We will continue to deal with China in firm, resolute manner: Army chief
   Date :13-Jan-2022

Chief of the Army Staff
 
 
NEW DELHI :
 
The Army chief said “though there has been partial engagement in the region with China, the threat by no means has reduced”
 
Around 350-400 terrorists are present at the launchpads and training camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir: General Naravane
 
Indian Army upgrading, developing infrastructure in border areas to deal with nefarious neighbours: Army chief 
 
THE Indian Army will continue to deal with the Chinese PLA in a firm and resolute manner in eastern Ladakh and it has been maintaining the highest level of operational preparedness in the region, Army Chief General MM Naravane said on Wednesday. At a press conference ahead of the Army Day, General Naravane said though there has been partial engagement in the region, the “threat by no means has reduced”. “We have continued to maintain the highest levels of operational preparedness while at the same time engaging with the Chinese PLA through dialogue,” General Naravane said. The Chief of Army Staff also said that the Indian Army is more than adequately prepared to deal with any military ramifications of China’s new land boundary law.
 
“We will continue to deal with the Chinese PLA in a firm and resolute manner,” General Naravane said, adding necessary safeguards are in place to take care of any contingencies. The Army chief said the response by his forces to Chinese attempts to unilaterally change the status quo was very robust. “We are much better prepared to meet any challenge that is thrown up at us,” he said. When asked about the 14th round of military talks with China that is underway on Wednesday, he said India was hopeful of resolving issues at Patrolling Point 15 (Hot Springs). General Naravane also said, “the regrettable incident that occurred in Oting, Nagaland, on December 4 is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations”. Army’s inquiry report into the December 4 Nagaland firing incident is expected to come out in a day or two. He said appropriate action will be taken based on the report. Around 400 terrorists at launchpads in PoK: General Naravane: As many as 350-400 terrorists are present at the launchpads and training camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Mukund Naravane, said on Wednesday. Addressing Indian Army’s annual press conference, the COAS said that the threat at the Line of Control (LoC) from Pakistan has not receded by any means.
 
“The threat cannot be ignored,” said the army chief. Along the LoC with Pakistan, after a heightened situation for a prolonged period, the DGMOs’ understanding in February last year was aimed at achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace, he said. “Resultantly, the situation has witnessed marked improvement,” said the officer, but with a caution. “However, increase in concentration of terrorists in launch pads across the LC and repeated infiltration attempts have once again exposed their (Pakistan’s) nefarious intents,” the Indian Army chief said. “We, on our part, have resolved to show ‘Zero Tolerance’ to terror, and commit ourselves to extract dire costs, should that be forced upon us,” he said. In Jammu and Kashmir, the ‘Whole of Government’ approach has led to progressive improvement in the security situation, he said. Efforts to give an indigenous hue to terrorism, by setting up a facade of proxy terror ‘Tanzeems’, have failed miserably, he said, adding that inimical elements have re-energised their attempts at disrupting peace in the Valley by targeting minorities and non-locals.
 
“However, we have been able to counter these challenges,” he said. Indian Army upgrading, developing infrastructure in border areas to deal with ‘nefarious’ neighbours: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday said that the Indian Army is upgrading and developing infrastructure at the border areas to deal with the ‘nefarious’ neighbours. “Up-gradation and development of infrastructure along the Northern Borders are being carried out in a holistic and comprehensive manner including roads and tunnels, for all-weather connectivity, strategic railway lines, additional bridges across the Brahmaputra, up-gradation of bridges on critical Indo-China Border Roads, and storage for supplies, fuel and ammunition”, informed General MM Naravane.