Threat At LAC Has Not Reduced, Have Increased Our Forces: Army Chief On China Border Row
Indo-China LAC Border: At a press conference ahead of the Army Day, Naravane said the forces would continue to deal with the Chinese PLA in a firm and resolute manner in eastern Ladakh.
New Delhi: Army Chief General MM Naravane said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was stable and under control but the "threat by no means has reduced".
At a press conference ahead of the Army Day, Naravane said the forces would continue to deal with the Chinese PLA in a firm and resolute manner in eastern Ladakh, where they have been locked in a 20-month-long military standoff.
"Though situation along LAC is stable and under control, but if situation escalates into a war or conflict, which is a last resort, we will come victorious," the Army Chief said.
"But threat at LAC has by no means reduced. So, we have enhanced our force at LAC. We have made realignment in our structure," he further said.
After a gap of over three months, India and China are holding the 14th round of Corps Commander-level talks at the Chushul-Moldo border point on the Chinese side of the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
General Naravane said India was hopeful of resolving issues at Patrolling Point 15 (Hot Springs). "Mutual disengagement has happened in some areas. We have continued to maintain highest level of operational preparedness while at same time engaging with Chinese PLA in dialogue," he said.
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.
General Naravane also said that the Indian Army was more than adequately prepared to deal with any military ramifications of China's new land boundary law.
'Zero-Tolerance To Terrorism': General MM Naravane
Concerning Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, the Army Chief said an increasing number of militants had been observed at launch pads across the western border and reiterated India's "zero-tolerance to terrorism" stance. He also stated that the situation in J&K was gradually improving.
"On the western front, there is an increase in the concentration of terrorists in various launch pads & there have been repeated attempts of infiltration across the LoC. This once exposes the nefarious designs of our western neighbour," General Naravane said.
#WATCH | On the western front, there is an increase in the concentration of terrorists in various launch pads & there have been repeated attempts of infiltration across the LC. This once exposes the nefarious designs of our western neighbour: Army Chief Gen MM Naravane pic.twitter.com/GplRLuuUGz
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022
Nagaland Killings
Regretting the incident that took place in Oting, Nagaland, on December 4, 2021, the Army Chief said that the civilian killings would be thoroughly investigatied. "We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations," he said.
The regrettable incident that occurred in Oting, Nagaland on Dec 4 is being thoroughly investigated. We remain committed to the security of our countrymen, even during the conduct of operations: Army Chief General MM Naravane pic.twitter.com/avN6aS7YaA
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2022
The Army's 21 Para Special Force opened fire on a van transporting coal miners from Tiru to Oting on December 4 (Saturday), killing six of the eight people on board. In the ensuing retaliatory violence, seven additional civilians and a soldier were killed.
Women Are Being Provided Equal Opportunities In Army: General MM Naravane
During the media engagement, the Army Chief said that women were being provided equal opportunity in the Army and that the issue of permanent commissioning of junior officers was being worked on.
(With ANI Inputs)
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