COAS General Manoj Pande is on a two-day visit to Kashmir

Army chief General Manoj Pande arrived in Srinagar on Saturday on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, his first since taking over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

On arrival, General Manoj Pande accompanied by Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen ADS Aujla, Chinar Corps Commander proceeded to undertake a first-hand assessment of formations along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir.

The Army chief was briefed on the security situation and operational preparedness. The Formation Commanders also briefed him on the existing ceasefire agreement on the LoC, development works on field fortifications, counter-infiltration grid, operational preparedness and Army-citizen connect in border areas.

While interacting with Formation Commanders, General Manoj Pande laid special emphasis on being vigilant and maintaining the sanctity of the Line of Control. During his interaction with the troops, the COAS complimented them for their high morale and professional competence.

On his arrival at Chinar Corps HQ, Gen Pande was briefed by Lt Gen ADS Aujla on the overall security situation prevalent along the Line of Control and hinterland. The COAS said it was the dawn of a new era of development, peace and prosperity in Kashmir and applauded Chinar Corps for their high level of morale and contribution to peace building in the restive union territory.

The Army chief complimented the excellent synergy exhibited by all sections of the civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces and other security agencies in “projecting a whole of government approach’ that has resulted in improvement in the security situation conducive for fostering a new era of development in the UT.