The Military Intelligence Training School and Depot (MITS), Pune celebrated its diamond jubilee recently. As part of the celebrations, a get-together of officers of Intelligence Corps from all over the country including retired officers was held at Pune. A special commemorative cover brought out by the Army Postal Service was released by Lt Gen N C Vij, GOC-in-C, Southern Command.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj Gen S T Manimala, Commandant, MITS stressed the need of guarding the country’s communication and information network from the evil designs of the enemy. "In this age of information technology, jamming enemy’s computer systems, communication systems and destroy its data play a decisive role in today’s warfare", he added. He informed that MITS is updating itself to match the present information technology scenario.

The Digital Imagery Analysis Centre (DIAC) at the MITS is a highly advanced centre with latest technology for satellite image analysis and interpretation. Brig Dalip Kapur, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of MITS said that DIAC is the nodal agency for providing training on all aspects of digital analysis and interpretation and remote sensing. The system available is extremely versatile and highly advanced. It can take inputs from any type of imagery system, added Brig Kapur.

The MITS has an excellent museum which has very interesting and valuable collection. It reveals the history of the Intelligence Corps in an articulated manner. Rare photographs, captured weapons of Pakistan and Chinese army and World War II vintage weapons are few to mention. Uniforms and captured identity cards, rank badges, flags of Pakistani and Chinese army are also displayed in museum .

MITS, Pune is the only institution of the Indian Army imparting training in all aspects of intelligence to officers and other ranks. At this institution, it has been an ongoing process to ensure correct perception and comprehension. The need to face challenges unleashed by proxy war situation, insurgencies and technological growth in the conventional battle-field scenario is paramount in the curriculum of this School.

Originally established in 1941, and later shifted to Mhow in Madhya Pradesh after the Partition, MITS moved to its present location in Pune in 1952. As the Indian Army expanded, the scope of intelligence training also increased. Due to the multi face-intelligence activities and doctrinal changes, this establishment was reorganised and re-designated as the Military Intelligence Training School and Depot in February 1984.

MITS has two wings, training and the Administration Support. The Training Wing comprises the faculties of combat intelligence, specialised intelligence studies, JCOs and NCOs training wing and computer training cell. The MITS conducts 12 different courses for officers of all arms in a year and 9 for JCOs and NCOs. It also runs promotion cadres for the personnel of the Intelligence Corps.