Tri-service drill involving commandos and helicopters held in snow bound areas of Kashmir

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 7

The Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps conducted an inter-services helicopter borne training and validation exercise in the higher, snow-bound reaches of the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday.

Special forces and helicopters from the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force participated in the drill that was planned to validate the joint capability to insert a task force tactically behind enemy lines in an intense air defence and electronic warfare operating environment.

The successful conduct of the mission validated the spirit of jointness achieved in planning and utilisation of resources as well as the accomplishment of laid down mission objectives, a defence spokesperson said.

The heli-dropped task force operated in snow clad region at heights over 9,000 feet and included troops from the Infantry, the para-commandos from the Army and the marine commandos from the Navy.

The exercise included transport as well as armed helicopters from the Army and the Air Force, including the recently inducted AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Aspects related to electronic warfare were also validated.

The exercise showcased the capability of the three services to carryout successful airborne operations in high altitude areas incorporating all facets of contemporary and modern battlefield concepts in synergy with each other.