Srinagar 11 Jan(KNB): In a address at the annual conference in Delhi, Army Chief General Manoj Pande voiced his apprehensions regarding the past six months, describing them as an “area of concern” in the Rajouri-Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the activation of proxy outfits by adversaries, leading to a surge in terrorism.
General Pande emphasized the army’s commitment to addressing the situation, stating that follow-up actions have been taken to prevent alienation among locals. He disclosed the adoption of an affected village in Poonch and underscored the significance of human intelligence, emphasizing the focus on strengthening collaboration with local communities under Operation Sadbhavna.
The Army Chief asserted a zero-tolerance policy for human rights violations, issuing clear directives to act professionally. Despite progress in restoring normalcy in the Valley, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, including continuous infiltration attempts and narco-smuggling along the international border.
Discussing the Indo-China talks, General Pande revealed ongoing discussions at diplomatic and military levels, aiming to revert to the 2020 status quo. He expressed optimism about positive results emerging from the frequent dialogues.
Addressing the Agnipath Scheme, the Army Chief acknowledged its success, attributing any challenges to management issues. He assured that Anginveers (soldiers) are receiving quality training nationwide.
On countering drone threats, General Pande dismissed the need for a separate corps, stating that the army has procured adequate equipment and provided robust training to address these challenges. Additionally, he announced the rollout of 5G-ready handsets for soldiers under the army mobile ecosystem, marking 2024 as a year of technological advancements for the military.(KNB)