Martial arts-based close-combat routine rolled out in harsh Northern Borders terrain to prepare troops for weapon-denied situations
Guwahati, Nov 25 : The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps has begun intensive Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR) training at altitudes above 14,000 feet along the Northern Borders, aiming to boost close-combat readiness in some of the toughest high-altitude operational zones.
The training is being conducted in sub-zero temperatures and low-oxygen conditions, mirroring the challenges troops face in forward areas.
Trishakti Corps, which guards critical high-altitude stretches in the eastern sector including the Sikkim region, is putting its soldiers through a structured close-combat curriculum designed to ensure they can respond effectively even when conventional weapons are not immediately available.
AMAR is described as a modern combat system that fuses traditional Indian martial arts with globally recognised close-combat techniques.
The regimen includes bare-hand engagements, weapon-based combat, stress-response control and intensive physical and mental conditioning, all tailored to the demands of high-altitude operations.
“At 14,000 ft, the mountains challenge your stamina, focus, and resolve.
AMAR helps us stay calm under pressure and gives us the confidence that even without a weapon in hand, we are fully prepared for any close quarter threat,” a young officer undergoing the course said.
According to Army officials, the training is focused on sharpening reflexes, improving balance, building stamina, and enhancing situational awareness and controlled aggression — attributes considered essential for success in close-quarters battle in mountainous terrain where engagements can be sudden and at very short range.
The introduction of AMAR in these extreme conditions is also aimed at strengthening soldiers’ confidence and morale, ensuring that they remain effective in “weapon-denied” or “weapon-delayed” scenarios that may arise due to terrain, weather or the fluid nature of operations.
In essence, the Army’s new martial arts-based combat routine is intended to ensure that every soldier is trained to operate as a weapon in himself — ready to fight and win, anytime and anywhere, including in some of the most demanding high-altitude environments on the Northern Borders.
