DM, CDS, IAF, Navy chiefs to address conference
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Top Army Commanders today began deliberations as part of a five-day conclave that will review India’s national security challenges along the borders with China and Pakistan, internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir especially the Valley and ways to bolster the 1.3 million-strong force’s military prowess.
Army chief Gen Manoj Pande is chairing the conclave taking place in the national capital from November 7 to 11 while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to address the conference.
The anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the overall situation in the Union Territory especially the Valley was deliberated upon and will remain part of deliberations in remaining days of the conference, the sources said.
Army, police and CRPF have executed several successful operations against the militants in the Valley in recent past killing a number of militants including top commanders. The anti-militancy operations continued even after onset of winter and will be further intensified as the militants will come down to plains due to snowfall in the mountains.
They said while a series of issues are taken up by the Army Commanders during the conference, the focus was definitely on situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh where Indian and Chinese militaries are still engaged at some points though disengagement has taken place in some other areas after talks between the two sides.
Situation prevailing along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir came up for high-level discussions at the Army Commanders’ conference.
Though there has been no major ceasefire violations along the LoC after fresh ceasefire agreement came into effect in February 2021 between Indo-Pak troops, some infiltration attempts have taken place on the LoC which have been successfully foiled by the Indian Army.
Last week, Army gunned down three infiltrators along the LoC in Poonch sector and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition. This was a major intrusion bid on the LoC in Poonch sector after a long time.
The conference is taking place for the first time after the completion of disengagement between the Indian and Chinese Armies from four friction points created after the May 2020 aggression by the Chinese military. The conference is also expected to look at newer ways to push Make in India in defence for developing more indigenous weapon systems for the troops.
The Army Commanders will carry out a comprehensive review of India’s military preparedness along the 3,400-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in view of the lingering military standoff with China in certain friction points in Eastern Ladakh, the officials said.
The Commanders’ conference will also focus on the evolving regional security situation and the geopolitical implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, officials said.
The conference is also holding discussions pertaining to “transformational imperatives for a future-ready force” for enhanced operational effectiveness.
The activities planned as part of the conference included talks by eminent subject experts on ‘Contemporary India–China relations’ as well as ‘Technological Challenges for National Security’, according to the Army.
It will also brainstorm specific plans for capability development and to boost the operational preparedness of the force.
The Army Commanders’ Conference is an apex-level biannual event that is held in April and October every year. The conference is an institutional platform for conceptual-level deliberations, culminating in making important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
“During the course of the conference, the apex leadership of the Indian Army will brainstorm on current and emerging security and administrative aspects to chart the future course for the Indian Army,” the Army said last week.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are also scheduled to address the senior leadership of the Army on avenues for promoting tri-service synergy.
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