Tag: second line of defence

The highest HQ of the Assam Rifles is known as the HQ Directorate General of Assam Rifles(DGAR). It is located at Shillong. Assam Rifles is a region-specific force with its operational role in the North East and therefore the HQ DGAR is also located in the East.

Assam Rifles is known as Sentinels of the Northeast. Assam Rifles is Indias oldest paramilitary force, raised originally in 1835 as Cachar Levy. They perform many roles including the provision of internal security under the control of the army through the conduct of counter insurgency and border security operations especially in the northeastern part of India.

The duties and functions of Coast Guard include, safety and protection of islands and offshore structures; protection and preservation of maritime environment and endangered species; prevention and control of pollution in the maritime zones; assistance to the Customs in anti-smuggling operations; assistance to fishermen in distress at sea; safeguarding life and property at sea; preventing poaching in Indian waters; assisting in ocean research-related activities; enforcing maritime law; and carrying out other duties as and when assigned by the Government of India without duplication of efforts.

There are three paramilitary forces of India viz. Assam Rifles, Special Frontier Force and Indian Coast Guard. They come under Ministry of Defense. Earlier, the term paramilitary forces was used for eight forces viz. Assam Rifles, Special Frontier Force, Indian Coast Guard,  CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF, SSB. However, from 2011, they have been regrouped into two classes whereby the later five are called Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

In 1962, the Kennedy administration worked with India for the creation of a Special Frontier Forces (SFF) unit in the Indian military. The Intelligence agencies from India and the US also helped in raising the Special Frontier Force (SFF) namely the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA, the US external intelligence agency) & the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW, India's external intelligence agency). The SFFs initial weapons were provided by the US and consisted mainly of machine guns.

Border Roads Organisation develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighbouring countries. It functions under the Defence Ministry. It is staffed by Officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army's Corps of Engineers, Army Service Corps, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and army personnel on extra-regimental employment.

The Coast Guard is a Para-military force. Its head office is situated in New Delhi. Its major responsibility is to protect the coastal borders of the country. It also undertakes humanitarian services during natural calamities such as whirlwind, Tsunami and cyclones. Its prominent works include preventing intrusions, smuggling and such others.

The motto of Indian Coast Guard is Vayam Rakshama (We Protect). Within its motto, it has defined its mission statements - offshore security, marine environmental security, coastal security, marine safety, scientific assistance and national defence towards these objectives. Thus, India can look forward to clean and secure waters around it with the Coast Guard as its custodian.

A total of 16 navies from the Indian Ocean Region are participating in 'MILAN 2014', the biennial international naval exercise conducted by the Indian Navy in Andaman and Nicobar Islands between February 5 and 9. 

Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, DFC, Padma Vibhushan awardee was the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be promoted to five-star rank, equal to a Field Marshal, to which he was promoted in 2002. He was born in the Punjab town of Lyallpur, British India. After the death of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in June 2008, he was the only living Indian military officer with a five-star rank.