Indian Army Appoints Maj Gen Puneet Doval as Commandant of High Altitude Warfare School

The Indian Army has appointed Major General Puneet Doval, SM, as the new Commandant of the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) located in Gulmarg. The transition was formalized during an official ceremony that included a traditional exchange of the baton.

HAWS, established in 1948 originally as a ski school, was upgraded to a Category A Training Establishment in 1962. It is acclaimed for its specialized training in mountain and winter warfare. The school hosts the Mountain Warfare course in Sonamarg from May to October and the Winter Warfare course in Gulmarg from January to April. Each year, over 10,000 personnel undergo training, equipping them for operations in challenging terrains like Siachen and Ladakh.

In addition to training, HAWS serves as a central hub for doctrines approved in mountain and snow warfare, provides advanced night-training facilities, supports Indian Army ski teams, and trains military personnel from allied foreign countries.

The appointment of Maj Gen Doval is particularly noteworthy given the current focus on India's northern borders, especially due to ongoing tensions with China. The specialized training provided by HAWS is essential for addressing threats in high-altitude, sub-zero conditions, and his leadership is expected to enhance India's mountain warfare capabilities.

Maj Gen Puneet Doval, a recipient of the Sena Medal, brings significant operational experience to his new role at HAWS. His background includes conducting counter-infiltration operations along the Line of Control. His appointment underscores the Army's focus on placing experienced leaders in key training positions.

Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, GOC-in-C ARTRAC, alongside all ranks, extended congratulations to Maj Gen Doval, expressing confidence in his potential to elevate HAWS to new levels of excellence. His appointment has been positively received on social media by defense enthusiasts and official channels alike.