In a significant acknowledgment of civil-military synergy during a critical national security situation, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), awarded a commendation to Sudheer Choudhary, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jaisalmer, for his exemplary management and coordination during Operation Sindoor. The commendation was presented during the Army Chief’s visit to the forward areas of Laungewala under the Konark Corps in the desert sector.

Sudheer Choudhary, a 2015 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was recognized for his exceptional efforts in maintaining law and order while working closely with the armed forces to safeguard the Jaisalmer district, which shares a strategic and sensitive border with Pakistan. His coordination ensured public safety, effective communication between civil and military agencies, and operational continuity during the conflict.

Operation Sindoor, carried out earlier in May 2025, witnessed an intense joint military response from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Border Security Force (BSF) to neutralize cross-border threats. The desert stretch from Jaisalmer to Kutch became the focal point of swift military deployments and precise coordination between services. The integrated actions successfully countered adversarial moves and reinforced India’s operational dominance along the western front.

During his visit, General Dwivedi reviewed the joint operations undertaken during Operation Sindoor, particularly the rapid deployment of surveillance systems, air defence assets, and weapon platforms. The Army Chief emphasized the crucial role played by civil administration support, which complemented the military’s operational strategies to ensure effective area domination.

General Dwivedi also addressed the troops, commending their high morale, professionalism, and seamless integration of operational plans. He reaffirmed the Indian Army’s tradition of honour and readiness to respond to evolving challenges with firm resolve, especially in the unforgiving desert terrain during peak summer conditions.

Acknowledging the dedication of soldiers and law enforcement personnel alike, the Army Chief extended the gratitude of the nation for their tireless efforts in defending national sovereignty. His commendation to SP Sudheer Choudhary stands as a symbol of the essential collaboration between civil agencies and the armed forces in ensuring security and stability during times of crisis.

In a major breakthrough against cross-border espionage, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested Shahzad Wahab, a suspected Pakistani spy, from Moradabad. Shahzad, a native of Rampur, was apprehended on Sunday and has been sent to 14-day judicial custody. He has now been shifted to Lucknow jail as detailed investigations are underway.

According to ATS sources, Shahzad was allegedly working for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), engaging in both espionage and illegal cross-border smuggling. Investigators revealed that Shahzad smuggled goods such as cosmetics, spices, and garments between India and Pakistan, using these activities as a cover to transmit classified information to Pakistani intelligence operatives.

Shahzad is also suspected of traveling to Pakistan multiple times over the past few years, where he reportedly received instructions from ISI handlers and established a secure communication channel. In addition to intelligence gathering, he allegedly transferred money and Indian SIM cards to ISI-linked individuals within India to further their spy network.

Further investigation suggests Shahzad played a key role in recruiting individuals from Rampur and surrounding areas in Uttar Pradesh. These recruits were reportedly sent to Pakistan under the guise of employment or trade, with Pakistani handlers arranging travel documents and visas. The goal was to gradually infiltrate Indian systems through sleeper cells and agents.

Acting on concrete intelligence, the ATS carried out the operation and arrested Shahzad in Moradabad. An FIR has been filed at the ATS police station in Lucknow under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including serious charges related to espionage, national security violations, and aiding enemy agencies.

This arrest adds to a growing list of Pakistani espionage-related detentions across northern India. In the past month alone, at least eight individuals have been arrested in states including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly working with or being influenced by Pakistan’s spy networks.

The UP ATS has stepped up surveillance and counter-espionage operations in the wake of multiple intelligence alerts about Pakistan’s renewed efforts to lure Indian nationals—especially low-level government staff—into leaking sensitive information.

Authorities stated that the arrest of Shahzad Wahab is a significant blow to ISI’s local network in North India and reaffirmed their commitment to neutralizing espionage threats. Further revelations are expected as the interrogation and forensic investigation continue.

In a major boost to ongoing peace efforts in violence-hit Manipur, the Indian Army, in close coordination with Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, CRPF, and BSF, has apprehended 29 insurgent cadres and seized 28 weapons during a series of joint intelligence-based operations conducted from May 13 to May 18, 2025. The operations spanned multiple volatile districts, including Churachandpur, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, Senapati, Imphal East, and Imphal West.

The recovered cache includes automatic rifles, pistols, grenades, improvised mortars, large quantities of ammunition, and other warlike stores. Visuals from the operation show a display of the seized arms laid out on a green tablecloth bearing the Indian Army insignia, alongside personnel conducting search missions in forested terrain and documenting the evidence at police facilities.

This latest crackdown comes amid the ongoing ethnic conflict that erupted in Manipur in 2023 following a controversial “Tribal Solidarity March” in Churachandpur. The unrest has resulted in over 260 fatalities, mass displacement, and widespread destruction of homes and public property. Armed violence and the illegal proliferation of sophisticated weapons have continued to plague the state, despite periodic curfews and administrative interventions.

Local law enforcement played a critical role in the operation, with notable handovers of arrested individuals and recovered materials taking place at Kakching Police Station. Officials confirmed that all detainees and seized items have been transferred to Manipur Police for further legal proceedings.

This operation builds on a similar effort in October 2024, when 26 high-grade weapons, including M16 rifles, were recovered in Imphal East and Churachandpur. The repeated discovery of such advanced arms points to an alarming trend of militarization within local conflict zones.

Security officials stressed the importance of inter-agency coordination in tackling insurgency and maintaining law and order. “The success of these joint operations reflects the commitment of all involved forces to restore peace and protect civilians,” a senior Army official stated.

As Manipur continues to navigate a complex path toward reconciliation and stability, such decisive security actions underscore the resolve of Indian forces to neutralize threats, dismantle militant infrastructure, and promote lasting peace in the region.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan paid a significant visit to two of India’s most strategically located military installations—Suratgarh Military Station in Rajasthan and Naliya Air Force Station in Gujarat. These forward bases, situated near the volatile India–Pakistan border, played a pivotal role in the recently concluded Operation Sindoor. The CDS’s visit came as a high-level gesture of appreciation and recognition for the critical contributions of the armed forces in executing a swift and decisive response to threats emanating from across the border.

Operation Sindoor, launched earlier this month, was a precision strike mission aimed at dismantling cross-border terrorist infrastructure. The operation was carefully calibrated to neutralize identified targets with minimal collateral damage and maximum tactical impact. It has since been hailed as a major success, sending a clear message about India’s willingness and capability to respond to provocations with strength and resolve. The CDS’s visit, timed shortly after the conclusion of this operation, served both as a morale booster for the troops and a reaffirmation of India’s uncompromising stance on national security.

General Chauhan interacted with officers and jawans deployed at both stations and expressed deep appreciation for their courage, discipline, and operational excellence. He underscored the critical role these bases played not only in the execution of Operation Sindoor but also in sustaining India’s strategic deterrence posture along the western front. Naliya Air Force Station, located barely 90 kilometers from the sensitive Sir Creek region, holds particular strategic significance due to its proximity to contested maritime boundaries and its role in securing India’s western coastline. Suratgarh, meanwhile, serves as a key staging ground for ground-based operations and integrated force mobilization in the desert theatre.

Photographs from the visit depicted General Chauhan standing with large contingents of troops, many of whom were positioned in front of India’s legacy air defence platforms, including the 2K12 Kub (NATO designation: SA-6 Gainful) surface-to-air missile systems. These Soviet-era systems, originally inducted decades ago, remain in service and continue to provide medium-range air defence coverage along the western sector. Although the 2K12 Kub’s performance in historical conflicts such as the Gulf War has been debated—with limited success against modern coalition aircraft—it still serves as a deterrent and layered component of India’s evolving air defence architecture.

The CDS acknowledged the need for continuous technological upgradation, but also noted the dedication and ingenuity of Indian troops in maximizing the operational utility of legacy platforms. He emphasized the importance of force readiness, interoperability, and adaptation in the face of evolving threats, particularly from state-sponsored terrorism and asymmetric warfare tactics.

In his address, General Chauhan urged personnel to remain vigilant, physically prepared, and mentally alert in view of the unpredictable security dynamics along the border. He also commended the synergy and coordination displayed by the Army and the Air Force during the execution of Operation Sindoor, calling it a model for future joint operations. His remarks reinforced the government’s commitment to equipping the armed forces with the resources and capabilities they need, while also honoring the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers who serve in challenging environments.

The visit to Suratgarh and Naliya was not merely ceremonial—it served as a strong message to adversaries that India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty with resolve and clarity. It also reaffirmed the trust and support of the military leadership in the abilities of frontline troops who stand guard at some of the most sensitive borders in the world. With regional tensions continuing to simmer, the CDS’s outreach highlighted the importance of constant preparedness, technological modernization, and unwavering commitment to national security.