On the second day of his two-day visit to the Kashmir Valley, General MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) reviewed the security situation along the Line of Control. The COAS accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, the Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander visited the formations and units, wherein the local Commanders briefed the COAS on the existing security situation and the measures instituted to foil infiltration by terrorists from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The COAS interacted with the troops and complimented them for their high morale and the high state of operational preparedness. While appreciating the current state of peace prevailing along the Line of Control, he cautioned all commanders and troops to not let their guard down and to remain prepared to meet any emerging security challenges effectively. The Army Chief also complimented all Government agencies for their close coordination in maintaining peace in the region and reaching out to the people wholeheartedly to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Very Few Terrorist-Initiated Incidents, Stone-Pelting Cases Indicate Return To ‘Normalcy’ In Jammu & Kashmir, Says Army Chief
Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Thursday said very few terrorist-initiated incidents and stone-pelting cases have taken place in the Union Territory and this indicates a return to “normalcy” in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing media, General Naravane asserted that the Army is prepared and has taken all necessary steps for the smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra.
“There have been very few terrorist-initiated incidents, hardly any cases of stone-pelting which indicates a return to a sense of normalcy. People also want the same and it is a good thing. In this context of return to normalcy, we are from our side prepared and we have taken all necessary steps for the smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra,” he said.
“After a long time, we have reached a situation where peace and tranquility prevails. My message to youth is that only if there is peace, we can have development, then we can prosper together. Shun this path of violence and embrace the future,” he added.
The Army chief said that there have been decades of mistrust between Pakistan and India and pointed out that the onus is entirely on Pakistan to build trust with India. “The terror infrastructure on the other side of the LoC continues, therefore there cannot be any slackening on our preparedness or alertness,” Naravane said.
“There have been decades of mistrust between Pakistan and India, the situation can not change overnight. If they continue to observe the ceasefire, stop and desist from pushing terrorists across India then these steps will incrementally build up trust. The onus is entirely on Pakistan,” he added.
