Jammu Tawi, Oct 13: In a first, the Army has introduced a compulsory psychological training module for all soldiers posted in Jammu and Kashmir where they are heavily involved in anti-terrorism and anti-infiltration operations.
According to Army sources, the module has been introduced at the elite 15 Corps Battle School (CBS) in Khrew in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. The institute trains all soldiers — irrespective of the rank — under a reorientation programme after they are posted to the Line of Control (LoC) and in Jammu and Kashmir.
The reorientation programme for those posted at the Line of Control (LoC) lasts 14 days, and 28 days for those sent into the hinterland. The new psychological training module has been introduced as part of this regular programme.
A senior officer involved in the induction of troops into J&K and at the LoC said the psychological training period was introduced for the first time early this year.
The Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), a lab of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has designed this module. The lab conducts research in psychology for armed forces personnel.
DIPR officials had visited the CBS last year. Accordingly, specialised training was introduced for combat stress management in the CBS, with a focus on operations in Kashmir.
The institute spread over 150 acres has multiple firing ranges, obstacle courses and even a model village for the soldiers to get a sense of what to expect, and the sensitivities to be kept in mind, while operating in the hinterland.
Every month, about 3,000 soldiers undergo training at CBS.
