Threat of terrorism thriving across the border; Northern Border remains Stable yet sensitive- Army Chief

Threat of terrorism thriving across the border; Northern Border remains Stable yet sensitive: Army Chief

Huma Siddiqui

New Delhi, Jan 11

In response to media queries, General Pande reassured that an ample number of military personnel are strategically deployed, capable of addressing any potential challenges, and affirmed the maintenance of this troop strength.

Speaking specifically about Eastern Ladakh, General Pande assured that “our operational preparedness remains at a high level. Talks are going on at the military and diplomatic levels to find a solution to the LAC issues in eastern Ladakh.” The standoff between Indian and Chinese troops has persisted for over three years, with disengagement occurring in some areas following extensive diplomatic and military dialogues.

Jammu & Kashmir & Poonch & Rajouri

Touching upon the Jammu & Kashmir region, specifically Poonch and Rajouri, General Pande pointed out the ongoing threat of terrorism thriving across the border, implicitly attributing it to Pakistan’s support for various terrorist groups. He identified the Rajouri-Poonch sector as an area where the adversary actively aids terrorism.

During an annual press conference in Delhi, General Pande said in response to a question that there is a reduction in cases of violence on the country’s borders in the year 2023. He underlined the Army’s success in preventing infiltration attempts on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, noting an overall decline in violence in the interior areas of the region.

Regarding security measures, General Pande highlighted, “We have a strong anti-drone mechanism in place to stop the use of drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics.” He drew attention to the increased terrorist activities in the Rajouri-Poonch sector, mentioning ongoing support infrastructure for proxy tandems from across the border.

Reflecting on the situation in Rajouri and Poonch in the last 5-6 months, General Pande expressed concern. He stated, “By 2003, terrorism in this area was fully disseminated, and peace was established there till 2017-18. Because peace is coming in the valley, our adversaries are encouraging proxy tanzeems in the area,” in a veiled reference to Pakistan’s involvement.

Discussing decisions made in the national interest, General Pande outlined, “The Indian Army has taken big and important decisions in the national interest. According to the demand of time, modern electronic warfare in the army has been made more harmonious and stronger.”

North-East & Situation in Manipur

Shifting the focus to the security situation in North-East India, General Pande remarked, “The Northeast has witnessed positive developments in the last year because of the proactive policies of the government. The violence parameters have overall come down.” He explained the cross-border situation allowing some insurgent groups to enter Manipur, creating a delicate situation that authorities are diligently addressing.

Agniveers

Concerning the Agniveers recruitment, General Pande shared, “The first two batches of Agniveers are now fully deployed in field units, and the feedback is very exciting and positive.” He noted the deployment of 120 women officers with permanent commissions in command roles, commending their performance in field areas. Additionally, he highlighted the transition from traditional conduct to fully online competitive and promotion exams by the end of the year.

Bhutan-China Boundary issues

Responding to queries about talks between Bhutan and China on their boundary dispute, General Pande asserted, “We have robust military engagement with Bhutan and closely monitoring developments.” He maintained that any developments affecting India’s security are vigilantly observed.

Indo-Myanmar Border

Expressing concern about the situation along the Indo-Myanmar border, General Pande stated, “The situation at the Indo-Myanmar border is of concern to us. You are aware of the activities of the Myanmar army, the ethnic armed organization, and the PDF in the past couple of months, which has resulted in some of the Myanmar army personnel walking across about 416 of them to date.” He referenced Myanmar’s internal challenges and their impact on border security, noting the return of Myanmar troops by Indian authorities.