Vajra Corps organising ‘Panchjanya’ (conch shell of Vishnu, which heralded the commencement of epic battle Mahabharata), a first ever integrated exercise at theatre level in the plains of Punjab in Doaba region.
Jalandhar, May 24, 2013: Exercise ‘Panchjanya’ (conch shell of Vishnu, which heralded the commencement of epic battle Mahabharata), a first ever integrated exercise at theatre level was held in the plains of Punjab in Doaba region.
More than 15,000 troops and integrated combat elements of Vajra Corps participated in the exercise under the aegis of HQ Western Command.
Exercise ‘Panchjanya’ was conceptualised by the Army’s Western Command, on rapid mobilisation and speedy multiple offensives, deep into enemy territory in the plains of Punjab. In a first, all three Corps of the Western Command are exercising together in an integrated manner. The exercise is focusing on new and efficient ways of war fighting in a synergised battle field.
As part of the overall Western Command Exercise, troops of the elite Vajra Corps have been practicing their battle drills and procedures, unmindful of the scorching summer heat wave prevailing in Northern India.
The exercise involved participation of large array of all arms, combat and support elements including artillery guns, rockets, missiles, armoured tanks and helicopters.
Special emphasis has been paid to the functional integration of the Army with the Indian Air Force in a network enabled environment. As one senior officer put it, “the integration has been seamless”, with the Air Force deploying their fighter and bomber aircrafts, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Attack Helicopters in support of the operational plans of their Army counterparts.
Stretched over a period of 15 days, the exercise has been progressively structured, so that the participating units and formations are put through their paces in a simulated, realistic battlefield environment. All elements of Command and Combat Decision Making were activated during the exercise and participated in networked environment including video conferencing upto theatre level
The exercise was witnessed by the Army Commander and Vajra Corps Commander, along with other senior military commanders on 23 - 24 May 13. The Army Commander has expressed his satisfaction over the proficiency levels achieved during the exercise and commended the troops for their professional conduct under trying weather conditions during the course of the exercise.
The presence of such a large number of troops in the general area has been well received by the local population in the area. The sight of a plethora of state of the art weaponry and military equipment has reenergized the patriotic fervor among the people, who can be seen saluting & waving out to the passing military vehicles along the roads.