Army Chief authorised to assemble Territorial Army amid tensions with Pakistan

New Delhi: Amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan, the Ministry of Defence has authorised the Chief of Army Staff to assemble the Territorial Army (TA) to bolster the country’s defence preparedness.

In a notification issued under the Territorial Army Rules, 1948, the Ministry said the Army Chief may “call every officer and every nominee of the Territorial Army to provide necessary assistance and security or for the purpose of supporting or enhancing the strength of the regular army.”

Out of the existing 32 Infantry Battalions of the TA, the Army Chief has been authorised to operationalise 14 battalions for deployment across various commands, including Southern Command, Eastern Command, Western Command, Central Command, Northern Command, South Western Command, Andaman and Nicobar Command, and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).

The order will remain in effect for three years, until February 2028.

The Territorial Army, a reserve force under the administrative control of the Department of Military Affairs chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff, is headed by a Lieutenant General-rank officer.

TA personnel can pursue civilian careers and are called for service during emergencies. The force also receives officers from the regular army when required.