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.

In a significant reaffirmation of growing defense cooperation, senior military leaders from the United States and India convened in Chennai for the 28th Executive Steering Group (ESG) Meeting. The engagement brought together Lt. Gen. JB Vowell, Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific, and Lt. Gen. NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Indian Army Staff, to review and strengthen bilateral military collaboration.

Held annually since 2002, the ESG meeting is a critical platform for reviewing defense ties, enhancing mutual trust, and aligning strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s session emphasized the shared commitment of both nations to advancing military interoperability and regional stability. A ceremonial exchange of mementos between the two generals symbolized the ongoing partnership.

Key discussions reportedly focused on expanding joint military exercises, improving intelligence sharing, and deepening cooperation in defense technology. These priorities align with the broader framework established under the U.S.-India Defense Framework Agreement renewed in 2015. The backdrop of the meeting—featuring the emblem of the Indian Vice Chief of Army Staff alongside both national flags—reflected the bilateral depth and diplomatic symbolism of the gathering.

The meeting took place against a backdrop of increasing joint defense activities. As of 2023, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and Indian armed forces participated in over 50 bilateral engagements annually, covering areas like maritime security and disaster response. These collaborations are part of a concerted effort to counterbalance China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Since India’s recognition as a Major Defense Partner in 2016 and its inclusion in the U.S. Strategic Trade Authorization Tier 1 list in 2018, defense trade and high-end technology cooperation between the two countries have seen rapid growth. Joint exercises such as Yudh Abhyas and cooperative peacekeeping training have further institutionalized the defense partnership.

The 28th ESG Meeting not only reinforced mutual military trust but also reiterated a shared vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. As security dynamics evolve across the region, the India-U.S. military partnership remains a vital pillar of regional stability and global peace.

Operation Trashi, a high-stakes counter-terrorism operation in the Chatroo region of Kishtwar district, has entered its sixth consecutive day. Additional troops and elite Para Commandos have been deployed to support the ongoing efforts to locate and neutralize a group of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists believed to be holed up in the dense and rugged forest terrain.

The operation commenced on May 22 in the Singhpora area and has since progressed into the adjoining Chatroo forest belt. Security forces estimate that three to four militants, including a known operative named Saifullah, are trapped within the cordoned zone. These individuals are believed to be part of a group that previously escaped during an earlier encounter.

So far, the operation has resulted in the elimination of two terrorists. However, the mission has come at a cost, with a District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawan losing his life to an IED blast on the eve of the initial confrontation. On the first day of the gunfight, Sepoy Pandurang of the 17th Rashtriya Rifles was also martyred in action.

Security has been tightened around the encounter site with troops from the Army’s 11 Rashtriya Rifles, 7th Assam Rifles, two Para Special Forces units, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Kishtwar sealing off all possible escape routes. Senior law enforcement and military officials, including Kishtwar SSP, IGP (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti, and DIG Shridhar Patil, are monitoring the situation from the ground.

The Director General of Police has praised the personnel involved, acknowledging their bravery and reaffirming the commitment of security forces to sustaining counter-terrorism operations to secure long-term peace in the region.

Para Commandos, who were airdropped into the operational zone, have brought specialized capabilities in counter-insurgency, reconnaissance, and high-risk assault tactics. Their deployment underscores the gravity of the mission. These elite units of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment have a distinguished legacy, dating back to World War II, and have played critical roles in past conflicts including the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Kargil conflict, and numerous anti-terror missions across the country.

Operation Trashi follows a major security success in Pulwama district last week, where three JeM terrorists were gunned down in the Nadir village of Tral. The sustained operations across Jammu and Kashmir reflect an intensified effort to root out terrorism and restore lasting stability in the region.