NewsGate Press Network

Given the occurrences of  face-offs between Indian Army and the Chinese PLA –  the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is stable yet unpredictable, says Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande.

He added that India has ramped up its infrastructure development along the border and deployed adequate troops and equipment to deal with any contingency.

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) was addressing media persons on Thursday the 12th of January 2023 ahead of Army Day celebrations scheduled on January 15th.

This year the Army Day parade will be held in Bengaluru.

Gen Pande said both India and China have been able to resolve five of the seven issues along the LAC and continue to hold talks at the military and diplomatic levels.

In the eastern sector, he said there has been a slight increase in the deployment of Chinese troops, but the Indian Army soldier, including reserves, have been adequately deployed there to take care of any situation.

And with the increased emphasis on improvements in infrastructure in the North-Eastern sector, Indian Army is ready in more than one ways to defend our borders.

The Indian Army chief also emphasised the infrastructure development carried out by India along the LAC comprising roads, bridges, tunnels as well heated shelters and habitats for its troops.

There are five major bridges on the Brahamputra river which are in operation giving the Army a robust mobility advantage.

Regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the areas falling along the Line of Control (LoC) Gen Pande said the ceasefire agreement that Pakistan signed in February 2021 is holding well with a significant reduction noticed in violence parameters.

He, however, added that cross-border support to terrorism and terror infrastructure continues to remain an issue and this is more noticeable in areas south of the Pir Panjal range.

The terrorists, Gen Pande added, have shifted their focus to Pir Panjal range with areas adjoining the IB (International Boundary) as their safe havens while attempting to infiltrate Punjab.

“Infiltration has come down significantly in 2022. Last year, there were 12 infiltration attempts in Jammu & Kashmir, out of which 18 infiltrators were killed by the Army. Since our counter infiltration grid has been strong and effective, the focus of our adversary is on the south of Pir Panjal,” he said.

“In many cases, they have tried to drop weapons and explosives from drones. The BSF and the Indian Army have jointly foiled many such attempts. We have procured drone jammers and their efficacy has been found to be good,” he added.

The COAS said that Pakistan has been trying to conduct targeted killings of minorities to spread terror in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Our adversary has been trying to conduct targeted killings of minorities to spread terror, both the Army and the CRPF have increased their deployment, he said.

The Army Chief also informed that a proposal to include women officers in Artillery Regiment has been sent to the government.

We hope that it will be accepted soon, he said.

Regarding induction of AK 203 assault rifles, Gen Pande said the first batch of 5,000 made in India rifles will be handed over to the Army in the month of March later this year.