New Delhi: As part of its efforts to battle the deadly pandemic COVID-19, the Indian Army on April 5 extended till June 30 the dates for premature Retirement of all the Army, Navy and Air Force personnel.

In a tweet it said that individual letters in this regard will be issued after the lockdown period.

From deploying security forces amid nationwide lockdown to distributing rations and free meals to poor and needy, the Indian Army has stepped up again in tackling a crisis situation in the country.

There have been several instances of the Indian Army lending a helping hand to rescue the citizens facing trouble during the lockdown period. Indian Army began to identify infrastructure for setting up quarantine and isolation centres in each military station.

It expressed its willingness to support the civil administration with its network of hospitals and lab facilities at COVID-19 hotspots. It also announced the preparation of a plan to augment health experts in severely affected areas if required.

Additionally, the Indian Army’s Northern Command has started several helplines across the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to advice people on their concerns related to COVID-19. A day later, the Army launched ‘Operation Namaste’ to fight against the novel Coronavirus.

The Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said that it was the Indian Army’s duty to help the government in its fight against COVID-19. Exuding confidence in the success of this operation, he said Army personnel could seek help from command wise helplines.