New Delhi: Two operational Missile Groups of the Indian Army with 150-250 kms short range Prithvi and longer version 2,500 kms Agni missiles, both capable of carrying nuclear warheads, are being transferred to form the nucleus of new Strategic Forces Command.

The Strategic Forces Command, which would report to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, headed by Naval Chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh, will also locate assets like some squadrons of Mirage 2000-5 and Su-30MKI and nuclear capable Naval warships and submarines to form the country's first ever nuclear arm, highly placed Defence sources said.

The sources said that an official notification would be issued soon naming the head of the Strategic Forces Command as well location of its headquarters. Air Marshal T M Asthana AOC-in-C IAF Training Command, who is at present attached to the Air Headquarters, has been cleared to head the new Command as its first Commander-in Chief.

The Strategic Command, sources said, would be country's second Tri Service Command and function in coordination with the Chief of the Integrated staff as the Andaman based Tri Service Command.

Sources said that besides those from the Services, the Strategic Command would have a fair number of civilian staff including nuclear experts from the Indian Nuclear Energy Commission and missile experts from the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).

PTI