Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Central Command, conducted a comprehensive review of the operational preparedness of the Saidpur Brigade under the Golden Key Division. The visit formed part of a broader inspection initiative aimed at ensuring high standards of training, efficiency, and technological integration across formations.

During his review, Lt Gen Sengupta praised the brigade’s professionalism and readiness, reaffirming the importance of maintaining operational excellence amid evolving security challenges. A key highlight of the visit was his tour of the RHINO and RUDRA Drone Labs, which are driving innovation in unmanned systems and are critical to the Army’s transition into a more technologically advanced force.

These drone labs are central to the Indian Army’s ongoing “Year of Reforms” 2025 initiative, which was launched to promote agility, indigenous development, and integrated operations. In his interaction with troops, the General underscored the changing character of warfare and the need for continual adaptation through advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance, logistics, and precision strikes.

The visit also reinforced the objectives of the “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032), a long-term vision that prioritizes modern warfare capabilities through collaboration with Indian startups, academic institutions, and defense manufacturers. The Saidpur Brigade’s active role in this transformation reflects its importance in the Army’s broader modernization roadmap.

By recognizing innovation and operational excellence at the grassroots level, Central Command continues to lead in aligning field formations with future-ready defense strategies and national self-reliance goal.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation, a leading NGO dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill children, commemorated its 30th anniversary today with a heartfelt celebration at Army Hospital (Research & Referral). The event marked nine years of a compassionate partnership between the foundation and the hospital, during which over 1,000 children have had their dreams come true.

Lt Gen Shankar Narayan, Commandant of Army Hospital (R&R), joined the occasion, interacting with children and foundation members while distributing gifts to pediatric patients. The celebration reflected the emotional and psychological benefits of the wish-fulfillment program, which has been shown to positively impact children’s health outcomes and strengthen family morale during critical times.

One of the key moments of the event was the felicitation of Mrs. Madhu Rawat, a long-serving coordinator for the NGO at the hospital. Her unwavering commitment was recognized as instrumental in bridging the efforts of medical caregivers and the Make-a-Wish Foundation in supporting children through their most difficult journeys.

The ceremony emphasized the Indian Armed Forces’ broader commitment to community welfare, showcasing how medical institutions like Army Hospital (R&R) contribute beyond clinical care by nurturing joy, hope, and resilience among society’s most vulnerable. Through such collaborations, the hospital continues to serve not only as a center of healing but also as a symbol of humanity and compassion.

In a progressive step toward veteran welfare and digital transformation, the Assam Rifles has launched the ‘Sampark Setu’ app, an innovative platform aimed at strengthening ties with its ex-servicemen community. The initiative was spearheaded by Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera and reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting those who have served.

Available on the Google Play Store, the ‘Sampark Setu’ app is designed to provide veterans with real-time access to essential services and information. Key features include up-to-date pension details, a grievance redressal mechanism, and news updates from the Assam Rifles. The app also enables veterans to apply for identity cards and various grants through the Assam Rifles Ex-Servicemen Association (ARESA), streamlining previously cumbersome administrative processes.

In addition to these services, the platform includes an interactive component that allows veterans to stay connected with each other and with the organization. This fosters a sense of community and ensures that retired personnel remain informed and engaged with ongoing developments.

Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera emphasized that the launch of ‘Sampark Setu’ is a significant milestone in Assam Rifles’ continued efforts to honor and support its veterans. The app symbolizes a broader shift toward the use of technology in veteran welfare programs and sets a precedent for other armed forces organizations to follow.

By combining digital innovation with a strong sense of tradition and duty, Assam Rifles aims to ensure that its veterans are not only remembered but also well-supported in their post-service lives.

In a prompt and coordinated response to severe flooding in Khadki Village, the Indian Army has launched humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations after receiving an urgent request from the District Magistrate of Ahilyanagar. Located about 20 km from the Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S), Khadki Village has been inundated by continuous heavy rains, with water levels rising to waist height and leaving several residents stranded.

Acting swiftly, a relief column from ACC&S comprising a medical team and an engineering detachment was deployed to provide immediate support. The Army team arrived at the site at 1735 hours and, in coordination with local civil authorities, proceeded to the worst-affected areas. By 1750 hours, rescue and relief operations had commenced, focusing on evacuating marooned individuals and offering on-ground medical assistance.

The Indian Army’s involvement underscores its continued commitment to aiding civil authorities during natural disasters. The deployed personnel are working round-the-clock to ensure the safety of the local population, demonstrating seamless coordination between military and civilian agencies.

This operation highlights the Army’s preparedness and rapid response capabilities during emergencies, particularly in rural and remote areas where access can be limited during natural calamities. The relief effort in Khadki is part of the Indian Army’s broader mandate to serve the nation not only in defense but also in times of humanitarian need.

In a major counter-insurgency success, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, operating under the aegis of the Spear Corps, launched a series of coordinated joint operations in Manipur from May 19 to May 25, resulting in the apprehension of 13 insurgents and the recovery of 23 weapons. The operations were conducted in close coordination with Manipur Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Border Security Force (BSF), covering both hill and valley districts including Kangpokpi, Senapati, Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal.

The operations, based on precise intelligence inputs, led to the seizure of a cache of weapons and warlike stores, including automatic rifles, pistols, grenades, improvised mortars, and large quantities of ammunition. Notably, the recovered arms included indigenous firearms, some crudely constructed using bamboo—an indicator of the improvisation tactics employed by local insurgent groups amid limited access to conventional weapons.

Visuals from the field showed security personnel displaying the recovered arms in forested settings and deploying metal detectors to uncover hidden caches. Additional photographs depicted the apprehended cadres and recovered items near civilian areas, underscoring the complexity and reach of insurgent networks operating in populated zones.

The detained individuals and confiscated materials have been handed over to Manipur Police for legal proceedings and further investigation. This successful crackdown comes on the heels of previous joint operations in the state where the Indian Army and Assam Rifles recovered 35 weapons from insurgent-held areas such as Thoubal, Tengnoupal, and Bishnupur, further highlighting the sustained efforts to neutralize militancy in the region.

Manipur continues to be a hotspot for insurgent activities, driven by ethnic tensions and armed groups representing communities such as the Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Zomi, and Hmar. A recent Ministry of Home Affairs report noted that the state accounted for 77 percent of insurgency-related incidents in the Northeast in 2023, making it a key focus for national security agencies.

The Indian Army and Assam Rifles reiterated their commitment to restoring peace and stability in Manipur, emphasizing that such operations will persist until the region is free from insurgent threats. The joint effort is part of a broader counterinsurgency strategy aimed at fostering long-term peace and enabling developmental initiatives across the conflict-affected areas of the Northeast.

The College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad launched the 21st edition of its flagship Higher Defence Management Course (HDMC) with an inaugural address by Commandant Major General Harsh Chhibber. The commencement ceremony took place in the Ashoka Auditorium and marked a significant moment for 154 Indian officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with 12 officers from friendly foreign nations.

Major General Chhibber, who took charge as CDM Commandant on March 31, 2025, congratulated the officers on their selection and described the course as a transformative journey toward strategic leadership. Emphasizing the importance of the motto “Victory Through Excellence,” he called on participants to harness the academic and professional rigor of the HDMC to prepare for the challenges of contemporary military operations and defense management.

The HDMC is a 44-week residential program tailored for senior officers at the rank of Colonel and equivalent. It blends modern management principles with military strategy, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership, resource optimization, and inter-service cooperation. The presence of international officers reflects India’s expanding global defense partnerships and the role of CDM in supporting international military education.

The event was held in the 300-seat Ashoka Auditorium, a technologically equipped venue that symbolizes the institution’s commitment to high-quality learning environments. Visuals from the event showed a mix of tri-service uniforms and international contingents, with national flags representing participating countries and services adorning the stage.

CDM, established in 1970 in Sainikpuri, is a premier tri-services institute accredited with an NAAC A+ rating and recognized by the University Grants Commission. It trains over 500 officers annually through multiple programs, including the Senior Defence Management Course (SDMC) and Management Development Programmes (MDP). The campus features modern infrastructure such as the Aryabhatta IT Centre and the architecturally distinct CDM Officers’ Mess.

The launch of HDMC 21 comes at a pivotal time for the Indian Armed Forces, which are undergoing extensive modernization and restructuring to enhance strategic mobility and combat readiness. With recent developments such as the integration of BrahMos supersonic missiles and progress on India’s two-layered ballistic missile defense system, the focus on professional military education is seen as critical to supporting India’s evolving defense doctrine.

As global and regional dynamics continue to shift, the HDMC aims to prepare participants to lead with insight, innovation, and inter-service synergy, contributing to a future-ready Indian military equipped for complex strategic challenges.