Security situation remains volatile: Lt Gen Dwivedi
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Mar 15: The Army’s Northern Command is in a high state of readiness to face constantly evolving threats and challenges, General Officer-Commanding-in-chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi said today.
The Commander presented gallantry awards as well as distinguished service awards to bravehearts, both officers and other ranks, in a solemn and distinguished investiture ceremony here.
“The security situation in Northern Command continues to remain volatile, as we are the only command in active operations facing adversaries from both the northern and western front, in addition to the internal security threats,” he said.
“Northern Command is in a high state of readiness to face the constantly evolving threats and challenges,” he added.
Lt Gen Dwivedi also brought out that the ‘whole of nation approach’ has led to progressive improvement in security situation in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The extraordinary zeal and motivation among all ranks reassures me that security of the borders is in safe hands, he said.
The Commander further said that 2021 was an exigent year for the armed forces as the troops displayed exceptional bravery through a well-coordinated and an aggressive response strategy on the northern borders.
“Our forces have shown exemplary courage and remarkable fortitude in these testing times. I, convey my heartfelt gratitude to the brave soldiers of Indian Army for their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty defying all odds in Operation Rakshak, Operation Meghdoot and Operation Snow Leopard,” he said.
The Northern Command chief said the Army is committed to defend India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and believes in constructive dialogue through both military and diplomatic means to resolve the border issues.
“Restoration of peace and tranquility to enable progress in bilateral relations has been and will remain our constant endeavour. We are keeping a constant watch on all developments and will take all necessary steps to protect our national interests,” the Commander said.
He said besides the operational challenges on the Line of Actual Control and LoC, the Army remain committed to providing succour in the times of natural disasters which includes the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I also take this opportunity to laud the efforts of COVID warriors whose relentless efforts have kept us protected in these testing times,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi said ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ has bridged the gap between the armed forces and people resulting in a better civil-military integration and coordination.
“This has been achieved through well-orchestrated developmental work in conjunction with the civil administration and assisting grassroots level development activities in far flung areas under Project Sadbhavana,” he said.
“A participative approach by all stakeholders coupled with integration of all agencies and synergy of efforts to enhance development, improved educational facilities and employment opportunities for the youth will result in fulfilling the aspirations of the people,” he added.
The Commander also congratulated all the awardees and their families.
“I commend the ‘veer naris’ present here who bear the unfathomable loss of their loved ones with stoic silence. I wish to reassure you that we stand firmly besides you on your loss and remain committed to ensuring our unstinted support to you. We are deeply committed to ensure your resettlement with utmost dignity in society,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi exhorted all ranks of the Northern Command to be prepared for varied challenges on the internal and external security front.
“The nation looks upon us in times of crises and we have to live up to the hopes and trust reposed on us by our countrymen,” he said.
Lauding all ranks of the Northern Command for their dedication and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Army, Gen Dwivedi conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the brave men who made the supreme sacrifice while facing adverse situations.
He expressed his gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and the civil administration for their unstinted support and wished for peace and contentment for the people of the regions.
Meanwhile, one Lt Gen and two Major Generals were among 117 soldiers awarded for Gallantry and Distinguished Services as the Indian Army’s Northern Command conducted an investiture ceremony here to honour its personnel deployed in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Lt Gen Dwivedi presented the awards to officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, and other ranks.
Ninety-two gallantry awards were presented to those who showed exemplary courage under extreme circumstances and 25 distinguished service awards were presented for selfless service to the nation, a Defence spokesman said.
Out of the 92 gallantry awards, 19 of them were awarded posthumously to the next of kin of the soldiers who were martyred during combat.
They included Major Mayank Vishnoi of 44 Rashtriya Rifles (Rajput), who had rescued 12 trapped civilians and killed a terrorist during an anti-militancy operation in the Valley.
Another was Sepoy Chandan Kumar of 16 Bihar, who had shown exemplary courage during the Snow Leopard operation in Galwan valley in Ladakh, where Chinese and Indian troops were engaged for days in an aggressive face-off along the Sino-Indian border in May 2020.
Subedar Sukhdev Singh (16 Grenadiers), Havaldar Gokaran Singh (21 Kumaon), Hav Hardhan Chandra Roy (59 Med regiment), Naib Subedar Ravinder (16 Grenadiers), Naik Gurcharan Singh (14 Punjab), Gunner Bupender (327 Med regiment), and Sepoy Rohin Kumar (14 Punjab) were awarded Sena Medal posthumously for sacrificing their lives on the Line of Control (LoC) fighting ceasefire violations from across the border.
Three paratroopers – Balkrishan, Chhatrapal Singh, and Amit Kumar (all from 4 para special forces) – were honoured with the Sena Medal posthumously for eliminating several heavily armed terrorists trying to infiltrate through the LoC.
Naib Subedar Rajwinder Singh (1 Sikh LI) had foiled an attempt by terrorists to storm a post and killed one of them on August 29, 2020.
Naik Rajesh Kumar (21 RR), Sepoy Prashant Sharma (50 RR), Lance Naik Dinesh Singh (21 RR), and Raj Singh (10 RR), Jilajeet Yadav (53 RR), Rahul Rainswal (50 RR) demonstrated their courage during several anti-terrorist operations before making the supreme sacrifice.
Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujila, under whose command army troops killed eight hardcore terrorists and foiled nine infiltration attempts, was among four recipients of Yudh Sewa Medal.
Others who were awarded the medal are Brigadier K Ranjeev Singh, Colonel Pradeep Singh Saun, and Col Punyabachi Mohanty.
Singh had successfully set up a new brigade and made it operation-ready, while Saun had led his troops from 42 Rashtriya Rifles to face a challenging situation in south Kashmir’s Tral belt which led to neutralisation of 16 terrorists in eight successful operations.
Mohanty was awarded for his role in anti-terrorist operations in J&K and his vital contribution during snow leopard operation in Ladakh.
Eleven brigadiers, 19 Colonel and Lt Colonels and 23 Majors, Captains and Lieutenants too got award.
Lt Col (now Col) Rajkumar Pallab was awarded Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry).
Seventy-one soldiers received Sena Medal (Gallantry), 10 Sena Medal (distinguished), and 11 others Vishisht Sena Medal.
Maj Gen Rajiv Kumar Singh (Headquarters 91 Sub-area) and Maj Gen Ajay Chandpuria (headquarter 19 division) were awarded with Vishisht Sena Medal.
Presenting the awards, Dwivedi said, “I congratulate all the awardees and their proud families, whose singular acts of valour and selfless sacrifice have been instrumental in our success.”
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