Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday (February 7, 2026) shared a rare and symbolic moment during his visit to forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, when he met his former comrade, retired Honorary Captain Subedar Parvez Ahmed.
The meeting, held at Kamsar village near the Line of Control (LoC), reflected not just personal camaraderie but the enduring continuity of service within the Indian Army. COAS Gen Dwivedi and Ahmed had served together on several occasions, including between 2002 and 2005, when General Dwivedi commanded the 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, which was Ahmed’s parent unit.
The COAS also honoured Ahmed, along with two other distinguished veterans with the ‘Veteran Achievers Award’ during his visit to White Knight Corps. The veterans recognised exemplify selfless service to the nation beyond the uniform.
Who is Subedar Parvez Ahmed and why does his service still matters?
Retired Army jawan, Ahmed joined the Indian Army in March 1991 and retired in March 2019 after completing 25 years of distinguished service. Over the course of his career, he held key operational and instructional appointments, served as an instructor at training establishments, and completed multiple specialised military courses.
Even after retirement, Ahmed remained deeply connected to the force and the region, an association that proved crucial during India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
What role did Army veterans play during Operation Sindoor?
According to the Army’s PRO, Ahmed played a vital supporting role during Operation Sindoor, assisting troops with logistics, local coordination and ground-level facilitation. His intimate knowledge of the terrain and strong links with the local population significantly enhanced operational efficiency during the mission.
Such contributions, officials noted, exemplify how the Army’s success during Operation Sindoor was driven not only by frontline units but also by the extended military ecosystem, veterans, local communities and support networks working in unison.
Operation Sindoor has emerged as a benchmark for coordinated operations in challenging border environments. The mission highlighted the Army’s ability to integrate operational readiness, local intelligence, logistics support and civil-military cooperation, ensuring mission success while maintaining stability along sensitive sectors.
Army recognises veterans’ continued commitment
In recognition of Ahmed’s sustained service to society and continued support to the Army, General Dwivedi felicitated him with the Veteran Achiever Award, acknowledging the vital role ex-servicemen continue to play in national security. Havildar Gulam Hussain (Retd) and Havildar Mohd Bashir (Retd) were also honoured with the award.
“Their dedication, initiative and sense of responsibility enhanced operational effectiveness, strengthened Military-Civil harmony and reflected the enduring commitment of the veteran,” the Indian Army said.
Additionally, during the visit, General Dwivedi also reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed along the LoC and interacted with personnel at forward locations. He commended soldiers for their high morale, professionalism and readiness, noting that such qualities were central to the Army’s success during Operation Sindoor.