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Army to continue counter insurgency ops

Army to continue counter insurgency ops

Author: Excelsior Special Correspondent
Publication: The Daily Excelsior
Date: January 16, 2004
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/04jan16/news.htm#4

Expressing satisfaction over improving situation in the State, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) Northern Command Lieutenant General Hari Prashad today asserted that Army would continue its counter-insurgency operations in the hinterland of the State.

He also made it clear that fencing along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) would continue despite rapprochement between India and Pakistan.

"Fencing work along the LoC and IB will continue as usual which is necessary to prevent infiltration despite improvement in ties between two countries," Lt Gen Hari Prasad told reporters on the sidelines of the investiture ceremony on the occasion of the Army Day.

It is worthwhile to mention here that last month the Army had claimed that infiltration was taking place from across the border despite cease-fire and said it was maintaining its operational posture to foil any attempts to disrupt peace.

In the first major infiltration attempt since cease-fire along the LoC, seven terrorists tried to cross over in the Balakote area of Mendhar sector in Poonch district last month but were detected by the troops and gunned down.

"The ongoing cease-fire has helped the Army's counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and we have been able to establish reasonable level of normalcy in the State," Gen Prasad said and asserted that operations would be continued in the hinter-land.

Replying to a question regarding situation on border after cease-fire, the Army Commander said there was absolute peace on the borders with Pakistan ever since cease-fire came into force on November 26 last year and added there was peace along the Sino-Indian borders as well.

Appreciating soldiers for bravely fighting with terrorism, he said that the Army had been successful in combating cross-border terrorism in the State in the last one and a half decade and it was determined to restore peace despite attempts by India's neighbour to foment trouble. "Since 90s our soldiers have been bravely fighting with terrorism supported by our neighbour", he said, adding, "it is all due to the sacrifices of the soldiers that situation has been changing". He lavished all praise on soldiers for frustrating evil designs of the anti-national forces.

"Normalcy is fast returning to the State and the Army is working in tandem with the Government to restore the past glory of Jammu and Kashmir," Gen Prasad said.

"There has been a turnaround in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism Industry has been revived and the volume of trade has also increased," the Army Commander said.

"All the organs of the Government are once again functioning normally and there will be absolute peace in the State in the next couple of years," Gen Prasad said. "The Army fulfilled its task successfully last year and will scale new heights this year."

The Northern Command of the Army was a very crucial one and the officers and jawans of the command had displayed exemplary courage and valour be it the wars of 1948, 1965, 1971 or the more recent Kargil war or counter- insurgency operations since 1990, he said.

"Today the challenge before the Indian Army is adapting to the latest technology and at the same time retain the old characteristics of a soldier and we have been successful in our endeavour," the Army Commander said.

Army would extend all possible help to the families of the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives while fighting the militants, Gen Prasad said.

Earlier, Gen Prasad presented one Yudh Seva Medal, 84 Sena Medals, one Sena Medal for devotion to duty, three bars to Sena Medals and four Vishisht Seva Medals to the officers and jawans for their gallantry and distinguished service. Eight of the Sena Medals were presented posthumously, which were received by the next of the kins of the martyrs.

The Vishisht Seva Medals were presented to Maj Gen Mohan Pande, Brigadier Vijay Kumar Saxena, Kamal Jethanand Keswani, Additional DIG of the Border Security Force and Col Arindam Mazumdar.

President of Army Wives Welfare Association Northern Command, Mrs Hari Prashad interacted with the next of the posthumous awardees and lauded the supreme sacrifice of the jawans.

Besides the soldiers, their families and retired army personnel, many civil and police dignitaries also attended the function.
 


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