After the demotion of one top Indian military officer, another senior figure has now been removed, reflecting growing instability in India’s military leadership.
The Modi government has faced clear resistance from top military officials, with the latest being Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar, the Deputy Chief of the Air Force, who refused to comply with certain directions. Earlier, the Army Commander of the Northern Command was also replaced.
Air Marshal Dharkar was removed just seven months after his appointment. His removal came shortly after overseeing aggressive Rafale fighter jet missions, which were reportedly unsuccessful.
The Pakistani Air Force effectively countered and jammed these jets using advanced radar systems, raising doubts about Dharkar’s professional performance. He also expressed strong dissatisfaction with how his pilots handled the Rafale aircraft.
The failure of the Rafale jets to perform against Pakistan’s modern radar systems exposed serious shortcomings. The jets reportedly lost their way and failed in their mission to carry out an aggressive reconnaissance of the Line of Control, becoming targets in what some are comparing to another "Operation Swift Retort."
Following Dharkar’s removal, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari has been appointed as the new Deputy Chief of the Air Force to restore order and coordination within the Indian Air Force.
However, Dharkar’s dismissal has created unease within the ranks, and this marks the second major change in India’s military leadership since the recent Pahalgam false flag incident.
Experts believe these rapid changes in senior military positions reflect a growing mistrust between the BJP government’s aggressive political agenda and the professional independence of the armed forces. Defense analysts are warning that more resignations and leadership changes could be seen in the coming days.
