NEW DELHI, Oct 15:
Army chief Gen Bikram Singh met his top commanders here today and is believed to have discussed with them the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern States among other issues.
Gen Singh and his seven operational commanders also discussed issues relating to the welfare of ex-servicemen and more post-retirement avenues for them.
On the first day of the four-day bi-annual commanders’ conference, the Army top is expected to have discussed the security situation in the terrorism-affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, Army officials said here.
Recently, the Army chief had said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was improving but stressed on the need to remain vigilant there.
He had also stated that around 400 terrorists were present in the State and intelligence agencies’ anticipated a higher level of infiltration in the near future.
The meeting is also expected to have discussed the operational preparedness of the troops along the borders with China and Pakistan.
“The Army Chief said there was a further need to address hollowness in defence preparedness and undertake modernisation with added vigour,” an official said.
“He mentioned that new direction is being carved out by incorporating relevant transformation issues including several emerging technologies and required operational changes,” the official said.
The transformation process towards the modernisation of the force was first mooted during the tenure of Gen V K Singh. The issue of increasing jointness with other Services is also expected to be taken up during the meeting.
All the three Services will have their commanders’ conferences this week. On Friday, these will culminate in a combined commanders’ conference, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Gen Singh said “hollowness” in the country’s defence preparedness will be addressed, pushing for a “new direction” in modernisation of his 1.2 million strong force through emerging technologies and required operational changes.
He highlighted the requirement for maintaining extremely high levels of operational preparedness at all times.
“There was a need to address hollowness in defence preparedness and undertake modernisation with added vigour,” he said.
Gen Bikram Singh’s predecessor Gen V K Singh had highlighted the critical shortage of arms and ammunition faced by the various arms and services of the force in a secret letter written to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
Noting that modernisation was a “complex and dynamic” process the Army chief said, “a new direction is being carved out by incorporating relevant transformation issues including several emerging technologies and required operational changes.”
The transformation process was first talked about in the force during the regime of Gen V K Singh where several test-beds were created to implement changes in the structures of the Army.
The meeting also discussed about increasing the job avenues for ex-servicemen after they quit the Army.
During the meeting, Gen Singh is also believed to have discussed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern States as well as the situation along China and Pakistan borders.
All the services are holding their Commanders’ Conferences this week which will culminate in the Combined Commanders’ Conference to be addressed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday.
The three forces are expected to discuss the creation of three new joint commands for aerospace, cyber security and Special Forces. (PTI)
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