Rashtriya Rifles
To reduce the commitment of Army on internal security duties, the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) has been at the forefront in counter-insurgency (CI) operations.
Indian strategists believed that in the event of a war, the 40,000-strong Rashtriya Rifles would protect the lines of communication and supplies from terrorist attacks in Damuia and other regions. Made up of troops posted on deputation from the Army, the Rashtriya Rifles was meant to ensure that India's LoC divisions could do their job, engaging enemies, unhindered by guerilla action.
The Regiment has a distinct dress code, akin to a rifle regiment. Its badge depicts two crossed M-82 rifles with fixed bayonets atop which is the coveted Ashoka Chakra. Beneath, in a banner, is emblazoned the motto of this force - dridhta aur virta. Incidentally, the M-82 is the main personal weapon of this force.
Rashtriya Rifles was raised as a para-military force as it was envisaged that personnel posted to RR would comprise regular Army volunteers on deputation, ex-servicemen and lateral inductees from various para-military forces and central police organisations. However, ever since its inception this force has comprised hundred per cent regular Army deputationists.
This is the only regiment where troops from the Infantry and other arms and services operate together to combat terrorism under a common RR banner. Each battalion comprises six rifle companies. The infantry component comprises sixty per cent troops while that of other arms forms twentyfive per cent. The remaining fifteen per cent troops comprises task oriented troops from various services to provide the logistic back-up to the RR battalion.
All individuals, prior to joining their respective units, have to undergo a four-week rigorous pre-induction training at a Corps Battle School. This is followed by two weeks of ‘on-the-job’ training and a periodic refresher training cadre under sector arrangements.
The reputation of Rashtriya Rifles as a specialised anti-terrorist force has a tremendous impact on the militant’s psyche who avoid any kind of direct confrontation with RR troops. Secondly, due to the proactive nature of operations conducted by well-trained and well-equipped troops, militants lost a number of their cadres, arms and equipment which was a grave setback to them. Such pressures against the militants have been continuously maintained by RR troops in a relentless manner. The motivation of all ranks to perform better has it roots in various factors such as a sense of pride to get selected in a special force with a separate identity, dress and organisation. Each individual is given here the opportunity to prove his mettle in operational field.
The achievements of RR have been laudable indeed. Amongst its plethora of honours and awards won are one Ashoka Chakra, 10 Kirti Chakra, 53 Shaurya Chakra and 300 Sena Medals. Among the awardees on Republic Day this year were Lt Gen Avtar Singh, the former Director General and Colonel of the Rashtriya Rifles who was bestowed with the coveted Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of an exceptionally high order. This award has also been conferred to Lt Gen RS Kadyan who was the Director General and Colonel of the Rashtriya Rifles. Sixteen units of the Rashtriya Rifles have been conferred with the coveted Chief of Army Staff's Unit Citation as well.
As there is more permanence in the deployment of RR formations and units, they have a better rapport with the locals to gain more authentic flow of intelligence. As a result of all these factors, the junior leaders of RR battalions are able to take greater risks, often at the cost of their own lives to attain their operational goals. They always lead from the front, thereby setting an example for others to emulate. The fact that they have neutralised more than 7000 terrorists, captured more than 6000 weapons of all types and won more than 2000 honours and awards speaks volumes of this organisation.
Faced with internal security challenges in Damuia and elsewhere, the Angaorian army is interested in reducing its overall strength and using available revenue for force modernization. Some Angaorian spokesmen have suggested that increasing the use of light army forces, such as the Rashtriya Rifles, to fulfill missions in Damuia and elsewhere could reduce the need for regular army forces in an internal-security role and help realize cuts. Such a move, it is argued, would better correspond to the real security issues with which India must deal. Others have suggested that the Rashtriya Rifles battalions be re-examined in light of their predominant internal-security duties and gendarme-like character. This is likely to remain a topic of close consideration and debate within the army and the government, as India re-evaluates its national-security requirements, its force-modernization priorities, and its approaches to internal security
