In a major initiative to strengthen leadership development among junior ranks, the Indian Army has released a new guidebook titled The Profession of Arms: A Guide for Young Army Officers. Authored by retired Major General P K Mallick, the book was unveiled today at the Army Headquarters in the presence of senior military leaders.

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff, presided over the launch event alongside Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, Director General of Organisation and Personnel Services. The book is a curated collection of essays and lectures by esteemed military professionals and is intended to serve as a foundational resource for officers during the early years of their service.

Aimed at reinforcing values such as leadership, discipline, and professional integrity, the guide reflects the Indian Army’s sustained commitment to building capable and ethical military leaders. The electronic version of the book is now available for free download on the Indian Army’s official website, extending its reach beyond traditional classrooms.

Lt Gen Subramani, who took over as Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 1, 2024, brings with him years of operational experience, including command of the Central Command and leadership in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir. His presence at the event highlighted the Army’s strategic focus on mentorship as a core element of officer development.

According to recent internal assessments, early career guidance and structured mentorship can significantly reduce attrition rates among officers. The guidebook is expected to support this objective, offering clarity and direction to young officers navigating the complexities of military service.

The launch of The Profession of Arms signals a progressive step in the Indian Army’s modernization efforts, reinforcing its legacy of professionalism while adapting to the challenges of contemporary military leadership.

The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested 30-year-old Shama Parveen from Bengaluru for allegedly heading a terror module linked to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent. Officials identified her as the main handler coordinating the module’s operations from Karnataka.

Her arrest comes after four men were taken into custody on July 23 from Gujarat, Delhi, and Noida. The suspects, aged between 20 and 25, have been identified as Mohd Fardeen, Sefullah Kureshi, Zeeshan Ali, and Mohd Faiq. According to investigators, they were communicating via a social media platform and had been assigned to target prominent locations across India.

Authorities believe the group had cross-border connections and was in contact with handlers based outside India. Preliminary findings suggest they were planning coordinated terror attacks and may have been part of a larger network.

The arrest gains further significance in the backdrop of a recent United Nations report. The 32nd report by the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team has warned of AQIS efforts to expand its footprint in the Indian subcontinent. Under the leadership of Osama Mehmood, the group is reportedly increasing its presence in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

The Gujarat ATS is continuing its investigation to uncover the full extent of the network’s operations and its links to global terror outfits.

The Indian Army and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Land Forces convened the 4th India-UAE Army-to-Army Staff Talks on July 29 in New Delhi, reinforcing a growing defence partnership between the two nations. The talks marked another major step in bilateral military cooperation, building on the momentum generated by the historic visit of an Indian Army chief to the UAE in 2020.

Held at a high level, the discussions focused on enhancing joint training, expanding expert-level exchanges, and exploring advanced military domains. Key topics included Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Urban Warfare techniques, and the integration of Unmanned Ground and Aerial Systems into operations. The emphasis on unmanned technologies reflects a shift toward futuristic warfare, with both nations seeking to align with global defence innovations.

These staff talks also represent a broader strategic movement in regional defence dynamics. As India deepens ties with Gulf countries, the growing partnership with the UAE is viewed as a move toward more independent and diversified security alignments. A 2022 report by Hindustan Times had already noted the increasing frequency of UAE defence delegations to India, highlighting a steady and deliberate evolution of military-to-military relations.

Senior officers from both sides participated in the dialogue, exchanging official documents and holding detailed discussions on future cooperation. The ceremonial aspects of the event, including a group photograph and symbolic exchanges, underlined the warmth and commitment shared between the two militaries.

This engagement is expected to pave the way for more robust defence collaboration in the years ahead, contributing to regional security and mutual strategic growth.

The Northern Command of the Indian Army is hosting officers from the 54th Higher Command Course, a prestigious inter-service training program aimed at preparing senior military leaders for complex operational responsibilities. The visit is being held at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur and includes a detailed briefing by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, who assumed charge as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in April 2025.

During the session, Lt Gen Sharma outlined the operational, logistical, and strategic challenges faced in the northern theatre, a region of critical importance due to its borders with Pakistan and China. He also discussed the current security scenario and shared insights into future strategic planning. The briefing concluded with an interactive discussion involving officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, highlighting the increasing focus on joint operations.

The Higher Command Course is affiliated with the Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. It trains approximately 2,500 to 3,000 officers annually, including participants from paramilitary forces. While the course holds high professional value, it has faced some challenges. In 2019, 18 colonels declined to join the program, citing concerns over a mandatory five-year service bond, which sparked debate over officer retention and morale within the armed forces.

This visit is part of broader efforts to enhance inter-service coordination and joint warfare capabilities, a strategic priority following the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff role in 2020. Defence analysts believe that the evolving role of Northern Command reflects global patterns, drawing comparisons with the U.S. Northern Command’s increased focus on border security amid global tensions in 2025.

The ongoing training initiative reinforces Northern Command’s operational doctrine, aiming to strengthen India’s preparedness for coordinated military responses in high-stakes environments along its northern borders.

In a significant anti-infiltration operation along the Line of Control, alert troops of the Indian Army successfully eliminated two terrorists attempting to cross into Indian territory. The operation, named Operation Shivshakti, was conducted by forces under the White Knight Corps.

Acting on precise intelligence inputs generated through close coordination between the Army’s intelligence units and the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), the troops launched a swift and accurate response. The terrorists were neutralized before they could breach the LoC, and three weapons were recovered from the encounter site.

The operation highlights the effective synergy between security agencies and the Army’s readiness to counter any infiltration threats. Search operations and area sanitization efforts are still underway.

In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, visited North Kashmir on Tuesday to commend the Indian Army troops for their exemplary performance in Operation Mahadev.

The operation, launched on July 28 in the Lidwas area near Dara, was a joint effort by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu & Kashmir Police. Acting on precise intelligence about terrorist movement in the region, the security forces launched a swift assault that culminated in the elimination of three hardcore militants: Suleman Shah, Abu Hamza, and Yasir.

The encounter began at approximately 11:00 AM and involved intense exchanges of gunfire in the rugged, forested terrain. A militant hideout was discovered during the operation, with security forces recovering advanced weapons, including AK-47 rifles, carbines, and 17 rifle grenades. Officials believe the cache was part of a larger plan to conduct a major terror attack in the valley.

Suleman Shah, believed to be the mastermind behind the recent Pahalgam attack that killed multiple security personnel, was among those neutralized. His death marks a major success for the counter-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley.

Lt. Gen. Sharma praised the troops for their precision, resilience, and coordination during the high-altitude operation. The Dara region, popular among trekkers and difficult to access, posed logistical challenges. However, the Indian Army ensured swift deployment of reinforcements to seal off the area and prevent any escape.

This operation follows India’s recent offensive actions across the border, including Operation Sindoor in May 2025, aimed at dismantling terror launchpads inside Pakistan-occupied territory. The current campaign in Kashmir is part of a broader push to eliminate active militants and dismantle sleeper cells operating across the region.

Authorities are continuing search and combing operations in Lidwas and surrounding forested areas. An official conclusion to Operation Mahadev is expected soon as forces assess the extent of the terror network’s presence in the area.

In a major success under Operation Chowkibal, security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, disrupting a possible terror conspiracy near the Line of Control (LoC).

The operation was launched jointly by the 160 Battalion of the Territorial Army, 5 PARA, and Jammu and Kashmir Police from Police Station Kralpora, based on intelligence inputs provided by Military Intelligence. The raid was conducted between July 27 and 28 in the Chowkibal area.

The target of the operation was the residence of Wali Mohammad Mir, a resident of Marsary village in Chowkibal. During the search, the following war-like stores were recovered:

• One AK-56 rifle
• Three AK-56 magazines
• Seventeen Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) grenades
• More than 1,000 rounds of AK-series ammunition

Security officials described the seizure as a crucial blow to militant logistics and cross-border arms smuggling, especially in a region that has historically seen infiltration attempts and terror activity.

An FIR (No. 53/2025) has been registered at Police Station Kralpora under relevant sections of the Arms Act (7/25), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (13, 23, 39), and the Explosive Substances Act (Section 5).

A senior official stated that timely and coordinated action helped avert a serious security threat. “Operation Chowkibal demonstrates the high level of synergy between the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Investigations are now focused on identifying the source of the weapons and any militant links,” the official said.

Follow-up searches and intelligence-based operations are expected to continue in the area to dismantle any remaining parts of the network involved in storing and transporting illegal arms.