Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth reviews Kripan Division's combat readiness in North Bengal
Synopsis
Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth made a two-day sweep of key commands — Trishakti Corps in North Bengal and Western Command — pressing troops on integrated warfighting, tech absorption, and HADR readiness. The visits, combined with the inauguration of a modernised BEL support centre in Agra, signal a sharper focus on frontline capability and indigenous logistics as the Army advances its VIJAY vision.
Key Takeaways
Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth visited Kripan Division, Trishakti Corps in North Bengal and Sikkim on 7 November 2026 .
The briefing focused on the VIJAY vision , with emphasis on technology absorption, agility, and integrated warfighting.
General Seth stressed proactive HADR planning and close Military-Civil coordination for disaster response.
On 6 November , Seth reviewed Western Command Headquarters , underlining jointness and the JAIseVIJAY vision.
Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla inaugurated the modernised BEL RPSC at Central Ordnance Depot, Agra , boosting indigenous maintenance capabilities.
Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth on Saturday, 7 November 2026, visited the Kripan Division of Trishakti Corps in the Sikkim and North Bengal region, reviewing the prevailing security environment, operational preparedness, and initiatives to enhance combat effectiveness. The visit is part of a broader series of field assessments by the Army Chief to gauge frontline readiness across sensitive commands.
Key Developments at Trishakti Corps
During the visit, senior commanders briefed General Seth on the Corps' efforts towards realising the VIJAY vision, with emphasis on technology absorption, agility, and integrated warfighting to build a future-ready force. The Army Chief also stressed the importance of proactive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) planning, joint exercises, and close Military-Civil coordination to ensure swift and effective response during natural disasters — a critical priority given North Bengal and Sikkim's vulnerability to floods and seismic events.
Interacting with troops on the ground, General Seth commended their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to duty. He also extended warm Deepawali greetings to all ranks and their families on the eve of the festival.
Western Command Visit on Friday
Earlier on Friday, 6 November, General Seth visited the Western Command Headquarters, where he reviewed operational preparedness, capability enhancement, and emerging security challenges. Interacting with senior commanders of all three Services, the Army Chief emphasised jointness, integrated warfighting, and technology absorption to retain a decisive operational edge. He reinforced the vision of JAIseVIJAY, stressing the need to build an integrated, agile, and technology-enabled force ready for tomorrow's challenges.
BEL Regional Product Support Centre Inaugurated in Agra
In a parallel development on Friday, Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General of Sustenance, inaugurated the modernised BEL Regional Product Support Centre (RPSC) at the Central Ordnance Depot in Agra. The centre is equipped with advanced repair infrastructure, including nitrogen purging facilities, an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)-compatible lab, and a clean room. According to the Army, the facility will enhance indigenous maintenance capabilities, reduce repair turnaround time for optical instruments and communication equipment, and strengthen technical training — a step toward self-reliance in defence logistics.
Strategic Context
The Trishakti Corps oversees one of India's most strategically sensitive theatres, covering the Siliguri Corridor — often called the 'Chicken's Neck' — which connects India's northeastern states to the mainland. Any lapse in readiness here carries outsized strategic consequences. General Seth's visits, coming in quick succession across two commands within two days, signal a heightened focus on operational integration and technology-led modernisation ahead of the winter deployment cycle. Notably, the emphasis on HADR coordination aligns with India's increasing use of the military as a first-responder force during the annual monsoon and post-monsoon disaster season in this region.
All official communications were issued by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information's Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence. Further details on specific capability upgrades are expected as the inspection cycle continues.
Point of View
Technology-enabled warfighting is now being pushed from the top down, not just articulated in doctrinal documents. The simultaneous inauguration of the BEL support centre in Agra is the quieter but arguably more durable story: indigenous maintenance capability is what sustains operational readiness long after a field visit concludes. The consistent HADR messaging in a Sikkim-North Bengal context is also telling — the Army is recalibrating its civil-military posture in a region where the next 'emergency' is as likely to be a glacial lake outburst as a border incursion.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth visit Kripan Division in North Bengal?
General Seth visited Kripan Division of Trishakti Corps on 7 November 2026 to review the prevailing security environment, operational preparedness, and initiatives to enhance combat effectiveness. The visit is part of a series of command-level assessments to advance the Army's VIJAY vision of integrated, technology-enabled warfighting.
What is the VIJAY vision of the Indian Army?
The VIJAY vision is the Indian Army's strategic framework for building a future-ready force through technology absorption, agility, and integrated warfighting across all three Services. It emphasises jointness between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and was reiterated by General Seth at both the Trishakti Corps and Western Command visits.
What is the significance of the BEL RPSC inaugurated in Agra?
The modernised BEL Regional Product Support Centre at Central Ordnance Depot in Agra strengthens India's indigenous defence maintenance capabilities by providing advanced infrastructure for repairing optical instruments and communication equipment. It is equipped with nitrogen purging facilities, an ESD-compatible lab, and a clean room, reducing repair turnaround time and boosting self-reliance in defence logistics.
Why is the Trishakti Corps region strategically important?
Trishakti Corps oversees the Sikkim and North Bengal region, which includes the Siliguri Corridor — the narrow land passage connecting India's northeastern states to the mainland. Its strategic sensitivity makes operational readiness here a national priority, and the region is also prone to natural disasters, making HADR coordination critical.
What did General Seth stress during his Western Command visit on 6 November?
At Western Command Headquarters on 6 November 2026, General Seth emphasised jointness, integrated warfighting, and technology absorption among commanders of all three Services. He reinforced the JAIseVIJAY vision, calling for an integrated, agile, and technology-enabled force ready for emerging security challenges.
