Army chief exhorts soldiers to remain vigilant on borders

New Delhi: Ahead of the Indian Army Day, the force chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday exhorted soldiers deployed along the Actual Ground Position Line, Line of Control and Line of Actual Control and those engaged in responding to the complex challenge of proxy war and internal security situations to remain vigilant at all times.

He said the primary responsibility of the Indian Army is to maintain operational readiness of the highest order. “I have no doubt that you (soldiers) shall ensure necessary operational ascendancy with respect to our Western adversary, while displaying steadfastness and resilience along the northern borders,” General Naravane said a day ahead of Army Day on January 15.

He stressed that on his part, he will ensure that the operational and logistic needs are met at all costs.

“In our quest to remain sharp and contemporary, we have carefully analysed the ‘geostrategic landscape’ and the ‘evolving character of war’, in emerging conflict situations, as relevant to the Indian context,” he said pointing that a number of steps have been taken towards doctrinal optimisation and capability enhancement.

The decision of the Central government to create a Department of Military Affairs under a Chief of Defence Staff is a seminal step.

“It will enable greater civil-military synergy, enhance productivity in strategic outcomes, as also facilitate far greater integration among the three services. We remain committed to developing necessary operational synergy,” he stressed.

The Indian Army is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the principle of gender equality, said the Army Chief, adding that the first batch of 100 women Military Police personnel have commenced training from January 6, 2020, and will shortly be deployed in the field formations.

“The welfare and personal development of our jawans, remains our foremost concern. There has been a concerted effort, therefore, towards establishing a greater connect with the jawans and their families”, he said.

“The next of kin of our jawans have received our special focus. Last year, we have disbursed from our Welfare Funds, over Rs 11 crore to our battle casualties and Rs 42 core to the next of kin to meet their sustenance and aspirational needs,” he said.

Published on: Jan 14, 2020 at 21:18 IST

IANS