New Delhi [India], January 11: General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff, addressed the media on Thursday during the Annual Press Conference ahead of Army Day on January 15. Gen. Pande stated that the security situation on the northern border remains stable but sensitive, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts to find a solution.
He reported high operational preparedness and a balanced deployment along the northern border. Regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir (JK), Gen. Pande mentioned the continued adherence to the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and successful thwarting of infiltration attempts. He highlighted the robust anti-drone mechanism in place to prevent smuggling of weapons and narcotics. However, he expressed concern about increased terrorist activities in the Rajouri Poonch area, with support infrastructure from across the border.
Gen. Pande acknowledged disruptive technologies as a new arena for strategic competition, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its interests. He assured that security forces are fully aligned to maintain a stable and secure environment, both internally and externally.
Discussing the security situation in North-East India, Gen. Pande noted positive developments due to proactive government policies. He mentioned a reduction in violence parameters and efforts to stabilize the situation in Manipur.
The Chief of Army Staff highlighted the induction of advanced vehicles, drones, and counter-drone systems, along with the restructuring of artillery, electronic warfare, and intelligence units. He outlined plans to optimize military strength, replacing animals in transport units with drones by 2027.
Gen. Pande provided updates on the deployment of Agniveers, praising the positive feedback from the first two batches. He mentioned the deployment of 120 women officers with permanent commissions in command roles in field areas. Additionally, he announced the transition to fully online competitive and promotion exams by the end of the year.
