Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AVSM, VSM, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), conducted an operational field visit to the 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, located at Badami Bagh Cantonment. The visit aimed to evaluate the hospital’s performance in delivering medical care under challenging conditions, particularly in the realm of combat trauma management.

During her tour, Admiral Sarin inspected key facilities, including the Trauma Centre, wards, and various departments. She expressed her appreciation for the hospital’s exemplary work, noting its critical role in managing combat-related injuries. The 92 Base Hospital has earned a reputation for its efficiency, with minimal patient transfer times to treatment beds and well-equipped operation theatres that enable life- and limb-saving surgeries. The hospital has also been recognized for its resilience in handling the dual challenges of combat trauma and the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining low mortality rates through dedicated care.

Addressing the officers, nursing officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs), and other ranks, Admiral Sarin commended their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to providing the best possible medical care in a high-pressure environment. She also took the time to visit patients, offering words of encouragement and highlighting the importance of a positive mindset in overcoming medical challenges. Her interactions underscored the armed forces’ focus on holistic trauma care, which includes a staged approach to treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation, and ongoing training.

The 92 Base Hospital has a storied history, having been established after merging several military hospitals in the region. It has become a cornerstone of medical support in the area, often described as a “healers’ abode” for its life-saving efforts. The hospital’s work aligns with the broader goals of the armed forces’ medical services, which emphasize uniformity in trauma care protocols and collaboration with civilian counterparts to enhance overall healthcare outcomes. Admiral Sarin’s visit reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to maintaining world-class medical infrastructure for its personnel, even in operational field areas.

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), visited a frontline Field Hospital in the Lipa Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, where she commended the medical team’s unwavering commitment amidst challenging conditions. The visit underscored the critical role of the hospital in supporting military operations near the Line of Control (LoC), a region historically affected by insurgency.

During her visit, VAdm Sarin was briefed on the hospital’s operations and its vital role in providing medical support to both military personnel and local civilians under Operation Sadbhavana. Launched in 1998, this Indian Army initiative aims to “win hearts and minds” by delivering healthcare, empowering women, and supporting youth in border areas impacted by terrorism. The Admiral interacted with local residents receiving care, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ commitment to humanitarian efforts in the region.

VAdm Sarin also praised the high-quality training of Battlefield Nursing Assistants (BFNAs), who play a crucial role in delivering swift, life-saving care in combat zones. The BFNAs have been instrumental in remote areas, with their skills also proving vital during broader efforts like COVID-19 management. The medical team, dubbed the ‘Lipa Valley Healers,’ was lauded for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring operational readiness under tough circumstances.

The visit highlights the Indian Armed Forces’ broader mission to integrate community welfare with military objectives, fostering trust with the local population, including the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities near the LoC. VAdm Sarin’s engagement reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen medical services within the armed forces, ensuring both the well-being of troops and support for civilians in conflict-affected regions.

The event was attended by personnel from various branches of the military, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Armed Forces Medical Services. The DGAFMS also acknowledged the contributions of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force medical branches in maintaining healthcare delivery under diverse and demanding conditions.

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), made a significant visit to a combat hospital in South Kashmir on April 12, 2025. As the first woman to hold the prestigious position of DGAFMS since her appointment on October 1, 2024, her visit underscored the critical role of military medical services in ensuring the health and readiness of soldiers stationed along the Line of Control (LoC).

During her tour, Surgeon VAdm Sarin lauded the “unrelenting spirit, selfless commitment, and dedication” of the combat hospital staff, whom she referred to as “Combat Healers.” She emphasized their vital contribution to Force Health Protection, a cornerstone of maintaining operational readiness for troops deployed in the challenging and sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The visit highlighted the Armed Forces Medical Services’ (AFMS) ongoing efforts to provide top-tier medical support, with the AFMS overseeing 112 military hospitals across India as of 2020.

As part of her itinerary, Sarin paid a heartfelt tribute to fallen soldiers at the Uri War Memorial, a site that honors the sacrifices of those who have served in the region. She also visited Kaman Aman Setu, known as the “Bridge of Peace,” located in the Uri sector of Baramulla district on the LoC. This landmark, which opened in 2007, has evolved from a strategic military outpost into a symbol of reconciliation and a popular tourist destination, reflecting the Indian Army’s efforts to promote peace and connectivity in the region.

The visit comes at a time when the AFMS continues to play a pivotal role in integrating medical services across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, a structure formalized by the Government of India in 1948. Surgeon VAdm Sarin’s leadership marks a historic milestone for the organization, and her engagement with frontline medical units underscores the importance of robust healthcare support in conflict zones.

Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), along with Mrs. Shuchi Katiyar, Regional President of AWWA (Western Command), visited the Early Intervention Centre (EIC) and Palliative Care Centre (PCC) at Military Hospital (MH) Jalandhar on April 12, 2025. The visit highlighted AWWA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the welfare of military families, particularly through specialized healthcare and developmental services.

During their visit, Mrs. Dwivedi and Mrs. Katiyar interacted with the staff, children, and caregivers at both centres. At the EIC, which focuses on early childhood development for children with special needs, they engaged with young children and their families, appreciating the dedicated efforts of the staff in fostering growth and support. The Palliative Care Centre, a 10-bedded facility operational since April 8, 2019, under the Vajra Corps, provides critical end-of-life care for patients, and the AWWA leaders commended the compassionate work of the staff and caregivers there.

Mrs. Dwivedi praised the exceptional work being done at both centres, emphasizing AWWA’s role in supporting the families of Army personnel. “The real strength of a soldier’s will to fight is not because of what is in front of him, but what is behind him,” she had previously noted during International Women’s Day event at Udhampur, a sentiment that resonates with AWWA’s mission to stand by military families through initiatives like these.

The visit, which included interactions with military personnel and the distribution of gifts to children, underscored the collaborative efforts of AWWA’s leadership to enhance welfare services across key military locations like Jalandhar, a significant hub under the Western Command.

The AWWA continues to play a pivotal role in uplifting the lives of spouses, children, and dependents of Army personnel, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to thrive.

Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Spear Corps, visited an Assam Rifles formation in Agartala, Tripura, to evaluate their operational readiness. The visit comes at a critical time for the region, which has been grappling with challenges such as the ethnic conflict in neighboring Manipur, where over 200 lives have been lost since 2023.

During his visit, Lt Gen Pendharkar inspected various innovations developed by the units to enhance combat efficiency. Among the technologies showcased were advanced drones, underscoring the Indian Army’s ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge tools into its operations.

This aligns with broader initiatives, such as the Army Design Bureau’s 2021 event, which highlighted innovations like quadcopter jammers to counter modern threats. Pendharkar closely examined these developments, emphasizing the importance of technological advancements in strengthening operational capabilities.

The Assam Rifles, a key formation under Spear Corps, has been instrumental in maintaining security in Northeast India. Beyond their role in counter-insurgency, they have also been actively involved in disaster preparedness. Notably, on November 14, 2024, the Assam Rifles participated in a state-level mock exercise in Agartala, focusing on earthquake response, highlighting their multifaceted contributions to regional stability.

Lt Gen Pendharkar, who assumed command of Spear Corps in August 2024, also took the opportunity to interact with the troops. He commended them for their professionalism and high morale, encouraging them to strive for excellence in all their endeavors. His visit reaffirmed the Indian Army and Assam Rifles’ commitment to ensuring operational efficiency while addressing the unique security and humanitarian challenges of the Northeast.

In a significant stride toward modernizing military communication, the Indian Army’s Konark Corps has successfully executed a pioneering project on quantum encryption in field conditions at Jodhpur. This breakthrough, part of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, marks a transformative step for secure military networks by leveraging quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. The achievement positions the Indian Army among an elite group of global forces adopting quantum-based solutions for ultra-secure communication.

Quantum encryption represents a paradigm shift from traditional cryptographic methods. While classical encryption relies on computational complexity—using intricate algorithms to secure data—quantum encryption is grounded in the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. Specifically, it utilizes the no-cloning theorem and quantum entanglement to ensure security. The no-cloning theorem states that it is impossible to create an identical copy of an unknown quantum state, meaning any attempt to intercept a quantum key would inevitably disturb the system and alert the communicating parties. Quantum entanglement, on the other hand, creates a unique link between particles, enabling the detection of eavesdropping attempts in real time.

In practical terms, the Konark Corps’ project focused on generating quantum secure keys in field conditions, a challenging environment compared to controlled laboratory settings. The successful implementation of QKD allows for the secure exchange of encryption keys using qubits, the basic units of quantum information, which differ fundamentally from the bits used in classical and post-quantum cryptography. Unlike bits, which are either 0 or 1, qubits can exist in a superposition of states, making them inherently more secure for key distribution.

The project was undertaken under the iDEX framework, a Ministry of Defence initiative launched to foster innovation and technology development in collaboration with startups, academia, and research institutions. The iDEX program has been instrumental in addressing critical defence challenges, with quantum technology being a key focus area. On October 29, 2024, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched the third edition of the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 3.0) challenge, which included problem statements related to quantum technology and military communication, further underscoring the strategic importance of this domain.

This achievement builds on India’s broader efforts to advance quantum technology. In 2021, the Indian Army established a quantum laboratory at Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, to explore applications of quantum mechanics in military operations. Additionally, institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur have been at the forefront of quantum research through their Quantum Information and Computation (QIC) group. Nationally, collaborations such as the partnership between IIT Madras and IBM, initiated in September 2022, have positioned India as a key player in the global quantum computing landscape. IIT Madras, as the first Indian institution to join the IBM Quantum Network, gained access to advanced quantum systems, accelerating research and development in this field.

The successful deployment of quantum encryption in field conditions has far-reaching implications for military communication. Traditional encryption methods, while robust, are increasingly vulnerable to advances in quantum computing, which could potentially break classical cryptographic systems by solving complex mathematical problems at unprecedented speeds. Quantum encryption, however, is resistant to such threats, as its security is based on the laws of physics rather than computational difficulty.

For the Indian Army, this technology ensures that sensitive communications—ranging from tactical battlefield instructions to strategic command directives—remain impervious to interception. The ability to generate and distribute quantum secure keys in real-world scenarios like Jodhpur’s arid terrain demonstrates the practical viability of this technology, paving the way for its integration into broader military networks.

Moreover, this development aligns with the global race to harness quantum technology for national security. The National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States, for instance, has been a leader in cryptology, emphasizing the importance of quantum key distribution for securing government and military communications. India’s entry into this domain not only strengthens its defence capabilities but also positions it as a contributor to the global discourse on quantum security.

The Konark Corps’ achievement is a testament to the Indian Army’s commitment to technological innovation, often described as a “Decade of Transformation.” By adopting quantum encryption, the Army is not only future-proofing its communication systems but also setting a precedent for other sectors to explore quantum technologies. The success of this iDEX project is likely to spur further investment and research, potentially leading to advancements in quantum computing, sensing, and cryptography for both military and civilian applications.

As India continues to build its quantum ecosystem—through initiatives like the Indian Institute of Science Quantum Technology Initiative (IQTI) and collaborations with global leaders like IBM—the country is well on its way to becoming a hub for quantum innovation. For the Indian Army, this milestone in Jodhpur is a crucial step toward ensuring that its communication networks remain secure, resilient, and ready for the challenges of the quantum era.

Cadets from the National Defence Academy (NDA) recently embarked on a transformative training voyage aboard frontline warships of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, gaining firsthand experience of naval operations and life at sea. The initiative, part of the Navy’s #MentoringLeaders program, aimed to equip future officers with practical skills and insights into maritime warfare and leadership, as shared by the Western Fleet.

The Western Fleet, often referred to as the “Sword Arm” of the Indian Navy, operates in the Arabian Sea and has a storied history, notably for its pivotal role in Operation Trident during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, where it successfully struck key Pakistani naval targets in Karachi. This legacy of operational excellence provided a fitting backdrop for the cadets’ training. The program aligns with the NDA’s mission to blend academic education, physical conditioning, and service-specific training, preparing cadets for their future roles in the Indian Armed Forces.

Photographs shared by the Western Fleet depict NDA cadets, dressed in their formal khaki uniforms with red shoulder cords, participating in various activities aboard the warships. One image captures a ceremonial moment, with cadets gathered on the deck as officers exchange a memento, symbolizing the mentorship and camaraderie fostered during the program. Another shows the ship navigating open waters, with cadets in orange life vests observing operations from the bridge, while a helicopter hovers in the distance. Additional visuals highlight practical training, including a naval officer briefing the cadets on shipboard equipment and a group using navigation tools to chart their course, emphasizing the hands-on nature of their experience.

The NDA, India’s premier joint defence service training institute, trains cadets for the Army, Navy, and Air Force before they proceed to their respective service academies for pre-commission training. Naval cadets, in particular, undergo specialized training at facilities like Peacock Bay, where they learn watermanship and maritime operations using modern teaching aids such as 3D models and scaled-down warship models like the TS Ronnie Pereira. This sea voyage with the Western Fleet complements their curriculum, offering real-world exposure to the challenges and responsibilities of naval service.

This training voyage not only bridges the gap between theoretical learning and operational reality but also instills in the cadets a profound sense of duty and readiness to serve the nation, a core ethos of the NDA. As these future naval officers return to their academy, their time with the Western Fleet will undoubtedly shape their journey toward becoming the next generation of India’s military leadership.