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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Australian Army Chief meets Southern Army Commander, addresses cadets at NDA
As part of his ongoing visit to India from August 11 to 14, Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart visited the Southern Command headquarters in Pune on Wednesday and interacted with Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth. The Australian Army Chief also visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) and addressed the cadets. A press statement by the Defence PRO, Pune stated that the discussions between Southern Army Commander and Australian Army Chief focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, joint training exercises, military exchange programs and converging perspectives on future warfare. 'The interaction reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Indian Army and Australian Army to foster stronger military ties and enhance strategic engagement,' the release added. 'Lieutenant General Simon Stuart also visited the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, where he addressed cadets on the topic 'Collective Security: An Era of Great Power Competition'. He underscored the importance of interoperability, mutual trust, and coordinated response capabilities in countering evolving security challenges, in an increasingly volatile geo-political environment,' the press statement read. Defence authorities said the Australian Army Chief will participate in other defence cooperation engagements on August 14, prior to returning to New Delhi. A visit to Bharat Forge Limited is planned where the indigenous manufacturing capabilities of the private Indian defence industry will be showcased to the Australian Army Chief.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Army's swift response saved people trapped at aircraft crash site in Ahmedabad: Southern Army Commander
Pune: Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth on Thursday said that the Indian Army's swift response and technical proficiency were crucial in saving lives during the critical early phase of the rescue operation at the Air India A-171 aircraft crash site in Ahmedabad on June 12. Within minutes, around 130 personnel from the military station, including engineers, medical staff, firefighting teams, and quick response teams were mobilised, he said and added that the General Officer Commanding of the 11th Infantry Division immediately reached the accident spot. "A prompt decision to breach the wall between the Military Hospital of Ahmedabad and BJ Medical College, which was struck by the aircraft, proved decisive in saving the lives of those trapped in the medical college complex," the commander said while delivering a lecture at a day-long seminar — 'Exercise Durg Vishwas' — at the College of Military Engineering. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune He said this provided immediate access to the crash site, enabling army teams to deploy earth movers for debris clearance, carry out rescue and fire suppression operations, and work closely with civil authorities, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Relief Force. Moreover, the Indian Army is in the process of acquiring Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) bricks, which have been standardised into six categories and are being centrally procured, the commander said. "Southern Command will be getting five such bricks, each tailored to address specific requirements during disaster relief operations." According to the commander, disaster management is not just a humanitarian concern but a core national security issue; therefore, responding to disasters has become an operational imperative. "Southern Command, which covers 41% landmass, including states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It encompasses diverse and disaster-prone terrain, such as long coastlines, mountain regions, flood-prone rivers, and zones vulnerable to earthquakes, cyclones, and landslides. " "Our 200 HADR columns are earmarked and kept ready to cater to the vast area of the command, and they are augmented with the Engineer Task Force. Last year, 30 HADR teams were deployed across various disaster relief operations, with the sappers playing a pivotal role in each," the general officer said. The commander said they take proactive steps to foster coordination with civil agencies. Therefore, the command decided to have a military-civil fusion training node at key stations where civil agencies will be trained with the army across its limit, he said. The Corps of Engineers emerged as a critical enabler, he said. "Their ability to restore mobility, build temporary infrastructure, assess structural damage, and support evacuation and shelter operations has proven invaluable. It demonstrated its versatility in Wayanad in Kerala, in Pune in flood relief, and even in Myanmar." Former Army chief General Manoj Pande, who delivered a special address, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to handle any disaster. "It is essential to integrate AI and satellite imagery to provide granular geo-targeted alerts directly to the communities. Drones can be used for rapid damage assessment and delivering essential supplies to difficult terrains. Moreover, the army should train civil defence agencies to effectively handle disaster situations," he said. Experts from the National Disaster Management Authority, NDRF, State Disaster Management Authorities, and key institutions involved in the national disaster preparedness and response framework also participated in the seminar.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
70 Pakistan drones destroyed in Gujarat, Rajasthan during Operation Sindoor
PUNE: IAF and Southern Command 's Air Defence brigade neutralised approximately 70 Pakistani drones, including a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone, in Bhuj and Naliya in Gujarat and Rajasthan, during Operation Sindoor, reports Sandip Dighe. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth recently toured the forward area units and interacted with troops deployed in the area of operation of the command. Southern Command posted on X: 'Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, general officer commanding-in-chief, Southern Command, visited Bald Eagle Brigade (75th independent infantry brigade in Bhuj) to assess the prevailing security situation in Rann Of Kutch...' Army sources said recovered wreckage of the drones was shown to the commander at the brigade headquarters. The army units under Golden Katar division and IAF units in the sector are equipped with a range of air defence systems , including vintage technologies like L-70 guns, Zu-23mm units, Schilka systems, and advanced counter-unmanned aerial system equipment to address aerial threats, sources said.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Armed forces destroyed 70 Pak drones in Gujarat, Rajasthan areas during Op Sindoor
1 2 Pune: The Southern Command 's Air Defence brigade and Indian Air Force neutralised approximately 70 Pakistani drones , including a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone, in Bhuj and Naliya in Gujarat and Rajasthan, during Operation Sindoor . Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth recently toured forward area units and interacted with the troops deployed in the area of resposibility of the command. Southern Command, on its official X handle, tweeted, "Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, general officer commanding-in-chief, #SouthernCommand, visited the #BaldEagleBrigade (75th independent infantry brigade in Bhuj) to assess the prevailing security situation in the #RannOfKutch. During his visit, he lauded the unwavering dedication, courage, and professionalism of all ranks, commending their high morale and vigilant efforts in effectively dominating the Rann and Creek Sector under #OperationSindoor. " Army sources said recovered wreckage of the drones was shown to the commander. The army units under Golden Katar division and IAF units in the sector are equipped with a range of air defence systems, including vintage technologies like L-70 guns, Zu-23mm units, Schilka systems, and advanced counter-unmanned aerial system equipment to address aerial threats, the sources added. They also defused the drones' battery, compromised their GPS systems, and changed their direction. "Our ground force is trained in such counteraction," the army sources said.
