NE NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, JUNE 3
Army Chief General M M Naravane on Thursday said the longevity of the ceasefire along the Line of Control with Pakistan depends on the actions of the neighbouring country but asserted that there would be “no slackening” of preparedness as terror infrastructure across the border was intact.
Army Chief cautioned all to remain prepared to meet any emerging security challenges effectively.
He also complimented all Govt agencies for close coordination in maintaining peace in region & reaching out to people wholeheartedly to combat #COVID19
@NorthernComd_IA @MayorofS pic.twitter.com/mKIhQMNnhF— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) June 3, 2021
Gen Naravane arrived on a two-day visit to Kashmir on Wednesday to review the overall security scenario in the valley.
“On the second day of his two-day visit to #Kashmir, General MM Naravane #COAS reviewed the security situation along the Line of Control,” the Army wrote on its official Twitter handle.
Installation of these radars will increase air domain awareness around airfields & enhance safety & efficiency in flying operations of @indiannavy & @IndiaCoastGuard@PIB_India@MSDESkillIndia @CimGOI @Tri_Service @DefenceMinIndia @CMOGuj @heindustry @DRDO_India @shripadynaik pic.twitter.com/xihUP4s6GT
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) June 3, 2021
The COAS accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, the Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander visited the formations and units, wherein the local Commanders briefed the COAS on the existing security situation and the measures instituted to foil infiltration by terrorists from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“#COAS also interacted with the troops and complimented them for their high morale and the high state of operational preparedness,” the Army added.
While appreciating the current state of peace prevailing along the Line of Control, he cautioned all commanders and troops to not let their guard down and to remain prepared to meet any emerging security challenges effectively. The Army Chief also complimented all Government agencies for their close coordination in maintaining peace in the region and reaching out to the people wholeheartedly to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Army chief was also briefed about the measures being taken to identify and target the overground workers’ (OGWs) network involved in the radicalisation and recruitment of youngsters into terrorist ranks. Efforts to prevent local recruitment and facilitate the surrender of local terrorists were also discussed.
The Army chief”s arrival in Kashmir assumes significance as it comes on a day when the ceasefire between India and Pakistan along the LoC completed 100 days.
“The ceasefire along the LoC is holding as of now. The onus of making sure that the ceasefire holds is squarely on Pakistan. We are willing to observe the ceasefire as long as they do so,” he told a few select journalists at the end of his two-day visit to Kashmir.
The Army chief said other activities like terror infrastructure, including terrorist camps and presence of terrorists on the other side of the LoC were continuing in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
“Therefore, there can be no slackening of our level of preparedness,” he added.
Asked if Islamabad can be trusted as the ceasefire has been holding for 100 days now, Gen Naravane said, “There have been decades of mistrust between India and Pakistan. So, the situation on that score cannot change overnight.”
He said if Pakistan observes ceasefire in letter and spirit, the small steps can lead to incremental gains.
“If Pakistan continues to desist from fomenting trouble in India, then the small steps can lead to that level of trust that you are talking about,” he added.
While interacting with the troops, the Chief of Army Staff expressed his appreciation to the jawans and commanders, who are relentlessly battling the dual challenges of Pakistan-abetted terror and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He reinforced the need to be prepared to meet the emerging security challenges effectively.
