In this episode of The Crux, we explore life on the LoC, beyond headlines and policy, through the eyes of a soldier.

Join us as we speak with Lt Col (Retd) Mayur Ambastha, who served in the Indian Army for decades, including counter-insurgency roles in Jammu & Kashmir and a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

Tune in to hear his insights on what it takes to serve at the border, the mental and physical strain, family separations, troop preparedness during escalations like Operation Sindoor. We also explore the transition from combat to civilian life, and what support veterans need to find purpose beyond the uniform.

#IndiaPakistan #LoC #OperationSindoor #IndianArmy #Veterans #MentalHealth #BorderSecurity #DefenceForces #UNPeacekeeping #MilitaryFamilies #Kashmir #Leadership


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00:00:00 – Intro
00:02:59 – Facing the enemy: A soldier’s perspective
00:06:46 – Activation mode: How the army mobilizes
00:08:20 – What military training actually involves
00:11:54 – Practicing for War
00:14:12 – Mental conditioning & the ghatak course
00:19:58 – Technology in training & real combat
00:23:27 – Women in Uniform: Equal training, equal stakes
00:25:38 – Suicide & burnout in the forces
00:31:43 – Family strain: Preparing for the worst
00:37:11 – The UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan
00:42:08 – Transitioning from uniform to civilian life
00:48:41 – Veteran hiring & corporate India’s blind spot
00:51:44 – The Crux (takeaways)

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#IndiaPakistan #OperationSindoor #LoC #IndianArmy #BorderConflict #CounterInsurgency #MilitaryLife #SoldiersStory #VeteranVoices #DefenseAnalysis #NationalSecurity #ArmyFamilies #MentalHealthInUniform

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