Counter Insurgency & Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) at Vairengte in Mizoram

The Indian Army managed school leads in imparting specialised training to
army, paramilitary, and police personnel, in tackling urban terrorism.The training schedule involves a rigorous drill on how to tackle urban terrorism and low intensity conflict, besides simulated anti-insurgency operations.The school at Vairengte is considered as one of the world’s most prestigious anti-terrorist institutions with troops from severalcountries getting training in counter-insurgency techniques.

The soldiers are trained on sub-conventional guerrilla warfare, especially in dealing with urban terrorism.A group of 30 Mongolian and 70 Indian army soldiers last week completed 14-day training on unconventional warfare at Vairengte.

The motto of the institute is to "fight a guerrilla like a guerrilla" . The training module is non-conventional and once a soldier undergoes training here, he can face all deadly situations anywhere in the world.” Thirty US soldiers had a three-week long training in low-intensity guerrilla warfare at the CIJWS in July.

The reputation of the CIJWS lies in the fact that the training module is framed in a highly scientific manner - soldiers receive training in identifying improvised explosive devices (IEDs), jungle survival, counter terrorism, and interrogation techniques.Soldiers are also trained in jungle reflexive shooting, and a fast rope descending technique called ’slithering’, used by the Indian Army. The exercises are aimed at honing special skills for soldiers who are
exposed to terrorist attacks.

The training module includes among other things lectures and seminars, besides mock operations in the rugged jungles in Mizoram.The CIJWS is also framing tactics to hunt down and face terrorist groups carrying weapons of mass destruction.There are plans to upgrade the school into a military college soon.