NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Two operational missile groups of the Indian army, with 150-250kms short-range Prithvi and longer version 2,500kms Agni missiles, both capable of carrying nuclear warheads, are being transferred to form the nucleus of the new “strategic forces command”, the Press Trust of India said on Monday.

It said the Strategic Forces Command, which would report to the Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff Committee, headed by Navy 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.

The PTI quoted highly placed sources for its report.

The sources said an official notification would be issued soon, naming the head of the Strategic Forces Command as well as location of its headquarters.

Air Marshal T.M. Asthana, at present attached to the air headquarters in New Delhi, has been cleared to head the new command as its first commander-in-chief, PTI said.

The Strategic Command, PTI quoted its sources as saying, would be the country’s second Tri Service Command and function in coordination with the Chief of the Integrated staff as the Andaman-based Tri Service Command.

The agency said besides those from the services, the Strategic Command would have a fair number of civilian staff, including experts from the Indian Nuclear Energy Commission and missile experts from the Defence Research & Development Organization.