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Army ready to hold ground in Ladakh for as long as it takes, says Army chief

He admits possibility of China-Pak collusive threat

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Army Chief Army Chief General M.M. Naravane said the Indian forces are prepared to hold ground as long as it takes to achieve national objectives, even as he hoped for an amicable solution to the India-China standoff.

The armies of the two countries has been in an eyeball to eyeball situation on the icy heights of Himalayan frontiers for the last nine months, as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks failed to resolve the issue. General Naravane said India is focusing on a solution to the Ladakh standoff through talks, which will be based on “equal and mutual security”.

Speaking to media ahead of the Army Day (January 15), General Naravane maintained that they are ready to meet any challenge as the operational preparedness of Indian Army is of “high order,” but added that re-balancing of force structure towards northern borders is required. He noted that as far as capability development is concerned, there has been a significant improvement as many contracts were signed recently, including weapons and gear to infantry, communication, and engineering systems. "It has been all around development and each arm and services have got what they need," he said.

"As events in eastern Ladakh show, there was indeed a requirement of carrying out re-balancing of the northern border. That is what we have put in place,” General Naravane said while underplaying reports of China pulling back nearly 10,000 troops from the Eastern Ladakh sector across the LAC.

"PLA troops in the depth areas of Tibetan plateau, who had come to training areas, have gone back, so there is a reduction. However, no change of posture at friction points," the Army chief said.

He also admitted that China had the first-mover advantage on Eastern Ladakh in early months of last year, but added that "Indian forces surprised them with our action in August and it put us in the advantage despite eyeball to eyeball confrontation". The Army chief was referring to Indian army's Operation Snow Leopard on August 29 to take control of dominating heights in the Chushul region of the southern bank of Pangong Tso. By gaining control of dominating heights, Indian Army can overlook Chinese Moldo Garrison.

Indian Army has occupied some strategic heights—Magar Hill, Gurung Hill, Gorkha Hill and Reqin La, and are within their side of the LAC.

On the lean and mean army concept, General Naravane said the Army is in the midst of a restructuring and is being transformed from manpower intensive to technology-intensive force, and the are looking at blockchain technology, big data, artificial intelligence and quantum computing. "We are fully committed to various integrated commands. We will calibrate for smooth transition,” he said.

Despite massive troops deployment at the high altitude, the Army chief said cold injury casualties this year have remained constant with the past. It was 0.13 per cent last year and is 0.15 per cent this year.

The Army chief further said a collusive threat from Pakistan and China exists, and the two countries together form a “potent threat”, which cannot be wished away. "The two-front threat is something that we should be prepared to deal with," General Naravane said.

Meanwhile, following Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, Army is also giving combat role to women in the force. "Last month, I had initiated a proposal that women officers can be recruited to Army aviation. We are thinking that in the next course in July 2021, we will admit women officers for pilot training. And they will be inducted and deploy in frontline flying duties." Till date, the Army inducts women officers for desk jobs and do not give them field duty.

Dismissing a recent report by a military think-tank on stress among jawans, the Army chief said the sample size of 400 is not adequate. "For 99 per cent accuracy, at least 19,000 samples should have been taken. We have taken a number of measures to deal with stress in jawans. The number of suicides have reduced year-on-year," the Army chief said.

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