Indian Army With ITBP, Bhairav Battalion Leads High-Altitude Joint Artillery Drill In Arunachal

In a strong demonstration of integrated war-fighting capability in one of India’s most strategically sensitive regions, the Indian Army conducted a three-day joint artillery field firing exercise at Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district.

Held from February 23 to 25, 2026, the exercise brought together multiple combat and border-guarding elements, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Arunachal Scouts, Para Special Forces and the newly raised Bhairav Battalion, in a coordinated show of force and preparedness in high-altitude terrain.

Arunachal Pradesh, with its rugged mountainous landscape and proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), remains a strategically critical theatre for India’s defence posture. The choice of Tezu for the integrated drill underscores the Army’s focus on maintaining operational readiness in the eastern sector, where terrain, weather and logistics pose complex challenges.

According to Defence spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat, the exercise was aimed at strengthening inter-organisation synergy and boosting combat preparedness in mountainous regions. In high-altitude warfare, coordination across units and agencies can be as decisive as firepower itself.

Who took part in the exercise?

The drill saw participation from a diverse mix of operational units: The Indian Army’s artillery formations led the live fire missions, while the ITBP, tasked with guarding India’s high-altitude frontiers, brought in border-operational experience.

The Arunachal Scouts, a specialised infantry unit with deep local terrain knowledge, played a key role in manoeuvre integration. Elite Para Special Forces units contributed specialised operational inputs, while the newly raised Bhairav Battalion marked its growing operational footprint with active participation.

The inclusion of multiple arms and services reflects the Army’s increasing emphasis on jointness and theatre-level coordination.

What capabilities were showcased?

The integrated exercise was validated through multiple live artillery fire missions executed in realistic battlefield scenarios. Troops operated under simulated combat conditions designed to mirror real-time high-altitude warfare challenges. These scenarios tested mobility, communication, target acquisition, fire coordination and rapid response under mountainous constraints.

The training emphasised the use of advanced technologies, next-generation equipment and refined artillery procedures, ensuring that firepower delivery remains precise, responsive and synchronised with ground manoeuvres.

By assimilating artillery drills with coordinated troop movement, the exercise demonstrated the Army’s ability to execute calibrated and high-impact fire missions in difficult terrain.

One of the core objectives of the exercise was to enhance mutual confidence and responsiveness among participating forces. Mountain warfare demands seamless communication between infantry, artillery, special forces and border units. The drill strengthened cross-arm cooperation, enabling faster decision-making cycles and tighter operational integration.

Officials described the exercise as a milestone in joint operational integration, a key pillar in India’s evolving defence doctrine focused on integrated theatre capabilities.

A clear signal of readiness

The successful completion of the Tezu exercise reaffirms the Indian Army’s commitment to realistic combat training tailored to evolving operational challenges. High-altitude environments such as Arunachal Pradesh demand not only physical endurance but also technological adaptability and inter-agency cohesion.

By integrating artillery firepower with special forces manoeuvres and border force coordination, the exercise underscored India’s preparedness to respond effectively to any contingency in mountainous terrain.