The month-long ‘Ram Prahar’ exercise, involving 20,000 soldiers, simulated offensive operations across the Pakistan border in Punjab (ANI photo) DEHRADUN: In a significant show of combat readiness, Indian Army’s Western Command carried out a month-long integrated ground and air drill involving over 20,000 personnel, simulating offensive operations across the Pakistan border in Punjab. The exercise, which was first of its kind held in Uttarakhand by the Army, concluded near Haridwar on Saturday and was held in terrain mimicking the riverside plains of Punjab.The ‘Ram Prahar’ exercise was conducted by the Ram division of the Kharga Corps under Western Command. Though the location operationally falls under Central Command, army officials said it was chosen due to geographical similarities with the Punjab sector. The exercise included fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, amphibious armoured vehicles, tanks, drone-based surveillance, and night-time paratrooper deployment.General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, who inspected and validated the final phase of the drill, said it focused on rehearsing responses to major provocations by Pakistan. “In the recent Operation Sindoor, we delivered a robust response, which resulted in extensive damage to Pakistani forces. But we doubt whether it has learnt any lesson. If there is another mischief by it, we are prepared to respond with far greater force, including entering Pakistan from Punjab,” he said. He added that the location was selected as it allowed simulation of riverine obstacles similar to those found in Punjab. “We conduct exercises in operational areas under other commands too to ensure readiness,” he said. A senior Army officer involved in the exercise told TOI, requesting anonymity, that the drill tested operational agility, multi-domain capabilities and real-time coordination across land, air and cyber domains.Lt Gen Mohan Bhandari (retired), former deputy director general of military operations during the Kargil war, told TOI the drill was vital to test preparedness for the Punjab sector. “Pakistan has constructed numerous canals in Punjab to act as barriers against our armoured and mechanised units. Exercises simulating such conditions enhance operational efficiency because ultimate victory comes under the boots of infantry on enemy land,” said Lt Gen Bhandari (retired)who conducted similar drills during his time in Western Command.About the AuthorKalyan DasPrincipal Correspondent at TOI Dehradun, covering crime, defence, power and off-beat human interest stories.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTrump Says He Brokered Eight Peace Deals Including India And Pakistan During Mamdani MeetUP Gears Up For Biggest Crackdown Yet As CM Yogi Mandates Detention Hubs For Illegal ImmigrantsModi, Meloni Share Warm Laughter on G20 Sidelines in Johannesburg‘In memory of our brothers’: Russian Pilot’s Heartfelt Note For Indian Tejas Pilot After Dubai Crash’Objective Is To Destroy The Enemy’: Op Sindoor Echoes As Indian Army Vows Stronger Response to PakIndian Army Chief Reveals How A Trusted Orchestra Crushed Nine Targets in Operation Sindoor BlitzManipur Sangai Festival 2025- ThemeAt G20 Summit, PM Modi Proposes Global Knowledge, Skills, Health And Security Initiatives For FutureSangai Festival 2025 Opening CeremonyEx-VP Jagdeep Dhankhar Breaks Silence, Calls Out Narrative Traps With Cryptic Reference To His Past123PhotostoriesFrom Bengal to B-town, actors who found fame in Hindi filmsLaughter Chefs 3: From new jodis of Vivian Dsena-Eisha Singh, Gurmeet-Debina to Tejasswi Prakash-Karan Kundrra teaming up together: Highlights from the new season3 Ayurveda-approved fruit rules to boost digestionFrom Harman Sidhu to Danish Zehen: Indian celebrities who died in tragic road accidents7 high-protein breakfast shakes with 20g per glassMillion-dollar executives: Meet top 5 highest-paid CXOs in India FY259 behaviours that slowly destroy relationships over timeTop 4 home remedies to reduce bloating and boost digestion naturallyKartik Aaryan to Sara Tendulkar: 5 best celebrity looks of the daySilent signs of bullying every parent should pay attention to123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingFantasy Football Injury ReportSavannah JamesBrittany MahomesTaylor SwiftTravis KelceChris Blake GriffithJosh Allen InjuryCharvarius WardFortnite Chapter 7 LeakedCade Cunningham
The month-long ‘Ram Prahar’ exercise, involving 20,000 soldiers, simulated offensive operations across the Pakistan border in Punjab (ANI photo)
DEHRADUN: In a significant show of combat readiness, Indian Army’s Western Command carried out a month-long integrated ground and air drill involving over 20,000 personnel, simulating offensive operations across the Pakistan border in Punjab. The exercise, which was first of its kind held in Uttarakhand by the Army, concluded near Haridwar on Saturday and was held in terrain mimicking the riverside plains of Punjab.The ‘Ram Prahar’ exercise was conducted by the Ram division of the Kharga Corps under Western Command. Though the location operationally falls under Central Command, army officials said it was chosen due to geographical similarities with the Punjab sector. The exercise included fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, amphibious armoured vehicles, tanks, drone-based surveillance, and night-time paratrooper deployment.General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, who inspected and validated the final phase of the drill, said it focused on rehearsing responses to major provocations by Pakistan. “In the recent Operation Sindoor, we delivered a robust response, which resulted in extensive damage to Pakistani forces. But we doubt whether it has learnt any lesson. If there is another mischief by it, we are prepared to respond with far greater force, including entering Pakistan from Punjab,” he said. He added that the location was selected as it allowed simulation of riverine obstacles similar to those found in Punjab. “We conduct exercises in operational areas under other commands too to ensure readiness,” he said. A senior Army officer involved in the exercise told TOI, requesting anonymity, that the drill tested operational agility, multi-domain capabilities and real-time coordination across land, air and cyber domains.Lt Gen Mohan Bhandari (retired), former deputy director general of military operations during the Kargil war, told TOI the drill was vital to test preparedness for the Punjab sector. “Pakistan has constructed numerous canals in Punjab to act as barriers against our armoured and mechanised units. Exercises simulating such conditions enhance operational efficiency because ultimate victory comes under the boots of infantry on enemy land,” said Lt Gen Bhandari (retired)who conducted similar drills during his time in Western Command.
