Defence ministry authorises Indian Army chief to mobilise Territorial Army amid Indo-Pak conflict

The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday authorised the Chief of Army Staff to call upon members of the Territorial Army (TA), under Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules, 1948.

The TA provides supplementary support to the Indian Armed Forces across multiple commands.

With this notification from the Centre, the Chief of Army Staff can now mobilise volunteers from 32 TA infantry battalions across zones including the Southern, Eastern, Western, Central, Northern, and South Western Commands, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).

The Territorial Army is composed of volunteers who undergo military training for such emergency situations.

This development follows the escalation of the India-Pakistan conflict on Thursday, after ‘Operation Sindoor’ by the Indian Army, the Pakistani Army attempted a missile attack on Jammu airport. However, the Indian Army’s ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ defence system and S-400 missile system successfully neutralised and intercepted all incoming drones.

To ensure civilian safety, multiple airports have been closed, and air marshals have been deployed at all operational airports by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

In addition to mobilising the Territorial Army, the government has suspended the leave of all government employees and security personnel amid rising tensions.