The last rites of Maj Gen Razdan will be held at Brar Square, Delhi Cantonment, on 14 August 2026 at 12:00 PM. Veterans, serving personnel, members of the Parachute Regiment fraternity and well-wishers are expected to pay their final respects to an officer whose military career became synonymous with courage, resilience and an unbreakable will to serve.

Born on 8 October 1954 in Happy Valley, in what is now the Shillong area of Meghalaya, Maj Gen Razdan belonged to a distinguished Kashmiri Pandit military family originally from Purshyar, Habakadal in Srinagar. Military service ran through generations of the family. His grandfather served in the British Indian Army during the Burma campaign of the Second World War, while his father also served in the Army.

Maj Gen Razdan was commissioned into the elite 7 Para and quickly established a reputation for exceptional physical endurance and determination. An accomplished long-distance runner, he earned the nickname “Greyhound” among his comrades. He was also known for his passion for motorcycles and embodied the physically demanding and adventurous spirit associated with the Parachute Regiment.

The defining episode of his military career unfolded on the night of 8 October 1994, his 40th birthday, during a counter-terrorism operation at Damal Hanzipur in the Naugam area of South Kashmir. Then Lieutenant Colonel Razdan received intelligence that a group of militants had abducted 14 Kashmiri Muslim women, aged between 14 and 30, and was holding them captive inside a four-storey building.

Leading a small force of approximately 20 soldiers after a demanding approach march, Lt Col Razdan launched a carefully planned rescue operation. The assault was initially intended to remain silent, but the militants were alerted during the operation, triggering an intense close-quarter engagement inside and around the building.

Razdan personally entered the battle and engaged the militants at extremely close range. During the fighting, he killed two terrorists before being shot through the abdomen at point-blank range. The devastating injury severely damaged his spine and left him critically wounded. Despite the extent of his injuries, he continued fighting and eliminated another militant.

Even after suffering wounds that would eventually leave him permanently paraplegic, Razdan refused to withdraw from the operation. The engagement continued for several hours as his troops fought to secure the building and rescue the hostages. Displaying extraordinary composure under extreme pain, he reportedly administered intravenous fluids to himself while continuing to direct the operation.

The 14 captive women were eventually evacuated safely through a kitchen window. By the conclusion of the prolonged encounter, nine militants had been neutralised and a substantial quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives had been recovered.

Razdan subsequently underwent multiple surgeries and spent nearly a year undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. His spinal injuries permanently deprived him of the use of his lower body, leaving him dependent on a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.

For his extraordinary bravery, leadership and refusal to abandon the mission despite suffering grievous injuries, he was awarded the Kirti Chakra in 1996. The Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry decoration and recognised an act of courage that became one of the most remarkable episodes of counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

For many soldiers, such an injury could have marked the end of an active military career. For Razdan, however, it became the beginning of another extraordinary phase of service. Despite paraplegia, persistent neural pain and the enormous physical challenges associated with his injuries, he continued serving the Indian Army and took on demanding staff and institutional responsibilities.

His professional ability, operational experience and intellectual approach enabled him to remain an important contributor to higher defence planning. Rather than allowing his physical condition to determine the limits of his career, Razdan continued progressing through the military hierarchy on the strength of his competence and service record.

In October 2010, he achieved another historic milestone when he was promoted to the rank of Major General. He became the first wheelchair-bound officer of the Indian Army to attain the two-star rank, making his promotion a landmark moment in the history of the service.

As a Major General, Razdan served as Assistant Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff and contributed to areas including joint warfare, operations, logistics and institutional military thinking. His service demonstrated that leadership and professional effectiveness were not constrained by physical disability.

He was also awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of distinguished service. His work associated with higher defence organisations and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies further reflected his continued contribution to the development of military thought and jointness within the Indian Armed Forces.

Those who served with him frequently remembered his mental toughness and refusal to seek sympathy because of his physical condition. His philosophy remained centred on the supremacy of the mind over physical limitations. He often encouraged others to recognise that when circumstances close one avenue, determination and adaptability can create several others.

Behind his remarkable journey stood his family, particularly his wife Manju, whom Maj Gen Razdan frequently credited as a major source of strength during years of rehabilitation and service after his injuries.

The couple has two sons. His son Ishan continued the family’s military tradition by joining the Parachute Regiment and serving with 23 Para, becoming a fourth-generation Army officer. His other son, Paarth, pursued medicine and completed his MBBS.

Even after retirement, Maj Gen Razdan remained connected with the military community. Through interviews, podcasts and interactions with officers, veterans and defence aspirants, he spoke about leadership, counter-insurgency operations, Kashmir, military service and the importance of resilience during adversity.

His life represented the ethos traditionally associated with the Parachute Regiment — “Men apart, every man an emperor.” Few careers demonstrated that spirit as powerfully as his. He had entered battle as a physically formidable Paratrooper, suffered injuries that permanently changed his life, and nevertheless continued his journey until he wore the rank of Major General.

Maj Gen Sunil Kumar Razdan leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the gallantry decoration on his uniform. His decision to continue fighting after being grievously wounded, the successful rescue of civilians during the 1994 operation and his subsequent rise through the Army despite permanent disability together form an extraordinary story of military courage and human endurance.

For generations of soldiers and defence aspirants, his life will remain a reminder that courage is not defined merely by an absence of fear or pain, but by the determination to continue performing one’s duty despite both.

The nation has lost a decorated soldier, a Paratrooper and an officer whose career challenged conventional ideas about the limits imposed by physical disability. Major General Sunil Kumar Razdan’s battlefield courage and his decades-long struggle to rise above his injuries ensure that his name will continue to occupy a special place in the history of the Indian Army.

The defence fraternity salutes the warrior who refused to surrender to either the enemy or circumstance.

Om Shanti.

The demonstration was organised by the Indian Ex-Servicemen Gorkha Brigade Nepal (Pokhara chapter). Protesters marched from Pokhara Stadium to the District Administration Office in Kaski district, carrying placards and submitting a two-point memorandum to the Chief District Officer for forwarding to the federal government.

Brigade Chairman Colonel (Retd) Krishna Bahadur Khatri stated that recruitment of Nepali youths into the Indian Army began after the Treaty of Sugauli and has continued for 207 years. “However, after India started the Agnipath scheme, the Nepal government, citing various reasons, has deprived Nepali youths from being recruited into the Indian Army. This has resulted in the loss of employment and the history of bravery earned by our ancestors is also on the verge of being erased,” Khatri was quoted as saying.

The memorandum’s two core demands were the immediate resumption of Gorkha recruitment under Agnipath and the renewal of ex-servicemen organisations that include the word “soldier” or “ex-servicemen” in their names. Protesters accused Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs of blocking such renewals through a 17 April 2024 circular that restricted the term “soldier” to the Nepal Army alone.

Participants argued that Agnipath offered a far better option than low-paid labour in Gulf countries. The memorandum noted that over four years an Agniveer could earn approximately 4.5 to 5 million Nepali rupees along with various facilities — “hundreds of times better than going to the Gulf with 50 degrees Celsius temperature and working for a minimum wage.” They said Nepali youths should not be compelled to seek employment abroad when a traditional avenue of honourable service remained closed.

Background to the recruitment freeze

Gorkha recruitment into the Indian Army has been suspended since around 2019–2020, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After India introduced the Agnipath scheme on 14 June 2022, Nepal formally halted the process. Under Agnipath, recruits (Agniveers) serve a fixed four-year term; up to 25 per cent may be retained for longer service while the rest leave with a one-time severance package and no pension.

Kathmandu has maintained that the short-term contractual nature of the scheme is inconsistent with the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between India, Nepal and the United Kingdom, which provided for broadly similar terms of service for Nepali Gorkhas as for their counterparts. India has held that Agnipath is a uniform national policy applicable to all recruits and that the decision on whether to allow Nepali citizens to join under it rests with the Nepali government.

Historically, roughly 32,000–40,000 Gorkha soldiers from Nepal have served in the Indian Army’s seven Gorkha Rifles regiments at any given time. The prolonged freeze has left significant vacancies, with the Army increasingly filling shortfalls from Indian-domiciled Gorkhas and other hill communities. Pokhara remains a major hub of Indian Army Gorkha veterans and their families.

Timing and wider context

The protest comes just days before Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth’s scheduled five-day visit to Nepal beginning 16 August 2026. During the visit, President Ram Chandra Paudel is expected to confer on him the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army — a reciprocal tradition dating back to 1950. General Seth is also likely to hold discussions with Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel and may call on Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

The demonstration forms part of a broader pattern of pressure from Gorkha veteran groups and aspirants who view the recruitment freeze as both an economic blow and an erosion of a centuries-old military tradition. Limited domestic employment opportunities in Nepal have kept interest in Indian Army service high among many young men, even under the revised Agnipath terms.

Organisers have indicated they will continue protest programmes if their demands are not addressed. The episode underscores the continuing sensitivity of Gorkha recruitment as both a bilateral defence issue and a livelihood concern for communities in Nepal that have long been linked to India’s Gorkha regiments.

During the interaction, Vice Admiral Saxena heard the Agniveers share their experiences, reflections and key lessons from their journey in the Indian Navy. The engagement provided an opportunity to recognise their contribution and discuss the values and skills they have developed during their service.

The FOC-in-C emphasised three enduring qualities that the Agniveers have cultivated during their time in the Navy: discipline, physical fitness and camaraderie. He urged them to carry these qualities forward as they transition into the next chapter of their professional and personal lives.

Vice Admiral Saxena highlighted that the experience gained during four years of naval service would provide the Agniveers with a strong foundation for their future endeavours. The discipline acquired through military training and service, he noted, would remain valuable well beyond their time in uniform.

The interaction also reflected the Indian Navy’s emphasis on preparing Agniveers for life after their period of service. The skills developed through teamwork, physical training, responsibility and service are expected to assist them in pursuing diverse opportunities in the years ahead.

The first batch of Agniveers is scheduled to complete its tenure in November 2026, marking an important milestone in the Navy’s Agnipath recruitment programme.

The engagement in Kochi underscored the Navy’s recognition of the contribution of the first generation of Agniveers and the importance of carrying the values of military service into wider society.

For the Agniveers, their four-year journey in the Indian Navy represents not only a period of military service but also an opportunity to build discipline, resilience, fitness and lasting bonds of camaraderie that can serve as a foundation for the next phase of their lives.

During the visit, Lt Gen Pushkar was briefed on the formations’ mission readiness, training initiatives, amphibious capabilities and ongoing efforts to integrate modern technology into military operations. The briefings provided an overview of the measures being undertaken to enhance operational effectiveness and maintain high levels of preparedness.

The Army Commander assessed the formations’ preparedness and emphasised the importance of continuous capability development in response to evolving operational requirements. He commended the professionalism, dedication and high standards of performance demonstrated by the personnel.

As part of the visit, Lt Gen Pushkar inaugurated an E-Bike Facility at Secunderabad Military Station. The initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable mobility within the station while encouraging smart infrastructure and energy-efficient practices across the military establishment.

The E-Bike Facility reflects the Army’s wider emphasis on environmentally responsible practices and sustainable development within military stations. Such initiatives are intended to promote cleaner and more efficient modes of transportation while supporting the development of modern military infrastructure.

Lt Gen Pushkar also delivered a talk on “Evolution of Land Power: Indian Context” to participants of the 50th Higher Air Command Course at the College of Air Warfare.

During his interaction with the officers, the Army Commander highlighted the growing importance of jointness and integrated operations among the armed forces. He also discussed the changing character of warfare and the need to develop capabilities suited to multi-domain operations.

He emphasised the importance of a Whole of Nation Approach in strengthening India’s defence preparedness, alongside capability transformation and greater integration of technology across the armed forces.

The visit provided an opportunity to review both operational readiness and longer-term capability development initiatives undertaken by formations in the Secunderabad Military Station. Lt Gen Pushkar urged all ranks to sustain the momentum and continue working towards higher standards of operational excellence and capability enhancement.

The Army Commander’s visit underscored the Southern Command’s focus on maintaining mission readiness while simultaneously advancing training, technological integration, jointness and sustainable military infrastructure.

A Division Bench of Justices K.V. Viswanathan and Arun Palli, in its order of 5 August 2026, observed that Mohan Singh had made the “supreme sacrifice” while performing his duty and that families of such personnel should not be compelled to approach courts for benefits that ought to have been extended promptly.

The Act of Supreme Sacrifice

Mohan Singh was serving as Overseer and In-charge Works with the General Reserve Engineering Force (part of the Border Roads Organisation) on the strategically vital Hayliang–Metangliang–Chaglohagom road in Arunachal Pradesh. The approximately 57-kilometre road held significant importance for the management of the Sino-Indian border.

On 10 July 2000, while supervising formation-cutting and dozer operations at a treacherous, rocky site, a large boulder accompanied by substantial debris began rolling down from the hillside towards the machinery and workers. Singh immediately raised an alarm, directed the dozer and compressor operators to safer ground, and then assisted in moving the equipment itself out of the danger zone to protect both lives and government property.

In the process, he was unable to escape the path of the boulder. He was swept away and fell approximately 70 metres into the valley. He succumbed to his injuries (the incident occurring on 10 July 2000, with death recorded around 12 July in official proceedings).

Recognising his exemplary courage and selflessness in saving fellow workers and equipment under hazardous conditions on a national-security project, the Government of India posthumously conferred the Shaurya Chakra on him on 19 October 2001. The Shaurya Chakra is India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Decades-Long Battle for Rightful Benefits

Despite the gallantry award, Kuldeep Kaur was initially sanctioned only an ordinary family pension. She sought extraordinary family pension under the Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939. Her representations (including one in December 2005) were rejected, primarily on the ground that she had already received compensation of ₹1,84,170 under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, which the authorities treated as a bar to liberalised pensionary benefits.

She approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A Single Judge held that the case fell under Category “C” of the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules and that she was entitled to extraordinary family pension, while directing her to return the workmen’s compensation amount with interest. The High Court declined higher categorisation under Categories “D” or “E”. Cross-appeals followed. The Division Bench of the High Court upheld the Category “C” finding but, relying on a statement by the widow’s counsel, restricted the monetary arrears to the three years preceding the filing of the writ petition.

The matter reached the Supreme Court. By the time of the final hearing, the Union of India (through Attorney General R. Venkataramani) informed the Court that, pursuant to the High Court directions, it had already released ₹14.28 lakh as principal and an additional ₹4.12 lakh towards arrears of extraordinary family pension. The widow had also returned the earlier workmen’s compensation amount.

Supreme Court’s Observations and Directions

The Supreme Court accepted the High Court’s classification under Category “C” of the CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939, holding that the authorities had earlier erred in classification. The Bench emphasised that Mohan Singh’s death while saving lives and equipment in the course of duty on a strategic border road qualified for extraordinary family pension benefits.

Critically, the Court held that the relief should not be confined to the three-year period preceding the writ petition. It observed that these are not matters in which the family or the widow of a person who has made the supreme sacrifice should be expected to approach the courts for relief. The long delay in seeking judicial remedies, the Court said, should not stand in the way of rendering complete justice.

Invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the Bench directed the Union of India to pay a consolidated sum of ₹10 lakh covering the period from 13 July 2000 to 12 July 2015. This amount was fixed in lieu of further detailed calculations of arrears and interest components after accounting for payments already made and adjustments relating to the returned workmen’s compensation. The Court directed that the ₹10 lakh be released within four weeks of the order.

The Bench appreciated the positive response of the Attorney General and the subsequent departmental processing of benefits once judicial directions were in place, while reiterating that such benefits ought to have been extended soon after the death itself.

Broader Significance

The judgment underscores that personnel of the General Reserve Engineering Force engaged in construction of strategically critical border infrastructure perform duties of national importance and that acts of gallantry and self-sacrifice by them must be recognised not only through awards but also through timely and complete pensionary support to their families. It reinforces that technical or procedural objections — including prior receipt of workmen’s compensation or delay in approaching the court — cannot be allowed to defeat the entitlement arising from a recognised supreme sacrifice.

For the widow of a Shaurya Chakra awardee who waited more than a quarter of a century, the Supreme Court’s intervention has finally secured the extraordinary family pension from the date of her husband’s death along with an additional consolidated relief of ₹10 lakh. The order brings judicial closure to a prolonged ordeal and serves as a reminder of the duty of the State towards the families of those who lay down their lives in the service of the nation.

Following her achievement, Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth was felicitated by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. Photographs from the interaction show the Air Chief presenting her with a commemorative memento and congratulating her on successfully attaining the demanding qualification.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh continues to serve as the Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, with official government information from August 2026 confirming his position.

A Landmark in Indian Air Force Fighter Operations

Qualification as a Fighter Combat Leader represents an important progression in the professional career of a fighter pilot. The course is conducted at TACDE, one of the Indian Air Force’s premier institutions for developing advanced air-combat tactics and preparing experienced aircrew for leadership roles in complex combat environments.

Reports on Kanth’s qualification indicate that she successfully completed the demanding Fighter Combat Leader course at TACDE in Gwalior, becoming the first woman fighter pilot of the IAF to achieve the distinction.

The milestone is particularly significant because an FCL qualification goes beyond the ability to operate a fighter aircraft proficiently. Fighter Combat Leaders are trained to understand and lead increasingly complex tactical missions involving multiple aircraft, rapidly changing combat situations and coordinated employment of air power.

Kanth’s achievement therefore represents not simply another flying qualification but her progression into an advanced operational leadership role within the fighter stream.

Bhawana Kanth’s Journey of Historic Firsts

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth has been associated with several milestones in the history of women in the Indian Air Force.

On June 18, 2016, Bhawana Kanth, Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh were commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF, becoming part of India’s pioneering group of women fighter pilots. The landmark commissioning represented a major expansion in the operational roles available to women officers in the service.

Kanth subsequently became the first Indian woman fighter pilot to qualify for undertaking combat missions during daytime. Her career continued to attract national attention when she became the first woman fighter pilot to participate in the Republic Day Parade in 2021.

She was also part of the Republic Day 2024 flypast, further cementing her place among the pioneering women officers of the Indian Air Force. These achievements were highlighted by the Government of India while documenting the expanding role of women across the Indian Armed Forces.

Her latest Fighter Combat Leader qualification represents another step forward from being among the country’s first women fighter pilots to assuming the responsibility associated with tactical leadership in fighter operations.

The Importance of TACDE

The Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment at Gwalior occupies a special place within the Indian Air Force’s combat training ecosystem.

TACDE focuses on advanced tactical flying, development of air-combat doctrines and preparation of select aircrew for leadership in demanding operational scenarios. Fighter pilots undergoing advanced courses at the establishment are exposed to complex tactical situations designed to sharpen decision-making, situational awareness, mission planning and combat leadership.

The Fighter Combat Leader course is therefore regarded as an advanced professional qualification for fighter aircrew.

Successfully completing such training demonstrates not only flying proficiency but also an ability to assess complicated tactical situations and effectively employ combat aircraft as part of larger formations.

For Squadron Leader Kanth, qualification as an FCL signifies progression from a fighter pilot capable of executing demanding missions to an officer trained for a higher level of tactical responsibility.

From Fighter Pilot to Combat Leader

The distinction between flying a fighter aircraft and becoming a combat leader is significant.

Modern aerial warfare requires pilots to simultaneously understand threats, weapons, sensors, electronic warfare, supporting aircraft and the rapidly evolving tactical picture. Mission leaders may be required to coordinate formations and make decisions within seconds while operating in contested airspace.

A Fighter Combat Leader is consequently expected to combine flying skill with tactical judgment and leadership.

Kanth becoming the first woman officer of the IAF to reach this stage highlights the gradual integration of women officers into increasingly demanding operational appointments within India’s air arm.

It also demonstrates how the first generation of women inducted into the IAF fighter stream a decade ago is now progressing into more senior and specialised operational roles.

A Decade Since Women Entered IAF Fighter Stream

The milestone carries additional significance because it comes roughly a decade after the Indian Air Force began inducting women into its fighter stream.

When Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh received their commissions as fighter pilots in June 2016, they represented an experimental but transformational change in the service’s personnel policy.

Since then, women fighter pilots have participated in operational flying, multinational exercises, ceremonial flypasts and other demanding assignments.

Government records have highlighted several subsequent milestones, including Kanth’s qualification for daytime combat missions and Avani Chaturvedi becoming the first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in an aerial exercise overseas.

The latest achievement indicates that women officers are increasingly moving beyond initial entry into fighter aviation and progressing through the same professional development pathways that prepare aircrew for future command and tactical leadership responsibilities.

Felicitation by the Chief of the Air Staff

The felicitation by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh underlined the importance of Kanth’s achievement within the Indian Air Force.

Images from the interaction show Squadron Leader Kanth meeting the Air Chief in uniform, receiving a commemorative memento and interacting with him following her accomplishment.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has consistently emphasised operational preparedness, training, technological absorption and maintaining the combat effectiveness of the Indian Air Force. He remains Chief of the Air Staff as of August 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Recognition of Kanth’s qualification therefore also reflects the emphasis placed by the service on professional competence and the development of operational leaders.

Women Taking on Expanding Roles in the Armed Forces

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth’s achievement comes amid the continued expansion of roles for women across India’s Armed Forces.

Women officers today serve in an increasing range of operational, command, aviation and technical appointments across the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The Government of India has highlighted several recent milestones, including women serving in fighter aviation, command appointments and specialised aviation roles. The progression has increasingly shifted the conversation from women’s initial entry into operational streams toward their professional advancement and leadership within those streams.

Kanth’s journey provides a particularly notable example.

She first entered the history books as one of India’s pioneering women fighter pilots. She subsequently qualified for combat missions, participated in prominent national events and continued accumulating operational experience.

Now, by becoming a Fighter Combat Leader, she has reached another demanding stage in the professional development of a fighter pilot.

Another Chapter in a Pioneering Career

Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth’s journey reflects the transformation that has taken place within Indian military aviation over the past decade.

What began in 2016 with the commissioning of India’s first women officers into the fighter stream has gradually evolved into women fighter pilots undertaking increasingly advanced operational responsibilities.

Kanth has repeatedly been at the forefront of that transformation.

From becoming one of India’s first women fighter pilots and the first Indian woman fighter pilot qualified for daytime combat missions to participating in the Republic Day Parade and now becoming the IAF’s first woman Fighter Combat Leader, her career has been marked by successive professional milestones.

Her qualification at TACDE is significant not merely because it establishes another “first.” More importantly, it demonstrates her progression into the tactical leadership structure of India’s fighter aviation community.

The felicitation by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh recognises that professional accomplishment and marks another landmark moment for women in the Indian Air Force.

For the generation of young women aspiring to enter military aviation, Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth’s achievement sends a powerful message: the journey that began with opening the cockpit to women fighter pilots is now advancing toward leadership at the sharp end of air combat.

The delegation visited East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU), where the cadets exchanged momentos with the university’s Vice Rector. The interaction provided an opportunity to strengthen educational connections and foster greater cooperation between the two countries.

The cadets also visited the Archaeological Museum of EKTU, gaining insights into the history, culture and archaeological heritage of the East Kazakhstan region. The museum visit offered the delegation an opportunity to understand the historical development and cultural traditions of the area.

The delegation further explored several state-of-the-art laboratories at EKTU. The visit exposed the cadets to the university’s academic and technological environment and provided them with an opportunity to learn about contemporary research and technological applications.

As part of the experiential activities, the cadets participated in a practical simulation at the university’s AR/VR Gaming Room. The immersive session provided them with a first-hand experience of emerging technologies and demonstrated the potential applications of augmented and virtual reality.

The delegation also undertook a walk through historic landmarks across Oskemen. During the heritage tour, the cadets visited the city’s War Memorial and paid tribute to the sacrifices and valour of those who served their nation.

The combination of academic exposure, technological demonstrations, cultural exploration and historical learning provided the NCC cadets with a diverse international experience.

The Youth Exchange Programme is designed to provide NCC cadets with opportunities to interact with young people from other countries, understand different cultures and traditions, and develop a broader perspective on international friendship and cooperation.

The Oskemen engagements further strengthened people-to-people connections between India and Kazakhstan, with the cadets gaining valuable experiences while sharing their own culture and perspectives with their Kazakh counterparts.

The day concluded as an important blend of learning, cultural exchange, exploration and camaraderie, reinforcing the enduring bonds of friendship between India and Kazakhstan.

During the visit, Lt Gen Pratik Sharma was briefed on the progress of major infrastructure projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing operational preparedness, strategic connectivity and all-weather access across some of the country’s most challenging and strategically important terrain.

The briefing covered the development of critical infrastructure required to improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of troops, equipment and essential supplies in difficult terrain. The projects undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation are aimed at strengthening the operational reach and preparedness of formations deployed in the Northern Command.

Lt Gen Sharma also interacted with BRO Karmayogis involved in the organisation’s infrastructure development efforts. He appreciated their courage, dedication, indomitable spirit and selfless commitment to duty, particularly while working in demanding conditions and remote areas.

The GOC-in-C emphasised that every BRO Karmayogi plays an important role in strengthening the operational reach of the armed forces. Infrastructure created in challenging areas not only improves connectivity but also contributes directly to the ability of formations to maintain sustained operational readiness.

Lt Gen Sharma’s interaction and appreciation served as an encouragement to the BRO personnel, inspiring them to continue their work with greater determination and resolve in the service of the nation.

The visit highlighted the close relationship between strategic infrastructure development and military preparedness in the Northern Command. With the region characterised by difficult terrain, extreme weather and challenging access conditions, reliable roads and other infrastructure remain critical to ensuring rapid movement and sustained deployment.

The Border Roads Organisation continues to play a crucial role in developing and maintaining such infrastructure, supporting both national connectivity and the operational requirements of the armed forces along strategically important areas.

During the interaction, Lt Gen Chandpuria examined Operation Sindoor through the framework of contemporary multi-domain warfare, where military success increasingly depends upon the coordinated employment of capabilities across land, air, maritime, space, cyber, electromagnetic and information domains.

The Army War College Commandant highlighted synchronised Higher Defence Planning as one of the key imperatives emerging from Operation Sindoor. Modern military operations require close coordination between the Services and other elements of national power, with strategic objectives, operational planning and tactical actions aligned towards clearly defined national goals.

Such synchronisation becomes particularly important during fast-moving military situations, where decisions taken at the strategic level can rapidly influence operations across multiple domains. Effective coordination enables military commanders to employ available capabilities coherently while maintaining the flexibility required to respond to an evolving security environment.

Lt Gen Chandpuria also emphasised the effective execution of Multi Domain Operations as a crucial requirement for winning modern wars. The concept goes beyond the traditional employment of individual military services and focuses on creating coordinated effects through capabilities operating simultaneously across different domains.

Modern battlefields are increasingly shaped not only by conventional weapons but also by drones, precision-guided munitions, surveillance systems, satellites, electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, communication networks and information operations. The ability to integrate these elements can provide commanders with significant operational advantages.

Operation Sindoor offered an important contemporary context for examining how military capabilities can be synchronised to achieve specific objectives while responding to developments across a complex operational environment.

Another major lesson highlighted by the Commandant was the importance of escalation control accompanied by a clear exit strategy. Military operations, particularly those conducted in a sensitive strategic environment, require planners to consider not only how an operation begins and achieves its immediate objectives but also how escalation can be managed and the confrontation eventually terminated on favourable terms.

A clearly defined exit strategy enables military action to remain connected with the larger political and strategic objectives of the nation. It can also provide decision-makers with options for controlling the intensity and duration of a confrontation while retaining sufficient military capability to respond if the situation changes.

The emphasis on escalation management reflects the increasingly complex nature of modern conflicts, where military actions can have consequences extending far beyond the immediate battlefield. Strategic communication, diplomatic activity, economic considerations and international perceptions can operate alongside military actions and influence the overall outcome of a crisis.

Lt Gen Chandpuria further highlighted credible Information Operations as another essential component of contemporary warfare. In an environment dominated by instantaneous communication, social media and competing narratives, the information domain has become an increasingly important element of military and national strategy.

Information Operations can play a critical role in communicating national intent, countering misinformation and hostile narratives, maintaining public confidence and ensuring that factual information reaches domestic and international audiences.

The Commandant stressed the importance of credibility in such operations. Effective strategic communication depends upon consistency and reliability, particularly during rapidly developing military situations where inaccurate or misleading information can spread quickly.

He also emphasised a Whole of Nation Approach as an imperative for succeeding in modern wars. Contemporary conflicts are no longer determined exclusively by forces operating on the battlefield. National resilience, technological capability, economic strength, industrial capacity, diplomatic engagement, intelligence, cyber capabilities, media awareness and public support can collectively influence a country’s ability to sustain and achieve strategic objectives.

The Whole of Nation Approach therefore requires greater coordination between the Armed Forces, government institutions, industry, technological organisations and other elements of national power. Such integration becomes particularly relevant as warfare becomes increasingly technology-intensive and interconnected.

The interaction with the Higher Command Course assumes significance as the programme prepares senior military officers for higher command, staff and operational responsibilities. Discussions based on contemporary military operations provide officers with an opportunity to examine the relationship between strategic decision-making and operational execution.

The Army War College plays an important role in developing military leadership and encouraging professional military education on emerging concepts of warfare. Analysing recent operational experiences enables future commanders to examine evolving threats, technological changes and doctrinal requirements in a realistic strategic context.

Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria’s analysis of Operation Sindoor brought together four interconnected requirements for contemporary military success: synchronised Higher Defence Planning, effective execution of Multi Domain Operations, escalation control backed by a clearly defined exit strategy, and credible Information Operations supported by a Whole of Nation Approach.

Together, these imperatives underline the transformation of warfare from predominantly platform-centric and service-specific operations towards integrated campaigns involving military, technological, informational and national capabilities.

The discussion at the Army War College also reinforced the importance of continuously studying contemporary operations and translating operational experience into professional military education. Lessons emerging from Operation Sindoor are expected to contribute to the continuing evolution of concepts related to jointness, multi-domain warfare, strategic communication and integrated defence planning.

By sharing these operational perspectives with officers of the Higher Command Course, Lt Gen Ajay Chandpuria underscored the need for future military leaders to understand warfare not simply as a contest of forces on the battlefield, but as a coordinated application of national power across multiple interconnected domains.

The establishment of the KASA Clinic represents an important step towards providing integrated, evidence-based and protocol-driven respiratory healthcare. Designed around a patient-centric model, the dedicated clinics aim to ensure that individuals presenting with persistent or recurrent cough receive structured evaluation, appropriate investigations and coordinated treatment instead of fragmented management of individual symptoms.

Cough is among the most common symptoms associated with respiratory illnesses and can arise from a wide range of underlying conditions. While many cases are temporary, persistent or chronic cough can require detailed evaluation to identify the underlying cause and determine an appropriate course of treatment.

The KASA Clinic has therefore been conceptualised around a multidisciplinary and longitudinal approach. Rather than treating cough solely as an isolated symptom, the initiative seeks to evaluate patients comprehensively and follow their progress over time, allowing clinicians to assess treatment response and modify management strategies where necessary.

The multidisciplinary approach is particularly important because persistent cough may involve several medical specialties depending on its underlying cause. Bringing relevant expertise together within a structured clinical pathway can help facilitate more coordinated diagnosis and treatment while improving the overall patient experience.

Another important feature of the KASA Clinic is its emphasis on evidence-based and protocol-driven care. Standardised clinical protocols can provide healthcare professionals with a systematic framework for evaluating patients, conducting appropriate investigations and determining further treatment or specialist referral.

Such an approach can also help reduce unnecessary investigations and repeated consultations by establishing a clear clinical pathway from initial assessment through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

The longitudinal component of the programme is equally significant. Patients suffering from persistent respiratory symptoms may require monitoring over an extended period to determine whether treatment is producing the desired results. Regular follow-up allows medical teams to evaluate changes in symptoms and make appropriate modifications to treatment.

The initiative reflects the broader emphasis of the Armed Forces Medical Services on preventive healthcare. Early identification and appropriate management of respiratory conditions can help prevent complications while improving the health and well-being of serving personnel and other beneficiaries.

For the Armed Forces, preventive healthcare also has a direct connection with operational effectiveness. Maintaining the health and fitness of personnel is essential for sustaining readiness, particularly for those serving in demanding operational environments, remote areas, high-altitude regions, ships, submarines and air bases.

The inauguration of the KASA Clinic also highlights the increasing emphasis being placed on specialised outpatient healthcare models within AFMS. Dedicated clinics can bring together clinical expertise, diagnostic pathways and follow-up mechanisms around specific medical problems, enabling a more focused approach to patient management.

Under Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin’s leadership, the Armed Forces Medical Services has continued to emphasise innovation, modernisation, preventive medicine and patient-centred healthcare. The KASA initiative adds another specialised capability to the extensive healthcare network supporting personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

The initiative also reflects a shift towards healthcare models that focus not merely on treating disease after it becomes severe but on early evaluation, prevention, continuous monitoring and timely medical intervention.

By integrating multidisciplinary expertise with evidence-based protocols and longitudinal follow-up, the KASA Clinic aims to create a comprehensive pathway for patients suffering from cough and associated respiratory complaints.

The first-of-its-kind initiative within AFMS reinforces the organisation’s commitment to adopting innovative approaches to healthcare delivery while maintaining high standards of clinical excellence.

The inauguration by DGAFMS Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin marks an important addition to the Armed Forces medical ecosystem and underscores the continuing effort to strengthen specialised healthcare capabilities across the services.

With its emphasis on integrated assessment, protocol-driven treatment, multidisciplinary collaboration and sustained follow-up, the KASA Clinic represents a forward-looking approach to respiratory healthcare and further strengthens AFMS’ commitment to preventive medicine, innovation and excellence in patient care.