In a decisive step to bolster military preparedness, the Indian Ministry of Defence has formally activated 14 infantry battalions of the Territorial Army for strategic deployment across key military commands. The deployment, effective from February 10, 2025, through February 9, 2028, will see units stationed under the Northern, Western, and Eastern Commands, among others, reflecting India’s calibrated response to increasing geopolitical challenges.

The notification, signed by Major General G.S. Choudhry, was issued under Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules, 1948. It authorizes the Chief of the Army Staff to mobilize these battalions for essential guard duties, administrative roles, and operational support. Units are being assigned across the Central Command, Northern Command, Southern Command, Eastern Command, Western Command, Army Training Command (ARTRAC), and the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The financial responsibility for the deployment is to be borne by the respective ministries utilizing the Territorial Army services, excluding the Ministry of Defence.

This measure comes amid heightened security concerns on India’s borders, particularly with Pakistan and China. The April 2025 terror attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians and security personnel, and the ongoing military vigilance post-Galwan Valley clashes in 2020, have prompted India to strengthen its forward presence. Military sources suggest that this deployment is both a deterrent and a support mechanism to ease the operational load on the regular army.

The Territorial Army, a volunteer reserve force established in 1920 and restructured in 1948, has historically played a key role in India’s defense architecture. It is often tasked with static and support duties, allowing the regular army to focus on high-intensity combat operations. Over the years, the force has contributed to internal security, counter-insurgency operations, and disaster relief.

This latest activation points to a broader doctrinal shift within India’s defense strategy, signaling the growing importance of layered, long-term deployment capabilities. The Northern Command is responsible for guarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, while the Western Command oversees India’s frontlines with Pakistan. The Eastern Command focuses on the sensitive northeastern frontier, which includes strategic stretches of the LAC.

The deployment also coincides with broader organizational developments, including discussions around the formation of a new XVIII Corps under the Central Command, tasked with operations in the central LAC region. Additionally, reports of Pakistani claims about an impending Indian incursion following the Kashmir terror attack have added urgency to India’s military readiness.

While the deployment order is publicly available in the Gazette of India, it has sparked debate among defense analysts over India’s military posture and the increasing integration of reserve forces into frontline strategy. By activating the Territorial Army for a three-year tenure across multiple commands, India appears to be reinforcing its commitment to operational flexibility, strategic deterrence, and the protection of its territorial integrity in an evolving regional landscape.

Type / to choose a blColonel Sofiya Qureshi, a distinguished officer of the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, once hailed by the Supreme Court for breaking gender barriers, was among the key officials briefing the media on Operation Sindoor – India’s latest counter-terror offensive against Pakistan-based groups. Her presence at the National Media Centre alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and IAF’s Wing Commander Vyomika Singh on May 7 symbolized the growing role of women in India’s defense leadership.

Col. Qureshi has long been a symbol of pioneering achievement in the armed forces. In a landmark 2020 judgment on granting Permanent Commission to women officers in the Indian Army, the Supreme Court referenced her exemplary service as proof of why women deserve full career parity. The court had called the blanket denial of command positions to women officers “indefensible” and recognized Col. Qureshi’s leadership in “Exercise Force 18,” a major multi-national military exercise hosted by India in 2016. She was the first female officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in such an event.

Her operational record spans a career of excellence and courage. In 2006, she served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she helped monitor ceasefire violations and conducted humanitarian outreach in conflict zones. She has also taken part in flood relief operations in India’s Northeast, demonstrating her versatility as a frontline officer in both combat and humanitarian missions.

Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, in 1974, and holding a Master’s degree in biochemistry, Col. Qureshi’s academic and military credentials reflect her commitment to excellence. She was commissioned into the Army’s Corps of Signals and steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a role model for aspiring women officers.

The Supreme Court’s 2020 verdict, which opened the door for more women to gain Permanent Commission in the Army, cited her as an example of outstanding service. It emphasized that excluding women from leadership on the basis of gender ignored both their proven merit and the constitutional mandate for equality.

Her latest role in briefing the nation during Operation Sindoor only adds to her stature. The operation, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, saw the Indian armed forces strike nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir using precision missile systems.

Col. Qureshi’s career continues to challenge outdated notions within the military hierarchy and beyond. As she stood on the dais this week, representing the strength and skill of India’s armed forces, she also stood as a testament to the transformative power of equal opportunity and the evolving face of Indian defense leadership.

The Indian Army has announced the successful repulsion of multiple drone attacks and ceasefire violations initiated by Pakistani forces along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir during the night of May 8-9, 2025. Dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” the operation was a direct response to heightened tensions following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives and was attributed to Pakistan-based militants.

According to official statements, Pakistani armed forces launched attacks using drones and other munitions across the entire western border, targeting military installations in regions such as Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. The Indian Air Defence units intercepted these threats, with explosions reported in areas like Naushera and Uri, where anti-drone technology and artillery fire were employed to neutralize the incoming threats. No casualties or material losses were reported on the Indian side.

The operation comes in the wake of India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty on April 23, 2025, citing national security concerns and alleging Pakistan’s support for state-sponsored terrorism. This suspension has escalated diplomatic and military tensions, with India conducting precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of its retaliatory measures.

The Indian Army emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation, stating that all nefarious designs will be met with force. The operation also included the destruction of a Pakistani military post across the LoC, as confirmed by official footage released by the Indian forces.

This latest confrontation is part of a long-standing conflict over the Kashmir region, which has seen three wars and numerous skirmishes since the partition of India in 1947. The Line of Control, established in 1972, remains a flashpoint for military engagements, with frequent violations and militant activities exacerbating the situation.

The international community has called for de-escalation, with the United States expressing support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan. However, the ongoing military actions and diplomatic standoffs indicate a challenging path to resolution in the near future.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a high-level meeting today at South Block in New Delhi to evaluate the security situation along India’s western border and assess the operational preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following recent cross-border incidents and India’s military operations targeting terrorist hideouts.

The discussion was attended by key military and defence officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The focus was on ensuring robust defence mechanisms in response to escalating threats, particularly after India’s Operation Sindoor strikes on May 7, which reportedly eliminated 100 terrorists but also drew international attention due to civilian casualties claimed by Pakistan.

The meeting room was adorned with Indian flags and another flag, possibly indicating a diplomatic engagement, though the primary agenda remained centred on national security. The Indian government has been on high alert following Pakistan’s retaliatory measures, including the closure of airspace to Indian airlines and trade restrictions, which have disrupted regional connectivity, with over 430 flights canceled by May 8, according to international reports. Additionally, the recent capture of an Indian soldier by Pakistan Rangers has further strained bilateral relations, prompting both nations to engage in flag meetings to resolve the issue.

This high-level review underscores India’s commitment to maintaining vigilance and unity in the face of ongoing challenges along the western border, as the nation navigates a complex geopolitical landscape.

On Friday, Pakistan’s government urged international partners, including the World Bank, to provide additional financial assistance, citing “heavy losses inflicted by the enemy” in the wake of Indian military strikes carried out on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, The Ministry of Economic Affairs in Pakistan confirmed on Friday that its official X (formerly Twitter) account was compromised. The breach led to the publication of a fake post requesting additional international loans—an incident that has raised eyebrows, particularly during heightened tensions between Pakistan and India.

According to a statement provided to Reuters, the Pakistan ministry is actively working to deactivate the hacked account and restore control over its digital communications. Officials clarified that the controversial post was not authored or approved by any official representative and termed it a case of unauthorized access.

The timing of the hack is significant, as it comes amid an atmosphere of geopolitical instability in the region, following recent cross-border incidents and rising diplomatic friction with India.

Cybersecurity analysts warn that such breaches in official communication platforms can not only damage a country’s credibility but also contribute to misinformation during sensitive periods. The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of Pakistan government digital assets to cyber intrusions.

As investigations continue, Pakistani authorities are expected to enhance their digital security measures to prevent further breaches and maintain the integrity of their communications in the face of rising regional instability.