Interesting Facts About The Indian Armed Forces that will make you respect them even more

The Indian Armed Forces, consisting of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard are our country’s shield and sword, they keep our interests safe, our enemies at apart and the people of our country free and secure. They are respected and adored for their sacrifice and sense of duty by the country. Many of us know about their victory in wars and contributions to civilian life. But here Defence Guru is sharing a few facts which will increase your respect for the Indian military.

 

India controls the highest battlefield in the world, the Siachen glacier

Siachen glacier, located in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas, is one of the five largest glaciers in the Karakoram, situated at an average altitude of 18,000 ft above sea level. At 78 km long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second longest in the world's non-polar areas. Most of Siachen Glacier falls under the LoC (Line of Control), a hotly contested territory between Pakistan and India. Since 1984, both countries have been fighting intermittently for sovereignty over this region, because of which Siachen Glacier is sometimes called the highest battleground on earth.

 

India has the biggest "voluntary" army in the world

All serving and reserve personnel have actually “opted” for service. There is a provision for conscription (forced recruitment) in the constitution, but it has never been used. No one is ever forced to join the army. Young hearts feel the raging urge to serve the motherland hence they risk their lives on their own will which is really not the case in many other countries.

 

Indian soldiers are considered among the very best in high altitude and mountain warfare

Since the tumultuous border areas in India are mostly hilly terrains, they are conditioned to fight like true warriors in mountains. The Indian Army's High Altitude Mountain Warfare School is highly regarded around the world for its elitism. This is routinely visited by Special Ops Teams from the U.S, U.K and Russia. U.S special forces were trained in HAWS before they set out to invade Afghanistan.

 

Nuclear Arsenal Testing

India covertly tested its nuclear arsenal in the early 1970s and late 1990s without the CIA even knowing what was happening. Till date, it is considered to be one of the CIA’s biggest failures in espionage and detection. It was the quick management and efforts of Indian scientists and Indian Armed forces that USA wasn’t able to detect it.

 

No reservation Policy in joining Defence Forces

Unlike other government organisations and institutions in India, there are no provisions for reservations based on caste or religion. Soldiers are recruited based on their overall merit and fitness based on stringent tests and trials. And once a citizen of India joins the forces, he/she becomes a soldier. Nothing else. Nothing more. Also after joining Indian Army

 

In the Battle of Longewala

The Battle of Longewala was fought in December 1971 between India and Pakistan, in which just 120 Indian Soldiers with 1 jeep mounted M40 recoilless rifle held the fort against 2000 Pakistani soldiers backed by 45 tanks and 1 mobile infantry brigade. Despite being heavily out-numbered, the Indian soldiers held their ground throughout the night and with the help of the Air Force, were able to completely rout the aggressors. On which the famous Bollywood movie “Border” is based, there were only two casualties on the Indian side.

 

Operation Rahat in 2013

Operation Rahat was one of the biggest civilian rescue operations ever carried out in the world. It was carried out by the Indian Air Force to evacuate civilians affected by the floods in Uttarakhand in 2013. It was the biggest civilian rescue operations in the world carried out by any Air Force using helicopters. During the first phase of the operation from 17 June 2013, the IAF airlifted a total of about 20,000 people; flying a total of 2,140 sorties and dropping a total of 3,82,400 kg of relief material and equipment.

 

The Indian army has a horsed cavalry regiment Indian Army has a horsed cavalry regiment

The 61st cavalry regiment, and it is one among the only three cavalry units in the world. While the regiment is used primarily during ceremonial occasions, they can also be deployed for internal security purposes.

 

The Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala is the largest of its kind in Asia

The Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala is Asia's largest Naval Academy. The Indian Naval Academy is situated in Kerala. It is situated at a distance of 35 kms from the historic city of Kannur and 135 kms from city of Mangalore. The Academy is surrounded by Mount Dilli, the serene Kavvayi backwaters and the majestic Arabian Sea. The campus occupies an area of 2452 acres, with a total perimeter of 22 kms. The Academy also includes a beach stretch of 7 kms. It also has a large area with a variety of flora and fauna.

 

The Indian Air Force has an out-station base in Tajikistan and is seeking another in Afghanistan

Farkhor Air Base is a military air base located near the town of Farkhor in Tajikistan, 130 kilometres south east of the capital Dushanbe. It is operated by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Tajikistan Air Force.

 

The Indian Army built the highest bridge in the world.

The Bailey Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.

 

The Military Engineering Services (MES) is one of the biggest construction agencies in India

The MES(Millitary Engineering services) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are together responsible for the construction and maintenance of some of the most awesome roads and bridges ever to have been built. To name a few, the Khardungla Pass (the highest motorable road in the world), the Magnetic Hill in Leh and other places.

 

The Indo Pakistan War of 1971

It came to end with the surrender of about 93,000 combatants and officials of the Pakistani Army. This is the largest number of POWs taken into custody since World War II. The war resulted in the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh.