Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 13: Army chief Gen Bikram Singh today called upon the troops to leave no stone unturned to make Jammu and Kashmir free of militants and give utmost importance to human rights. He lauded the Army soldiers for their excellent role in maintaining peace in the State and keeping the level of infiltration this year to zero.
Addressing ‘Sainik Sammelans’ at Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur and Tiger Division at Jammu and inter-acting with top Army Commanders at 25 Infantry Division at Rajouri, 10 Infantry Division at Akhnoor and Tiger Division in Jammu on second day of his three days last visit to the State as the Army chief, Gen Singh said the Army soldiers have done a commendable job in making various parts of Jammu and Kashmir militancy free and coming to aid of district administration, whenever required.
He lauded the jawans deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in the entire State for doing yeoman’s service to the nation by facing extreme hostile weather conditions especially during the winter but ensuring that the militants didn’t manage to infiltrate into this side.
The Army chief expressed satisfaction over the Army role in successful thwarting of intrusion bids by the militants on the LoC and hoped that they would keep up the same spirit and foiled nefarious designs of the militants.
Lauding exemplary courage and valour of the Army soldiers, the Army chief at the same time called upon them to maintain human rights under all circumstances. “It was duty of the Army jawans to respect human rights at all costs,’’ he said.
After addressing the Army jawans at Northern Command Headquarters, Gen Singh flew to 25 Infantry Div at border town of Rajouri and met the Army Commanders. He reviewed preparedness of the troops along the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where Pakistani militants were making all out attempts to infiltrate.
The senior Commanders briefed the Army chief about number of infiltration attempts made by the militants along the LoC in the two border districts but all of them were successfully thwarted by the troops.
GOC 25 Infantry Div Maj Gen Saranjit Singh and Romeo Force GOC Maj Gen T Rajeshwar briefed the Army chief about the preparedness of the troops on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts especially the steps taken to maintain level of infiltration to zero.
Last month, an Army soldier was killed and five others were injured in two IED blasts on the LoC. The militants had planted the IEDs after their failure to infiltrate into this side. In retaliation, the Pakistan Army jawans had lost their lives.
The Army officers said though number of infiltration attempts by the militants on the LoC have gone up, the troops have not allowed the militants to succeed in their plans to intrude into this side. They admitted that the upcoming months were crucial as militants would make more infiltration attempts on the eve of Assembly election in the State, which were due in November-December.
The Army chief later visited 10 Infantry Division at Akhnoor and Tiger Division at Jammu. He inter-acted with Army Commanders at both the Divisions. He also addressed `Sainik Sammelan’ at Tiger Division and had night halt there.
He would return to New Delhi tomorrow morning.
At all places, Gen Bikram Singh was accorded warm farewell as this was his last visit to Jammu and Kashmir as the Army chief since he is retiring on July 31. Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag will take over as new Army chief on August 1.
At Northern Command Headquarters at Udhampur, Gen Singh paid homage to the martyrs at Dhruva War Memorial.
He addressed all ranks and was accorded a warm farewell by troops of Northern Command. During his address, Gen Singh complimented all officers for their exemplary sense of duty, people friendly approach during counter-terrorist operations and humanitarian approach while guarding the Northern frontiers.
The Army chief stressed upon the rich military traditions, ethos and the value systems and the importance of remaining committed and focused while discharging responsibilities.
Gen Singh was also accompanied by his wife Bubbles Singh.
Yesterday, the Army chief had visited Srinagar-based Headquarters of 15 Corps, where he addressed and interacted with the troops. He had also met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor N N Vohra.
Follow our WhatsApp channel