The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force deployed advanced technologies such as heavy-payload drones, remote-controlled boats and laser range finders for the first time in an overseas humanitarian mission during Operation Sagar Bandhu in Sri Lanka, significantly enhancing the speed and precision of relief efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.
“We inducted new-generation equipment for the first time overseas. Heavy-payload drones, remote-controlled boats and laser range finders helped us acquire precise data and complete tasks within compressed timelines despite numerous challenges,” Lieutenant Colonel Anuj Singh of the Engineer Task Force said after the contingent’s return to India.
According to the officer, the technology played a crucial role in the successful construction of seven Bailey bridges across cyclone-affected regions of Sri Lanka, enabling troops to execute complex engineering tasks with greater efficiency and accuracy.
The Indian Army’s six-month-long humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu demonstrated not only advanced engineering capabilities but also the resilience, discipline and humanitarian ethos of its soldiers, a senior officer who led the effort said after returning to India.
The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force (ETF), comprising 48 personnel, returned on May 25 after completing its deployment in Sri Lanka, where it had been sent in December 2025 following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The operation was launched as part of India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) commitment and reflected New Delhi’s Neighbourhood First policy.
Speaking about the mission, the officer said Indian soldiers required no special preparation before deployment because disaster-relief operations are ingrained in military training.
“Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are part of our training curriculum. Every soldier of the Indian Army is always mentally prepared whenever such a requirement arises,” he said.
The task force was airlifted to Sri Lanka by Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying specialised bridging equipment, engineering stores and rescue resources. Working alongside the Sri Lanka Army Engineers and local authorities, the team restored critical connectivity by constructing seven Bailey bridges in cyclone-affected regions, including Kilinochchi, Kandy, Badulla and Chilaw. More than 40 damaged bridge sites were also surveyed for future restoration.
Reflecting on the deployment alongside contingents from other countries, Lt Col Singh said the defining strength of the Indian Army lay in the spirit of its personnel.
“The high spirit and morale possessed by Indian Army troops make us different. The discipline, dedication and courage displayed during the six-month deployment stand as a testament to our commitment and capability to operate in adverse weather conditions and challenging situations,” he said.
Describing the operation as more than a relief mission, he said it helped deepen trust between India and Sri Lanka.
“The appreciation we received not only from the Sri Lankan authorities and Army but also from local people was overwhelming. Their gratitude showed that the Indian Army makes an impact not only in India but wherever it is deployed globally,” he said.
The officer also spoke about the emotional challenges faced by soldiers operating amid large-scale destruction and human suffering far from home. He credited the Army’s strong camaraderie and ethos for keeping morale high throughout the deployment.
“We are always trained together, and whenever we undertake any operation or challenge, we stand together. It is a family away from home. We share deep bonds with our soldiers, and everybody functions like a family,” he said.
Lt Col Singh said the guiding principles of “Naam, Namak and Nishan” remained a constant source of motivation.
“Despite all challenges, there was not even a single instance when our morale was low. Till the last day before de-induction, the entire team remained highly motivated and ready to undertake any new task assigned to us,” he said.
The successful culmination of Operation Sagar Bandhu was marked by an appreciation ceremony hosted by the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on May 24. During the event, Major General C.D. Wickramanayake, Chief Field Engineer and Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, presented a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, recognising the Indian contingent’s contribution to post-cyclone recovery efforts.