Indian Army Chief Authorized to Mobilize Territorial Army

The Indian government has granted the Army Chief the authority to mobilize the Territorial Army to support regular army operations amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, enabling the deployment of 14 Infantry Battalions across various military commands.

This decision is made possible by Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules 1948, which allows the Chief of Army Staff to call upon Territorial Army officers and personnel to provide essential security or supplement regular army operations. The move comes after the Indian armed forces carried out "Operation Sindoor" against Pakistan, resulting in the killing of over 100 terrorists, and successfully intercepted Pakistan's retaliatory missile and drone attacks.

The activation of the Territorial Army is seen as a strategic reinforcement and a show of strength in response to Pakistan's continued support of terrorism. India has also launched precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, demonstrating its military capabilities. The Indian military has a significant advantage over Pakistan, with a larger number of active military personnel, paramilitary forces, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, armoured fighting vehicles, and artillery pieces.

The World Bank has distanced itself from the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan, while the Border Security Force (BSF) has foiled an infiltration attempt in Samba, and India has destroyed terrorist bunkers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have led to a heightened state of alert, with the Indian Army Chief now empowered to summon all Territorial officers as needed.