the incident site
Probably ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil) or emulsion (commercial explosive) was used as main charge and cordtex used as a detonation wave carrier and booster. Ten numbers of notched iron rings were used for fragmentation effect. Bamboo pieces were used to fix the iron rings in place.
Fin Assembly with Housing for Propellant Fuse assembly
Main body or Warhead
Fuse assembly (with six foldable blades)
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Fin assembly having six foldable fins was attached with the propellant housing to provide aerodynamic stability to the rocket during the flight. Gun powder used as propellant charge which is initiated by electric initiator. Electric initiators were prepared by cutting the electric detonator and removing the charge composition and inserting low explosive/gun powder, secured with paper, and initiated by command wire through battery.
Case Study
The overhead protection cover made in the Basing camp, after the attack
Security Precautions against Rocket/Mortar/ Grenade Launchers • Offence is the best defence. The Coys need to dominate area at least 7-8 km radius from the camps through surprise patrols/night ambushes without sticking to routine. • A recce may be carried out for identifying possible launch sites around the camp and probable places (out side camp) be painted white for night visibility. • Distances of important landmarks should be measured. • Undergrowth and vegetation outside the camps should be cleared. Field of fire be kept clear for a good outside view but trees inside the camp should not be cut. • Census of all the persons residing in AOR should be taken and movement of strangers has to be checked frequently. • Availability of day binoculars, HHTI, night vision devices should be ensured in the camp as the example of Udanpur shown. • Wherever checkposts of
other enforcement agencies like forest, commercial taxes, and transport already exist in the vicinity of the camp, round the clock liaison may be maintained with the in-charge of check post to monitor movement of suspicious persons/vehicles. • Early warning systems like trip flares, intruder alarm systems, jingle bells etc. may be placed on possible launch sites during night. • Improvised bunker should be constructed for overhead protection. This type of bunker is a small concrete structure, partly dug into the ground, which is usually a part of a trench system. Such bunkers give the defending soldiers better protection than the open morchas, fire trench and also include top protection against aerial attack like grenades, rockets & mortar shells. • Tin sheet of the barrack should be replaced by RCC roofing to provide overhead protection • Sentry posts/living area/cooking/dining area/ bathing place and other assembly areas should be well strengthened by erecting a 4 ft high mud wall to withstand such mortar fire.
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talent hunt
Hitting the bull’s-eye
Archery Talent Hunt competition organised by 202 CoBRA under special project of civic action programme
T
he site of bitter battle, the tough terrain of Sunabeda Reserve Forest area has turned out to be a welcoming territory for the security forces. The drastic change is due to a massive civic action programme conducted by 202 CoBRA during 2013-14 and 2014-15 taking into consideration of actual requirement of poor and needy villagers. The target beneficiaries were well worked out through the negotiation with local heads and careful information gathering. There was a massive and spontaneous response from the locals to attend civic action programme. Despite Maoist threats, a large numbers of needy villagers had appreciated the civic work of 202 CoBRA. The villagers of 26 villages of Sunabeda and Soseng gram panchayat are witness to the inhuman activities of Maoists in the past. Maoists, to regain their hold have killed innocent youths describing them as informers. Keeping the lessons learnt in the previous civic action programmes and based on the inputs of local heads as well as inspiration of higher authorities, this Unit conducted an archery talent hunt competition. The main aim to conduct archery talent hunt was to scout the hidden talent of tribal youths in archery and provide further training under the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Based on the proposal of IGP Odisha, MHA had sanctioned `20 lakhs to conduct the competition. Accordingly wide publicity was given through print and electronic media as well as display of large hoardings, circulation of pamphlets and wall posters. The said competition was held from 12-18 March 2015. 421 participants across the 26 villages of Sunabeda and Soseng gram panchayat, as well as the tribal youths of Odisha-Chhatisgarh border areas had taken part. Unit provided tracksuits, shoes, socks, imported bows, carbon arrows, good quality targets and all basic and technical requirements needed for archery. Four SAI
Unit provided tracksuits, shoes, socks, imported bows, carbon arrows, good quality targets and all basic and technical requirements needed for archery
coaches facilitated the smooth conduct/ function of competition. The massive response was received and finally after 3 days of pre selection, 100 candidates were selected for training session. Participants were also given food, refreshment during their practice session with an assured medical cover of specialized doctors/para medical staff. The valediction ceremony was conducted on 18 March 2015 wherein Shri Prakash Mishra IPS DG CRPF, Shri K. Durga Prasad IPS, Spl DG (Ops) Dte, Shri Piyush Anand IPS, IGP Odisha Sector, Shri Rajesh Dhakarwal DIGP (Ops) South Odisha, Shri R. Jay Kumar Comdt. 202 CoBRA, SP Nuapada and other district authorities, officers/officials attended it. DG CRPF has addressed the thousands of gathered locals in his mother tongue Odia and exhorted the youths to shun the path of violence. Locals started shouting in favour of CoBRA and CRPF which turned the the atmosphere patriotic and emotional. DG CRPF has contributed honorarium to the local youths and assured for good and selective programme in near future. Sweets were distributed at the end of the programme. The interaction is a good example of police-public cordiality.
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rescue ops
The unlikely saviours Stories of security forces turning good samaritans in Bastar, the CRPF’s healing touch
I
t is unbearably hot in Bastar. The temperature is already 45˚C and the mercury is still soaring. The only thing in sight are trees with dry leaves leaving an undulating dirt track in between. In these reeling conditions 10-12 villagers can be seen carrying a palanquin and hurriedly rushing towards Chintalnar camp. The palanquin stops at the main entrance of 74 Bn, CRPF camp. The sentries deployed there for camp security watches the incomers with caution and asked the reason to visit. But, once the sentries are satisfied that the visitors are the villagers with a patient with them, they allowed them entry. At the camp, Dr. Himanshu, CMO of CRPF field hospital Chintalnar is busy in attending to the patients, more often the poor villagers from the nearby villages. The centre of attention is Bheemay, a young tribal woman in her 20s hailing from a remote village of Morpalli of Sukma district. She is in eighth month of pregnancy. She has developed a severe pregnancy related complication and was in colic pain. She needed immediate medical attention. Seeing her worsening condition since there was no the field hospital up to 50 km, see was brought to the field hospital Chintalnar, CRPF by her family members. In the field hospital the lady was attended by Dr. Himanshu, as there no lady doctor in this hospital. Reason being the Hospital was recently created by CRPF to treat its injured force personnel who sustained injuries in encounters with Maoists guerrillas. The bloody encounters are the most sure things in the region. After necessary check-up the doctor found that there is no movement of the child in the uterus. She was then prescribed medicines and administered the required treatment. As per opinion of the doctor it is necessary to shift her to some big hospital immediately. On this the Coy Commander informed the matter to the unit commandant Shri Firoz Kuzur. Immediately a requision was placed to airlift the patient through a helicopter. But by the time formalities were done it was evening and the helicopter could not fly in the dark hours. It was really a tough situation for Shri Kujur as there was a bandh call by the Maoists in the area that day. On bandh days the force members are advised not to undertake any administrative movement. There is no bar to launch missions. It was therefore extremely risky to move in a vehicle on a virtually non-existent road during a bandh call. But Shri Kujur’s decision was to save the life of an Indian citizen, whatever risk.
CRPF field hospital, Chintalnar
“We are deployed in the region for safety and security of the common man. This was not the first occasion on which we have shifted the villagers through helicopters to higher centres for treatment. Doctors of our field hospitals are delivering social service by treating the critically sick villagers. We pray the almighty god that both the mother and her baby would stay healthy.” – Firoz Kujur, Commandant, 74 Bn, CRPF
The decision was conveyed to immediately move the lady to Dornapal for further shifting her to Sukma by road. The ambulance carrying Bheemay left for dornpal but forced to return back as the road was cut severally by the Maoists at several places between Chintalnar and Burqapal thus bringing the traffic and life to a halt. Bheemay was then kept in the medial supervision whole night where the uniformed clad man not only took care of her but prayed for her and her child’s lives.
July-September May-June 2015 2016 | OPS Bulletin | 71 00
rescue ops Once again an attempt was made in the morning next day to evacuate her by ambulance but this time too the attempt went in to vain. The helicopter was requisitioned on 15 morning and Bheemay along with her husband was airlifted to Jagdalpur, where she was received by CRPF officers along with the CMO Dr. Latif of 80 Bn and admitted to Maharani Hospital. However the best part of the story is yet to come. After a thorough check up the gynecologist declared that both the mother and foetus were absolutely healthy. The CRPF IG Shri Sadanand Date then declared that the cost for her treatment and delivery of the child would be borne by CRPF. On 20th evening, Bheemay delivered a baby boy. It was the moment of joy for not only the troopers of Chintalnar camp but for everybody who was part of this herculean life saving effort. Interestingly, Bheemay’ s village Morpally is barely 8 km away from Mukram village where 76 CRPF personnel laid down their
lives in a dastardly ambush laid by more than 500 armed Maoist guerrillas 4 years ago. Whoever was alive after the ambush were butchered by the attckers who decamped with the weapons of the deceased jawans. The field hospitals of CRPF are not only proving treatment to the injured force personnel but are also is the only ray of the hope for the poor tribals of Bastar. These hospitals have recently been established by CRPF at the most interior parts of south Bastar where road connectivity is very poor and basic medical facilities does not exist. What makes the situation worse is the damage done to the road network by the Maoists, who are determined to cut this area off from rest of the country and turn it into one of their bases. Earlier in the absence of medical facilities the seriously wounded jawans would have to wait the night, wailing in pain, for the helicopter to take them away. Since 2015, after these field hospitals were set up, 11,128 CRPF personnel and 4,856 villagers have been treated here.
CoBRA Commando Turns Lifesaver
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he security forces are traditionally meant to safeguard and protect the lives of the citizens, and killing, even if, he is an enemy is the last option available to them. However, in the difficult terrains of Chhattisgarh, infested with Maoists the CoBRA commandos are always on the prowl as it is a battle to death, its either they or the adversary. On 16 January 2015, CoBRA troops deployed in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh launched an operation following an input about the movement of Maoists in the forest area around villages Korsermetta, Hidmapara and Gotpalli under PS – Basaguda. After almost three days, on 18 January, in the jungles near village Gotpalli, the Maoists ambushed the troops and triggered an IED followed by heavy firing. In the exchange of fire that
72 | OPS Bulletin | July-September 2015
ensued one Maoist was killed and another, identified as Linga Sodi of village Itapalli was seriously injured, as a bullet had pierced his thigh leading to severe blood loss. The CoBRA troops immediately evacuated him to CRPF Field Hospital located at a distance of 7 km from the encounter site on foot and thereafter he was airlifted to government hospital, Jagdalpur the next day in the IAF helicopter being used for antiMaoist operations for immediate medical attention. When the doctors attending upon the injured maoist in Jagdalpur requested for blood in order to save Maoist Linga Sodi, three of the commandoes Cts Ratan Manjulkar, Praveender and U. Mehboob Peera without a second thought volunteered to donate blood to save the life of the adversary. Who says the CoBRAs can only kill?
A comic book on Sardar Post was released by Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister of India at Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi
New recruits of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) take part in the passing out parade farooq khan, epa