Indian Army's Western Command wrapped up an intense month-long exercise called 'Ram Prahar' near Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Over 20,000 troops stormed simulated battlefields, practicing swift incursions into enemy territory along the Punjab frontier. This groundbreaking drill, the first of its scale in the region, turned rugged riverbanks into a mirror of Punjab's flatlands, honing skills for real-world conflicts just across the border.
The operation was a high-tech spectacle, blending ground forces with aerial firepower. Elite units deployed Apache attack helicopters, fighter jets for close air support, and reconnaissance drones to scout ahead. Armored amphibious vehicles splashed through mock rivers, while tanks rumbled forward under cover of night. Paratroopers dropped silently from the skies, testing every layer of coordination in a seamless assault. Led by the Ram division of the Kharga Corps, the exercise pushed boundaries, even venturing into areas typically overseen by another command for maximum realism.
At the heart of the drill's success was Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, the Western Command chief, who oversaw the finale with a steely gaze. Drawing from recent clashes, he didn't mince words: fresh off Operation Sindoor's crushing blow to adversary assets, India remains skeptical of any lasting deterrence. "If they stir up trouble again," he declared, "we're locked and loaded for a fiercer comeback—straight into their backyard from Punjab." The choice of terrain? Perfect for replicating the watery hurdles that could slow an advance.
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Behind the scenes, officers praised the exercise for sharpening multi-domain warfare edges, from cyber defenses to instant battlefield tweaks. It wasn't just about brute force; it was a symphony of land, air, and digital strikes designed to outpace any foe. One high-ranking insider revealed how the drill exposed and fixed gaps in rapid response, ensuring troops could pivot on a dime amid chaos.
Experts like retired Lieutenant General Mohan Bhandari, a Kargil veteran, hailed it as a game-changer for Punjab's volatile front. With Pakistan fortifying the sector using canal networks as natural walls against armored pushes, such rehearsals are non-negotiable. "Boots on the ground win wars," Bhandari stressed, underscoring how infantry grit turns strategy into victory. As shadows of unrest linger, this drill sends a crystal-clear signal: India's defenses aren't just ready—they're itching for action.
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