Leadership Transition

The change of command marks a significant leadership transition within the formation, reinforcing continuity in operational effectiveness and command responsibility.

Focus on Professionalism and Readiness

On assuming charge, Maj Gen Mohla exhorted all ranks to:

• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism
• Maintain strong military values
• Ensure optimal operational preparedness

Commitment to Excellence

The new General Officer emphasised the importance of remaining mission-ready and adaptable in the face of evolving security challenges.

Strengthening Operational Capability

The transition reflects the Indian Army’s continued focus on leadership excellence, discipline, and operational readiness across its formations.

The apex-level conference of the Indian Navy served as a key platform to review operational preparedness, logistics, infrastructure, and human resource initiatives, while assessing the evolving maritime security environment.

Focus on Evolving Maritime Threats

Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi, in his inaugural address, highlighted the increasing complexity of maritime security, driven by:

• Concurrent global conflicts
• Rise of non-state actors
• Weakening rules-based international order

He stressed the need for maintaining high combat readiness and adopting emerging technologies to build a future-ready naval force.

Strategic Outlook in Indian Ocean Region

The Navy reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through:

• Proactive engagement with friendly foreign countries
• Participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises
• Strengthening maritime cooperation

Key Interactions with Leadership

Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan addressed the commanders, emphasising the changing geopolitical landscape and the need to prepare for technology-driven and economically influenced warfare.

The Union Home Secretary also highlighted the importance of coordination between the Navy and paramilitary forces to strengthen coastal security and combat transnational threats.

Release of Maritime Security Strategy 2026

A major highlight of the conference was the release of the Indian Navy Maritime Security Strategy (INMSS-2026), which outlines the Navy’s roadmap for:

• Maritime domain security
• Strategic preparedness for the next decade
• Integration of disruptive technologies

The strategy aligns with Defence Vision 2047 and Indian Navy Vision 2047, focusing on long-term national security goals.

Sagar Manthan Dialogue

On the sidelines, the Navy hosted Sagar Manthan, a forum that brought together naval leadership and experts to discuss defence R&D reforms and increased industry participation in capability development.

Way Ahead

The conference reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to evolving into a modern, agile, and technology-driven force, capable of addressing complex maritime challenges in a rapidly changing global security environment.

The awards recognise exceptional post-retirement contributions to nation-building, social welfare, and youth empowerment, reflecting the enduring spirit of service among veterans of the Indian Army.

Veterans Honoured for Exceptional Contributions

• Colonel DP Dimri (Retd):
  Recognised for his work in youth empowerment, education, and rural development in Uttarakhand. He established a library for underprivileged students and founded an institute in Rudraprayag after the Kedarnath floods, offering free and subsidised coaching.
• Captain Reeta Rajkishor Biyani (Retd):
  A cancer survivor and Limca Record holder, she has led a nationwide cancer awareness movement through “Highways Infinite,” conducting workshops and awareness drives impacting lakhs of people.
• Subedar (Honorary Captain) Tsewang Norbo (Retd):
  Honoured for driving socio-economic development in remote areas, including environmental initiatives, educational support, and mentoring youth to join the Armed Forces.
• Subedar Bhaskar Parida (Retd):
  Recognised for his dedication to veteran welfare in Odisha, along with contributions to environmental conservation, marine cleanliness, and ensuring dignified last rites for ex-servicemen.

Service Beyond Uniform

Addressing the gathering, Gen Dwivedi emphasised that service to the nation is a lifelong journey, highlighting how veterans continue to contribute meaningfully even after retirement.

Inspiring Future Generations

The awards underscore the Indian Army’s commitment to honouring those who continue to uphold the values of duty, service, and nation-building, inspiring both serving personnel and civilians alike.

Army Pays Tribute

In an official statement, Chinar Corps paid homage to the fallen soldier, describing him as a Braveheart who served the nation with dedication and courage.

Condolences to the Family

The Army extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, assuring them of full support during this difficult time.

Nation Salutes a Soldier

The loss of Naib Subedar Simma is a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in the line of duty, particularly in sensitive operational areas like Jammu and Kashmir.

The Indian Army reiterated its solidarity with the family and honoured the legacy of the soldier’s service to the nation.

Focus on Collaborative Medical Research

The meeting was chaired by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, and co-chaired by Dr U K Singh.

Discussions covered a wide spectrum of medical research projects across diverse disciplines, aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery within the Armed Forces.

Strengthening Military Healthcare Systems

DGAFMS emphasised the importance of cutting-edge research and inter-agency collaboration, highlighting its critical role in:

• Improving healthcare for serving personnel
• Supporting veterans and their families
• Enhancing operational medical preparedness

Tri-Services and Scientific Synergy

The meeting underscored the need for greater synergy between military and scientific institutions, ensuring that innovations in medical science are effectively translated into practical healthcare solutions.

Future-Ready Medical Capability

The initiative reflects India’s commitment to building a robust, research-driven military healthcare ecosystem, capable of addressing emerging challenges in both operational and peacetime scenarios.

Bridging Medicine and Modern Warfare

The visit highlighted the growing integration of medical support with advanced combat systems, reinforcing the importance of rapid, technology-driven healthcare in modern conflict scenarios.

Exposure to Advanced Technologies

During the interaction, officers were introduced to:

• Drone labs and unmanned systems
• Advanced surveillance technologies
• Live demonstrations of combat support systems

These insights are aimed at preparing medical officers to operate effectively in technology-intensive battle environments.

Enhancing Battlefield Medical Preparedness

The initiative focused on improving:

• Rapid casualty response
• Situational awareness for medical teams
• Coordination with combat units

Towards Future-Ready Medical Support

The exposure underscores the Indian Army’s emphasis on integrating healthcare with operational readiness, ensuring that medical services evolve alongside advancements in warfare.

The visit reflects a forward-looking approach where speed, precision, and technology-driven care play a crucial role in saving lives on the battlefield.

Tribute to Bravehearts

Marking the occasion, Lt Gen Jayachandran paid homage to fallen soldiers at the Smritika War Memorial, reaffirming the Indian Army’s enduring legacy of valour and sacrifice.

Experienced Military Leader

A highly accomplished officer, Lt Gen Jayachandran brings extensive experience across operational and administrative domains, gained through years of distinguished service in the Indian Army.

Focus on Operational Excellence

The Central Command expressed confidence that his visionary leadership, professional excellence, and rich experience will further:

• Enhance operational preparedness
• Strengthen institutional ethos
• Improve command effectiveness

Strengthening Surya Command

His appointment is expected to play a key role in reinforcing the capabilities of the Central Command, also known as Surya Command, which is responsible for critical operational areas.

Focus on Exercise PRAGATI

The visit was aimed at assessing preparations for the upcoming first multilateral military exercise ‘PRAGATI’, scheduled to be conducted in May 2026.

Operational Readiness Review

During the visit, Lt Gen Shukla evaluated:

• Operational preparedness of formations
• Training standards and deployment readiness
• Coordination mechanisms for multinational exercise participation

Commendation for Troops

The GOC commended all ranks for their professionalism, dedication, and steadfast commitment to operational excellence, acknowledging their role in maintaining high standards in the Northeast region.

Emphasis on Mission Readiness

He urged troops to remain mission-ready and adaptive in the face of evolving security challenges, highlighting the importance of continuous preparedness.

Strengthening Multinational Cooperation

The upcoming Exercise PRAGATI is expected to enhance interoperability, coordination, and defence cooperation among participating nations, further strengthening India’s military engagement at the regional and global level.

According to airport authorities, the incident occurred around 10:25 PM (2225 hrs) on April 17 when the IAF aircraft experienced an undercarriage (landing gear) failure during landing. This led to a “hard landing,” causing the aircraft to come to a halt on the runway and block it entirely. A minor technical snag was reported, and initial accounts mentioned a possible minor fire that was quickly extinguished.

The IAF’s Media Coordination Centre promptly issued a statement confirming that the aircrew remained safe and there was no damage to civilian property. Efforts were immediately initiated to clear the runway and restore operations.

Quick Resolution and Safety MeasuresThe closure disrupted operations for approximately 4–9 hours, depending on sources, as teams worked through the night to remove the aircraft, conduct thorough safety inspections, and clear the runway. By early Saturday, April 18, the IAF announced that all necessary clearances had been completed, declaring the runway operational once again.

Pune Airport, which operates on a single runway shared with the IAF’s Lohegaon Air Base (a key base for Su-30MKI squadrons), saw significant disruptions. Multiple commercial flights were diverted to nearby airports like Mumbai, while others faced delays or cancellations. Passengers were advised to check with airlines for updated schedules.

Official StatementsIn its follow-up post on X, the IAF stated:

“The runway at Pune Airport, which was temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an Indian Air Force aircraft, has now been restored and declared operational. All necessary safety inspections and clearances have been completed. Operations are resuming in a phased manner.”

The IAF has not officially confirmed the specific aircraft type involved, though defense observers and local reports widely speculate it was a Su-30MKI fighter jet returning from a routine night training sortie. No official confirmation of major aircraft damage or loss has been released.

Impact on Passengers and AviationThe incident highlighted the challenges of operating at dual-use airports. Authorities stopped new passengers from entering the terminal during the closure. Airlines, including IndiGo and others, issued advisories to passengers. The disruption affected air traffic across western India, though no injuries were reported among civilians or aircrew.

This is the latest in occasional incidents at shared airbases, where military training and civil operations intersect. The swift response and transparent communication from the IAF were praised by many for minimizing speculation and restoring normalcy quickly.An investigation into the technical cause of the undercarriage failure is expected, as is standard protocol for IAF incidents. Further details on the aircraft’s condition and exact impact on operations will likely emerge in the coming days.

Runway Blocked After Hard Landing

The incident occurred around 10:25 PM, when the aircraft reportedly suffered an undercarriage failure during landing, leaving it stranded on the runway. The 2,535-metre-long runway was rendered non-operational for several hours.

While defence sources indicated that the aircraft may be a Sukhoi Su-30MKI, officials have not confirmed the aircraft type.

Major Disruption to Flight Operations

The closure led to significant disruption:

• At least 32 incoming flights diverted or cancelled
• Similar number of departures delayed or cancelled
• Passengers faced confusion and inconvenience overnight

Aircrew Safe, No Civil Damage

The Indian Air Force confirmed that:

• Aircrew are safe
• No damage to civil property
• Efforts are underway to restore runway operations quickly

Efforts to Clear Runway

Authorities deployed cranes and heavy machinery to move the aircraft, with estimates suggesting 4–6 hours to clear the runway. Civil operations were to resume only after clearance from IAF authorities.

Investigation Ordered

Officials stated that the exact cause of the incident will be determined through a Court of Inquiry, a standard procedure in such cases.

Passenger Inconvenience

The disruption caused widespread inconvenience, with several passengers reporting last-minute cancellations, delays, and uncertainty regarding rescheduled flights.

Authorities Monitoring Situation

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said he is in constant touch with airport and Air Force authorities to ensure normalcy is restored at the earliest.