From January 21-31, 2023, a joint training exercise namely ‘Exercise Trishakti Prahar (Three-Force Strike)’ was held between the all arms and services of Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in North Bengal.
- Aim: To practice battle preparedness of Security Forces using weapons & equipment in an integrated environment, involving all arms of the Army, Indian Air Force & CAPFs
- Army Commander for Eastern Command Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita reviewed the firepower exercise.
Key Points:
i.As a part of the exercise, swift mobilization and deployment drills were practised throughout North Bengal.
ii.All organisations, including the Civil Administration, Civil Defense Organizations, Police, and CAPFs, coordinated their efforts to ensure effective movement and rapid mobilization.
iii.There was a demonstration of joint application of ground and aerial assets, including the most modern fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, infantry combat vehicles, medium and field artillery guns, infantry mortars, and other New Generation Infantry weapons and equipment.
iv.As part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, newly introduced weapons and equipment made in India also participated in the exercise.
v.This exercise was held in the strategically important Siliguri Corridor, also known as the “Chicken’s Neck,” in the Northern part of West Bengal.
- The Chicken’s Neck is a stretch of land around the city of Siliguri in West Bengal, which is 20–22 kilometres at the narrowest section. It shares borders with Nepal and Bhutan in the north and Bangladesh in the south. It is also very close to the India-Tibet-Bhutan trijunction at the Doklam plateau.
Note: North Bengal comprises of six districts of West Bengal- Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Coochbihar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.
Exercise Poorvi Akash: IAF kick-starts Mega Air Drill in Northeastern Region
The IAF has started its annual mega exercise ‘Poorvi Aakash’ in the northeastern region to check its combat preparedness. The mega air drill which is being held after a gap of two years due to COVID-19.
- The IAF’s frontline fighter jets including the Rafale and Su-30MKI aircraft, and other assets deployed in the region are engaged in the exercise. The Shillong-headquartered Eastern Air Command is carrying out the exercise.
Recent Related News:
i.The 12th edition of Agni Warrior (XAW) 2022, a bilateral exercise between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) & Indian Army (IA) was held at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali in Maharashtra from November 13 –30, 2022.
ii.The 7th edition of Exercise “Sangam,“ a joint Naval Special Forces exercise involving Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOs) and United States (US) Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams, has commenced in Goa on December 01, 2022 and is scheduled to last three weeks.
About Indian Air Force (IAF):
Chief of the Air Staff– Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 1932
