LAC situation stable but unpredictable, prepared for any eventuality: General Manoj Pande

New Delhi. Strongly asserting that the Indian Army is powerful and ready to tackle any adverse situation on the International Borders, the Army Chief General Manoj Pande said on January 12 that India has maintained adequate deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, where the situation of stable but unpredictable in the face of a two-year stand-off, and is prepared to deal with any eventuality.

“Our preparedness levels are of a very high standard. We have adequate forces and reserves in each of our sectors to be able to effectively deal with any contingency,” Gen Pande said at his annual press conference here ahead of the Army Day Parade on January 15.

“We were able to resolve five of the seven issues that were on the table, and we are continuing to talk both at diplomatic as well as military level,” Gen Pande said, adding that the situation along the LAC was one of the challenges confronting the army but it had dealt with it in a firm and resolute manner. “We have been able to maintain a very robust defensive posture to prevent any attempts by the adversary to unilaterally change the status quo,” he maintained.

Gen Pande said there was no change in the deployment by the PLA across the northern LAC and the Indian Army had an equal number of troops on its side as well as adequate reserves to deal with any contingency. Noting that there was a slight increase in the number of PLA troops across LAC in the eastern sector, and the Indian Army was keeping a close watch, he added: “We have adequate forces available. We are well poised to meet any challenge.”

On infrastructure development in the northeast, Gen Pande said: “The Indian Army is also creating a huge road network in their part alongside the International Border area. Simultaneously, India is boosting infrastructure projects near the Indo-China border. These border connecting roads will be all-weather roads. Besides, tunnels and bridges are also being constructed to reach the border in minimum time,” he pointed out.

During the last three years, the Army Chief said, some Rs 1,300 crore has been spent in Ladakh for infrastructure and habitat requirements. In the last two years, habitats for around 55,000 troops and 400 guns were completed in the Eastern Ladakh sector, he added.

On Jammu and Kashmir, he said the ceasefire understanding with Pakistan in February 2021 has been holding well “though cross-border terrorism continues, So we are remaining alert”.

“In the hinterland itself, we have seen some of the proxy tanzeems indulging in activities purely with a view to gain visibility and stay in the news. But what is heartening is the marked reduction in violence parameters. People of the state are partnering with the government for a number of development initiatives. Notwithstanding this, we remain alert both at LoC as well as the hinterland.” he said.

Gen Pande said an integrated and tri-service response to deal with security challenges would be an imperative in the future. “Towards this, we need to get the right tri-service structures in place and the three services are in the process of consultation and deliberations on issues related to theatre commands,” he said.

Speaking on the impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on India, Gen Pande said there were lessons for India.

“We carried out an analysis of what lessons are there for us at operational, strategic and tactical levels. We have to contextualise these lessons. We have incorporated them in terms of larger weapons platform, cyberspace,” he maintained.

On more women officers in the Army, Gen. Pande said women officers might be commissioned soon into the Artillery, for which a proposal has been forwarded to the government.

He said empowerment of women was a focus area in which the army has made good progress. He added the grant of permanent commission to women officers will pave the way for them to assume leadership roles, including command of units.

As for the situation rising Joshimath town of Uttarakhand, which is threatened with subsiding. Gen Pande said: “If we are asked, in that case the Army is ready to help the local people in Joshimath. Army also can help in evacuating the people from the area.”