Coronavirus: Army confirms 8 cases, first patient joins duty after recovering

Army chief hits out against Pakistan for ceasefire violations during the pandemic

PTI12_31_2019_000188A Army Chief General M.M. Naravane

The Indian Army has so far reported only eight positive cases of coronavirus infection, Army Chief General M.M. Naravane said on Friday. "So far, we have only eight positive cases in the entire Indian Army. Of the eight, two are doctors and one nursing assistant. Four are responding well to the treatment," the Army chief told ANI. 

The first coronavirus positive case in the Indian Army was reported in Ladakh on March 18. "Now, he is fully cured and has joined duty," General Naravane informed on Friday. The 34-year-old soldier came in contact with his father, with travel history to Iran, who had already contracted the infection. The coronavirus has infected a total of 13,387 people and killed 437 in India. 

Meanwhile, the army chief hit out against Pakistan amid the cross-border firings along the Line of Control even as both the countries are fighting the pandemic. "While we are busy not only helping our own citizens but the rest of the world too by sending medical teams and exporting medicines. On the other hand, Pakistan is only exporting terror. This doesn't augur well," Naravane said. 

The Army Chief, who is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, to review LoC operations, said, "It is very unfortunate that at a time when the whole world and India is fighting the pandemic, our neighbour continues to foment trouble for us." The LoC in recent days has seen several ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

Recently, the Indian Army carried out precision strikes against terrorist launchpads in the Dudhnial area in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was undertaken by the force after a series of ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts by the Pakistan Army in the Keran sector.

The Indian Army also killed five terrorists who had infiltrated from the Keran sector on April 1.

The terrorists had used the same launch pad which was targeted and destroyed by the Army later on in Dudhnial.