Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi visited a forward post in Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world, where he interacted with troops of the 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (18 JAK RIF) and shared emotional moments with soldiers he had once commanded.
During his visit, General Dwivedi reunited with seven Junior Commissioned Officers and soldiers who had served under him in the same battalion during his early years in service. The Indian Army shared photos from the visit on social media, calling the interaction “emotionally resonant” as the Army Chief returned to the battalion he was once commissioned into and later led.
The visit followed his address at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass on July 26, where he commemorated the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas. There, he announced the formation of a new integrated “all-arms brigade” named ‘Rudra’, sanctioned just a day prior. The move is seen as a significant step in bolstering India’s operational readiness along the northern borders.
Speaking at the memorial, General Dwivedi reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to national security, stating that just like during the Kargil conflict, India responded with precision and strength during the recent Operation Sindoor. “Operation Sindoor is our resolve, message and answer,” he said, referencing India’s strong military response to cross-border terrorist infrastructure in May 2025.
He also condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, calling it a cowardly act that wounded the entire nation. Emphasising the Indian Army’s no-tolerance policy, the COAS said, “This time India did not express doubt. The decision was that the answer would be decisive. With the strategic freedom granted by the Government, the Indian forces gave a determined, precise, and decisive response.”
General Dwivedi’s visit to Siachen not only reinforced morale among soldiers in harsh conditions but also highlighted the leadership’s continued engagement with frontline troops and its commitment to defending every inch of Indian territory.
