Tweet
Poor firepower, operational deficiencies and lack of intelligence is marring operations of the CoBRA Battalions deployed exclusively for carrying out anti-Naxal operations.
The elite anti-Naxal force has achieved little success in 83 per cent of the operations undertaken by it against the Naxals.
The CoBRA battalions, operating under the overall command of the CRPF, are badly handicapped by the quality of the firepower at their disposal. In many cases the grenades used by them do not explode, and when they do, they disintegrate into ineffective non-lethal fragments the grenades.
The CoBRA has sought upgradation of the HE 36 grenades to much-more effective Arges-84 grenades. The ordnance directorate of the paramilitary is examining the issue.
The CoBRA has also raised concerns over the weight of the MRE (Meal Ready to Eat), saying the packets are bulky. It has sought lighter packets so as to increase efficiency of the troops in long-duration operations against the Naxals.
The issues were raised at an operations conference of the officials recently here at the CRPF headquarters in which Union Home Minister P Chidambaram also participated.
The paramilitary leadership has expressed concern over the lack of flow of intelligence on the ultras from the officers and men marked for gathering intelligence in every CoBRA battalion.
The CRPF is planning to improve and safeguard the communication facilities of the troops by creating a Closed User Group facility for all the mobile numbers of the personnel by roping in public sector telecom companies.
The paramilitary has procured 356 DSPTs (Digital Satellite Phone Terminal) for installation in Naxal-affected areas with a view to improve communication. In addition, 160 satellite phones have also been procured for distribution in these areas.
The paramilitary is also in the process of acquiring GPS-based troops’ locator (trackers) as the same have been successful in the Naxal-infested areas.
The troops are being further trained in jungle craft from the tribals who are adept in manoeuvring in forests, surviving in such terrain and knowhow to walk in such areas and places where they can hide.
The elite anti-Naxal force has achieved little success in 83 per cent of the operations undertaken by it against the Naxals.
The CoBRA battalions, operating under the overall command of the CRPF, are badly handicapped by the quality of the firepower at their disposal. In many cases the grenades used by them do not explode, and when they do, they disintegrate into ineffective non-lethal fragments the grenades.
The CoBRA has sought upgradation of the HE 36 grenades to much-more effective Arges-84 grenades. The ordnance directorate of the paramilitary is examining the issue.
The CoBRA has also raised concerns over the weight of the MRE (Meal Ready to Eat), saying the packets are bulky. It has sought lighter packets so as to increase efficiency of the troops in long-duration operations against the Naxals.
The issues were raised at an operations conference of the officials recently here at the CRPF headquarters in which Union Home Minister P Chidambaram also participated.
The paramilitary leadership has expressed concern over the lack of flow of intelligence on the ultras from the officers and men marked for gathering intelligence in every CoBRA battalion.
The CRPF is planning to improve and safeguard the communication facilities of the troops by creating a Closed User Group facility for all the mobile numbers of the personnel by roping in public sector telecom companies.
The paramilitary has procured 356 DSPTs (Digital Satellite Phone Terminal) for installation in Naxal-affected areas with a view to improve communication. In addition, 160 satellite phones have also been procured for distribution in these areas.
The paramilitary is also in the process of acquiring GPS-based troops’ locator (trackers) as the same have been successful in the Naxal-infested areas.
The troops are being further trained in jungle craft from the tribals who are adept in manoeuvring in forests, surviving in such terrain and knowhow to walk in such areas and places where they can hide.
