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.
