Defence Correspondents Course -2019 successfully completed the most difficult part of the course, the Army leg and Forward Area Tour (FAT) and departed to New Delhi for last leg of the course.

            32 Journalists from pan India both from print and electronic arrived Jammu on 06 Sep 2019 for 10 days FAT of White Knight Corps Zone area. They visited the forward areas under Crossed Swords Division & Ace of Spades Division and interacted with GOCs, Commanders and troops on ground. They have been given wide exposure to various Op Sadbhavana activities including interaction with civilian beneficiaries in hinterland under Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) & Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform).

            Before coming to Jammu they were taken for Navy Leg at Mumbai from 26 August 2019 and Air Force Leg at Chandigarh and Ambala Air base.

The Army Leg commenced with welcome by Maj Gen DS Gill, Chief of Staff, White Knight Corps at Nagrota followed by briefing on Artillery and display in Army Dog Unit.

            The participants got lifetime opportunity to visit border areas and to interact with troops. They could observe lifestyle of troops in difficult terrain, various activities including use of various equipment and weapons. They were enthralled when taken for a Tank ride. During interaction with GOC Crossed Swords Division, the GOC urged the budding Defence Journalists to be more responsible while filing their story especially on operations.

            In Rajouri-Poonch region, they were taken to FDL 489 in Bhimbar Gali Region and were briefed about demography of the region and LoC. They saw Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) popularly known as the Line of Control (LC) Fence at day and night and did patrolling along LC Fence. They were also made to do small arms firing. While sharing food at langar, they interacted freely with troops on various issues.

            They were taken to Chaken-Da-Bagh Trade crossing centre and Krishna Ghati sector. The participants were also part of an ambush at night and also spent time in bunkers to feel what it is like. They shared the hardship and privation with the soldiers on the forward posts.

During their visit to Army Goodwill Public School Rajouri they interacted with the students and teachers. They visited the Corps Battle School, Sarol in order to witness the orientation training of soldiers who are newly inducted into the Corps Zone.

While interacting, the GOC, Ace of Spades Division emphasized on sensible reporting on operations, CFV and reports on Martyrs. He also told about the National Security aspects while reporting a story on defence activities in LoC or hinterland.

As part of the orientation visit, Defence Correspondents Course–2019 visited Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) at Palma. They also visited Samote, Rajouri where they were warmly welcomed by the Commander of Mahore based Rashtriya Rifles Sector and Commanding Officer of Army Unit based at Samote. At Samote they were briefed about the dynamics of the Area of Responsibility, various operational, Sadhbhavana and Sampark activities, which the Army has undertaken for the growth and advancement of the society.

The entire course also visited Skill Development Centre, Phalni. The entire delegation of Journalists was overwhelmed after witnessing the standard of training imparted to the students. Skill Development Centre, Phalni has been established under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana and is a first of its kind in the area. As on date, Computer and Stitching classes are being conducted in the Centre. Students enthusiastically interacted with the Journalists and discussed their training curriculum with them. Few Journalists also interviewed the students and covered their success stories.

            Before going back for final phase of the course, the DCC-2019 participants got an opportunity to interact with the Jammu Press fraternity at a programme “ Meet the Press” organized at Press Club of Jammu. Senior journalists Dr Arun Joshi, Editor The Tribune, Shri Ashwani Kumar, President Press Club of Jammu, Shri Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Secretary PCJ, Pradeep Dutta, Bureau Chief Times Now, Anil Bhat, Bureau Chief PTI Jammu shared their experience on conflict reporting. Shri Abhimanyu Sharma, Editor Dainik Jagran, Vivek Sharma, Editor State Times, Mohit Kandhari, Bureau Chief Daily Pioneer, Ajay Bachloo bureau Chief ABP News, veteran journalist Sanjit Khajuria, Manu Srivatsa and IIMC Jammu Director also interacted with the participants and shared view each other.

The aim of DCC is to build over time, a pool of journalists at all levels, who understand the Armed Forces and are cognizant of the domain when reporting on stories regarding the defence environment.

The entire team of Journalists thanked and expressed their gratitude towards the Army for conducting this tour. Visit of Defence Correspondents Course tour to such remote locations will help them in understanding the hardships and the challenges which the Army and Awam face in their day to day life.