IRTS Officer Akhil Shukla Honored by Army Chief for ‘Operation Sindoor’ Excellence

Prayagraj : In a significant recognition of civil-military synergy, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), has conferred the prestigious COAS Commendation upon Akhil Shukla, a senior officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS). The honor recognizes Shukla’s "pivotal role" during the high-priority national mission, Operation Sindoor.

While serving as the Senior Divisional Operations Manager for the Jhansi Division, Shukla—a 2013-batch officer and former Territorial Army Lieutenant—was instrumental in streamlining complex logistics. His leadership ensured the rapid availability of rakes and seamless coordination between the North Central Railway (NCR) and the Indian Army, factors deemed "decisive" for the mission’s tactical success.

Shukla, a B.Tech graduate from KNIT Sultanpur, currently serves as Secretary to the General Manager at NCR. This award highlights the evolving integration of India’s railway infrastructure into the national security framework. By ensuring that troop and equipment movements remained uninterrupted under pressure, Shukla’s efforts underscored the Railways' status as a vital pillar of defense logistics.

The recognition celebrates not just an individual achievement, but the robust operational readiness of the Jhansi Division in supporting the nation’s armed forces during critical deployments.

(Report by Zainul Abdin)