In a commendable feat of endurance and skill, two Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from the Indian Army have successfully completed the prestigious Survival, Escape, Evasion, and Combat Tracking Course at the Special Forces Training School in Sri Lanka. The intensive 16-week training, held from February 24 to June 11, 2025, saw Havildar Bhim Singh and Naik Lalit Thakur push their limits in one of South Asia’s most demanding military programs.

Havildar Bhim Singh, representing the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram, was awarded the title of Best Foreign Student—an accolade that reflects the high caliber of Indian Army training standards and individual excellence. The course tested participants on survival without food or water in dense jungles, 20-hour endurance exercises at sea, and high-stress combat tracking through hostile terrain.

These exercises are designed to strengthen psychological endurance and physical adaptability, aligning with global military training benchmarks. A 2019 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology highlights the long-term resilience benefits of such training under extreme conditions.

The achievement not only showcases the capability of Indian troops but also underscores the growing defense partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Once strained by the legacy of the 1987–1990 Indian Peace Keeping Force mission, bilateral military ties have now matured into strategic cooperation. This initiative takes on greater significance in light of China’s rising presence in the Indian Ocean Region, as outlined in a 2024 RAND Corporation report.

The success of Havildar Singh and Naik Thakur serves as a proud moment for the Indian Army and reinforces regional collaboration for collective security in South Asia.

Major General MPS Gill, VSM, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Uttarakhand sub-area, conducted a detailed review of the operational readiness, Agniveer training programs, and infrastructure developments at the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre (GRRC) in Lansdowne. The visit highlights the Indian Army’s continued focus on modernization and regional preparedness.

During his inspection, Major General Gill stressed the need for unwavering professional excellence among all ranks. He encouraged personnel to remain committed to maintaining high standards of military preparedness, especially in the context of evolving regional and technological challenges.

The review featured a comprehensive presentation on the training of Agniveers, the young recruits brought in under the Agnipath Scheme launched in 2022. According to a study by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, there has been a 30 percent increase in technical training efficiency since the scheme’s introduction, underscoring its positive impact.

Gill also assessed ongoing infrastructure upgrades at the centre, which align with the Ministry of Defence’s data indicating a 25 percent surge in tech-related military investments since 2022. His visit included troop interactions, a detailed assessment of operational resources, and a walk-through of the newly enhanced training modules, reflecting his hands-on leadership approach and prior experience commanding an armoured brigade.

Assuming command on May 27, 2025, Major General Gill succeeded Major General R Prem Raj. His tenure is expected to bring further strategic focus to the Uttarakhand sub-area, especially amid broader military reforms such as the recent launch of a drone training facility at the Madras Regimental Centre. These developments signal a strong push toward a future-ready Indian Army grounded in technology and youth-driven capabilities.

In a major push toward defense self-reliance, the Indian Army’s Spear Corps has begun deploying indigenously developed Tactical Load Haulers and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the remote and rugged regions of Arunachal Pradesh. This strategic move aligns with the broader Make in India initiative and highlights a significant advancement in operational capability in high-altitude terrain.

The deployment follows operator-level training sessions conducted by Indian defense industry experts, enabling soldiers to effectively handle these sophisticated systems in mountainous conditions. According to a 2024 study by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, the integration of UAVs and load haulers has the potential to reduce logistical delays by up to 30 percent in difficult terrains.

The systems are tailored to meet the specific challenges of high-altitude missions, offering better mobility, surveillance, and supply chain efficiency. Their introduction is seen as a direct response to evolving regional security dynamics, especially in the wake of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which underscored the urgency of enhancing India’s forward deployment capabilities along the Line of Actual Control.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between military units and domestic defense manufacturers, aiming to foster long-term innovation and localized production. Defense officials indicated that these developments will accelerate the establishment of defense innovation hubs and facilitate critical technology transfers.

This deployment also marks a key milestone in the Indian Army’s ongoing “Decade of Transformation” roadmap, reinforcing the country’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision to strengthen technological dominance and strategic autonomy in the region.

The Indian Army is mourning the untimely demise of Colonel Somnath Mishra, the Commanding Officer of the 63 Rashtriya Rifles (Bihar), who passed away due to medical reasons at the Army Base Hospital in Delhi Cantonment. The White Knight Corps, based in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir, extended its heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family and pledged full support during this difficult time.

Colonel Mishra served with distinction in the Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency force raised in 1990 to address internal security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the years, the force has been instrumental in neutralizing more than 16,000 terrorists, playing a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The White Knight Corps, under which the 63 Rashtriya Rifles operates, has been a key formation along the Line of Control since its establishment in 1972 under the command of Lieutenant General J F R Jacob.

Colonel Mishra’s passing is a profound loss to the armed forces, especially to those serving in high-stress operational environments. While no official details have been released about the medical condition that led to his death, the incident has sparked conversations about the physical and mental health pressures faced by military personnel, even off the battlefield. His dedication and leadership will be remembered with honor by the entire defence community.