Top Army Comdrs review security challenges, terror

Developing infra on borders high on agenda
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 15: Top Army Commanders during their week-long conference debated in-depth the future challenges, both internal and external, preparedness of the troops to meet any eventuality along frontiers as well as within the country including terrorism and modernization of the Army in all respects among a host of other issues.
The high-level Conference, which concluded this evening in New Delhi, finalized strategy on operations, administration, logistics, human resources, challenges posed from terrorism, mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, and issues on the borders with neighbours especially Pakistan and China, sources told the Excelsior.
Use of social media by the terrorists and forces inimical to the country came up for special mention in the Army Commanders’ bi-annual meet, they said, adding that steps needed to tackle the menace from further spreading were debated.
“While most part of the Conference was confined to modernization of the Army for meeting future challenges, terrorism in Kashmir and security situation on frontiers with Pakistan China in J&K, remained one of the major focus of discussion with strategy to tackle the situation more effectively,’’ sources said.
Army has been in forefront in search operations against the militants in the Valley along with para-military forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police and has eliminated large number of them during past few months. There will be no let up in the anti-militancy operations with focus on South Kashmir even during the winters as this is the period when infiltration of militants from Pakistan comes down due to snow at the passes and peaks, sources said.
They didn’t rule out the possibility of stepped-up operations against the militants.
Situation along International Border and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in five States including J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh remained a major part of discussion.
Strengthening of infrastructure especially along China frontiers remained focal point of discussion as it was one of the major areas, where India was behind the neighbour, who has build road and even rail networks close to the borders.
The Conference decided that four major studies currently underway to transform the over 1.2 million strong organization into a lean, mean and operationally versatile force, with better utilization of budgetary allocations, will be progressively implemented in a phased manner.
“The phases will comprise requisite refinements of the studies to make them pragmatic for implementation. It has also been decided that all operational aspects of the studies will be validated through test-bedding them in exercises,” sources said.
Led by Gen Bipin Rawat, the Army planned to launch the major transformative exercise by early next year after fine-tuning the four studies headed by senior Lieutenant Generals on force reorganization and optimization, flattening headquarters at different levels, cadre review and terms of engagement for officers and jawans, sources said.
“If all the measures under consideration are actually implemented on the ground, it will lead to slashing of manpower by around 1.5 lakh personnel over the next six-seven years to save around Rs 6,000-7,000 crore annually in revenue expenditure,’’ they added.
“The focus of the studies is holistic integration to enhance the operational and functional efficiency, optimize budget expenditure, facilitate force modernization and address aspirations of both officers and soldiers,” sources said.
The recommendations range from increasing the combat force ratio by slashing non-operational flab and downsizing the Army Headquarters by merging or relocating different Directorates to creating integrated composite Brigades under Major-Generals and eliminating most of the divisional headquarters.
During the Conference, the Senior Commanders also deliberated 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 were also discussed in detail for planning and execution.

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