Don’t test Indian Army’s patience, warns chief
   Date :16-Jan-2021

Dont test Indian Armys pa
 
 
 
  • A ‘befitting response’ was given to the
  • ‘conspiracy’ to make unilateral changes on the border. Sacrifice of the Galwan heroes will not go waste, says General Naravane
  • 300-400 terrorists are ready to infiltrate from Pak side, he added
IN A clear message to China, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane on Friday said no one should make any mistake of testing India’s patience though it is committed to resolve the border stand-off along the northern frontier through talks and political efforts. In an address at the Army Day parade here, General Naravane said a “befitting response” was given to the “conspiracy” to make unilateral changes on the border and that the sacrifice of the Galwan heroes in eastern Ladakh will not go waste.
 
“We are committed to resolve disputes through talks and political efforts but no one should make any mistake of testing our patience,” he said. “I want to assure the country that the sacrifice of the Galwan heroes will not go waste. Indian Army will not allow any harm to the country’s sovereignty and security,” he added. Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in a fierce hand-to-hand combat on June 15 last year in Galwan Valley, an incident that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.
 
China is yet to disclose the number of its soldiers killed and injured in the clash though it officially admitted to have suffered casualties. According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35 Referring to cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, he said the neighbouring country continues to provide a safe haven to terrorists. “Strong response is being given to the enemy on the other border. Pakistan continues to provide safe haven to terrorists. In the training camps, across the LoC (Line of Control), around 300-400 terrorists are ready to infiltrate,” he said. “There was an increase of 40 per cent in the ceasefire violations last year which is the proof of Pakistan’s sinister plans. There were also attempts to smuggle weapons using drones,” he added.
 
General Naravane conferred gallantry awards and unit citations at the event, which was also attended by Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Thirteen Army officers of the Northern Command, eight officers of the Eastern Command, one officer each of the Southern Command and the Central Command received unit citations from the Army chief, while 15 Army personnel were awarded the Sena Medal.
 
Of these five Sena Medal were awarded posthumously for the acts of gallantry in different operations. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted soldiers on Army Day. “On Army Day, greetings to the valiant men and women of the Indian Army. We remember the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation. India will remain forever grateful to courageous and committed soldiers, veterans and their families. Jai Hind!,” Kovind tweeted.
 
In a tweet, Modi said Indian soldiers have made the country proud as he wished them on behalf of the people. On the occasion of 73rd Army Day, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah also extended greetings to Indian Army personnel, stating that all the countrymen are proud of their selfless service and dedication towards the nation.