Category Archives: Military

Politicisation of the Armed Forces: Examining the Claims

Posted on October 24, 2025 by sword

A lot has been spoken and written about the politicisation of the Armed Forces in the recent past. The latest is a recent article in Deccan Herald by AVS Namboodiri which claims that in the recent past—presumably during the tenure of the current NDA … Continue reading →

Posted in Appraisal System, Civil Military Relations, COAS, Democracy, Higher Defence Management, Military, National Issues, Politics, Promotion System | Leave a comment

Let Flying Jets Fly

Posted on May 22, 2025 by sword

During the ongoing Operation Sindoor, there’s been much noise—claims and counterclaims—about Pakistani assertions of having shot down several Indian fighter jets. This isn’t unusual. In conflicts between long-time adversaries like India and Pakistan, truth often becomes the first casualty—sacrificed at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogitorial, Military, National Issues, Politics | 2 Comments

Op Sindoor – An Analysis

Posted on May 11, 2025 by sword

As the dust settles after Operation Sindoor, here’s an early assessment of not just of what India did, but why it did so, under what constraints, and with what results. In many ways, Operation Sindoor may prove to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogitorial, Boundary Dispute, Counter Terrorism, Military | 32 Comments

Rules, Fools and Exceptions

Posted on February 21, 2025 by sword

A recent post by a retired bureaucrat about rules and precedents reminded me of an interesting and educational encounter I had with regulations a couple of decades ago. The year was 1993, and the place was Chandimandir. But let me … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Military, Welfare | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Mind Over Merit

Posted on January 11, 2025 by sword

In a recent piece in The Print, Gen Panag discusses the recent government decision to adopt a ‘merit based’ approach over ‘seniority based’ on the promotion of Lt Gens, and opines it is a move in the right direction. He also … Continue reading →

Posted in Appraisal System, Blogitorial, Higher Defence Management, Military, Promotion System, Reforms | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

1965 – No Victor no Vanquished?

Posted on August 3, 2023 by sword

The 1965 India – Pakistan war was brought to an end on 22nd September 1965 by a ceasefire brokered by the United Nations. The situation on ground as on that day in various sectors was such that India had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Military, Military History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Uniformly Crazy

Posted on April 26, 2023 by sword

Growing malaise of the misuse of articles of uniform by veterans while appearing on television and public functions needs to be curbed – by peer pressure, or else by enforcing regulations on the issue. Continue reading →

Posted in Blogitorial, Military, Veterans | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Gen Thimayya’s Resignation – Statement by Pt Nehru in Parliament and debate – 02 Sep 1959

Posted on May 21, 2021 by sword

In Aug 1959, Gen Thimayya submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister. There was a furore in the papers and in parliament, with questions being raised about the reasons behind it. Nehru gave a statement in parliament about the resignation. Here is the full text of his statement and the limited debate that followed. Continue reading →

Posted in Blogitorial, Civil Military Relations, Military, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The “White Mutiny” of Monghyr 1776

Posted on January 3, 2020 by sword

A lesser known mutiny during the early stages of the Raj was one by British officers in 1776
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Posted in Military, Military History | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crisis of Confidence

Posted on July 26, 2019 by sword

The crisis of command between the COAS and the environment is alarming, and needs to be resolved at the earliest. Continue reading →

Posted in COAS, Military | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment