AIZAWL, Jan 30 NNN: Training and research establishment of the Indian Army, the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJW) in Vairengte in Mizoram, which is one of the premier counter-insurgency training institutions in the world, has been awarded with Unit Citation for its meritorious contributions to the Indian Army.
Lieutenant General K Surendranath PVSM, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding in Chief conferred the Unit Citation today to the CIJW School, in recognition of its meritorious contributions in enhancing training ethos of the Indian Army. The Award was received by the Commandant, Major General Rajeshwar Singh, SM, in a short function held at Nair Hall in the CIJW School premises this morning.
The Army Commander lauded the efforts of the school for its invaluable contributions towards nation building, imparting time tested specialized counter terrorism skills, constantly updating training methodology & training infrastructure so as to impart best possible training across the globe to combat the multifaceted prolonged and invisible war. The Army Commander also said that the award is meant, not for the past, but rather for enhancing better service in the future. Appreciating its invaluable service in the last 42 years, he also wished and urged that the training school may continue to be a great asset for the nation and be an excellent one in the world.
Lieutenant General K Surendranath, while interacting with the training troops after the award function, asked about the training system, to which the soldiers from different foreign countries, replied that the training being imparted to them in CIJW School is excellent.
In reply to media query, one of the trainees from Bhutan said their training is for 8 months duration; and they got the opportunity as provided by the Indian Government. And, the present training units includes from Bhutan, Myanmar, Fiji, UK, Nepal and others. He also expressed his satisfaction over the training imparted to them. CIJW School has hosted visiting military units for training from the United States, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, United Kingdom, Israel, France, Bangladesh and many other nations.
Meanwhile, in a press communique, the CIJW School said, “The Indian Army has been battling the scourge of insurgency/terrorism for a prolonged period. The CIJW School is functioning as Indian Army’s nodal agency for imparting training in Sub Conventional Operations. The school has been doing a yeoman service to the Nation by imparting training on counter insurgency aspects to the Indian Army as well as to CAPFs. This has enabled the Security forces to conduct successful counter insurgency operations with minimal causalities to own troops and avoiding collateral damage. Large Number of Foreign Armies are seeking training their contingents at CIJW School. The training imparted at the School has empowered the soldiers of the Indian Army as well as CAPF and even those from Friendly Foreign Armies to meet almost all the challenges posed in insurgency infested areas.”
The Award conferment function, attended by Army officials and soldiers that filled the hall with delighted spirit, ended with light delicious refreshment in front of the hall.
CIJW was established in 1967 as the Jungle Training School. It was initially located in Mynkre, near Jowal in Jainta Hills district of Meghalaya. In 1968, the designation was changed to Eastern Command Counter Insurgency Training School. On 1 May 1970, it was upgraded to a Category A Training Establishment of the Indian Army, given its current name and relocated to Vairengte, Mizoram.
The reputation of the CIJWS lies in the fact that the training module is framed in a highly scientific manner – soldiers receive training in identifying improvised explosives devices (IED), jungle survival, counter terrorism, and interrogation techniques. The training focuses on physical fitness, reflex firing techniques and tactical lessons. The module for training is practical oriented with number of lectures, discussions, case studies, sand model exercises & outdoor exercises.
Taking into account the successes in combating militancy to a great extent, New Delhi in 2001 threw the school at Vairengte open for soldiers from other countries with three US army officers being the first overseas batch to be trained. After the 9/11 terror strikes in the US the jungle warfare school at Vairengte began attracting military cadets from across the world. In 2003, a group of about 100 elite US commandos completed a three-week anti-insurgency combat training at the institute. France, UK, Israel and Italy are the latest have sought India’s help to train their soldiers in counter-insurgency operations at this elite facility. CIJW School presently trains over 7000 officers and soldiers every year. The school’s motto is to “fight the guerrilla like a guerrilla”.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/counter-insurgency-school-vairengte-mizoram-awarded-unit-citation/
