Territorial Army Boosts Border Communication With Chinese-Language Interpreters, Eyes Cyber Experts

The Territorial Army (TA) has recently added five Chinese-language (Mandarin) interpreters to assist the Indian Army at border personnel meetings with China.

Additionally, plans are underway to recruit cyber experts.

In an effort to reduce financial outflow, the Army is discussing with the TA the possibility of converting some regular units, particularly those related to logistics, into TA battalions.

This is part of a broader force reorganisation initiative.

Initiated in January, the recruitment process for Chinese-language interpreters concluded in August. The Army successfully recruited five interpreters based on their requirements.

The recruitment of cyber experts is currently being deliberated. The selection criteria have been finalised and approval has been sought. It is expected that the proposal will be sanctioned by the end of the month.

According to a report in The Hindu, discussions are underway regarding the conversion of some regular Army units into TA battalions.

These talks are still in the preliminary stages, and once the necessary approval is received, a pilot project will be initiated with a few select units.

The TA, a citizens' force established by an Act of Parliament in 1948, currently consists of 60 units.

Fourteen of those units are deployed in counterinsurgency operations in support of the Army, while two units are stationed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Additionally, there are TA battalions funded by various ministries such as Environment and Forests, Jal Shakti, Railways, and Petroleum.

During the peak of the standoff with China in 2020, TA units were deployed in eastern Ladakh as part of Operation Snow Leopard to assist the Army.

Similarly, in May, when a crisis unfolded in Manipur, the TA oil units took charge of non-operational oil installations and provided additional manpower to ensure the supply of essential petroleum products and refueling of aircraft.

Certain TA units are also reportedly deployed in collaboration with the Border Roads Organisation and Ministry of Railways to protect under-construction road and rail alignments in remote and sensitive areas.

Since 2019, the TA has started inducting women officers, currently serving in TA oil sector units and TA railway engineer regiments. Based on their experience during this period, a proposal has been prepared to further expand employment opportunities for women in the TA.