Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 25: Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today assured the countrymen that Army was capable of meeting “any kind of challenges”, both along the borders and hinterland, and people of the country can have full faith and trust on their armed soldiers.
Speaking to media persons and addressing troops, families of martyrs, officers and jawans, who had fought 1999 Kargil war and others at Drass, located at the height of 10,990 feet from the sea level, in Kargil district, Gen Suhag said the nation has nothing to worry as the alert troops were fully capable to meet any kind of challenges in the country including the borders.
Gen Suhag, who specially flew in to Drass from New Delhi this morning, said: “I assure the people of the country that Army is ready to face any challenges. Let the countrymen be assured that the troops are fully capable of handling any kind of situation-be it on the borders or in the hinterland”.
He said the Army has done it in the past and it will do it in the future.
“Our troops have won the wars, the last one being against Kargil on this very soil. We are capable of handling any kind of situation any time,” the Army chief declared as he addressed the troops close to the `View Point’ in Drass from where the Indian troops had launched major assault on Pakistani invaders using Bofors guns and forced the enemy to retreat.
July 26 is celebrated as `Kargil Vijay Diwas’ by the country as it was on this day in 1999 that after more than two and half months of war, India had won by pushing the last intruders from its heights in Kargil, which had been captured in the preceding winters by Pakistan Army regulars. Nearly 527 Indian Army soldiers were killed and 1363 injured in re-capturing the Kargil peaks.
The Army Chief’s statement assumed significance amidst war rhetoric in Pakistan and internal unrest in Kashmir valley. Though Army hasn’t been deployed to tackle Kashmir unrest, it had moved its two battalions to Kashmir from Jammu amidst the ongoing trouble in which 47 civilians have been killed and over 5500 others including large number of police and para-military personnel were injured.
The Army Chief lauded the courage and valour being displayed by the Army soldiers under extreme tough circumstances at various places including the borders and hinterland and helping the State Governments during natural crisis. He said the borders of India were fully safe under the command of always alert troops of the Indian Army.
Gen Suhag also inter-acted with top Army Commanders including Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda and General Officer Commanding (GOC) Ladakh based 14 Corps, also known as Fire and Fury Corps, Lt Gen SK Patyal. He discussed with them the operational preparedness of the troops on the borders with Pakistan and China and internal areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
India shares large un-demarcated Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Eastern Ladakh and Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan in all three regions of the State including Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Army chief recalled the Kargil war of 1999, which was fought between May and July, against Pakistan Army regulars, who had captured the heights in Kargil and mentioned in detail the bravery of officers and jawans, who fought gallantly to push back the Pakistanis, re-capture the heights and win the war but not before several of them were martyred and many others left injured.
He had special words of praise for the martyrs, the families of some of whom were also present at 17th `Kargil Vijay Diwas’ function. Apart from the families of martyrs, the Army officers and jawans, who had participated in Kargil war and were still serving the Army and those, who have retired, were also present. The war veterans, Veer Naris also joined the functions.
Defence spokesperson (MoD) Col SD Goswami said the 17th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations started with great fervor and enthusiasm under the aegis of Leh Corps from 21 July.
“The week long celebrations included many events involving local citizens especially youth and children of Drass and Kargil. The solemn War Memorial service took place in the evening and the celebrations will come to a close with formal wreath laying ceremony by Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda on July 26,” Col Goswami said.
The Army Chief also laid wreath at the War Memorial in Drass today.
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