Lucknow: In a remarkable gesture underscoring India’s robust civil-military partnership, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, has formally appreciated the Indian Railways for its swift and coordinated logistical support during Operation Sindoor—a crucial national security mission.
In a letter dated August 14, 2025, addressed to Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, General Dwivedi hailed the Railways’ exceptional response, particularly citing the placement of a rake for ammunition transport within just 24 hours of the Army’s request at the Central Ammunition Depot (CAD), Pulgaon, Maharashtra.
“This swift action set a new benchmark in military-civil cooperation and mutual trust,” the Army Chief wrote, calling it a testament to national preparedness and institutional synergy.
16 Railway Officers Recognised for Key Roles
While lauding the entire Indian Railways ecosystem, 16 officers were individually acknowledged for their significant contributions to logistics, coordination, and rapid troop movement.
From the Railway Board:
- Satyam Prakash
- Happy Walia
- Ravi Jain
- Neeraj Maurya
Zonal and Divisional Leaders:
- Afzal Karim Shamsi – North Western Railway
- Madhukar Roat – Northern Railway
- Rajesh Kumar Mandal – Northeast Frontier Railway
Notable IRTS & IRSME Officers:
- Dhirendra Kumar Verma – 1996 batch, NCR zone
- J. Sanjay Kumar – 2015 batch, Sr. DOM Jhansi
- Rahul Shukla – 2011 IRSME, Sr. DME Jhansi
Divisional Operations Managers:
- Uchit Singhal – Jammu
- Rahul Albela – Ambala
- Sunil Kumar – Khurda
- Gurusharan Pathak – Ferozepur
- Lokesh Kumar Singh – Jodhpur
- Md Rashid Nadeem – AOM Coaching, Asansol
“Proud Moment for Team Railways,” Says Officer
Following the Army’s recognition, IRTS officer J. Sanjay Kumar shared his gratitude on social media platform X, stating:
“Glad to inform that have received letter of appreciation from Chief of The Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi Sir for contribution in Operation Sindoor along with 12 IRTS officers across India. At the end the credit belongs to the Team.”
Army-Railways Synergy: A Cornerstone of National Preparedness
The letter by General Dwivedi reiterated the long-standing partnership between the Army and Indian Railways as a pillar of India’s defence logistics and rapid-response capability. “Indian Railways has always backed the Indian Army in any national emergency, and it was reaffirmed during Operation Sindoor,” he noted.
Speaking to the Media, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity at the Railway Board, said:
“This recognition not only highlights the operational readiness of Indian Railways but also reinforces the strength of India’s civil-military collaboration in times of national need.”
About Operation Sindoor
Though operational details remain classified, Operation Sindoor is understood to have involved high-stakes mobilization and logistical support linked to ammunition and defence preparedness in strategic regions. The Indian Railways’ speed and coordination played a vital role in ensuring mission success.
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