Indian Homeland Security News and Updates

An army without arms

Source: Mid Day

Weapons worth USD 120 million, ordered soon after 26/11, are yet to reach the Army

Days after 26/11, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had ordered weapons worth USD 120 million to equip Army units so that they could be the first to respond in case of a terror attack. However, more than a year later, the weapons are yet to reach the Army.

The MoD had ordered helmets, light weight bullet proof jackets, assault rifles, fibroscopes, gas masks, see-through wall radar, door breaching grenades and corner shot guns.

Only grenades

Almost 12 months after the tendering process was completed, the Army has only received the first consignment of door-breaching grenades.

The MoD decided to equip the Army, as it believed units, which have seen action in war zones, were more suited to deal with terrorists than the local police.

Lack of arms

The 2nd Grenadiers, who had earlier successfully flushed out terrorists in Kashmir, could not be pressed into action during the 26/11 attack, as they were armed  with only INSAS rifles.

The MoD also wanted to protect defence establishments in important cities.

However, Defence Spokesperson Captain Manohar Nambiar said, "I am not aware of any such development. If such an order had been placed, it must have been done by the headquarters in New Delhi."
 
A MoD survey showed that Army units are stationed within 5 km from city centres in cases of Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, informed sources.

In fact, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower is less than 3 km from Mumbai's Army headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Navy has positioned its marine commandos' unit less than 1 km away from Mantralaya and the luxury hotels in Colaba.

However, the crack National Security Guard commandos are located at Kalina, about 20 km from Colaba. The hub of Force One, specially formed after 26/11, is located about 35 km north of south Mumbai.