They stated there are plans to make sure availability of greater than 70 per cent of Assam Rifles troopers for deployment alongside the LAC within the subsequent few months in case of a right away requirement.

Assam Rifles has 46 battalions and a sanctioned energy of greater than 65,000 troops. Of these, 20 battalions are concerned in guarding the India-Myanmar border and 26 battalions are concerned in counter-insurgency roles, together with two in Jammu and Kashmir.

The newest plans of Assam Rifles alerts India’s rising focus in direction of China and securing the LAC.

Over the previous three years — since India and China bought into the continued army standoff alongside the LAC in japanese Ladakh in 2020 — the defence institution has taken a number of measures to extend vigilance and strengthen deployment alongside the LAC.

These embrace reorienting two of its 4 strike corps for the mountains dealing with China in 2021 and releasing the Army from counter-insurgency roles within the Northeast — barring a mountain brigade based mostly in Assam — to place a better give attention to China. A strike corps is primarily chargeable for endeavor offensive cross-border motion towards the adversary.

According to sources, the operational plans of all corps of the Army’s Eastern Command consists of Assam Rifles for varied offensive and defensive roles and yearly troopers of Assam Rifles observe with the Army in varied workouts on completely different operational eventualities.

Over the subsequent few months, there are additionally plans to make the drive extra know-how intensive in line with this purpose. As a part of the method, the Assam Rifles is planning to acquire a spread of weapons, communication gear and army automobiles.

This consists of equipping its battalions with further 81 mm mortars, medium grenade launchers, passive evening imaginative and prescient goggles and handheld thermal imagers, other than ammunition.

“The procurement of the weapons and equipment is in line with the larger focus on China. The soldiers are also training regularly with the Army in various activities, such as mine laying and offensive roles,” an official stated.

In his keynote tackle on the fourth version of the Bob Khathing Memorial Lecture earlier this month, Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen P C Nair had stated that China has been increasing its affect and presence in neighbouring nations corresponding to Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal, by way of its Belt and Road Initiative, financial assist, army help and diplomatic stress.

“The proximity of the Northeast with China and its role in India’s Act East Policy makes it strategically significant. It is a gateway for India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” he had stated.

Troops of Assam Rifles had participated within the 1962 battle and fought the Chinese in Tawang, Subansiri, Siang, Dibang and Lohit of Arunachal Pradesh, near the LAC, and received a number of gallantry awards.

During the Galwan valley clashes with Chinese troops in 2020, Assam Rifles troops have been despatched to help the Army alongside the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.