The annual event, launched by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, was being attended for the first time by senior military scientists along with the chiefs of the army, navy and airforce.

"The focus is on our military's preparedness to fight in environments of NBC warfare and the progress our scientists have made so far to provide protective technologies," one commander said.

India and arch-rival Pakistan, who conducted tit-for-tat nuclear weapons tests in 1998, came dangerously close to their fourth war in 2002 sparking worldwide worries of a possible atomic holocaust on the South Asian subcontinent.

Officials said scientists attending the closed-door meet would make a presentation on the development of battlefield command posts, anti-radiation clothing, and reinforced tanks and armoured carriers capable of withstanding NBC attacks.

"We have achieved a lot but still we have miles to go in this direction," the commander said.

A paramilitary unit tasked with protecting key installations last month beat the army in the race to set up a specialised NBC force by announcing plans to raise two specialised battalions by the end of the year.

The army spokesman, meanwhile, said the commanders would also hold talks on "future infantry soldiers as a system" -- in line with an ambitious military blueprint.

The blueprint aims to include radar, sensor-guided helmets, night vision devices and global positioning systems in the battle gear of Indian troops.

"Training of army personnel on information technology for organisational adaption and meeting future requirements will be another important topic that will be deliberated," he said.

The conference is to be followed next month by military exercises involving 60,000 frontline troops and war jets along Pakistan's borders in northern Punjab state.

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