The defence ministry recently released pictures of the Indian Army (IA) conducting one of its biggest exercises -- Shatrujeet -- in the Thar desert in Rajasthan, with a focus on sharpening its deep strike capabilities in enemy territory. The exercise saw the participation of about 30,000 soldiers from the Mathura-based Strike 1 corps.
The statement from the Army noted that the spotlight was on validating integrated theatre battle fighting concept, where the Army incorporated new technologies, weapon platforms and systems including its long-range artillery fire.
Previous reports noted that the exercise was to hone Army's "proactive war strategy," colloquially called the "Cold Start Doctrine." It was held in a nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) warfare situation, as a response to the rising threats from Pakistan's "battlefield or tactical" nuclear missiles.
This exercise of the Army has airborne components too with what the statement calls "integrated Air-Land battle environment."
These exercises are ongoing and are expected to be reviewed by the Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag.
