Itanagar, Nov 6: General Officer Commanding (GOC), Spear Corps, Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, visited the easternmost part of India on Thursday to witness an integrated exercise – Exercise Vijay Raksha – conducted by the Assam Rifles and the Indian Army in Vijaynagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
The exercise showcased operational preparedness and combat readiness of the forces deployed in the remote and strategically vital region. It included the validation of defenses by the Assam Rifles and aerial insertion of Special Forces troops, featuring Special Heli-borne Operations (SHBOs), a Defence spokesman said.
During the visit, the General Officer was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing security situation, ongoing technological advancements, and new initiatives to enhance combat effectiveness in challenging terrain conditions. The exercise aimed to validate the forces’ preparedness toward effectively dealing with contingency situations in the remote and rugged terrain of Arunachal Pradesh, Guwahati-based Defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.
He added that Lt General Pendharkar also interacted with local Gorkha ex-servicemen and members of the Lishu community, appreciating their longstanding contribution to regional stability and national security. He lauded the ex-servicemen for their unwavering dedication and service to the nation.
Vijaynagar, located in Changlang district, is the easternmost inhabited area of India, bordering Myanmar on three sides. Despite its remoteness, the region holds immense strategic importance for India due to historical migrations & settlements in the early 1960s.