India’s drummer vs Pak dholi

As the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at the Indo-Pakistan border here continues to be a big attraction for tourists from all over India, the Border Security Force (BSF) has added yet another feature to it by hiring a drummer to counter Pakistan’s ‘dholi’ during the 20-minute high-voltage show.

Music is one of the high points of the ceremony enjoyed by thousands of tourists that gather every evening to watch BSF jawans and the Pakistani Rangers outdo each other in the foot-stomping and aggressive postures.

The BSF’s ‘drummer’ has got a pride of place at the terrace of the conference room, with all his drums and gadgets. As soon as the BSF jawans march forward for the ceremony, the drum beats start, adding a gusto to the overall ambience.

As the momentum of the ceremony picks up, the beats of the drum also move towards a crescendo. The beats go in tandem with the marching jawans and the heavy foot stomping. This has not only added colour to the ceremony but also made the entire scenario more electrifying and loud.

Till now, the Pakistani side was using a couple of ‘dholis’, who play the traditional drum ‘dhol’ used during various occasions of celebration in the subcontinent, to add to the impact of the Ranger’s movements. Now, the BSF has positioned its ‘drummer’ to give them a competition.

Talking to HT, BSF DIG MF Farooqui said, “The Retreat ceremony has received enormous attention recently. The drum beats are being used to add colour and make the environment more electrifying. A ‘dhol’ is being played on the Pakistani side. But we have drummer now who has succeeded in achieving greater involvement of the Indian tourists through the drum beats”.

He further said, “We are monitoring this new feature closely and some fine-tuning is done as and when required”.

Drummer Soni Kumar (37), who plays for the BSF, says, “The drum beats have certainly added to the already high voltage ceremony. As soon as the BSF jawans start their movements, I first play a marching beat and later beats are played in consonance with various steps of our troops”.

He said, “Certainly, this a great experience for me as well. I have been told that the ceremony has become louder ever since the drums have been added”.

A LOOK AT BORDER PILLAR

In yet another feature to Retreat ceremony, the BSF now allows all the tourists reaching the ceremony area to see the border pillar that is adjacent to the Indo-Pakistan joint check-post. Earlier, only selected tourists were allowed to do so but now one spots a lot of people coming to see the border pillar. Pakistani nationals also come to have a look at the pillar.

Besides, the BSF also plays audios in Hindi and English that inform the tourists about the history of the ceremony.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/chandigarh/india-s-drummer-vs-pak-dholi/article1-1230307.aspx

BSF to provide special shoes to jawans at Attari

AMRITSAR: Border Security Force (BSF) has dropped the plan to rubberize nearly 100 feet long road stretch at Attari, where BSF personnel perform the synchronized daily drill with jawans of Pak Rangers during the flag lowering ceremony.

The personnel will be provided specially fabricated shoes to reduce the impact of stomping during the ceremony. The troops often complain about brain and knee injuries due to the stomping of their heavy shoes on hard road while performing the drill.

"We are not rubberizing the stretch but will provide specially fabricated shoes made with a particular material to protect jawans from any injuries," said BSF inspector general, frontier, A K Tomar.

The exercise, during which the soldiers exchange fiery glances, tweak moustaches, raise legs up to shoulder level, jerk heads and arms, draws droves of Indian and Pakistani tourists on both the sides of the border.

Tomar said BSF had talked to shoe technologists as well as manufacturers and now the trials are being held before providing them to the jawans.

BSF's earlier plan was to rubberize the road but that would not have given the desired effect so the officials decided to lay wooden slabs covered by rubberized material. "That too would not have worked for long, the road could get damage due to movement of passenger buses, so we decided to replace the shoes," said Tomar.

In the past, the BSF had also taken an initiative to do away with the aggressive gestures and shoulder high kicks as one of the preventive measures but the idea was not accepted by Pak Rangers.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/BSF-to-provide-special-shoes-to-jawans-at-Attari/articleshow/36594124.cms

CISF prepares to become NSG substitute for VIP security

In an apparent indication of the thinking within the ministry of home affairs (MHA) that VIP security should be gradually moved away from NSG, the country's elite counterterror force, CISF is strengthening its VIP protection unit to become the premier agency in the sector in near future. There are already efforts being made to increase manpower in the unit with MHA considering a proposal for the same.

CISF DG Arvind Ranjan said he has asked MHA to sanction more number of personnel in the unit. At the same time, rigorous training is being provided to personnel in the unit with help from NSG and armed forces trainers. CISF is regularly holding joint exercises with NSG to adopt best practices in VIP security from the force.

Ranjan said, "We are aiming to make CISF the best force for VIP security. We want to create a sense of security in the minds of VIPs so that they have no hesitation taking CISF security."

 Importantly, VIPs are known to demand NSG security, also known as Black Cat commandoes, as VIP cover as it is the best trained force in the country. However, NSG was not created for VIP security but to counter terror attacks. There have been various voices raised from within the force and the security establishment that NSG must be divested of VIP security duties and focus on its core competence.

Incidentally, Ranjan headed NSG before he was made CISF chief. Speaking to TOI, he said, "We have also asked for a periodic review of strength in our VIP security unit so that the force has optimum strength at any given to provide VIP security."

Sources said the force was also being given unarmed combat training so that when VIPs interact with public and there is sudden unarmed attack, the VIP can be protected without the use of weapons. "Not all times you need to use weapons. Certain situations are best diffused with bare hands," said an officer with the force.

Source: http://defence.pk/threads/cisf-prepares-to-become-nsg-substitute-for-vip-security.319272/

Assam Rifles turns to solar energy in remote locations

Assam Rifles has switched to solar energy to meet several of its power needs. Su-Kam Power Systems Ltd, India’s leading player in the power back-up industry, has installed over 1.3 MW of solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems at various North Eastern locations of Assam Rifles.

The switch to solar energy at various remote Assam rifles base locations in Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Mizoram and Assam will help Assam Rifles in bringing down the use of costly and polluting diesel.

Assam Rifles had awarded the project to Su-Kam through Rajasthan Electronics and Instrument Limited (REIL) to supply, install, commission and maintain off-grid solar power systems at various remote locations of its operation.

Out of the 18 sites, 50 kW solar plants have been installed at each of the 10 sites with the remaining 8 sites having an installed capacity of 100 kW each. All the plants have been installed under the subsidy scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as per Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). The installation of solar PV power systems at the remote locations has enabled units of Assam Rifles to save huge money on power bills, besides bringing down carbon emission.

All the solar power plants installed by Su-Kam for Assam Rifles are up and running successfully. Besides other benefits, the solar plants have also resulted in providing employment to the local personnel. They have been trained in installation, commissioning and upkeep of the solar power plants.

Source: http://www.energynext.in/assam-rifles-turn-solar-energy-remote-locations/

CISF is recruiting for 1,203 vacant posts in 2014

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has invited applications for recruitment to the post of Constables/Drivers. Interested and eligible candidates are required to apply for the vacancy on or before July 19, 2014.

Vacancy details:

Constable/ Driver - Direct (Backlog vacancies): 743 posts

Constable/ Driver - Ex-Servicemen (Backlog vacancies): 308 posts

Constable/ Driver - Direct (Current vacancies): 137 posts

Constable/ Driver - Ex-Servicemen (Current vacancies): 15 posts

Total number of posts: 1,203 Posts

Pay Scale: Rs 5,200-20,200 + AGP Rs 2000 per month plus usual and admissible allowances.

Eligibility criteria:

The applicants should have completed Matriculation or equivalent qualification from a recognised Board. The candidates should also possess a valid driving licence for Heavy Motor Vehicle or Transport Vehicle, Light Motor Vehicle and Motor cycle with gear.

The age of the candidate should be between 21-27 years as on July 19, 2014. Age relaxation is applicable as per rules.

Application fee:

The candidates have to pay an application fee of Rs 50 in the form of Postal Order drawn in favor of authority to whom the application is addressed, payable at respective office at the location.

Candidates belonging to the SC/ST and Ex-Servicemen category are exempted from payment of fee.

Selection process:

The candidates will be selected for recruitment to the advertised posts on the basis of their performance in eligibility test, physical efficiency test, trade test and written test, medical examination and final selection.

How to apply:

Interested and eligible candidates are required to submit the duly filled application form along with DD, recent passport size photograph duly self-attested and attested copies of all required certificates / documents to the concerned DIG.

The envelope containing application form should be super scribed 'Application for the post of constable/ driver in CISF- 2014'.

Important dates:

Last date for receipt of application forms: July 19, 2014

Last date for receipt of application forms for North-East region: July 26, 2014

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/cisf-is-recruiting-for-1203-vacant-posts-2014/1/366487.html

CRPF to honour ‘Juliet’, the female canine for saving troops

On Wednesday, the female canine dug out electric wires of a 20-kg IED hidden at a depth of 2 feet

The CRPF, in a rare instance, has decided to accord one of its highest service honours to an infantry patrol dog whose quick action saved the lives of many troops during an anti-Naxal operation in Odisha.

The female canine, named Juliet, is a Belgian Shepherd Malinois and is the cousin of the breed of canines that reportedly assisted the elite U.S. Navy Seals in sniffing out Osama bin Laden from his safe haven in Pakistan in May 2011. CRPF chief Dilip Trivedi announced a Director General (DG) Commendation Disc, usually awarded to serving personnel and officers for either accomplishing a daredevil task or rendering exceptional service, to Juliet.

The latest episode occurred on Wednesday when Juliet was out for duty in the jungles of Keonjhar district of Odisha.

After about 8-km of patrol, a senior official said, and the squad reached the notorious ‘Sal Ghati’ under Daitri police station area when Juliet diligently began sniffing a mound of earth lying near the dirt track.

Her handler, Constable Zale Singh, goaded her as she promptly dug out the electric wires of a hidden 20-kg IED buried 2-feet deep, which was also fitted with detonators and torch cells for activation.

The patrol squad was immediately alerted by the scout officer, the official said, after which the IED was sanitised.

The bomb disposal team was then called into diffuse the deadly bomb which, once activated, would have claimed many lives.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/crpf-to-honour-juliet-for-saving-troops/article6108545.ece

Medical Officer Jobs in BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles, June 2014

Applications are invited from Indian Citizens for appointment to Group ‘A’ post of (BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Specialist Medical Officers (Deputy Commandant) and Medical Officers (Assistant Commandant) in Central Police Forces:

Specialist Medical Officer (Deputy Commandant): 218 posts in various CAPFs in various medical disciplines (CRPF-123, BSF-57, ITBP-12, Assam Rifles – 6, SSB-20), 

Pay Scale:  Rs.15600 – 39100/- Grade pay Rs.6600/- plus 25% NPA, Age: 40 years.

Medical Officer (Assistant Commandant): 390 posts in various CAPFs (CRPF-94, BSF-74, ITBP-138, Assam Rifles – 35, SSB-49),

Pay Scale:  Rs.15600 – 39100/- Grade pay Rs.5400/-, Age: 30 years.

Dental Surgeon (Assistant Commandant): 01 post in SSB,

Pay Scale:  Rs.15600 – 39100/- Grade pay Rs.5400/-, Age: 35 years.

How to Apply: Application in the prescribed format should be sent within 30 days of the advertisement (published on 07/06/2014) i.e. up to 06/07/2014. (Last date is 21/07/2014 for the candidates of Far – flung areas)

For complete detail of the advertisement for information like selection process, eligibility criteria, how to apply, certificates to attach with application form and Application Form, please view http://www.bsf.nic.in

ITBP confirms recovery of one more body from River Beas in Mandi

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), June 11 (ANI): As the rescue operations in Mandi continue, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) commandant Laxman Yadav confirmed here on Wednesday that rafters have recovered a sixth body from the River Beas.

The team had recovered five bodies from the river yesterday and rescue operations are on in full swing.

Telangana Home Minister Naini Narsimha Reddy said, "It was decided in the review meeting yesterday, that the rescuers will go to the Larji Dam (in Mandi) to see if anyone is stuck there or not. So, according to that, the operation has started from here to see if anyone is in deep waters here. We are also trying to increase the strength (of rescuers) according to what was decided in the meeting."

"I called up MP Jitender Reddy and deputy leader Vinod, they both will be meeting Rajnath Singh and will try to involve the military in this with the latest equipments. The disaster management team has also left for the location with their cameras to search for people stuck in the water."

ITBP Deputy Commandant Kamal said, "We are trying to search every corner, but the main problem we are facing is that the water is not clear, it has silt due to which there is no proper visibility, but we have ankles so that if we feel any body we can take it out and we hope to trace something by the evening."

At least 25 people drowned in flash floods in the River Beas in Mandi on Sunday. The water of the dam was allegedly released without prior warning. (ANI)

CISF to check all vehicles leaving airport as sacked airline staffer steals SUV

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has started checking all vehicles going out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The development comes after a recent incident in which a Bolero belonging to a private airline was allegedly stolen by a ex-employee, who had been sacked.

CISF is entrusted with the security of most of airports in the country.

Airport officials said that while they always check vehicles entering the facility, they were keeping an eye on those going out. However, they have now decided to increase the vigil. "All vehicles entering or leaving the premises are being checked," said CISF spokesperson Hemendra Singh.

Officials said a vehicle theft was reported in March. Opon inquiry, they found involvement of a former employee of a private carrier – Rajkumar, alias Raja Kondiba Jadhav. Investigators also learnt that 29-year-old Jadhav had been fired for persistent absenteeism a few days ago.

It was found that Jadhav, who had not returned his identity card and entry pass, allegedly entered the airside area and fled away with a Bolero without being checked or questioned.

Similarly, a few years ago, a truck was reported to have been stolen from inside the airport.

The questions over security at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has often been raised in the past, which, as one of the busiest airports in the country, has been under constant radar for terror elements.

BSF sets up 2 camps along Chattisgarh border

KORAPUT: With Maoists trying to strengthen their base along Odisha-Chhattisgarh border in Nabarangpur district, the BSF recently established two permanent camps to boost its ongoing anti-extremist operations.

"Maoists regularly infiltrate into the state from neighbouring Chhattisgarh due to absence of any permanent security camp on the boundary. Based on specific intelligence inputs we conducted operations, but it was not sufficient. After the camp, regular operation could be carried out and movement of Maoists checked," said SP (Nabarangpur) Brajesh Roy.

He said at least one company of the BSF will be deployed at each of the two camps at Kundai and Raighar.

Once considered a Maoist-free zone, Nabarangpur district is witnessing a spurt in rebel activities along the border.

Members of CPI (Maoist), Chhattisgarh unit, have found safe haven in the forests close to the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border in Nabarangpur's Chandahandi, Raighar, Kundai, Dabugaon and Umerkote blocks that share boundary with Raipur, Bastar and Dhamantari districts of the neighbouring state.

The outlawed organization's Mainpur divisional committee operates in the area and according to intelligence inputs the Red rebels are trying to build a militia group to strike terror in the district.

Police sources said the dense forests of Sitamadi, Hatigaon and Haldi, covering a stretch of around 200 km in length and 40 km in width, lies along the border, providing safe passage to the extremists. While 80% of the forest is in Chhattisgarh, the remaining lie in Nabarangpur.

"In recent times, we have strengthened our presence in the border areas and are determined to contain Maoist activities. The developments are being closely monitored. Operations will be intensified in the days to come," the SP said.

In 2010, Maoists had blown up Kundai police station. Two years later, they gunned down the then Umerkote MLA Jagabandhu Majhi at a weekly market at Gona under Raighar police limits.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Bhubaneswar/BSF-sets-up-2-camps-along-Cgarh-border/articleshow/36333117.cms