#InsideTheCapital: The top brass of the three services are scheduled to meet for an annual review in Kolkata on September 15 where the CDS may have a message on the ‘way forward

For the past two weeks, a debate is raging among military circles over the proposed creation of ‘theatre commands’. Arguments have been made favouring such a command structure, while those against cite the ‘excellent coordination’ among the armed forces during Operation Sindoor to argue a case of not needing ‘theatre commands’.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, whose primary task is creating ‘theatre commands’, has acknowledged ‘dissonance’ on the subject. The top brass of the three services are scheduled to meet for an annual review in Kolkata on September 15 where the CDS may have a message on the ‘way forward’.

Maybe, even PM Modi, who is scheduled to address the commanders at Kolkata, can give an opinion on the matter. In the past, he has been vocal on the issue of ‘jointness’ at such events.

Last week, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi joined the debate saying ‘theatre commands’ are very important and are needed for ‘executing’ all tasks during a conflict. Navy Admiral DK Tripathi shares his opinion. On August 27, speaking at the two-day brainstorming seminar at Army War College, Mhow, he said “the Navy was committed to ‘theatreisation’ as the ultimate goal”.

A day earlier to that, at the same event at Mhow, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh advised against creating theatre commands saying “we, for now, don’t need any new structure”. The IAF Chief suggested a ‘joint planning and coordination centre’ at New Delhi that would communicate decision execution to any force. He warned against disrupting the existing structure and said it was ‘not a very good idea’.

The way forward

‘Theatre commands’ – the nomenclature – is military jargon for creating geographically defined area of operations. It would have a single military commander controlling all war-fighting assets of three armed forces like planes, copter, guns, tanks, equipment, ships, missiles and manpower. This is visualised as a self-contained formation.

But before reaching the level of ‘theatre commands’ the CDS listed out 196 tasks for integration forces, of which 56 have been completed so far. These aim to improve operational efficiency and administrative effectiveness.

Already joint nodes have been created for logistics of three forces. The Parliament has passed a law empowering commanders heading tri-services organisations like theatre commands with disciplinary powers over their subordinates. The CDS is authorised to issue joint instructions and orders to the Army, Navy and Air Force. This replaces the old system where each service issued its own separate orders for multi-service matters.

A programme called “Jointness 2.0” emphasises creating a new, shared culture among the armed forces while respecting each service’s uniqueness. This involves consolidating the best practices from each service and implementing symbolic initiatives like tri-service participation in national events.

The slow down

The post of CDS formally came into being on January 1, 2020, when Gen Bipin Rawat was appointed. Gen Chauhan succeeded Gen Rawat in September 2022. In these five-plus years, the process seems to be slowed down as military transformation at this scale is being attempted for the first time in India.

At the Combined Commanders Conference at Lucknow in September last year, the military brass had suggested raising of three Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs). The command for Northern Theatre would have its headquarters in Lucknow; the Western theatre looking at Pakistan would have its HQ in Jaipur, while a Maritime Theatre Command would be based out of Thiruvananthapuram.

The forces have a distinction between jointness and integration. Jointness entails coordination in planning, operations, training, communications and acquisitions. Integration would be the need to amalgamate different sensors, systems, weapons and networks of each service and have a common commander.

Who is the commander

There is no single authority, to ‘control’ theatre commanders. Among the possibilities is placing the theatre commanders under the CDS, or under the Defence Minister with the CDS acting as an intermediary. This would need refining the government notification of December 24, 2019, which does not empower the CDS with an operational role. The IAF Chief suggested on August 26 “let us seek an operational role for the CDS”.

The IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht, has been built in Puducherry

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday virtually flagged off an all-women Tri-services circumnavigation sailing expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’.

Triveni, the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV), set sail from the Gateway of India, Mumbai.

Singh described the voyage as a glowing symbol of ‘Nari Shakti’ — the collective strength, unity and jointness of the three Services, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and its military diplomacy and global vision.

Over the next nine months, 10 women officers will sail onboard the indigenously built IASV Triveni on an easterly route covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles. They will cross the Equator twice, round the three great Capes — Leeuwin, Horn and Good Hope — covering all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters, including the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage.

The team will also make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026. The IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht, has been indigenously built in Puducherry.

The 10-member crew includes Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, along with Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.

The team has undergone three years of rigorous training, beginning with smaller offshore expeditions on Class B vessels and advancing to IASV Triveni, a Class A yacht acquired in October 2024. Their preparation included progressively challenging voyages along India’s western seaboard and a landmark international expedition from Mumbai to Seychelles and back earlier this year, which validated their seamanship, endurance and self-sufficiency.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh were present with the Minister at his office at South Block, New Delhi.

Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was present at Gateway of India when the vessel sailed out.

1. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that the process of theaterisation, which involves integrating the Army, Air Force and Navy, is inevitable though it may take time to implement. He noted that dealing with multiple agencies makes theaterisation the necessary solution and stressed that discussions are ongoing about its execution. His remarks came after launching the book Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan, where he affirmed that while theaterisation will happen, the timeline for its materialisation remains uncertain_BS.
2. In response to Pakistan’s use of drone swarms after Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army plans to strengthen its air surveillance along northern and western borders with advanced radar systems. These include up to 45 Low Level Light Weight Radars (Enhanced), 48 Air Defence Fire Control Radar-Drone Detectors, and 10 improved 3D AESA radars with electro-optical and passive RF tracking. Integrated into the Akashteer air defence network, these systems will improve detection of low radar cross-section drones, enable day-night tracking, and feed data to weapon systems for faster, more accurate interception of hostile UAVs and aerial threats_IE.
3. India plans to expand its Navy to over 200 warships and submarines by 2035 to secure maritime interests and counter threats from China and Pakistan. Currently operating 140 warships, the Navy has 55 under construction in Indian shipyards worth ₹99,500 crore, with approval for 74 more indigenous vessels. Future projects include new submarines, stealth frigates, destroyers, corvettes, mine countermeasure vessels, and a second aircraft carrier. However, India’s underwater capabilities remain a concern as Pakistan and China strengthen their fleets. Negotiations are ongoing for advanced diesel-electric submarines with AIP and land-attack capabilities to address the gap_TOI.
4. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has emphasised strict maintenance of the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) after the Indian Army reported damage to its tail drive shaft (TDS), a vital component of its transmission system. The defect led to a fleet-wide safety check ordered by the Directorate General of Electronics & Mechanical Engineers. HAL stated that “One-Time Checks” are routine but critical for airworthiness, stressing adherence to maintenance schedules. The issue comes months after ALH fleets of the Navy and Coast Guard were grounded following a fatal crash in Porbandar, with ongoing investigations into root causes such as structural flaws and operational stress in demanding environments_HT, MP.
5. DRDO’s Defence Technology and Test Centre (DTTC) in Lucknow held a conclave with over 100 participants from MSMEs, start-ups and industry bodies to promote collaboration in defence R&D and production for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. The event focused on skill development, funding, consultancy and technology transfer, with DRDO assuring full support to MSMEs in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the opportunity for MSMEs to drive indigenous defence innovation, while senior DRDO officials stressed their role in achieving self-reliance by 2047_Pnr, Hindu.

National Security

6. Border villages in Jammu’s Pallanwala and R S Pura sectors, long plagued by cross-border shelling, are now devastated by flash floods from swollen Chenab River, which submerged homes, destroyed farmland, and displaced 3,000-4,000 people. Residents pleaded for relocation and relief, saying the devastation is the worst in memory, with families evacuated by the Indian Army after entire areas were inundated. Villagers, who have endured repeated shelling over decades, now face shattered livelihoods and uncertainty as floods compound their suffering_Pnr.
7. A Pakistani national was caught by the BSF on Sunday night around 10 pm while trying to enter Indian territory in the RS Pura sector along the international border. He was taken into custody and is being interrogated to determine his intentions and purpose. It is suspected he attempted infiltration as a guide. The incident comes amid rising tensions on the India-Pakistan border, with recent cases of infiltration and terrorist attacks being reported_AU (Hindi).
8. Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Sunday paid homage to Indian Army soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1962 India-China war, at the historic Helmet Post war memorial near Walong in Anjaw district of the state. In a series of posts on X, Khandu said he was humbled to offer his heartfelt tribute to the fearless soldiers_Pnr.
9. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 196 teams across 164 locations in India hit by rain and cloudburst-related disasters, with the highest concentration in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This is one of the largest deployments, exceeding the usual 100–120 teams during peak monsoon. Rescue efforts are ongoing in flood-hit areas, with over 7,346 people rescued in Punjab alone, while searches continue for missing personnel in Uttarakhand and J&K’s Kishtwar. Alongside rain-related incidents, NDRF teams are also tackling emergencies like the recent Dhanbad mine collapse that claimed at least seven lives_HT.
10. Punjab is facing its worst floods in decades, with nearly four lakh people affected, 48 lives lost, around 2,000 villages hit, and damages estimated at over ₹13,000 crore. Experts attribute the crisis not only to heavy rains and swollen rivers but also to human factors such as encroachments, blocked drains, illegal mining, and unregulated construction. With rainfall 53% above normal this monsoon, the situation has been worsened by climate change, which is intensifying rainfall patterns. Standing crops on 1.72 lakh hectares have been destroyed, livestock lost, and experts warn that poor management of reservoirs and dams has amplified the disaster’s impact_Hindu.
11. Security forces have finalised plans to launch a decisive offensive against Naxals after the monsoon, with CRPF and CoBRA units mobilised for deployment in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Around 30 new forward operating bases will be set up to push deeper into Maoist strongholds, complementing the 65 new camps opened in the past 18 months. Senior officials, including the Union home secretary, IB chief, CRPF DG, and Chhattisgarh DGP, reviewed the strategy, with Union home minister Amit Shah setting March 2026 as the deadline to end Naxalism_AA.
12. Security forces in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, recovered and destroyed a cache of Maoist arms-making materials, including items for firearms and explosives, after busting a hideout in the forests near Gunjeprati village under Usoor police station. The operation was carried out by a joint team of CRPF’s 229th and 196th battalions along with the 205th CoBRA unit, who unearthed the dump during a search mission_MP.
13. India and Bangladesh will hold talks in Delhi under the Joint River Commission to address water sharing of 14 cross-border rivers, with Dhaka sending a 10-member team. Bangladesh views the meeting as preparation for renegotiating the 1996 Ganga Waters Agreement, due for renewal in 2026, and is expected to seek a longer renewal period and changes in water use by India. Dhaka is also likely to request mechanisms for managing river waters and India’s support in establishing a joint flood forecasting system_Hindu.
14. Several stalled automobile projects in India involving Chinese companies are resuming after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised development partnership during their SCO Summit meeting in Tianjin. Firms like Leamotor and BYD are re-entering with electric vehicle (EV) models, supported by eased visa restrictions and investment approvals. Partnerships include BYD with Ashok Leyland for EV components and JSW Motors with Chinese firms for passenger and commercial vehicles, while Stellantis explores joint ventures. Chinese technology is seen as scalable and affordable, particularly in EVs, which will benefit from the reset in bilateral ties_FE.
15. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia, India, and China are conscious of their shared interests across multiple sectors and are moving towards stronger mutual partnerships. Referring to the recent SCO summit in Tianjin, where Prime Minister Modi, President Putin, and President Xi met, Lavrov highlighted their focus on economic growth, social problem-solving, and improving living standards. The trilateral bonhomie drew attention globally, with US President Donald Trump criticising India and Russia for aligning closely with China_Hindu.
16. India and Iran will hold foreign office consultations in Tehran this week to strengthen ties, focusing on Chabahar Port operations and the International North-South Transport Corridor. This marks the first structured dialogue since the June military conflict between Iran and US-Israel. The talks will be followed by a trilateral meeting with Armenia, aimed at boosting regional connectivity. Ahead of the talks, NSA Ajit Doval and Iran’s SNSC secretary Ali Larijani discussed expanding economic, security, and defence cooperation, alongside advancing the Chabahar project, with potential updates on the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process also expected_ET.

Imdt Neighbourhood

20. The fifth edition of Sagarmatha Friendship, a joint military exercise between the Nepal Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army, began in Kathmandu. The 10-day drill will focus on disaster management, UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and related areas. Held alternately in Nepal and China since 2017, the exercise aims to enhance the Nepal Army’s capacity through bilateral and multilateral engagements and professional exchanges_Pnr, ET.
21. Five people, including a woman and four children, drowned when a rescue boat carrying flood victims capsized in Punjab’s Jalalpur Pirwala due to strong currents, while others were rescued. Pakistan has recorded over 900 deaths and 1,044 injuries from rain and flood-related incidents since late June, with Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, PoJK, and Pakistan Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan worst hit. Over 7,800 houses were damaged and more than 6,000 livestock lost_Pnr.

Extended Neighbourhood

22. Russia launched its largest air assault on Ukraine since the war began, firing 810 drones and missiles that killed four people, wounded dozens, and damaged government buildings in Kyiv. Ukraine said it shot down most of the drones and missiles, but key sites were hit, including a government headquarters. President Zelensky urged stronger sanctions on Russia and more air defence support, while leaders of France and the UK condemned Moscow’s “cowardly strikes.” Russia claimed it targeted military and industrial facilities, though Kyiv accused it of deliberately escalating the war and showing no interest in peace talks_HT, Mint, FE, BS, IE, MP, Statesman, TOI.
23. A Houthi drone launched from Yemen struck Israel’s southern Ramon Airport near Eilat, forcing the closure of airspace and suspension of flights, according to the Israeli military. While some drones were intercepted, at least one hit the area, echoing a May incident when a Houthi missile near Israel’s main airport injured four and disrupted flights for months. In retaliation, Israel later targeted and destroyed the main airport in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa_BS, MP.
24. Australia has unveiled its MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” drone, an unmanned combat aircraft developed with Boeing to serve as a robotic wingman for fighter jets, marking its biggest defence push in decades. With $650 million invested, about 70% of components will be made domestically, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and potentially export the system. The Ghost Bat, cheaper than the F-35 and capable of a 2,300-mile range, represents a revival of Australia’s defence industry amid what officials call the largest conventional arms race since World War II, as China and US allies ramp up military modernisation_IE.
25. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigned after his Liberal Democratic Party suffered a historic defeat in July’s parliamentary elections. At 68, Ishiba said he delayed stepping down until completing tariff negotiations with the US, which concluded with reduced duties on Japanese auto exports. He described his resignation as a painful but necessary step to prevent further division within the party. A leadership vote to select his successor will be held in October, and Ishiba will remain in office until a new leader is chosen, ending his one-year tenure as prime minister_TOI.
26. Over 300 South Korean workers detained in a US immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will be released and repatriated after negotiations between Seoul and Washington. South Korea will send a chartered plane to bring them back, while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun heads to the US for further talks. The case sparked concern in Seoul, especially given South Korea’s recent $450 billion investment commitments in the US and its status as a key American ally. The issue also followed the first meeting between President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae Myung_TOI.
27. Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea have disrupted internet access across parts of Asia and West Asia, with India and Pakistan among those affected, according to NetBlocks. The incident caused delays on services like Microsoft’s Azure cloud, though the cause remains unclear. Concerns have arisen that Yemen’s Houthi rebels may have targeted the lines, though they deny past involvement. The outages hit key cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and also affected Kuwait and the UAE, where users reported slower speeds. Authorities warn repairs could take weeks as ships must locate and fix the damaged cables_TOI.

The troops rescued them from the first floor of a building with a ladder, and then evacuated them over 3 km in a boat, followed by 15 km in an Army vehicle to a safer place

The Indian Army used improvisation to rescue a young mother along with her newborn who had been marooned in a flood-hit village in Punjab and used boats and other vehicles to transport them to a safe location.

Sappers of the Kharga Corps received information of a distressed mother, having undergone C-section operation, stuck in an inundated village along with her 15-day-old baby,” an officer said on Sunday.

“The troops swung into action and rescued them from the first floor of a building with an improvised ladder, and then evacuated them over 3 km in a boat, followed by 15 km in an Army vehicle to a safer place,” he added.

Enhancing its flood-relief operations, the Army has deployed as many as 47 columns to carry out extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in parts of Punjab and Jammu that have been inundated by heavy floods.

Army Aviation and Indian Air Force Helicopters have also been activated along with formation engineers, medical teams and communication resources to provide immediate relief, a spokesperson for Western Command said on Sunday.

Also, the team carefully evacuated another bedridden woman on cot, carrying her on their shoulders to a boat

Amidst the ongoing relief operations in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu, troops from the Western Command are undertaking life-saving evacuations. A 9-month pregnant woman in labour, who was stranded in Ramkot village in Jammu region, completely cut off by road, was airlifted to a hospital for urgent care.

Through rain and darkness, Army troops marched 18 km at night to coordinate the evacuation by a Dhruv helicopter in inclement weather, and the woman was safely evacuated to military hospital in Samba.

In another incident, a woman suffering from a cardiac ailment was successfully rescued by the flood relief team of Kharga Sappers from Sammoval village. Due to her medical condition, she was unable to move, making the rescue operation particularly challenging.

As access to her residence by boat was not possible due to the floods, the team proceeded on foot. Upon reaching the location, the team found the woman bedridden and immobile. The team carefully evacuated the bedridden woman on her cot, carrying her on their shoulders for approximately 300 meters to a boat.

The woman, along with her husband and daughter, was then transported in a Tarta high-mobility vehicle to her relatives’ residence in Amritsar for necessary medical care.

The Army has activated more than 50 columns in flood-affected areas of Punjab and Jammu, rescuing stranded people, restoring vital infrastructure, and delivering life-saving assistance. So far, over 5,500 civilians and 300 personnel of paramilitary forces have been rescued, more than 3,000 civilians have been provided medical aid, and over 27 tons of ration and essential supplies have been delivered to the affected communities.

In addition, seven fresh columns have been launched in the areas of Taran Taran, Ferozepur, Shahkot, Phillaur, Dhatewal, and in the areas of Sarala and Harchandpura due to rising water levels in the Ghaggar river. Troops are continuously supporting the civil administration and BSF in debris clearance and emergency construction tasks.

Engineer Regiments have reconstructed the Jaitpur bundh in the Mamun sector, repaired the main water supply line at Sidhra Bridge, and employed heavy machinery to restore damaged roads between Bikraman Helipad and Tawi View Point.

In Punjab, Army teams are containing breaches, strengthening bunds at vulnerable locations, transporting food and fodder to isolated villages, and clearing key water channels to prevent further flooding.

On Wednesday evening, the flood relief column from Golden Arrow Division, supported by an engineer task force, responded swiftly and worked through the night to contain a major breach in the Sutlej river embankment at Daudpur village near Ropar, preventing further damage and protecting the local community.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has also deployed its personnel, helicopters, and boats in flood relief operations. BSF organised a large-scale medical camp at Shamsekhurd village on the Gurdaspur border, extending vital healthcare to flood-affected residents. More than 300 persons, including children, were treated at the camp.

These drones will be employed in all kinds of terrain and associated weather conditions across the Indian sub-continent up to altitudes of 18,000 feet

The Indian Army will be deploying 5,000 tethered drones to guard the country’s frontiers across the vast terrain ranging from coastal areas to deserts and mountains.

The tethered drone systems can provide integral beyond line of sight surveillance capability to tactical commanders with prolonged endurance,” a request for information (RFI) issued by the Ministry of Defence this week states.

Tethered drones are unmanned aerial vehicles physically connected to a ground station by a cable that provides continuous power and a secure, high-bandwidth data link. This enables extended flight durations that can carry on for several hours or days at a stretch. This makes them ideal for applications like continual surveillance, disaster monitoring and telecommunications because battery life is a significant limitation for traditional free-flying drones.

These drones will be employed in all kinds of terrain and associated weather conditions across the Indian sub-continent up to altitudes of 18,000 feet, and be operational by day and night including light rain and snow and in temperatures from minus 50 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius.

A combined electro-optical and infra-red surveillance payload, minimum flying endurance of nine hours and flying altitude of at least 100 metres in the tethered mode, and flying endurance of at least 60 metres and altitude of 1,000 metres with an operating radius of at least 10 km in the non-tethered mode are among other technical requirements. The drones will also have an in-built battery to enable operations like a regular drone or for emergency back-up.

Besides having counter electronic warfare capability, the system, which would be operated by a single person, would also be compatible with GPS, satellite navigation systems and digital maps.

The army is looking for systems with a modular design to enable seamless upgradation of individual components through simple modifications without any design or structural changes. It should also facilitate integration and installation as well as easy upgradation with future technology without impacting the performance of any system or sub-system.
The Indian Army will be deploying 5,000 tethered drones to guard the country’s frontiers across the vast terrain ranging from coastal areas to deserts and mountains.

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She is also the first woman officer in her family who has been commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps after passing out from OTA, Chennai

Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal, a newly commissioned officer from Punjab, has achieved a remarkable feat by securing the gold medal for standing first in the order of merit at Officers Training Academy (OTA). She has also become the fifth-generation officer in a family with a long martial tradition. Lt Dhadwal, who is also the first woman officer in her family, has been commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps after passing out from OTA, Chennai, on Saturday.

While there have been many second- and third-generation officers, fourth- and fifth-generation officers are relatively rare. Lt Dhadwal hails from Janauri village in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. Her father, Major General KS Dhadwal, is a serving officer who has commanded the 27 Mountain Division. Both her father, a fourth-generation officer, and her brother, Captain Dhananjay Dhadwal, belong to 20 Sikh.

The family’s military tradition began with her great-great-grandfather, Sub Harnam Singh of 74 Punjabis, who served from January 1, 1896, to July 16, 1924. Her great-grandfather, Maj LS Dhadwal, served with 3 Jat. Col Daljit Singh Dhadwal of 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Brig Jagat Jamwal of 3 Kumaon represented the third generation.

The Army stated, “With Lt Parul joining their ranks, the family now has three serving officers in uniform simultaneously — a rare distinction and an inspiration to many.” Parul was part of the Short Service Commission (Women) – 34 Course that passed out along with the Short Service Commission – 120 Course for males. A total of 155 officer cadets, including 25 women, were commissioned into the Indian Army as Lieutenants. Additionally, 21 cadets, including 12 women from nine friendly foreign countries, completed their training alongside their Indian counterparts.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh reviewed the passing-out parade. Addressing the parade, he emphasised that the battlefield is becoming increasingly complex and that young officers will need continuous training to succeed in future conflicts. He urged them to expand their horizons and discover their true potential as they begin their learning journey, highlighting that strength comes from individual excellence and team cohesion. The Air Chief also presented the Sword of Honour and silver medal to Raj Biswas for being adjudged the overall best cadet of the course and the bronze medal to Pranjal Dixit for standing third in the order of merit.

It has increased its deployment to 59 columns, focusing on Madhopur Headworks to assist in early restoration

The Western Command has stepped up its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in flood-ravaged areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, increasing its deployment to 59 columns, including 17 Engineer Task Forces. Heavy engineering equipment has also been mobilised to expedite repair and restoration works, with teams working round-the-clock to repair breaches and reopen critical lifelines.

Presently, an Indian Army team is deployed at Madhopur Headworks, which suffered heavy damage from high river water levels, to assist in early restoration. The operations were launched on August 26, and since then, 82 HADR missions have been executed. The Army has evacuated more than 6,000 persons, including approximately 300 paramilitary personnel, and provided medical assistance to over 13,000 persons, according to a spokesperson for the Western Command.

Essential supplies, including medicines, water, and 48 tonnes of rations, have been delivered to flood-affected areas via air drops and ground columns. Army Aviation and Indian Air Force assets, comprising three Dhruv ALHs, six MI-17s, six Cheetah helicopters, and one Chinook, have flown sorties totalling almost 300 hours to support relief efforts.

The Army is working in close coordination with the civil administration, National Disaster Response Force, and State Disaster Response Force to ensure optimal use of resources, timely relief, restoration of essential services, and rebuilding of damaged infrastructure. A flood control and water-level monitoring cell has been established at all headquarters, functioning round-the-clock to monitor water levels across major headworks, including Bhakra Dam, Ranjit Sagar Dam, and other critical points.

In the aftermath of recent floods, sustained efforts have been made to restore connectivity to a number of border outposts and adjoining areas that had been temporarily cut off. Dedicated engineer detachments have been deployed across affected regions to undertake urgent tasks critical to restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of local communities.

Special attention has been given to areas severely impacted, where rapid restoration of infrastructure was vital for both operational and humanitarian reasons. Key engineering works include diversion of floodwaters in vulnerable pockets, repair of damaged bridges, restoration of washed-away stretches of road, and strengthening of embankments and anti-flood bundhs.

A sizable portion of the 5.14-km Shamti bypass in Solan district has caved in at Sheothal village following relentless rain barely three years after it was constructed. Several houses located below the road have been endangered due to continuous subsidence. A house has been vacated as a precautionary measure.

Gaping potholes are visible on the road reflecting shoddy construction work. A part of the road has become inaccessible, forcing the police to depute men to divert traffic.

Conceived to decongest Solan, this arterial road, now poses a threat to residents due to rapid land subsidence. Cracks, which appeared on the road surface last week, are widening with each passing day, thus raising fear among residents of potential damage to their houses and arable land.

Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Aujla, Jasbir Jassi, Satinder Sartaj, Sunanda Sharma, Gippy Grewal and others, come forward to offer their ‘sewa’ for ‘Sarbat da Bhala’

Nimrat Kaur and (inside) Randeep Hooda, personalities from the entertainment world, have supported flood relief work. Vishal Kumar

“Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhaane Sarbat da Bhala.” This simple Sikh prayer forms the central belief of Sikhism. It seeks in the name of God, with high spirit, a positive mindset and his blessings, prosperity for all.

At a time when Punjab has been wrecked by devastating floods and its people displaced and in despair, Punjab’s on-screen heroes have turned real-life heroes by actively offering practical support on ground. In Chardikala, the big names of Punjabi entertainment industry, including Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Aujla, Jasbir Jassi, Satinder Sartaj, Sunanda Sharma, Gippy Grewal and others, have come forward to offer their ‘sewa’ for ‘Sarbat da Bhala’. Joining the relief efforts across flood affected areas in Fazilka, Gurdaspur and Amritsar, several celebrated names of the Punjabi entertainment industry are working as volunteers and offering support in relief and rescue operations and pledging long-term rehabilitation support for villages.

One of the first ones to come forward with food and relief material for displaced families was Satinder Sartaj, through his Sartaj Foundation, which has already distributed relief material to more than 500 families and is currently working on ground operations in Ajnala and Fazilka. Diljit Dosanjh’s Saanjh Foundation is working to provide relief and reaching out to evaluate the damage due to floods in remote villages of Ajnala.

As Diljit begins his Aura tour across Australia and New Zealand, Sonali Singh along with her team, landed in Amritsar three days back and is working closely with volunteers of Global Sikh Foundation to distribute solar lights, tents, medicines and other essential items. Diljit Dosanjh’s Saanjh Foundation has pledged to adopt 10 of the most severely impacted villages in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, coordinating with NGOs and local authorities to ensure long-term rehabilitation of flood victims. Ammy Virk and his team have announced to adopt 200 homes, offering shelter and stability to families who’ve lost their dwelling, aiming to restore hope and dignity. Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal has pledged support to Global Sikh Foundation, to run free ambulance and medical vans.

Singer-actor and now producer Gippy Grewal had been sending truckloads of silage for cattle and cattle feed for affected areas, knowing how cattle health is at risk in this hour. Grewal’s local teams at Ajnala and Fazilka are working together with villagers and the local authorities to reach out to people stuck in remote areas. Karan Aujla, Bunty Bains and Gurbaaz Singh have donated rescue boats while Sunanda Sharma and Raj Kundra visited the relief camps at Ajnala to interact with rescued families, offering emotional as well as inspirational support.

Punjabi mainstream singers have long been facing criticism, for glorifying guns, alcohol and misogyny, with individual singers, including Diljit, Aujla, AP Dhillon and Guru Randhawa being the target of online trolling. Now, these very singers have stepped forward to offer humanitarian aid, with accountability and commitment towards their people, their land.

Singer Guru Randhawa has set up two relief camps at Dera Baba Nanak and village Dharowali. Parminder Singh, a local villager from Dharowali, who is leading relief operations of Guru Randhawa’s team, said, “We received a call from Randhawa as he was interested in sending us financial help for relief work. Our camps provided dry ration, medicines, drinking water and cattle feed initially to 40-50 houses in two villages of Dera Baba Nanak. Currently, we are in Kharar Khurd village in Ajnala, where no help had reached and we are working to reach people stuck here,” he said. Parminder is a farmer and lost 15 acres of fertile land to floods. “We are all in this together. We need to hold and lift each other now,” he said.