Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva has officially taken over as the Chief of Staff of the Indian Army’s Central Command on April 10, 2025, following the completion of his tenure as the General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, also known as 16 Corps.

The announcement was made by Surya Command, which expressed confidence in benefiting from the General’s vast experience in both operational and administrative domains.

Lt Gen Sachdeva assumed command of the White Knight Corps in January 2024, a prestigious formation with a rich history in Jammu and Kashmir, before transitioning to his new role at Central Command.

Headquartered in Lucknow, Central Command oversees military operations across eight states and manages the central sector of India’s western border with Pakistan, playing a pivotal role in strategic planning and humanitarian missions, such as flood relief operations in the region.

The General’s appointment comes at a time when Central Command continues to be instrumental in both defence and disaster response, as seen in past initiatives like Operation Surya Hope during the 2013 Uttarakhand floods. Lt Gen Sachdeva’s leadership is expected to further strengthen the command’s operational readiness and administrative efficiency, drawing on his extensive military expertise.

The Indian Army and associated defence bodies extended their greetings to the General, expressing optimism for his tenure in this critical role.

A serious incident involving the alleged maltreatment of a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian Army and his wife by the Bihar Police has sparked outrage and swift action from both military and civilian authorities. The incident, which occurred on the night of April 9, 2025, has raised concerns about the treatment of serving military personnel by local law enforcement.

Following the incident, the Indian Army took immediate action. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the local Army formation met with the Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar to address the issue. In response, the DGP ordered the suspension of the Station House Officer (SHO) of Telhara Police Station and initiated an Inspector General (IG)-level inquiry to investigate the matter. The DGP also assured full cooperation in ensuring an impartial investigation and promised strict action against those found guilty.

The JCO has since been released, and the Officer Commanding of the JCO’s Army unit visited the family at their residence to check on their well-being. The Army’s Surya Command praised the prompt response from police authorities while emphasizing their commitment to ensuring justice for the JCO and his family.

The incident has drawn significant attention on social media, with the Surya Command’s post on X garnering reactions from the public. Many users expressed support for the Army’s swift response, with comments like “Fast action by Surya Command” and “Well done for being prompt. Defaulters must be punished.” Others, however, raised concerns about the behavior of some personnel, with one user noting, “This has become inevitable for a handful of personnel who are irresponsible, selfish, and egoistic.”

This incident comes against the backdrop of occasional tensions between military and civilian authorities in India. Historical cases, such as the 2018 Bomdila incident in Arunachal Pradesh, where soldiers were allegedly beaten by local police, highlight the sensitivity of such interactions. The Indian Army, through its various commands, has consistently emphasized the need for mutual respect and cooperation between the armed forces and civilian law enforcement agencies.

The investigation into the Telhara incident is ongoing, and further details are awaited as the Bihar Police work to address the allegations of misconduct. The Army, meanwhile, continues to stand by its personnel, ensuring that the JCO and his family receive the necessary support during this challenging time.

For now, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of coordination and respect between India’s military and civilian institutions, especially when it comes to the treatment of those who serve the nation.

Disclaimer: Image used is generated by AI for representation purpose only

In a significant step towards strengthening defence ties, the College of Defence Management (CDM) under India’s Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) conducted an online academic discourse with the Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan. The event, held under the framework of the Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan, focused on the theme “Envisioning Military Conflicts of the Future.”

The discussions delved into the evolving nature of warfare, with a particular emphasis on the roles of artificial intelligence (AI), hybrid threats, and strategic ambiguity. These elements are increasingly reshaping the character of modern conflicts, posing new challenges for military forces worldwide. Participants from both nations engaged in a robust exchange of ideas, exploring plausible solutions to address the complexities of future wars.

The virtual session featured senior military officers from both sides, seated in formal conference settings adorned with national flags and military insignia. The Indian delegation was represented by officers from various branches of the armed forces, while their Uzbek counterparts brought insights from their own strategic perspectives. The event underscored the growing importance of military diplomacy in tackling shared security concerns.

This collaboration builds on a history of defence cooperation between the two nations, which was further solidified by the signing of three MoUs in 2019 during a visit by India’s then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Tashkent. Those agreements focused on military medicine and education, laying the groundwork for initiatives like this academic exchange. The CDM, established in 1970 in Secunderabad, is a premier institution for training Indian defence officers in modern management practices, while Uzbekistan’s Academy of the Armed Forces is a key center for military education in Central Asia.

The discourse highlighted the global relevance of the topics discussed. Hybrid threats, which combine conventional and irregular tactics, have become a focal point for militaries worldwide, with organizations like NATO increasingly prioritizing strategies to counter them. Similarly, the integration of AI in warfare and the challenges posed by strategic ambiguity—where intentions and actions of adversaries remain unclear—are critical areas of concern for modern defence forces.

The event concluded with both sides expressing optimism about continued collaboration, emphasizing the importance of such interactions in fostering mutual understanding and preparing for the challenges of future conflicts. This initiative reflects the deepening friendship between India and Uzbekistan, as both nations work together to navigate the complexities of 21st-century warfare.

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and Wellington Garrison today, where he delivered a keynote address at the convocation ceremony of the 80th Staff Course. The event marked a significant milestone for the graduating officers of the Armed Forces of India and Friendly Foreign Countries.

During his address, Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the professionalism and dedication of DSSC in preparing future military leaders. He highlighted the critical role of technology in shaping today’s geopolitics and national security, urging the officers to prioritize modernization and capability development of the Armed Forces. This call to action aligns with the ongoing initiatives in the “Year of Defence Reforms,” emphasizing the need for advanced strategies to address contemporary global challenges.

The ceremony also featured a medal presentation, where the Raksha Mantri honored the award winners for their outstanding achievements. Among the recipients was Rohit Pilania, whose recognition was celebrated by family members as a proud moment, reflecting the personal significance of the event for military families.

In addition to the convocation, Shri Rajnath Singh paid solemn tributes to fallen soldiers during a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial of the Madras Regimental Centre. The memorial, located near the Madras War Cemetery in Chennai, commemorates soldiers who sacrificed their lives during both World Wars, symbolizing the nation’s gratitude and remembrance.

The visit underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening the armed forces through modernization while honoring the legacy of those who have served the nation.

Representatives from the Indian Army’s Golden Katar Division, under the Konark Corps, held a significant meeting with civil administration officials from Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, and Dwarka districts in Gujarat. The discussions, centered on “Civil Military Fusion,” aimed to enhance inter-agency coordination for managing internal security and disaster relief in the region.

The meeting took place in the office of the Superintendent of Police in Porbandar, as indicated by the signage and flags of India and Gujarat in the background. Visuals from the event show a military officer in camouflage uniform shaking hands with a civilian official, symbolizing the collaborative spirit.

Other images depict detailed discussions over maps of the Jamnagar district, highlighting strategic planning for disaster management and security operations. The presence of both military and police personnel, along with civil administrators, underscores the multi-stakeholder approach to addressing regional challenges.

This initiative builds on the Golden Katar Division’s history of inter-service coordination, as seen in their joint exercises with the Indian Navy and Air Force earlier in 2025 in Gujarat, focusing on areas like Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, and Porbandar.

The Southern Command of the Indian Army also acknowledged the effort, emphasizing its importance in fostering resilience and security in Gujarat, a region prone to natural disasters and strategic challenges. This meeting marks a proactive step toward ensuring timely and coordinated responses to future crises.

The Battle Axe Division of the Indian Army, under the aegis of the Konark Corps, successfully conducted an Integrated Firepower Exercise in the deserts of Rajasthan, showcasing its combat readiness and operational capabilities in challenging terrain. The exercise, which saw active participation from the Border Security Force (BSF) Artillery, highlighted the seamless coordination between the two forces in executing relentless operations in the harsh desert environment.

The Konark Corps, also known as the Desert Corps, shared glimpses of the exercise on X, emphasizing the theme of #TrainingTogether. The visuals included soldiers operating heavy artillery guns, a nighttime firing session illuminating the desert with bursts of firepower, and the deployment of advanced radar systems, underscoring the integration of modern technology in desert warfare. The exercise also featured personnel in camouflage, working cohesively to demonstrate their preparedness for real-world scenarios along India’s desert borders.

The Konark Corps, established on February 26, 1987, during the volatile days of Operation Trident, is tasked with protecting India’s desert sectors in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Headquartered in Jodhpur, the corps has a storied history, including capturing 9,000 square kilometers of enemy territory during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. The Battle Axe Division, led by Maj Gen RK Arora, continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining security along the western border, with a legacy of excellence in military operations.

This exercise comes as part of the Indian Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance its operational capabilities in the desert sector, a strategically critical region. The participation of the BSF Artillery, which is unique among Central Armed Police Forces for having its own artillery regiment, further strengthened the joint operational framework. The exercise was closely monitored by senior officials from the Southern Command, with the Army’s official handle

A ceremonial parade marking the completion of the Medical Officers Basic Course (MOBC-251) was held at the Army Medical Corps (AMC) Centre & College in Lucknow on Wednesday. The event celebrated the graduation of 124 medical officers, including 26 women officers, who underwent a rigorous nine-week training program with tri-services representation.

Lt Gen Shivinder Singh, the Commandant of AMC Centre & College, reviewed the parade and addressed the young officers of the Armed Forces Medical Service (AFMS). He encouraged them to uphold the professional ethos of the medical corps and serve the nation and the world with humility, empathy, and compassion. Lt Gen Singh, who assumed his role as Commandant in October 2024, brings 37 years of expertise in cardiac anaesthesia and critical care, having previously served as MG Med at Headquarters Northern Command.

During the ceremony, Capt Manraj Sirohi, Regimental Medical Officer (RMO) of 4 Ladakh Scouts, was adjudged the Best All-round Officer for his outstanding performance throughout the course. The Ladakh Scouts, known as the “Snow Warriors,” are a mountain infantry regiment specializing in cold-weather and high-altitude warfare, notably involved in operations like the capture of Siachen Glacier in 1984.

The parade, held at the Officers Training College (OTC) of AMC Centre & College, featured a display of military precision and discipline, as captured in images shared by the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) on X. The visuals included Lt Gen Singh inspecting the parade from a military vehicle, presenting the award to Capt Sirohi, and group photographs of the graduating officers in their ceremonial uniforms.

The AMC Centre & College plays a pivotal role in training medical officers for the AFMS, which provides healthcare services to Indian Army personnel, veterans, and their families across 133 military hospitals. The AFMS also includes specialized facilities like the Army Institute of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences in Pune and conducts advanced training through its Command Hospitals. The Army Medical Corps, established in 1943, has a rich history dating back to the Indian Medical Service of 1612, evolving into a critical component of the Indian Army’s healthcare system.

The event underscores the Indian Army’s commitment to fostering skilled medical professionals who can operate in diverse and challenging environments, ensuring the well-being of its personnel while contributing to national and global humanitarian efforts.