Rawat reviews security situation
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 1: Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, today asked the troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) to remain vigilant and foil the nefarious designs of the enemy.
General Rawat said this to the troops at Kupwara where Army foiled a major Border Action Team (BAT) strike by Pakistani troops and killed two of their soldiers and recovered huge quantity of arms, ammunition and war like stores.
The intruding Pakistani troops were assisted by high caliber weapons firing, mortars and rockets, from Pakistani posts. But Army retaliated, killing two Pakistani soldiers and three of them managed to flee back.
The Army chief lauded the alertness and resilience of the troops who foiled the BAT strike and neutralised the intruders. He was also appreciative of the sharp vigil and alertness along the LoC and high morale of the troops and further exhorted them to remain alert for any eventuality.
The Army this year foiled several infiltration attempts along the LoC and killed over three dozen militants and intensified the vigil. Despite vigil around 120 militants managed to sneak in last year.
The Army chief was told that despite winter and snowfall they are keeping tight vigil along the LoC so that the militants may not succeeded in their attempts. It may be mentioned here that despite winter militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman said that accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt, the Army Chief visited the frontier district of Kupwara where he interacted with the troops and was briefed about the recent counter infiltration operations.
“The Army chief was appreciative of the sharp vigil and alertness along the Line of Control and high morale of the troops and further exhorted them to remain alert for any eventuality”, he said.
The Army chief later met top police officers and discussed the security situation in the hinterland where security forces killed over 245 militants last year. He hoped that the coordination between various security agencies will get strengthened.
The Army chief stressed for intelligence based surgical operations so that the collateral damage is minimized. He asked the security forces to remain vigilant against the forces inimical to peace.
“Later in the day, the Army chief interacted with senior police officials and discussed the prevailing internal security situation in the Valley. The Army chief also appreciated the seamless cooperation and synergy being maintained among all the agencies, which, he said, was the most critical aspect of successful counter infiltration and counter terrorist operations”, the Defence spokesman said.
PTI adds: India is facing complex and dynamic security challenges along its borders, which are a threat to the country’s territorial integrity and internal stability, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat has said.
In a new year message to Army personnel, he hailed the collective grit, determination and sacrifices of the troops in standing up to the challenges along the borders as well as in combating threats of terrorism.
“We are facing complex and dynamic security challenges along our borders which threaten territorial integrity and internal stability of the nation,” Gen Rawat said.
He, however, did not mention about the situation along India’s nearly 4,000- km frontier with China or along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Our steadfast resolve to ensure territorial integrity has been evident from the collective grit, determination and sacrifice of our troops who have stood their ground under the most challenging, inhospitable and most hostile circumstances,” Gen. Rawat said.
The Indian Army has been firmly dealing with infiltration bids and incidents of unprovoked firing by Pakistani army along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K.
The Army has also improved its vigilance in several key sectors along the border with China following last year’s Doklam episode.
“All ranks have displayed highest degree of sincerity and commitment while guarding our frontiers, combating terrorism and insurgency,” the Army Chief said.
He also appealed to the 12-lakh strong Army personnel to work with added zeal in dealing with security challenges facing the country.
“We need to continue to work with added zeal while upholding our core values of integrity, loyalty, duty, respect selfless service, courage and honour to fulfil our Constitutional obligations and assigned roles,” he said.
Gen Rawat described his force as one of the most disciplined and professional Armies in the world, adding that it must preserve that pride with dignity and honour.
“I am sanguine that the rank and file of the Indian Army will continue to discharge their responsibilities in the best traditions of our organisation,” he said.
Gen Rawat also mentioned about the “stellar role” the Army played during the devastating floods in Kerala as well as the way it has discharged its duties in the UN missions.
“I salute all those personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the nation in the past year. I wish speedy recovery to all others who are recovering from injuries in the line of duty,” the Army chief said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
