Says forces ready to hold ground as long as it takes to achieve national objective
As his troops are braving harsh winters in Ladakh, Army Chief General MM Naravane said here on Tuesday that he favoured dialogue to defuse tension, but the forces are ready to hold ground as long as it takes to achieve the national objective. He also said the solution should be based on “equal and mutual security.”
Making this point against the backdrop of scores of diplomatic and military-level talks failing to end the impasse at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Naravane also underlined the “collusive threat” of Pakistan and China and termed it as “potent threat.”
Assuring that the armed forces are ready to face any challenge, he said eight rounds of military-level talks have taken so far and “if the process prolongs so be it. We are prepared to hold our ground as long it takes to achieve our national goals and objectives.”
Addressing the annual Press conference ahead of the Army Day on January 15, he, however, was hopeful that India and China will be able to reach an agreement to resolve the eastern Ladakh standoff.
Operational preparedness of the Indian armed forces is of very high level and they will continue to hold onto their ground. Informing that the forces are alert all along the 4,000 km long LAC, the Army Chief said the stand-offs prompted the Army to do rebalancing of troops.
The Army Chief also said reports indicated that China had pulled back its troops from the depth areas in the Tibetan plateau due to onset of winter months. He cautioned that not much should be read into it as the force levels at all the friction points at the LAC remain the same.
He also said the depth areas or training grounds of China are at least 500 to 1,500 km away from the LAC. The need of the hour is to maintain vigil at the border where force levels were intact in Eastern Ladakh.
At present, more than 50,000 Chinese troops are deployed all along the LAC in Ladakh and India also responded by positioning nearly the same number of mountain warfare trained troops.
Explaining the sequence of events leading to the nine-month long stand-offs, the Army Chief said every year China holds exercises in the Tibetan plateau. However, China being the first mover had the advantage of surprise he said in obvious reference to the transgressions.
The Indian Army reciprocated in August when its crack troops occupied heights and surprised the Chinese, Naravane said adding “it put us in the advantage despite eyeball to eyeball confrontation”.
He was referring to the Indian troops taking control of dominating heights in the Chushul region of the southern bank of Pangong Tso. By gaining control of dominating heights, Indian can overlook Chinese Moldo Garrison. India military has occupied some strategic heights - Magar Hill, Gurung Hill, Gorkha Hill and Reqin La, and are within their side of the LAC.
As regards the collusive threat of Pakistan and China, the Army Chief said it cannot be wished away. The security establishment regularly carries out review and the armed forces are ready to deal with a two-front war if need be, he said.
The Army next year will have its first batch of women pilots flying helicopters in operational areas including Siachen and rugged mountains of the north-east. Making this announcement here on Tuesday, Army Chief General MM Naravane said here he approved the proposal last month and the first batch of women pilots will start training from July this year. The one-year training will enable them to undertake flying missions and perform frontline duties. At present, women officers are posted at the air traffic control units. The IAF and Navy have already inducted women officers as pilots.