Support for terror infrastructure in JK continues: Army Chief
Says our adversary is active in abetting terrorism in Rajouri-Poonch area
New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday said that the past six months have been an area of concern for the troops in Rajouri-Poonch area of J&K where the adversary has “activated proxy outfits and is abetting terrorism.” He also said the army has taken “follow up actions” to ensure people don’t feel alienated and that it has also “adopted the affected village in Poonch.”
Addressing the annual conference in Delhi, the Army Chief said that after 2003, terrorism was fully dismantled in the area and peace prevailed there till 2017-18.
“As the situation is getting normal in the Valley, the area of Rajouri-Poonch was chosen by our adversary where it activated proxy outfits and abetted terrorism,” he said.
The Army Chief said that 45 terrorists were killed in Rajouri-Poonch area in the past few years while five infiltration bids were foiled and 14 terrorists were killed in the hinterland last year alone.
Replying to a query about lack of human intelligence in Rajouri-Poonch area, General Pande said that strengthening human intelligence is very important and crucial.
“We are focussing on synergising our efforts and with other agencies and we are working with them as well. Local support is crucial. Under Operation Sadbhavna, we are engaging with the local community (in Rajouri-Poonch). I personally interacted with the local community there and the army has already adopted the affected village (in Poonch),” he added.
The Army chief said there will be a zero tolerance for human rights violations in J&K.
“Clear cut directions have been issued to the army to act in a professional manner. Our operations against the terrorists will continue relentlessly,” he said. “In year 2023, the army recorded 20 casualties in Jammu. There are some tactical lessons for (us) and we are studying the methods used by our adversary.”
About the Kashmir situation, the Army chief said that the normalcy is returning and the terrorism activities have witnessed a significant dip. Despite the ceasefire being intact, the army saw continuous infiltration attempts that were foiled along LoC, he said.
“On the international border, narco-smuggling attempts also continued. The rise in tourism indicates a positive change in J&K. The Army is working with other security agencies to ensure peace prevails,” he said.
He said the situation along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh is “stable” but “sensitive”, and asserted that Indian troops are maintaining a “high state” of preparedness to deal with any challenge.
Our operational preparedness continues to be at a high level, he said, noting that the Indian Army is maintaining adequate reserves to confront any security challenge in the region.
Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
Asked about talks between Bhutan and China to resolve their boundary dispute, Gen Pande suggested the developments having bearing on India’s security are being monitored.
“We have robust military engagement with Bhutan and closely monitoring developments,” he said
The Army Chief described the situation along the Indo-Myanmar border as a matter of concern.
“We are closely watching developments there,” he said.
He also said that integration of Agniveers into the Army is moving forward well.
The Army Chief also said that 2024 will be year of technology adoption for the Indian Army as part of overall modernisation of the force.
