Southern Army Commander Conducts Strategic Review of Gujarat's Creek and Kutch Sectors
In a significant military development, Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth has conducted a detailed operational review of the strategically vital Creek and Kutch sectors in Gujarat. The review, which took place recently, focused on assessing preparedness and validating defense mechanisms in these challenging border regions.
Comprehensive Operational Assessment and Multi-Agency Exercise
During his visit, Lt Gen Seth, serving as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, oversaw the large-scale Defence of Gujarat Exercise. This multi-agency drill was designed to test operational readiness, enhance coordination between various defense and security forces, and validate rapid response capabilities in difficult terrain and operational environments.
The exercise successfully demonstrated Southern Command's ability to safeguard national interests across Gujarat's diverse operational domains, reaffirming the military's commitment to border security and territorial integrity.
Major Healthcare Initiative: Surgical Eye Camp Benefits Thousands
Beyond operational matters, the Army Commander inaugurated a mega surgical eye camp outreach programme at Bhuj Military Station. Organized with support from specialist ophthalmic teams from Army Hospital (Research and Referral) in New Delhi, this initiative screened over 2,500 patients from more than 120 remote villages.
The camp provided advanced diagnostic and surgical interventions, restoring vision to over 200 beneficiaries. This healthcare effort underscores the Indian Army's enduring commitment to delivering quality medical services to frontier regions and underserved communities in Gujarat.
Strategic Importance of Creek and Kutch Sectors
The Rann of Kutch and Sir Creek region represent some of India's most challenging border terrain:
- The Rann of Kutch is a vast salt marsh spanning the Gujarat-Sindh (Pakistan) border
- Sir Creek is a tidal marshland opening into the Arabian Sea
- Both feature marshy terrain, tidal creeks, and limited physical barriers
- These conditions create monitoring and patrolling challenges
- The terrain increases potential infiltration risks requiring constant vigilance
Cultural Celebration and Previous Exercises
The visit concluded with Shaurya Sandhya, an evening program attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The event blended martial pride with cultural expression, featuring:
- NIFT students showcasing Indian fashion through khadi textiles
- Graceful Bharatnatyam dance performances
- Stirring martial arts displays by soldiers including Jhanj Pathak, Kalaripayattu, and the Army Martial Art Routine
This review follows last year's Trishul exercise led by Southern Command, which was a tri-services operation spanning from the Thar Desert to the Kutch sector along the Western Border. That comprehensive exercise included modules ranging from cyber warfare and drone combat to electronic warfare and amphibious operations, culminating in a Joint Amphibious Exercise that validated full-spectrum land-sea-air integration capabilities.
