The Indian Army’s prestigious Agnibaaz Division has welcomed new leadership with Major General Adarsha Verma, VSM, officially assuming command from Major General Amar Pal Singh Chahal in a ceremonial handover held at the Southern Command headquarters today.
The change of command ceremony was marked by the traditional exchange of mementos, symbolizing continuity, discipline, and honour. Major General Verma brings with him a distinguished track record in counter-insurgency operations, United Nations peacekeeping missions, and strategic military planning. A scholar-soldier, he holds advanced degrees in Weapon Technology, Defence and Strategic Studies, and Management, and previously served as a Research Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.
In his first address to the division, Maj Gen Verma underscored his priorities: enhancing operational readiness, embracing technological innovation, and ensuring rigorous, mission-oriented training. His vision aligns with the Indian Army’s broader “Decade of Transformation” initiative, which aims to modernize 70% of the force’s equipment by 2030.
Under the outgoing commander Major General Chahal, the Agnibaaz Division earned accolades for both innovation and outreach. Notable achievements include the launch of a modern 10-meter Air Rifle Shooting Range to improve precision training and the successful execution of a 4,000-kilometer Kargil Vijay Diwas Bike Expedition from Dhanushkodi to Dras, paying tribute to the heroes of the 1999 Kargil conflict.
The Agnibaaz Division operates under the Indian Army’s Southern Command, which has been active since 1895 and has played decisive roles in historical events including the integration of princely states, the liberation of Goa in 1961, and the Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. The Command is currently headed by Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, who is steering modernization and operational excellence across formations.
With this leadership transition, the Agnibaaz Division is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future force structures and battlefield strategies in line with India’s evolving security landscape.
