*Army Chief Honours Akhil Shukla (IRTS) with COAS Commendation for contribution in Operation Sindoor*

Indian Railways has o­nce again demonstrated that it is not o­nly the nation’s lifeline but also a strong pillar of national security. During the high-priority national mission ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, appreciated the outstanding performance and effective civil–military coordination by personnel from Indian Railways, the Army, and other allied sectors, and honoured selected officers for their exemplary contributions.

Among those honoured, the name of Shri Akhil Shukla (IRTS), a senior officer of North Central Railway, prominently stands out. He was awarded the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Commendation for his pivotal role in strengthening railway operations in the Jhansi area and ensuring the successful execution of the mission.

During Operation Sindoor, while serving as Senior Divisional Operations Manager (Sr. DOM), Jhansi Division, Shri Akhil Shukla displayed exceptional leadership. His role was crucial in making rakes available, as well as in ensuring seamless operational coordination and execution, which proved decisive for the mission’s success.

An officer of the 2013 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS), Shri Akhil Shukla has consistently demonstrated professional excellence and administrative acumen across various assignments. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT), Sultanpur, where he earned a B.Tech. degree in Computer Science.

Over the years, Shri Shukla has served North Central Railway in several key positions, including Assistant Operations Manager (Prayagraj), Divisional Operations Manager (Freight), Prayagraj, and Divisional Commercial Manager and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Freight) in Jhansi Division. Shri Shukla has also served as lieutenant in territorial army.

At present, he is serving as Secretary to the General Manager-cum-Deputy General Manager, North Central Railway.

*Railways–National Security Synergy*