Illegal sale of unauthorized army-pattern combat clothes busted in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar

A joint operation by the Indian Army and Rajasthan Police has resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,000 meters of unauthorized army-pattern combat cloth from multiple shops in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan. The action, which took place on July 30, targeted the illegal sale of counterfeit military uniforms. This operation was prompted by the discovery of similar counterfeit cloth in Bareilly in June, which intelligence traced back to a manufacturer in Sriganganagar.

Army intelligence personnel conducted a discreet investigation in Sriganganagar, identifying a local firm as a key link in the supply chain for distributing counterfeit Army-pattern combat cloth to various markets. An interim probe report was shared with the Rajasthan Police in mid-July, leading to the coordinated raid. The possession, sale, or use of military-pattern combat cloth without authorization is a punishable offense. Such materials pose a significant security risk by enabling the impersonation of armed forces personnel.

The Indian Army patented a new combat uniform in 2022, featuring a digital camouflage pattern, to prevent unauthorized sales and misuse. This new uniform was introduced to address the uncontrolled proliferation of an earlier uniform design, which had created security vulnerabilities. The introduction of the new pattern also aimed to standardize soldiers' battle fatigues, as variations in the previous uniform had drawn criticism. The National Institute of Fashion Technology assisted the army in finalizing the new combat uniform design. Soldiers wear this uniform in operational areas, and those at Army headquarters in New Delhi also wear it on Fridays in solidarity with personnel in forward areas.