STATE TIMES NEWS

New Delhi: Without naming Pakistan, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande said on Sunday the Army along with other security forces are dealing with the “proxy war” in Jammu and Kashmir with a professional approach.
“In combating proxy war in the hinterland, our professional approach and synergized operations with other security forces continue,” he said on the eve of the Army Day.
The Indian Army continues to maintain a “robust posture” at the borders and is prepared to protect the country’s territorial integrity at “all costs”, he said, amid the over three-year festering border row with China in eastern Ladakh.
Gen Pande said the force is fully committed with an “unwavering resolve” to counter any security threat, asserting that its fundamental character, core ethos and professionalism will enable it to live up to the expectations of citizens. He said the transition towards becoming a modern, agile, adaptive, technology-enabled and future-ready force shall continue as part of the transformation roadmap.
“Each member of the ‘Olive Green’ fraternity is fully committed, with an unwavering resolve, to counter security threats to the nation,” he said.
“We continue to maintain a robust posture at the borders and stand prepared to protect our territorial integrity, at all costs,” he said in a message aired on All India Radio.
“The Indian Army has a vital role to play in ensuring a stable and secure environment, which is crucial for the nation’s progress to continue unabated,” he said.
Gen Pande assured the nation that the Indian Army remains “steadfast as a guardian” of India’s path to progress.
“Today, the nation is at the cusp of a new era. Collectively, we have envisioned to emerge as a developed nation when we celebrate the centenary milestone. I wish to assure the nation that the Indian Army remains steadfast, as a guardian of the nation’s path to progress,” he said.
The top General said the Indian Army is well-trained, equipped, combat-hardened and prepared to take on any security threat or challenge that may come the nation’s way.
“To prepare ourselves to be future-ready, we had set into motion a holistic transformation process last year. We have made good progress and many milestones have been achieved,” he said.
The Army Chief said his force’s capability development endeavours stand on the edifice of Atmanirbhartha (self-reliance) to which it is firmly committed.
“The transition towards becoming a modern, agile, adaptive and technology-enabled, future-ready force, shall continue as part of our transformation roadmap,” he said.
The Indian Army will be observing the year 2024 as the ‘Year of Technology Absorption’ — a theme which underscores our focus and effort to leverage technology, as a catalyst for transformative change, he said.
“The Indian Army has carved a special place for itself in the nation’s mind space. The faith and encouragement shown by our countrymen further strengthen our pledge and commitment.
“Our fundamental character, core ethos, professionalism and fabric of discipline, will enable us to live up to the expectations of our citizens.
“We will forever remain steadfast and firm in our resolve to uphold the trust reposed in us, by the nation,” he said.
The Army Chief also talked about the Army’s commitments to the ex-servicemen.
“Our responsibility towards veterans and Veer Naris remains a sacred commitment. Endeavours to augment welfare initiatives, proactively reach out to them and address their grievances, continue,” he said.
The Army Day parade will be held in Lucknow on Monday.
Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to commemorate the achievements of the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Army, Field Marshal K M Cariappa. Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Francis Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, on January 15, 1949.

Northern border stable but ‘not normal’: Northern Command Chief

Srinagar: The northern border is stable but “not normal”, a top Army commander said on Sunday, referring to the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, said five of the seven friction points in eastern Ladakh, where the Indian Army and the Chinese PLA are locked in a standoff since May 2020, have been resolved and talks are underway for the remaining areas.
“The northern border area is stable but it is not normal or I can say it’s sensitive,” he told reporters here.
Apparently referring to Pakistan, the Army commander said the neighbouring country has orchestrated the terrorist attacks in the Poonch-Rajouri region as they did not like the ongoing development work here.
“There was prosperity and improvement in the lives of people in Poonch-Rajouri area. Investments were coming in and people were getting jobs. Our neighbouring country did not like this atmosphere of peace and prosperity. That’s why they have been promoting militancy in the area but we have launched counter operations,” he said, expressing confidence that they will control militant activities in the coming days.
Lt Gen Dwivedi said the coordination among police, military and local people needs to be improved in the area.
“The number of police stations is being increased while we are carrying out some reorientation as well. This will help us in controlling the situation,” he said.
The Army commander said 2023 has been declared as “zero-infiltration year” as no terrorist was able to come in through the Line of Control.
“…But as you said many terrorists are coming. We have taken action…. If you see last year, only 21 terrorists killed were locals, the remaining 55 were foreigners. In 2022, 121 terrorist recruitments took place but in 2023 only 19 have taken place,” he told reporters.
He said a lot of positive changes have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
“A lot of changes have taken place in the past four years. And all the changes have been for good, be it development of infrastructure, tourist arrivals or outside investments. Overall, it is good for the public, and Jammu and Kashmir is playing an important role in nation building,” he said.
He was in Srinagar to take part in an Armed Forces Veterans’ Day event.
The Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on January 14 every year as it was on this day in 1953 that the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, Field Marshal K M Cariappa, formally retired from the service.