Army to raise extra RR battalions for J-K

The Army has proposed to raise additional Rashtriya Rifle battalions in J-K thus increasing the present strength to 66 units by June 2005. The plan was approved by Army chief Gen N.C. Vij at the bi-annual Army Commander8217;s Conference here and will be put in motion by the month-end. The Army is keen to raise several 8216;8216;home and hearth8217;8217; territorial battalions for the North-East after succesfully implementing the programme in J-K. 8216;8216;We will recruit men from the states where they will be deployed and will have the advantage of knowing the local language and terrain,8217;8217; said a senior Army official.

While discussions will be held on the new war doctrine that has been prepared by the Army, the top brass on Tuesday approved the Army8217;s plans to convert to network-centric formations. The plan envisages all field formtions to be 8216;8216;seamlessly connected8217;8217; allowing comanders to share real-time information as well as pass instructions.