General Upendra Dwivedi, the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, turned a routine operational visit into a poignant reminder of camaraderie when he met a former subordinate in Poonch’s volatile forward zones. The two-day Jammu tour, commencing Friday, highlighted both strategic oversight and personal connections within the forces.
Kicking off at White Knight Corps in Jammu, Gen Dwivedi scrutinized security dynamics and deployment matrices. At Nagrota, detailed presentations on counter-insurgency frameworks revealed the army’s robust preparedness against cross-border threats.
Interactions with counterparts from allied security outfits emphasized unified action plans. Venturing to ground zero on day two, the army chief inspected Poonch outposts, lauding the troops’ spirited resolve and operational sharpness.
The highlight unfolded in Kamsar village, where Gen Dwivedi reunited with 18 J&K Rifles’ retired Subedar (Hony Capt) Pervez Ahmad—a soldier from his own command tenure spanning 2002-2005. Enlisting in 1991, Pervez’s 25-year career culminated in 2019 retirement, yet his service persisted.
In Operation Sindoor, this veteran stepped up, furnishing critical logistics, terrain knowledge, and intel to frontline units. Gen Dwivedi, moved by such loyalty, bestowed the Veteran Achiever Award, affirming veterans’ indispensable contributions.
These retired warriors serve as local sentinels, their inputs accelerating successful anti-terror strikes through enhanced intel-sharing and coordination. Gen Dwivedi’s tour not only reinforced operational readiness but also the timeless soldierly bonds that underpin the Indian Army’s strength.