Army Chief General MM Naravane on Wednesday said abrogation of Article 370 giving special status to Jammu & Kashmir last year was historic and landmark and said the move has disrupted proxy war by “our” western neighbour(Pakistan).
“Repealing of special powers under Article 370 is a landmark step. This is a major step in integrating Jammu & Kashmir into the rest of the country,” he said while addressing the force on the 72nd Army Day parade at Cariappa parade ground.
Observing that the situation on the Line of Control (LoC) is linked to the situation in Kashmir, he said the move has disrupted the proxy war by ‘our” neighbour. Insisting that the armed forces have zero tolerance against terrorism, the Army Chie also said “we have many options to counter those who promote terrorism and we will not hesitate to use them.”
He said the country had to face some security challenges last year and said the armed forces not only countered proxy war but other situations. “Whether it is LoC (Line of Control) or LAC (Line of Actual Control), we have ensured security with activeness and strength,” Naravane said, adding the situation at northern borders (China border) is relatively peaceful.
Mentioning his visit to Siachen last week, the Army Chief said he was extremely happy to see all the ranks brimming with confidence at the post. “In last few days, some of our soldiers achieved martyrdom due to avalanche. We will always remember their sacrifice,” he noted.
Dhanush and K-Vajra gun systems were showcased for the first time in the Army parade. Besides Naravane, IAF chief RKS Bhadauria, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat were present on the occasion.
Army’s Captain Tania Shergil, the first woman Parade Adjutant, led all-men contingents at the Cariappa Parade Ground here. She is a fourth generation army officer and is serving in the Corps of Signals after getting commissioned in 2017..
Her father was in the 101 medium artillery regiment, grandfather was in 14th Armoured Regiment (Scinde Horse) and great grandfather in the Sikh Regiment.
The Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to mark Lt General K M Cariappa taking over as commander-in-chief of the Indian Army in 1949 from General Francis Butcher, the last British commander-in-chief of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted army personnel on the Army Day, saying they are the pride of India. “The Indian Army is the pride of Mother India. On the occasion of Army Day, I salute the indomitable courage, valour of all the soldiers of the country,” he wrote on Twitter.