Security situation under control: Northern Army Commander M V Suchindra Kumar

Jammu, Oct 25: General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar Friday assured that the (security) situation in J&K was under control and synergised efforts would successfully break the renewed cycle of violence.

He was responding to queries during a brief media interaction at Udhampur after inaugurating four NCC units in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

He stated that 720 terrorists were neutralised during the past five years and terrorism was on steady decline. Lt Gen Suchindra said that the rattled adversary, seeing the failure of its narrative, was trying to push in terrorists but the specialised additional forces brought in, were trained to tackle this situation and the army was confident that they would be able to effectively bring down the scale of violence.

With regard to recent terror incidents in Kashmir, he stated that deliberations took place during the Unified Headquarters meeting on October 24 yet did not divulge details about it. Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar, however, shared brief inputs about the army’s preparedness and general strategy to deal with renewed surge in terror incidents.

With regard to thaw vis-a-vis stalemate with China on the LAC in Ladakh, the Northern Army Commander said that broad consensus was achieved to restore the ground situation based on principles of equal and mutual security and it included “patrolling and grazing to traditional areas.”

ARMY CONFIDENT TO BRING DOWN SPURT IN TERROR INCIDENTS

How prepared Indian army was to tackle a spurt in terror attacks across J&K, with specific reference to Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua areas, in response to this question, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar, describing the question as very topical, stated, “This region, starting from Kathua, Samba and the districts of Rajouri, Poonch and in the hinterland i.e., Reasi, Udhampur, besides Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah (sub) region, has been largely peaceful for, say may be, more than decade or decade and a half. It (region) has a challenge of both International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC). It has roughly about 210 kms of IB and about an equal amount in the neighbouring (Western) Command.”

“Now what actually has happened over the last five years in Jammu and Kashmir is - a large number of terrorists, almost 720, have been neutralised and the residual terrorists today, as the agencies, multi-agencies keep updating the numbers, stands something like 120-130. Now also the recruitment figures are in single digit, if you look at them on a year-on-year basis. The adversary, therefore, finds that his narrative and the terrorism, that he is nurturing, is on extremely steady decline. Some years it drops substantially.

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So there is a push- to push the terrorists in,” he said, in response to a question pertaining to a series of terror activities in South of Pir Panchal, the area which had been peaceful for a longer period of time.

“We have had successes at the LoC in Rajouri district, also in Baramulla and Kupwara and the last few weeks you would have learnt from both what we’ve put out in the media and also from the news itself, the aim appears to be, like all terrorism, is to intimidate the populace, disrupt the peace and development in the area, the normal democracy processes that are there,” the Northern Army Commander stated.

STRATEGY IN PLACE WILL APTLY HANDLE SITUATION

Asserting that the situation was under control, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar said that the strategy in place would succeed to break the renewed cycle of violence.

“I must assure you that the situation is under control. Our strategy is to get accurate information firstly, intelligence with all-weather surveillance on the LoC, including a host of technological infusion, some of it you will get to see, which are on display; dynamic multi-tier counter infiltration grid and also a dynamic deployment in the hinterland in synergy with various stakeholders,” he shared brief inputs about strategy.

“We have inducted additional forces, as like you mentioned, once the situation started getting into higher levels of violence. They are trained (to tackle this situation) and we’re confident that we will handle the situation,” he said.

FOCUS ON BREAKING CYCLE OF VIOLENCE, DISMANTLE TERROR ECOSYSTEM

He stated that in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, they were concentrating on breaking the cycle of violence and dismantling the terror ecosystem, empowering youth and women, facilitating education, promoting sports and reviving the rich historical and cultural legacy. “The Indian Army upholds the principle of 'Service Before Self’ and is the key facilitator in nation building by ensuring security along the borders, Counter Terrorism operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and aid to civil authority,” he said.

The core of this strategy was to strengthen the relationship amongst the citizens and the soldiers, while encouraging nationalist and mainstream narratives, particularly amongst the youth, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar said.

He stated that these initiatives not only fostered greater community engagement but also supported the successful execution of kinetic operations in the region.

“Through integrated military and social outreach efforts, we are contributing to the broader process of nation-building. Our endeavours in kinetic and non-kinetic operations have facilitated greater security. Anti Infiltration grid along the Line of Control and focused Counter Terrorism operations in the hinterland have ensured an environment of relative peace and development in J&K,” he said.

The Northern Army Commander said that there was a synergy between the Indian Army, JKP, civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces and Intelligence Agencies which paid rich dividends.

“We are simultaneously focused on the capability development in the Northern Theatre. Multiagency infrastructure development drive is underway along the northern borders enhancing forward area connectivity. A variety of weapon platforms and equipment are under procurement. Major impetus has also been given to upgrade and overhaul the current inventory besides to modify and refurbish existing equipment to enhance the operational capability,” he said.

THAW ACHIEVED ON LAC IN LADAKH

Regarding development along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar said, “You must be aware that the Foreign Secretary in his statement on October 21, 2024, followed by the Chief of the Army Staff and yesterday, the Defence Minister, when he was addressing the Chanakya Dialogue, stated that over the last several weeks, Indian and Chinese diplomatic and military negotiators have been in close contact with each other in a variety of forums.”

“Aim was to resolve the differences in balanced areas along the Line of Actual Control and pursuant to the talks, a broad consensus has been achieved to restore the ground situation based on principles of equal and mutual security. The consensus achieved includes patrolling and grazing to traditional areas. Agreement has been arrived at on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control in the India-China border areas, leading to disengagement and a resolution of the issues that had arisen in these areas in 2020,” he said.

The Northern Army Commander said that the Indian Army was also a major participant in the ‘Make in India’ initiative to transform itself into a modern, Atmanirbhar and technologically advanced force.

“Northern Command with its focus on operations has itself remained at the forefront of this drive. We are working in close coordination with the industry to develop niche technology equipment to further augment our capability,” he said.

While referring to Operation Sadbhavana Projects, Northern Army Commander said that in addition to its role in internal and external security of the nation, the Army was also focusing on carrying out development activities in border and remote areas of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

“Peace, prosperity and improved security situation in J&K were due to concerted and synergised efforts of the Indian Army and all other agencies and stakeholders. Indian Army will forever strive to provide a secure environment to the people of Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh,” he said.

Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar stated that the Village Defence Guards’ setup was being strengthened.

Earlier, he presided over the raising ceremony at Udhampur of four new National Cadet Corps (NCC) units in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

The newly raised units include 6 J&K Bn NCC at Udhampur, 1 Air Squadron NCC at Udhampur, 7 J&K Bn NCC at Kupwara and 2 Ladakh BN NCC at Kargil, representing a significant step forward in extending the reach of the NCC in these strategically important regions.

The NCC cadets presented an impressive Guard of Honour to the Chief Guest. The newly raised units were presented with the scrolls; a symbol of honour, pride and responsibility.

A large number of dignitaries from civil administration and state officials attended the function including Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Additional Secretary School Education, Garib Dass, Director Police Academy, Saloni Rai, DC Udhampur.

The Northern Army Commander said that NCC expansion was a strategic decision and highlighted the unique role of NCC in national integration.

“The youth of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh have immense potential and their contribution to the nation can be transformational,” he said, adding that the formation of an Air Squadron NCC will allow cadets to explore the exciting field of aviation, broadening their horizons beyond conventional roles.

Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh Director General NCC was also present on this occasion. “We are now increasing the overall cadet strength to 20 lakhs with new raisings being pioneered by Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Directorate and nation-wide expansion of existing NCC Battalions,” Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh said.