Jammu, Jan 15: Northern Command Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi on Friday said that in Northern Command, Army is contending with triple challenges.
Speaking on the occasion of the Army Day, Lt Gen Joshi during media interaction said that in Northern Command, we are contending with triple challenges.
“First we have the western adversary that is Pakistan which has not relented from using militancy as an instrument of state policy,” said the Army Commander.
Earlier he also paid a tribute to the brave hearts of the Indian Army by laying a wreath at the Dhruva War Memorial. Later in the day he also launched the biggest musical talent hunt event of UT of J&K called “Shaurya”.
The Army Day is celebrated in recognition of Field Marshal KM Cariappa (then Lt Gen) taking over as first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India on 15 Jan 1949.
The Army Day marks the day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and its citizens.
Secondly, the Army Commander said, “we have northern borders where we have seen the Chinese belligerence on the LAC where it has tried to alter the status quo which has been contested with resolve and courage by the Indian Army.”
And thirdly, the internal situation in J&K which is stable and under control but has the propensity to flare up at any time. There is also a collusive factor with threat ranging from supplying of weapons to sharing of operational practices and so on, he added.
The Army Commander also brought out the complex, volatile, uncertain and ambiguous conflict paradigm in the Northern Command.
“Relentless operations on the LC backed with a robust multi-agency grid in the hinterland has forced the deep state in Pakistan to recalibrate its approach to handle this situation,” he said adding that the terrorist network across is trying hard to abet recruitment by extensive use of social media.
“The recent DDC elections have conveyed the resolve and will of the Awaam to shun separatism and embrace democracy. The abrogation of Article 370 and improvement in governance has been a major game-changer and helped in restoring the faith of the common people in the institutions of the Government,” he added.
Indian Army has played its designated role of creating an ecosystem of safety and normalcy during COVID. “Op Sadbhavna” has been pivotal in providing avenues of employment and education to the youth, said the Army Commander.
Lt Gen Joshi further said that the challenge in Eastern Ladakh has been further complicated by vagaries of weather and terrain. The Indian Army has displayed immense grit and determination to match the Chinese belligerence and giving them a befitting reply.
The Army Commander said that we Northern Command is now perched at a position of operational advantage and are negotiating with the PLA from a position of equivalence.
While inaugurating the launch of the musical talent hunt “Shaurya”, the Army Commander lauded the efforts of “Mausqui Studios”, who along with active support of the Northern Command Army, have conceptualized and organized musical talent hunt programme.
Renowned Bollywood celebrities and legends like Sukhwinder Singh and Dilshaad Shabbir Shaikh have promoted the talent hunt and provided an opportunity at the doorsteps of the youth of J&K to help them explore new vistas in the music industry.
Over 2000 talented youth of Jammu & Kashmir joined the online audition which was spread over seven days. This was followed up by offline audition for four days, two days each form Jammu and Srinagar.
Finally, ten talented youth comprising vocalists and instrumentalists have been selected to form the J&K Band. This Band will be groomed before they showcase their talent on Jan 18, 2021, in Srinagar. While the entire Band will share the stage with famous singer Sukhwinder Singh, the top three will be performing with him.
Post this performance, the Band members will be travelling to Mumbai for training and grooming and undertaking contractual performances.
While interacting with the media, the Army Commander awarded “Certificates of Appreciation” to the outstanding media personnel, who have served the public interest in a fair, accurate and unbiased manner, especially during COVID times, bringing out the best form of truth but yet holding the national interest namely Pradeep Dutta, Times Now, Ajay Bachloo, ABP News, Vishal Bharti, UNI, News, PTI and Channi Anand, AP.
The Army Commander commended all ranks of Northern Command for their dedication and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.
He brought out that the success of the Indian Army is due to its gallant and brave soldiers who have minimal requirements but will achieve victory every time even at the cost of their lives. He said it is never about the weapon but the man behind it who wins the battle.
