Army Comdrs’ debate internal, external security challenges

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 16: The top Army Commanders’ Conference got underway in the Union capital this morning with Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre and Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat calling for synergy and operational readiness on the frontiers especially with Pakistan and strict surveillance on Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China even as focus remained on the borders as well as militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, where Army has been playing key role to thwart ceasefire violations from Pakistan and militancy in the hinterland.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also scheduled to address the six-day long Conference, which will conclude on April 21.
An official handout issued by the Army Public Relations Officer (PRO) Col Aman Anand said Dr Bhamre stressed upon the need for Army for being prepared for highly dynamic internal and external security challenges.
Asserting that the Government was fully seized of the requirements of the Indian Army regarding capability development, force modernization and above all, infrastructural development, the Minister of State for Defence reiterated the need to optimize the fiscal resources through synergized capacity building within the three Services through enhanced indigenization and self reliance.
Dr Bhamre complimented the Army for its contributions in countering myriad security challenges, thus, paving the way for development and progress of the nation. He appreciated the Army for continuous training activities undertaken including various joint trainings and exercises with friendly foreign countries. He stressed upon the need for being prepared for highly dynamic internal and external security challenges.
In his address, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat stressed upon the need to work in a collaborative manner for retaining and enhancing the current levels of combat effectiveness. He gave emphasis on the need to lay down judicious priorities to ensure that the allocated resources are utilized optimally and the force modernization be carried out unabated.
During the Conference, chaired by Chief of the Army Staff, the senior commanders will deliberate on the management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries.
Other issues like infrastructure development for capacity enhancement along the Northern borders, review of strategic railway lines, optimization of limited budget to ensure making up of critical deficiency in ammunition, issues related to Border Road Organization projects, ECHS, as also other matters relevant to operations, administration and welfare of troops will be discussed in detail for planning and execution.
The Army Commanders Conference is an important event in the planning and execution process of Indian Army. The Conference is held biannually for formulating important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations.
Sources said situation along Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been very tense for the past about one year now especially in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and very effective steps being taken by the troops to tackle ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts by the militants under the cover of Pakistan shelling and firing would be debate thoroughly in the meeting.
Apart from this, the militancy in the Kashmir valley, would also be discussed very prominently as the troops have been in forefront in the anti-militancy operations and had killed more than 200 militants last year. This year also, good number of militants have been killed so far including 13 on a single day on April 1 in South Kashmir though three Army soldiers were also martyred in that operation. Army had reports that large number of militants have been camping at launching pads on Pakistan side waiting for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir this summer.
“An effective strategy could be chalked out by the Army to counter infiltration attempts by the militants, which will be aided and abetted by Pakistani troops,’’ sources said, adding the troops were determined to foil intrusions to keep militancy under control in the Valley as some local youths have joined the militant ranks recently.
According to sources, equally important is the situation along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in five States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Ladakh shared un-demarcated LAC with China in Jammu and Kashmir.
After Dokalam, Indian Army has been keeping itself fully geared up along LAC with China to foil any kind of incursions by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

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