In a move underscoring India's heightened state of military readiness, the Ministry of Defence has formally empowered the Chief of the Army Staff to deploy the entire Territorial Army (TA) as needed, amid ongoing hostilities with Pakistan.

According to a government notification dated May 6, 2025, issued under Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules, 1948, the Army Chief now has the authority to summon all officers and personnel of the TA for deployment—ranging from guard assignments to full-time embodiment—to bolster the capabilities of the regular armed forces.

The directive comes in response to sustained threats along the northern and western frontiers, where cross-border missile and drone attacks from Pakistan have intensified in recent days.

As part of the directive, 14 of the Territorial Army’s 32 Infantry Battalions have been cleared for active duty and may be posted across key Indian Army commands, including Southern, Northern, Eastern, Western, Central, South Western, the Andaman and Nicobar Command, and ARTRAC (Army Training Command).

However, actual deployment will hinge on available funding. In cases where government departments other than the Defence Ministry require TA support, the financial responsibility will rest with the requesting body. The new order remains effective from February 10, 2025, to February 9, 2028.

This move comes in the wake of India’s military operations under Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. In retaliation, Pakistan launched a wave of over 50 drones overnight on May 8–9, aiming to strike multiple Indian military sites including Udhampur, Jammu, Pathankot, Akhnoor, and Nagrota.

India's air defence units promptly countered the aerial threats using systems such as L-70 anti-aircraft guns, Zu-23mm platforms, Schilka vehicles, and other advanced anti-drone technologies.

The Defence Ministry reiterated its resolve to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and civilian safety, stating that both kinetic and non-kinetic methods were used to neutralise the threats swiftly.