Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a heartfelt gesture of admiration during his roadshow in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Monday, as the family of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi showered him with flower petals. The moment stood out as a symbolic show of gratitude for the Prime Minister’s efforts toward empowering women and supporting the Indian armed forces.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior Indian Army officer, gained national attention earlier this month as one of the two women officers who briefed the media during the highly successful Operation Sindoor – a joint military operation launched by India against terrorist threats emanating from across the border. Colonel Qureshi is also renowned for being the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise, ‘Exercise Force 18’, the largest such event ever hosted by India.

The roadshow was part of PM Modi’s two-day visit to Gujarat, where he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth over ₹82,950 crore in Dahod, Bhuj, and Gandhinagar. People lined the streets in large numbers to cheer the Prime Minister and express their support for India’s recent defence achievements, particularly Operation Sindoor.

Speaking to the media, Colonel Qureshi’s twin sister Shyna Sunsara said, “We felt good meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has done a lot for women’s empowerment. When your sister does something for the country, it inspires everyone. She is no longer just my sister but the country’s sister.”

Their mother, Halima Bibi, shared her pride and joy at the meeting, saying, “I felt happy to meet PM Modi ji. Women and sisters are happy with Operation Sindoor.” Colonel Qureshi’s father, Taj Mohammed Qureshi, recalled how the Prime Minister greeted the family during the roadshow, calling the moment respectful and memorable.

Sanjay Qureshi, Colonel Sofiya’s brother, also spoke about the emotional significance of the occasion. “It was a great moment when PM Modi came here. We got to see him for the first time. Through gestures, he greeted us. I thank our defence forces and the government of India, which gave this chance to my sister. A woman taking revenge for the women who suffered so much – what can be better than this?”

Later, PM Modi shared glimpses of his roadshow and interactions in Gujarat on his official X handle. The roadshow and accompanying sentiments underscored the strong connection between the public, the armed forces, and the nation’s leadership in a time of heightened national pride following a decisive military success.

The Indian Army has officially released a detailed booklet for its personnel on Operation Sindoor, offering a comprehensive look at the precision strike operation that targeted terrorist infrastructure earlier this month. The document provides rare insights into high-level military coordination, reflecting a significant evolution in India’s defence posture and its growing reliance on indigenous technology.

The booklet includes visuals from the cutting-edge operations room where Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh closely monitored the mission. Real-time data streams, drone surveillance feeds, and tactical maps were all part of the operations centre’s arsenal, showcasing the Indian military’s advanced technological capabilities. A notable image timestamped May 7, 2025, at 01:05 hours captures the height of operational activity as the mission unfolded.

Operation Sindoor was launched in direct response to a series of provocations, including a recent terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government has held Pakistan-backed groups responsible for the violence. The precision strikes carried out during Operation Sindoor were aimed at dismantling cross-border terror camps and demonstrated India’s strategic resolve.

The booklet’s release follows claims made by Pakistan on May 1, 2025, that its air force forced Indian jets to retreat along the Line of Control during a reconnaissance mission. The Indian Army’s transparent sharing of Operation Sindoor’s details is seen as a firm counter-narrative, affirming the military’s readiness and capability to launch swift, coordinated operations when required.

General Dwivedi, who took over as Army Chief in June 2024, has made modernization a cornerstone of his leadership. Under his guidance, initiatives such as Project SAMBHAV, which uses 5G networks for secure battlefield communications, and the deployment of drones and counter-drone systems, have been accelerated. The booklet also highlights the restructuring of artillery units and a shift away from traditional logistics methods like animal transport in favour of high-tech mobility solutions.

The release has garnered attention both within India and internationally, as it underscores a broader shift toward inter-service synergy, operational transparency, and technological self-reliance. With the support of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Indian military is steadily reducing dependence on foreign defence equipment and embracing homegrown innovations.

Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India’s evolving military doctrine—one that integrates joint command structures, next-generation warfare tools, and a no-tolerance approach to terrorism. The newly released booklet not only documents a critical military success but also signals India’s preparedness for future security challenges with a firm focus on innovation and inter-agency coordination.

In a significant step to bolster national security and inter-agency coordination, the Indian Army’s Konark Corps, through its Bald Eagle Brigade, has successfully conducted a large-scale multiagency exercise in the Creek sector of Kutch, Gujarat. The comprehensive drill aimed to rehearse battlefield scenarios and enhance operational readiness in a region marked by strategic importance and territorial disputes.

The exercise involved joint participation from the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force (BSF), Gujarat state police, and the fisheries department. The inclusion of these diverse stakeholders reflects a concerted effort to ensure cohesive and synchronized responses to potential threats, especially in border areas like Sir Creek, where inter-service cooperation is critical.

Sir Creek, a 96-kilometre tidal estuary in the marshy Rann of Kutch, remains a long-standing point of contention between India and Pakistan. Despite the 1968 international tribunal’s ruling on the Great Rann of Kutch that included reference to Sir Creek, the boundary disagreement continues to linger. This disputed status has made the region a focal point for enhanced surveillance and military preparedness.

The multiagency exercise is part of a larger strategy to maintain heightened vigilance along the western frontier and reflects India’s proactive defence posture. The operation showcased integrated training modules tailored to the unique geographical and security challenges of the creek region.

In parallel with these field exercises, the Indian Army is also accelerating its self-reliance initiatives. The Army Design Bureau (ADB), established along the lines of the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, is spearheading critical research and development projects aimed at indigenizing defence production. This effort is central to reducing reliance on foreign military equipment and enhancing India’s strategic autonomy.

The successful execution of the Creek sector exercise underlines the Indian Army’s dedication to safeguarding national interests in high-stakes zones. With geopolitical tensions simmering in border regions, such preparedness drills play a crucial role in not only strengthening operational capabilities but also in reinforcing India’s diplomatic stance in ongoing territorial disputes.

By fostering synergy across military and civilian agencies, the Indian Army continues to refine its readiness for complex and dynamic threat environments, ensuring a robust defence mechanism in one of the country’s most sensitive regions.

In a concerted effort to enhance inter-force coordination and operational synergy, the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles have initiated joint training exercises in the forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh. The collaborative training aims to strengthen interoperability and preparedness along India’s strategically sensitive eastern frontier.

The joint drills, conducted in rugged terrain and challenging weather conditions, focus on familiarization with operational roles, handling of advanced weaponry, and use of specialized equipment. The exercises also involve the exchange of tactical knowledge and best practices, reinforcing the unified approach needed to address security challenges along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The Assam Rifles, though administratively under the Ministry of Home Affairs, operates under the command of the Indian Army. With a legacy tracing back to 1835, the force has played a pivotal role in maintaining internal security, guarding border areas, and conducting counter-insurgency operations across Northeast India. Its current strength of 46 battalions underscores its critical presence in the region.

These joint exercises form part of a larger strategy to fortify India’s border defenses and improve coordination between military and paramilitary units. They also reflect a proactive stance against evolving security threats, particularly in states like Arunachal Pradesh, which shares a long and sensitive border with Myanmar and is adjacent to Chinese territory.

This training initiative follows on the heels of other significant military exercises in the region. In November 2024, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force conducted ‘Poorvi Prahar’, a tri-services exercise in Arunachal Pradesh that showcased coordinated precision strikes and joint operations. These integrated drills are designed to simulate real-world combat situations and ensure high-level preparedness among Indian forces.

By fostering seamless cooperation between the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, these exercises reinforce India’s strategic posture in the Northeast. The emphasis on jointness and readiness reflects the military’s evolving doctrine of integrated force projection in areas marked by both conventional threats and asymmetric warfare challenges.

The ongoing joint training in Arunachal Pradesh stands as a testament to India’s commitment to national security, operational excellence, and regional stability in one of its most strategically vital areas.

Major Rohit Kadian, an accomplished officer of the Indian Army, has brought immense pride to the nation by winning five medals at the 11th World Masters Games held in Taiwan from May 17 to May 30, 2025. Competing in the 40–45 age category, he earned a gold medal in the 1500m event, officially making him a world champion. He also secured silver medals in the 5000m and 800m races and bronze medals in the 400m and 10km road race.

The World Masters Games, a global sporting event for athletes aged over 30, saw participation from elite competitors, including former Olympians. Major Kadian’s success in this competitive arena reflects his unwavering dedication, athletic talent, and the Indian Army’s continued commitment to promoting excellence in sports. His stellar performance is aligned with the Army’s broader #MissionOlympics initiative, which focuses on grooming world-class athletes to raise India’s global sporting profile.

This achievement is the latest in a string of successes for Major Kadian. At the 22nd Asian Masters Athletics Championship held in 2023 in New Clark City, Philippines, he won silver medals in the 800m and 4x400m events and a bronze in the 1500m. Earlier in March 2025, he also represented India at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championship in Florida, USA, cementing his status as one of India’s top-performing masters athletes.

His dedication to athletics is matched by his military career. Despite the rigorous demands of Army life, Major Kadian has set multiple national records in indoor athletics, including the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events. His achievements are a testament to the discipline, endurance, and resilience ingrained through military training.

The Indian Army’s official social media handles, including ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY, celebrated his achievement with the message, “Major Rohit Kadian Scripts Sporting History… His phenomenal success is a shining example of unwavering dedication and athletic excellence—an inspiration to countless others and a proud moment for the nation.”

Major Kadian’s journey is not only an individual triumph but also a reflection of the Indian Army’s contribution to national sports development. His success echoes the spirit of the Army’s Decade of Transformation and Year of Tech Absorption, underlining a future-ready force that champions both defense and excellence in every field.

Forty girl cadets from the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) completed an eight-day forward area tour in the remote Kumaon hills, gaining firsthand exposure to military life, modern combat equipment, and the realities of living in India’s high-altitude border regions.

Organized jointly by Central Command and the UP NCC Directorate, the initiative aimed to cultivate leadership, discipline, and national spirit among the young women, while also encouraging greater female participation in the Indian Armed Forces. The cadets visited several forward bases under the Panchshul Brigade, a strategically vital formation responsible for defending sections of the Line of Actual Control, especially in the wake of heightened tensions with China post-Galwan.

During their tour, the cadets engaged directly with soldiers stationed in rugged terrain and extreme weather, learning about daily routines, logistical challenges, and high-altitude combat preparedness. They also got hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art Indian Army weaponry and surveillance systems, showcasing the technological edge employed in modern military operations.

A memorable part of the visit included a stop at Gunji village, one of the key sites under the government’s Vibrant Villages Programme. The cadets interacted with locals and observed the impact of efforts to transform isolated border communities into vibrant tourist destinations through infrastructure development, homestay promotion, and cultural preservation. The initiative, launched in 2023 and completed in April 2024, seeks to revitalize border villages in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh by curbing migration and generating employment.

This immersive experience not only deepened the cadets’ understanding of defense and development dynamics but also promoted broader national goals of women’s empowerment and youth engagement. With women comprising only 3.6% of armed forces personnel as of 2023, such initiatives serve as critical platforms to bridge gender gaps. They align with ongoing reforms, including the 2021 opening of the NDA to women and the induction of 153 female agniveers into the Indian Air Force in March 2024.

The tour was conducted under the supervision of Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, GOC-in-C of Surya Command, who had recently reviewed the Panchshul Brigade’s operational preparedness on May 22. His involvement reflects the Army’s commitment to mentoring future leaders and reinforcing civil-military ties in frontier areas.

Through a blend of military exposure and social engagement, the tour has left a lasting impression on the young cadets, inspiring many to consider careers in the armed forces and take part in nation-building, in keeping with the objectives of the NCC and the national vision of Nari Shakti.