Army Chief visits forward areas in Eastern Ladakh

New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Saturday visited forward areas in Eastern Ladakh and reviewed the operational preparedness of the forces deployed along the LAC in challenging inhospitable terrain. The General interacted with the troops and complimented them for their steadfastness and high morale, the Indian Army said. Gen Pande arrived at Leh on Thursday on a three day maiden visit to the Ladakh region after assuming the command of the Indian Army. The Army Chief, in an interaction with journalists this week, said that “China does not intend to find an early resolution to the overall boundary question.” Altering the May 2020 status, the PLA has also carried out construction of infrastructure near the LAC in order to station troops at the high altitude area for long periods. More than 50,000 soldiers continue to be deployed on both sides of the Line of Actual Control. During the visit to the region, Army Chief took a briefing from senior commanders on the security situation along the borders with special focus on Eastern Ladakh. Earlier, the Indian Army said that the high level of operational readiness is being maintained by the forces while maintaining a high tempo of capability development was highlighted. Accompanied by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi and General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps Lt Gen A Sengupta, the Army Chief also called on Lieutenant Governer of Union Territory of Ladakh RK Mathur on Thursday. Informing about the meeting with Mathur, the Indian Army said that a detailed discussion on issues related to Civil-Military cooperation and the role of Indian Army in developmental activities in the Union Territory of Ladakh took place. UNI ASU RKM