Army commanders will meet in New Delhi on Monday to discuss a doctrine that is against massing of troops along borders, a laborious and expensive process that is of no surprise value.
The doctrine, 'Cold Start', suggests creation of integrated battle groups where the army, air force and navy fight together.
The concept believes in not holding enemy territory but in destroying it with lethal, short attacks, where there is very little time for diplomatic pressure.
The doctrine, under discussion for a few years, was fine-tuned in the wake of 'Operation Parakram'. The army now think that the mobilisation of the one million-strong force was not the best way to respond to the challenge -- the attack on Indian Parliament.
The commanders will also discuss ways to make a career in the army attractive. The army realises that it is in short service commission -- where officers serve a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years -- that they can attract more eligible persons.
Major General D H Summanwar of the army headquarters says the suggestion before the commanders is to increase the maximum tenure of SSC officers to 14 years. The army also plans to send SSC officers on foreign postings, provide them with one-year study leaves and special health schemes, and extend the privileges for post-retirement period.
Gen Summanwar said if the proposals are finalised and implemented the ratio of SSC officers to regular ones would go up.
At the lower levels there is a shortage of some 13,000 officers, another officer said.
The commanders will also look at increasing the intake of lady officers, presently numbering 75.
They will also give final touches to a proposal to create a post of director general of information systems.
The DG (IS), who will carry the rank of a lieutenant general, will manage the flow of information, look after the modernisation of IT systems and play a critical role in making the army a wired force.
The officer will be in charge of "managing information available and putting them into actionable use", said Gen Summanwar.
The commanders will also review the process of fencing of the Jammu and Kashmir border; in Jammu region, only about 10 kilometres need to be fenced, while in Kashmir the process will be over by July, Gen Summanwar added.
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