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Counter-terrorism: US special forces stationed in India, reveals Pentagon

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  • Counter-terrorism: US special forces stationed in India, reveals Pentagon

    Counter-terrorism: US special forces stationed in India, reveals Pentagon | Economic Times | Mar 2, 2012

    PTI Mar 2, 2012, 10.46AM IST

    WASHINGTON: US special forces teams are currently stationed in five South Asian countries including India as part of the counter-terrorism cooperation with these nations, a top Pentagon commander has disclosed.

    These teams have been deployed by US Pacific Command as part of its effort to enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities, in particular in the maritime domain, Admiral Robert Willard, the PACOM Commander said on Thursday.


    "We have currently special forces assist teams - Pacific assist teams is the term - laid down in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, as well as India," Willard told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing in response to a question on co-operation with India on counter-terrorism issues.

    "We are working very closely with India with regard to their counter-terrorism capabilities and in particular on the maritime domain but also government to government, not necessarily DOD (department of defence) but other agencies assisting them in terms of their internal counter-terror and counterinsurgency challenges," Willard said.

    Willard said, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) is a very dangerous organisation. It not only has very good operational security, but also a lot of international design in terms of their aspirations.

    "So it is a very important threat, and we're working very closely with the nations in the region to help contain it," he said.

    The PACOM commander was responding to a question from Congressman Joe Wilson as to what effort is being made to counter threat from LeT.

    In his prepared statement, Willard told lawmakers that the US and India are working together on contain LeT.

    "Responsible for many attacks in India, including the horrific attacks into Mumbai, LeT is headquartered in Pakistan, affiliated with al-Qaida and other VEOs, and contributes to terrorist operations in Afghanistan and aspires to operate against Asia, Europe and North America," Willard said.

    He said Pacific Command's Indian Engagement Initiative that resourced and hosted Mumbai counter terrorist specialists for training exercises and exchanges throughout the US, together with capacity-building activities with South Asian partners are mainly focused on containing LeT and contributing to counter-terrorism self-sufficiency of the sub-region's militaries.

    Willard said, South Asia as a whole is of major strategic importance to the US. Anchored by India and containing major sea line of communication for the transport of energy and other commerce to Asia and the America from the Middle East and Europe, South Asia security partnerships are increasingly vital to USPACOM's mission.

    "South Asia is home to a confluence of challenges, including nuclear armed rivals India and Pakistan, numerous transnational VEOs such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, piracy, trafficking in narcotics and persons, disputed borders, and insurgent movements that have plagued India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka," he said.

    USPACOM engages throughout South Asia, assisting its militaries to counter and contain VEOs such as LeT, cooperating in maritime security activities such as countering piracy, conducting disaster response planning and training, and exercising extensively, service to service, he said.

    Bangladesh, he said, has emerged as a particularly effective partner in the fight against terror, cooperating with India as well as the US to counter VEO activity by actors such as LeT.

    Further, Bangladesh's military is advancing its capabilities and contributes broadly to UN peacekeeping operations, he added.

    "Also, the Bangladesh army is primarily responsible for and has achieved major advancements in the protection of its citizens during the annual cyclone season and the inevitable flooding and related disasters with which Bangladesh repeatedly contends," he said.

  • #2
    Double Edge why bring this media hype for a discussion? O.o

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    • #3
      Hype or a misquote ? PTI does not do hype i thought.

      I was wondering whether the titile is misleading with the word 'stationed'.

      They are quoting what was discussed in this hearing.

      the annoying thing with these hearings is there is no transcript, you have to watch the whole bloody thing !!

      In any case it turns out we denied it the next day.

      US says its special forces in India; Delhi says 'no' | IANS | Mar 2 2012

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      • #4
        Our military stations troops under strictures of TDY and PCS, each providing for differing pay and allowances. TDY, of course, is temporary duty. PCS stands for Permanent Change Of Station. TDY can cover any indefinite period from as little as one day to months. Virtually every former or presently-serving serviceman/woman has been assigned both of these duties at one time or another. I'd imagine that our military (and civil law enforcement personnel) have visited India via TDY assignments. Depending upon the nature of the agreement or as requested by the host-nation, there may even be a permanent allocation of temporary duty personnel rotating in and out of country.

        If wondering, the Pakistanis can give you the low-down on how it works.
        "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
        "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Double Edge View Post
          Hype or a misquote ? PTI does not do hype i thought.

          I was wondering whether the titile is misleading with the word 'stationed'.

          They are quoting what was discussed in this hearing.

          the annoying thing with these hearings is there is no transcript, you have to watch the whole bloody thing !!

          In any case it turns out we denied it the next day.

          US says its special forces in India; Delhi says 'no' | IANS | Mar 2 2012
          Any ways, was not required published at 02 March and we knew nothing like that ever happened.
          Indian national policy do not allow unless otherwise, and you should know.


          Friendly visits/ training/ military course or security guards at the embassies, consulates and high commission should not be termed as stationing of troops in the territory .
          Last edited by payeng; 07 Mar 12,, 12:01.

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