CIJWS Vairengte: Training World-Class Warriors In Counter‑Insurgency, Counter-Terror. Episode 3

Nestled in the dense, unforgiving terrain of Vairengte, Mizoram, is the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS). It is more than just a training centre. It is a global benchmark for unconventional combat. Established in the wake of the 1960s insurgencies, CIJWS has evolved into the world’s premier institution for mastering the art of “fighting the guerrilla like a guerrilla.”

In our series ‘Vairengte Warriors’, in Episode 3, Brigadier D.S. Thapa, Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor between June 2023 and June 2025 is in conversation with Amitabh P. Revi. In this in-depth interaction at the multipurpose training range, he shares the school’s unique philosophy. And its adaptation to the shifting sands of 21st-century warfare.

A Legacy of Combat Excellence

The school’s roots are deep. Originally formed near Shillong in 1967 before moving to its current home in 1970, CIJWS was born out of necessity during the height of the Mizo and Naga insurgencies. Its impact was immediate. By training soldiers to master the environment rather than fear it, the Indian Army drastically reduced casualties and turned the tide against insurgencies.

The Training Architecture: Physical and Cognitive

Brigadier Thapa explains that training at CIJWS is divided into specialized verticals. The Battalion Training Wing focuses on units inducting into high-threat areas or UN missions, while the Courses Wing runs the grueling Low Intensity Conflict Operation (LICO) course.
The CIJWS. though, demands more than just physical endurance. The Faculty of Studies operates as a think-tank to analyze the “cognitive” side of warfare. Soldiers are taught to understand the adversary’s psychology, ensuring they are as sharp mentally as they are with a rifle.

Adapting to Modern Threats

Unconventional or sub-conventional warfare is no longer just about boots on the ground. Brig. Thapa highlights the school’s many focus areas including technology and how CIJWS places a premium on adapting, learning and teaching from real-life experiences.

Lessons from the Frontline

Reflecting on those experiences from the field, Brigadier Thapa underscores their importance. Instructors don’t just teach from manuals at the CIJWS. Instructors at Vairengte teach from actual operations, ensuring every soldier who passes through the gates is prepared for the jungle’s reality.

For those who wish to understand the backbone of India’s internal security, the CIJWS is  testament to the Indian Army’s adaptability and moving with the times. Not to forget the role it plays in training friendly foreign country troops in the critical aspects of counter-insurgency, counter terrorism and jungle warfare in the modern world.

‘Vairengte Warriors’ Series

In case you missed:

Counter-Insurgency, Jungle Warfare Masterclass: Meet The CIJWS Commandant. Vairengte Warriors, Episode I.

Episode 2 Documentary: Reflex Firing to Slithering Operations: