Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps, conducted a forward-area visit to assess operational preparedness in the strategically vital high-altitude regions of Arunachal Pradesh. The visit comes at a time of continued focus on border security along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

Reviewing deployments in rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions, Lt Gen Pendharkar praised the professionalism and morale of troops stationed at these remote posts. His visit also included a solemn tribute at a memorial marking the 1962 Battle of Walong, where 642 Indian and 752 Chinese soldiers lost their lives, underscoring the region’s deep historical and strategic relevance.

Beyond military assessments, the General interacted with residents under Operation Sadbhavna, the Indian Army’s long-running civic action programme. The General acknowledged the vital role of local communities in nation-building and lauded their continued cooperation with Army-led outreach.

The visit also highlights the ongoing development push by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which has been steadily enhancing connectivity across Arunachal Pradesh since the 1960s. These road networks are critical for both troop mobility and integrating border communities into the national framework.

Lt Gen Pendharkar, a seasoned officer with extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations and recent leadership in conflict resolution in Manipur, emphasized the dual priorities of operational vigilance and civil engagement. His forward-area review reflects the Indian Army’s strategic focus on strengthening deterrence and ensuring stability along India’s northeastern frontier.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has reaffirmed that Operation Sindoor, India’s strategic military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, remains ongoing. Speaking at a defence seminar in Delhi on Friday, Gen Chauhan stressed that India’s armed forces must maintain high readiness levels “24×7, 365 days,” as the nature of modern warfare continues to evolve.

“We are standing at the cusp of what I call the third revolution in military warfare,” said the CDS, describing the new form of conflict as “convergence warfare”—a fusion of kinetic and non-kinetic tactics, combining traditional battlefield methods with emerging technological capabilities.

He underscored the importance of mastering both shastra (weapons) and shaastra (knowledge), highlighting that today’s warriors must operate seamlessly across tactical, operational, and strategic domains. “There is an unprecedented pace of change driven by relentless technology,” Gen Chauhan added, pointing to developments like cyber warfare, AI integration, and real-time battlefield intelligence.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, following a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. According to government statements in Parliament, the operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the destruction of nine major terror camps linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Over 100 terrorists were neutralised in the precision strikes.

The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the operation was not initiated under international pressure but was a “focussed, measured, and non-escalatory” response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha that Pakistan’s attempt to strike Indian civilian and military targets prompted a “strong and decisive” counter-response, inflicting significant damage on Pakistani assets.

After four days of intense fighting, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations requested a ceasefire on May 10, which was agreed upon later that day. However, with continuing security concerns along the border, Operation Sindoor remains active as India strengthens its defence posture and modernises its military capabilities.

Satellite imagery and defence sources suggest India may have targeted sensitive Pakistani military locations, including the Kirana Hills, a site linked to Pakistan’s covert missile and nuclear programs.

As the region remains on alert, Gen Chauhan’s remarks underline the Indian military’s strategic pivot toward integrated, technology-driven operations, ensuring preparedness against both conventional threats and asymmetric warfare.

In a major push towards military digitization, Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps, visited a newly developed network-enabled complex, highlighting the Army’s evolving focus on advanced technology integration in modern warfare.

The complex, located in a strategically vital mountainous region, demonstrated real-time data operations, strategic planning tools, and digital command systems designed to enhance situational awareness and operational response. During his visit, Lt Gen Pendharkar lauded the personnel for their proficiency in managing new-generation defense technologies and emphasized continued excellence in adapting to the changing nature of warfare.

The Spear Corps, historically known for its valor during the 1962 Battle of Walong, now stands at the forefront of India’s shift toward network-centric and tech-driven capabilities. The complex featured systems powered by cognitive radar, enhanced communications, and experimental applications of 5G networks—tools that represent a leap in command and control efficiency across remote and hostile environments.

The visit coincided with other key advancements in India’s defence technology sector, including a successful test of a drone-launched missile system in Kurnool, showcasing progress in indigenous weapons development.

Lt Gen Pendharkar, a veteran of counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, is steering Spear Corps into an era where digital superiority complements traditional battlefield strength. This initiative is part of the Indian Army’s broader effort to modernize forces and improve combat effectiveness, especially in sensitive frontier areas.

The move toward digital infrastructure and smart technologies is seen as critical to maintaining operational dominance in the face of evolving security threats, cyber challenges, and hybrid warfare scenarios.

Captain Harish Tak of the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps has been formally commended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his courageous and life-saving intervention during a road accident earlier this year. The incident took place on March 30, 2025, at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, when Captain Tak, while on leave, responded swiftly to save a civilian whose airway had become completely obstructed.

Demonstrating remarkable calm and medical proficiency, Captain Tak performed emergency first aid that is believed to have averted a potential fatality. According to trauma care research published by the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, such immediate action by trained responders can reduce mortality rates in airway obstruction cases by up to 40 percent.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who took office in October 2024 following Jammu and Kashmir’s reorganisation as a union territory, personally felicitated Captain Tak for his exemplary action. The commendation highlights the role of individual heroism in a region long marked by security challenges and ongoing efforts to foster civil-military harmony.

Captain Tak was seen wearing the Indian Army’s traditional Olive Green uniform during the ceremony. While the Army has transitioned to a new disruptive digital camouflage pattern in recent years for improved terrain adaptation, the OG uniform is still used in select duties and occasions, often representing legacy and tradition.

The Indian Army acknowledged Captain Tak’s selfless act as a reflection of the force’s ethos of service to the nation, both in and out of uniform. The recognition also aligns with a wider trend across global militaries to honour off-duty personnel for acts of public service, especially in life-threatening situations outside official deployments.

Captain Tak’s intervention serves as a powerful reminder of the values instilled in the Armed Forces, where duty, courage, and compassion extend well beyond the battlefield.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively exploring the procurement of two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets from foreign sources to bolster its combat readiness until the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) becomes operational, defence sources said on Wednesday.

Each squadron typically comprises 18 to 20 fighter aircraft, meaning the IAF is eyeing an interim purchase of approximately 40 to 60 fifth-generation fighters.

The proposal, presented recently to the government in a high-level meeting, is aimed at maintaining the IAF’s technological edge, particularly amid growing concerns about China’s rapid airpower advancements and its potential transfer of fifth-generation jets to Pakistan. The plan has received support from a defence ministry committee led by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, which emphasised the need for deterrence along India’s northern and western frontiers.

While no final decision has been taken, official-level discussions are ongoing. The United States has reportedly offered its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, and Russia has proposed the Su-57 Felon. India had earlier exited the joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project with Russia but retains the option to rejoin.

In parallel, India is also pursuing a separate programme to manufacture 114 next-generation 4.5+ fighters in collaboration with a foreign partner under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This may result in a government-to-government deal following a competitive tender process.

With China progressing toward sixth-generation fighters, the IAF’s push for modernisation reflects a strategic urgency to fill capability gaps before the AMCA enters service later this decade.