New Delhi- The situation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri-Poonch region is a matter of “concern” and enhancing deployment of troops, boosting intelligence apparatus and reaching out to local people are part of measures being initiated to contain terrorist activities in the area, Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande said on Thursday.
At a press conference, he also said he has conveyed an unambiguous message to the soldiers and commanders that there will be “zero tolerance” to human rights violations and they must operate in a professional manner.
Three civilians were killed in Poonch last month allegedly during questioning by the Army in connection with an ambush of Army personnel by militants. Four Army soldiers were killed in the ambush.
“The situation in Poonch-Rajouri has been an issue of concern to us,” Gen Pande said.
He said that there has been a drop in overall incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir but such incidents have increased in Rajouri-Poonch sector. The terror infra continues to thrive across the border, in an apparent reference to Pakistan’s support to various terrorist groups, added.
It is learnt that the terrorists operating in the Rajouri-Poonch area are very well-trained in carrying out terror attacks and ambushes.
The Army Chief said his force is focusing on strengthening the human intelligence which includes synergising the Army’s efforts with other agencies, adding having support of the locals is also “extremely crucial” in anti-terror operations.
“We have already taken follow up action,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff said the Army is also looking at strengthening the ability to use technology to gather intelligence.
“We have enhanced our deployment and also reoriented some of the units,” he said.
At the same time he said the troops have been told to operate professionally.
“My guidance to soldiers and commanders is unambiguous — in terms of respect for human rights, there will be zero tolerance for any actions on that account,” he said.
“We have clearly laid out guidelines spelling out what you (Army personnel) must do and what you must not do in those areas and for the soldiers to be able to (operate)in a professional manner,” Gen Pande said.
He said there has been an increase in terrorist activities in Rajouri-Poonch region in the last five-six months.
“In the last five to six months, in Rajouri and Poonch, there has been an increase in terrorism. Terrorism in that area was eradicated in 2003 and peace was there till 2017-18,” he said.
“Because of the situation in the valley getting normal, this is one area, our adversaries have been active in, in terms of abetting terrorism, encouraging proxy tanzeems in operating in this area,” he said.
“Under Operation Sadbhavna, we are engaging with the local community (in Rajouri-Poonch). I personally interacted with the local community there and the army has already adopted the affected village (in Poonch),” he said.
The Army Chief said 45 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years.
‘Situation Around LAC Sensitive’
Army Chief said that the situation along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh is “stable” but “sensitive”, and asserted that Indian troops are maintaining a “high state” of preparedness to deal with any challenge.
Gen Pande also said that both India and China continue to hold talks at military and diplomatic levels to find a resolution to the remaining issues. Our operational preparedness continues to be at a high level, he said, noting that the Indian Army is maintaining adequate reserves to confront any security challenge in the region.
Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
Asked about talks between Bhutan and China to resolve their boundary dispute, Gen Pande suggested the developments having bearing on India’s security are being monitored.
We have robust military engagement with Bhutan and closely monitoring developments, he said
The Army Chief described the situation along the Indo-Myanmar border as a matter of concern.
We are closely watching developments there, he said. He also said that integration of Agniveers into the Army is moving forward well. The Army Chief also said that 2024 will be the year of technology adoption for the Indian Army as part of overall modernisation of the force.
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