Army chief conducts maiden visit to LoC, reviews security situation

Rajouri, July 3: Just three days after taking over as the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi visited the forward locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu province and reviewed the security situation.

Exhorting the Army ranks on the LoC to meet all current and emerging challenges, the Army chief also met parents of those from the region who lost their lives, ex-servicemen, and Police officers at Poonch.

General Dwivedi took over as COAS on June 30 after General Manoj Pandey relinquished the office on his retirement.

Along with the Army Commander Northern Command, Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar, the Indian Army chief visited the forward locations of White Knight Corps falling in Akhnoor sub-division of Jammu district and Poonch district.

During his visit, the COAS reviewed the security situation along the LoC and met with troops guarding the LoC.

The Army chief was briefed on the operational preparedness as well as all other security aspects by the commanders on the ground.

During his visit, the COAS lauded all ranks for maintaining high standards of professionalism and exhorted them to remain steadfast in meeting all current and emerging security challenges.

“The COAS met the parents of brave hearts of Poonch region who laid their lives in the service of the nation,” the Army said in a statement issued here.

He also met the ex-servicemen and assured them of unwavering support from the Indian Army.

The Army chief also interacted with officials of J&K Police and prominent civil dignitaries and appreciated their synergy and cooperation with the Indian Army in maintaining peace and harmony in the region.

At Poonch, the COAS also reviewed the overall security situation in the hinterland and the operational progress of the forces.

On the sidelines of his maiden visit to the forward areas, the Army chief also visited the District Police Headquarters in Poonch and emphasised close coordination between the Army, Police, and civil authorities for better results.

He was accompanied by the Northern Commander Lt Gen Kumar and Commander White Knight Corps Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva.

At the District Police Office Poonch, the COAS was warmly received by DIG Rajouri-Poonch range Tejinder Singh, District Magistrate Poonch Yaseen Muhammad Choudhary, and SSP Poonch Yougal Manhas.

During the visit, General Dwivedi familiarised himself with the workings of the district police and the general area of Poonch.

He interacted with the territorial police officers and emphasised the importance of close coordination between the Army and civil authorities to achieve better results.

The visit also saw the presence of Principal Secretary Home J&K Chandarker Bharti, GOC 25 Infantry Division Maj Gen Gourav Rishi, GOC Romeo Force Maj Gen Manish Gupta, SP OPs Poonch Mushim Ahmad, and other territorial officers of the Army and Police.

General Dwivedi’s visit underscores the commitment to maintaining strong collaboration between military and civil forces for enhanced security and development in the region.