Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 12: In a significant statement, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda today ruled out demilitarization of Siachen Glacier, where both India and Pakistan have suffered large number of casualties during past two decades, saying there will be no lowering of guards in the Icy heights of the Glacier despite the tragedy in which Army lost 10 brave soldiers in snow avalanche.
“Though it was a great human tragedy in which we lost 10 soldiers including Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, who survived for six days in the avalanche, but we will continue to man the heights. We are committed to protect the Glacier despite all odds. The demilitarization can’t be considered at this stage,” Lt Gen Hooda told a press conference at Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur this morning after investiture ceremony.
Rejecting Pakistan’s remarks of mutual withdrawal of troops from the strategically very significant Siachen Glacier, the GOC-in-C Northern Command rejected it asserting that there will be no lowering of guards and Indian Army is committed to protecting the borders at the Glacier despite the tragedy.
A couple of years back, Pakistan had lost 140 soldiers in snow avalanche at Siachen Glacier. Though not a single shot has been fired between India and Pakistan troops for past quite some time at the Glacier, located at the height of 18,875 feet above sea level, both the sides were not ready to withdraw despite spending hundreds of crores for manning it every year.
”We had a tragic incident in Glacier but it cannot be linked in any way with withdrawal of troops and this thing is clear to us,” Lt Gen Hooda said.
The top Army Commander said: “we are committed to defending our borders and will continue doing it,” adding that ”there are some basic conditions required for the withdrawal of troops and as per the agreement between both the countries (India-Pakistan) including the dialogue between representatives.
The GOC-in-C said that the conditions required were also not being fulfilled by the Pakistan.
“Army has a similar stand as the Government of India has on troop withdrawal from Siachen,” he told a questioner.
“We do not differ on our decisions and whenever composite dialogue is held representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) also take part and decide”, Lt Gen Hooda said, adding that authenticate marking of posts is required on the ground if such a decision (demilitarization of Siachen) has to be considered, which should be agreeable to both the sides.
Lt Gen Hooda made it clear that Pakistan’s suggestion for demilitarization of Siachen can be implemented only when that country accepts “some basic conditions” of India which are not agreeable to them.
“Our stand is clear. If we have to talk about the withdrawal (of troops from Siachen), first the actual positions on the ground, where we are today and where our posts are, needed to be authenticated.
“There are some basic conditions that have to be met before any withdrawal can be spoken about. Some of these are not agreeable to the other country and therefore, this agreement has not taken place…Talks are going on,” he said.
In response to this, the Northern Army Commander said “Let me make it clear. We had a tragic event on Siachen. I see no reason at all to connect this to any withdrawal (of troops) from the Glacier. It is unwarranted and incorrect.
“That is absolutely clear to us…We are committed to defend our borders and will continue to do so.”
Asked if there was any difference between the Central Government and the Army over the withdrawal of troops, Lt Gen Hooda said, “There is one stand of the Army and the Government. It is not that the Government has a different stand and we have a different stand.”
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan had yesterday pitched for mutual withdrawal of troops from Siachen Glacier, hours later Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad died in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after battling for life in the Glacier for six days and next three days in the hospital.
Time has come for “urgent” resolution of Siachen issue between India and Pakistan by mutually withdrawing troops from there to ensure more lives are not lost due to harsh conditions on the Glacier, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit had said.
Expressing concern over new recruitments in the militant outfits, especially the young minds, Lt Gen Hooda said that Army is ready to rehabilitate the youth, who shunned the path of violence and militancy and join the national mainstream.
“As per security point of view, it has improved and is much better across the State, presently. In the recent past, top commanders of militant outfits have also been eliminated by the security forces,” he said.
Admitting that recruitment of youths in militancy including the locals was a matter of concern for everyone including the Army and was not a healthy sign, the Northern Command chief said the things must be viewed from larger perspective.
“Young recruits, who were supposed to be a part of nation’s development, but were joining militancy is definitely worrisome. The trend needs to be arrested, he said, adding that the Army was on the job and it has rescued many youth from falling into the hands of militancy.
Lt Gen Hooda said from the day one, these youth join any outfit, their life span gets shortened to only six months or one year and it was very tragic, which is needed to be looked into.
He said that the youth, who want to make a respectable comeback and join the mainstream, Army was committed to rehabilitate them and will provide education and help them by all means. However, the pre-condition remained that these youths should first surrender and joint the mainstream. Some of the youths have returned, he added.
He said infiltration is down by one third and security situation along the Line of Control is calm and is improving in the hinterland.
“I am saying this openly today. From the Army’s side, we will help them in their rehabilitation. We will help them for further education. We will help them in any of their initiatives,” he said.
“We need to also view it through a larger perspective. For example recruitment (of educated youth into militancy) is an area of concern,” he added.
On the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “From a security perspective, we seem to think that things are improving. Infiltration is down. It is one-third of what it was two years ago. Number of top (militant) leaders have got killed. Terrorists’ elimination has taken place.”
To another query about terror infrastructure across the border and its security situation, he said, “The situation along the border is that ceasefire violations have stopped for past 5-6 months since our Commander Meeting with Pak Army. There were talks at DGMO level and since then there have been no ceasefire violations across the border.”
“The situation is calm but as far as terrorists are concerned and also launch pads, they continue to remain there. The numbers vary from 200-300 depending on winters and summers. The way snowfall has taken place, there has been closure of some pads against the Valley side and opposite to Jammu section, there has been an increase in them,” he added.
“After Pathankot attack, we have reviewed the security of all the army formations and bases as to how to strengthen the security network around them. Whatever action is needed to strengthen the security is being taken up,” he added.
On the the firing ranges in the state, he said, “As far as firing ranges are concerned, yes, there is a positive move forward. One range in Nowshera area has been notified.”
“As far as Kalith in Jammu region is concern, additional compensation has been demanded for the people who live in that area. From our side, we have recommended additional compensation and we are hopeful that we will get a decision on it too,” army commander said.
“Similarly for Ladakh, we will be able to move forward. Where we think some progress should be made for field firing ranges in Kashmir Valley. We have given some recommendations. We are thinking we are a little far away there. We wish we could move faster there,” he added.
Regarding the busting of spy rings in armed forces, he said, “This is one area that is quite sensitive. One odd incident is happening. We are looking it seriously.”
Army commander said they have flagged the issue of hike in allowance in next pay commission.
“…After the pay commission gave its recommendations, we have some observation in some areas, for example Siachen allowance. These issues have been flagged by the Army Headquarters. It was flagged by the three service chiefs to the ministry and I am hopeful that the issue will get a positive response from the government,” he said.
“There are number of anomalies for example in the allowance itself and also some variations in pay scales as well in the ranks of colonels and brigadiers,” he added.
The army commander further said it has been a given a detailed look by the three service chiefs.
“We feel that some issues need to be re-looked into and those issues have been already flagged,” he said.
He said the Centre has given a major boost to building of infrastructure along the Sino-Indian border line in Ladakh.
“The present Government (in India) has also given a major boost to try and built up infrastructure along the border line (in Ladakh)”, he added.
Replying to a question about the infrastructure development along LAC, he said, “As far as infrastructure development is concern along the LAC (Line of Actual Control), frankly, it is not as good as, what is obviously across the border”.
“The infrastructure, and the developments on the Chinese side are much more and therefore there is a big push over it in past few years”, he said.
He said that important roads in eastern Ladakh have been put under a special dispensation, additional troops have been moved and then there is a big push forward for infrastructure development.
On his visit to China, he said, “My visit to China was extremely useful. I think that my impression is that armies of both the countries are keen on keeping peace along the border-line and you have to see it on a day-to-day basis that things are calm along the border-line”.
“Additional meeting points have been set up. There are regular border personnel meetings. I think there is a understanding from both sides that we need to keep calm, peace and tranquility along the borderline”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Army Commander said bad weather conditions have hampered the airlifting of mortal remains of nine soldiers from Siachen Glacier, where they got buried under snow when their high-altitude post was struck by an avalanche, for journey to their native villages.
“Even if we get a break for one hour, we will immediately send helicopters and lift them (the mortal remains),” Northern Command Chief, Lt Gen Hooda said.
Meanwhile, in a separate handout, Northern Command said attempts were being made today to fly helicopters to the post but they’ve to return due to bad weather.
They continue to remain on standby awaiting for the weather to improve, it said.
“We’re in touch with the families (of the dead soldiers). All the arrangements to get them out from there to Delhi and rest places have been made. Unfortunately, the weather has not cleared up,” Hooda said.
He said, “It’s very important for us how to pull out mortal remains. The day we evacuated Lance Naik Hanamanthappa the snowfall had started in the area. Braving the bad weather we evacuated him to the hospital as he was absolutely critical.”
He said the remains of the soldiers were shifted from that post area to a bigger place in the glacier sector where there is a helipad but since that day the snowfall has not stopped.
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