Lt Gen Girish Kalia reviews Red Shield Division readiness in Manipur forward areas
Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, General Officer Commanding Spear Corps, on Thursday, 7 May visited forward areas of the Red Shield Division in Manipur to assess operational preparedness and review the prevailing security situation, according to defence officials. The high-level visit covered key locations including Kangvai, Sendra, Litan, and Yaingangpokpi, amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state.
Aerial Reconnaissance Over Ukhrul District
During the visit, the Corps Commander conducted an aerial reconnaissance of areas affected by the recent Tangkhul-Kuki clashes in Ukhrul district, assessing the overall security dynamics on the ground. Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat confirmed the visit, noting that Lt Gen Kalia interacted directly with commanders and troops deployed in the region.
The Corps Commander reportedly appreciated the troops for their professionalism, operational alertness, vigilance, and commitment towards maintaining peace and stability. This comes amid a prolonged security crisis in Manipur that has seen recurring inter-community violence over the past two years.
Red Shield Drone Lab at Leimakhong
Lt Gen Kalia also visited the Red Shield Drone Lab at Leimakhong Military Station, where he reviewed indigenous efforts in drone assembly, repair, and specialised training in drone warfare. According to Lt Col Rawat, the Corps Commander commended the lab's innovative approach in developing mission-oriented drone solutions tailored to operational requirements.
The Indian Army's investment in indigenous drone capability is notable — the Leimakhong lab represents one of several frontier-focused technology initiatives that the Army has been scaling up in the Northeast, where terrain and connectivity challenges make aerial surveillance critical.
BSF Officials Meet Manipur Chief Minister
Separately, two senior Border Security Force (BSF) officers on Thursday called on Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the Secretariat in Imphal. The officers — Suvvender Kumar, Deputy Inspector General, BSF Koirengei, and Pankaj Kumar, Commandant, 64 Battalion BSF — reviewed the state's law and order situation with the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister Singh, in a social media post, stated:
