India, Nov. 5 -- Seventy-five per cent of Agniveers from their first batch were set to be released under the Agnipath scheme before the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved giving the short-term recruits failing to make the cut after the initial four-year service an option to remain in service for two more years and a route to enrol as regular soldiers at the end of the extended period.

Many veterans welcomed the move, with some saying it may have come late. Major General (retd) Shammi Sabharwal said the timing matters. "Considering the current global situation, with conflicts taking place around the world, it may not be wise to release trained manpower that has already undergone four years of military training."

He said the continued pr...