Amidst Tensions Between India and Pakistan the Center Authorizes the Army Chief to Summon the Territorial Army

India and Pakistan on High Alert as Army Chief Authorized to Mobilize Territorial Forces Nationwide

As tensions with Pakistan increase the Central Government has given the Chief of the Army Staff permission to mobilize the Territorial Army. The choice was made in order to support and augment the regular forces of the Indian Army across several commands using the authority granted by Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rule 1948. 

The embodiment will be drawn from the current 32 Territorial Army Infantry Battalions according to the Ministry of Defence. The chosen units will be stationed in several strategic military zones such as the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) the Southern Eastern Western Central Northern and South Western Commands. 

Comprising volunteers who undergo military training for internal security and national emergencies the Territorial Army is renowned for serving as a backup force to the regular Army. 

In retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam Indian military forces launched missile strikes early on Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) including the Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke and the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur. This action has increased tensions between the two neighboring countries. 

The defense ministry reports that on Thursday evening the Pakistani military made an attempt to strike the following locations: Awantipura Srinagar Jammu Pathankot Amritsar Kapurthala Jalandhar Ludhiana Adampur Bathinda Chandigarh Nal Phalodi Uttarlai and Bhuj.