India-Pakistan conflict: Centre empowers Army chief to mobilise Territorial Army for support

Amid the ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan, the central government has empowered the Chief of Army Staff to call out “every officer and every enrolled person” of the Territorial Army (TA) to provide essential guard duties or to be embodied in support of the regular Army.

The Ministry of Defence’s Department of Military Affairs issued a notification dated May 6 stating that the order will remain in force for three years, from February 10, 2025, to February 9, 2028.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rule 1948, the Central Government empowers the Chief of the Army Staff to exercise the powers under that rule,” the notification reads.

14 TA Battalions to Be Embodied for Multi-Command Deployment

According to the notification, out of the existing 32 Infantry Battalions of the Territorial Army, 14 will be embodied for deployment across various Indian Army commands including Southern, Eastern, Western, Central, Northern, South Western, Andaman and Nicobar Command, and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).

The embodiment will be subject to availability of funds in the budget or through internal re-appropriation, the government clarified.

“For units embodied at the behest of Ministries other than Ministry of Defence, the cost will be debited to the respective Ministries and will not be included in the budget allocation of the Ministry of Defence,” the notification further said.

The TA, raised on October 9, 1949, has a long history of supporting the regular Army and participating in nation-building, disaster relief, and environmental protection. It is fully integrated with the Indian Army and many of its members have been decorated for gallantry and distinguished service.

Top-Level Security Review Held After Repulsion of Pakistani Attacks

On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a comprehensive review of the national security situation with the top military leadership. This meeting followed Pakistan’s failed attempts to target Indian military installations, which were successfully repelled by Indian forces.

Sources indicated that every aspect of the evolving security scenario was reviewed, including military preparedness and resource deployment across commands.

The activation of the Territorial Army in this manner marks a significant escalation in India's defence posture and reflects the government’s readiness to bolster the armed forces amid heightened regional tensions.

(With PTI inputs)