Centre Empowers Army Chief to Mobilise Territorial Reserve Forces

Rapid Summary

• the Indian government has empowered the Army Chief to mobilise reserve and Territorial Army forces following escalations at the India-Pakistan border.
• recent tensions intensified after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
• In retaliation, Pakistan fired 400 Turkish drones across Indian borders; the majority were neutralised by India’s anti-drone missile system ‘Akash.’
• On Thursday night, Pakistani fighter jets attempted intrusions into Indian territory; two were downed by the Indian Air force, with one Pakistani pilot captured.
• The Territorial Army consists of civilians trained rigorously to assist regular armed personnel during high-stakes situations. Prominent individuals like MS Dhoni have been commissioned as honorary members.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The government’s decision to empower the Army Chief reflects heightened security concerns along volatile border regions. This escalation signals a broader geopolitical dimension with Pakistan deploying imported drones for incursions post Operation Sindoor strikes on terror bases within pojk. india’s response highlights operational readiness via indigenous systems like Akash alongside reserved forces for reinforcement during prolonged conflicts.

While such moves bolster national defense infrastructure amid mounting hostility, limited reliance on civilian-trained forces underscores their supplementary nature rather than being core strike units for extended engagements-demonstrating a robust yet measured approach by policymakers balancing military efficiency against overarching stability goals in complex bilateral disputes.

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