Dras (Kargil): Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi formally announced the raising of “all-arms brigades” named ‘Rudra’ on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday. These brigades, as well as Special Forces units are being raised to make the Army a ‘future-oriented force’, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) said.
“Today’s Indian Army is not only successfully addressing current challenges but is also rapidly advancing as a transformative, modern, and future-oriented force. Under this, new all-arms brigades named ‘Rudra’ are being formed, and I approved it yesterday. This will have fighting components like infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, Special Forces, and Unmanned Aerial Systems, supported by tailored logistics and combat support,” Gen Dwivedi said in his address during the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations at Dras in Kargil, Ladakh.
“Similarly, agile and lethal Special Forces units, ‘Bhairav’ Light Commando Battalions, have been established to shock the enemy on the border. Every infantry battalion now includes Drone Platoons, while artillery has enhanced its firepower manifold through ‘Divyastra Batteries’ and Loiter Munition Batteries. Army Air Defence is being equipped with indigenous missile systems. This will increase our force multi-fold,” the CoAS said.
The Indian Army, till now, only had conventional arms-specific brigades. Officials said that at least two of these have already been converted into self-sufficient Rudra Brigades.
Gen Dwivedi spoke on Operation Sindoor and sent a clear message to Pakistan that those harbouring terrorism will no longer escape. India’s May 7 strike was not just a response but a message to Pakistan, whose terrorists carried out the Pahalgam terror attack, killing 26 civilians, he said.
“The cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam was a deep wound for the entire nation. But this time, India did not just mourn; it resolved to respond decisively. With the unwavering trust of the nation and the strategic autonomy granted by the government, the Indian Army delivered a well-planned, precise, and decisive response. On the night of May 6-7, the Indian Army targeted nine high-value terrorist locations in Pakistan and POJK without harming any innocent civilians. This was not just a response; it was a clear message that ‘those who harbour terrorism will no longer escape’,” the generl said.
Referring to how India’s response to Pakistan’s military actions from May 7 to 9 were ‘measured and precise’, the CoAS said: “Our Army Air Defence stood as an impregnable wall, impenetrable by any drone or missile. This was achieved through a Whole-of-Nation Approach, where the Army, Air Force, Navy, and other government agencies stood united. Any forces planning to harm India’s sovereignty, integrity, or people have been given a befitting reply and will continue to receive one.”
