Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan commenced his inaugural visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions on Friday, undertaking critical security reviews along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amidst heightened border vigilance.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that General Chauhan, who assumed the role of CDS on May 31, initiated his tour by visiting the Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur and the XVI Corps Headquarters in Nagrota. He subsequently conducted an aerial and ground assessment of forward defence positions along the LoC in the strategically sensitive Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Sources indicated that during his visit to the Northern Command and XVI Corps, senior military commanders provided comprehensive briefings on the prevailing security landscape in Jammu and Kashmir. These discussions encompassed ongoing counter-militancy operations, effectiveness of anti-infiltration measures, and preparations for the forthcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, which is slated to commence on July 3.
The CDS was reportedly apprised of recent attempts by Pakistan-based militants to infiltrate across the border, many of which have been successfully foiled by vigilant troops. He also reviewed the Anti-Infiltration Grid, a crucial defensive mechanism designed to prevent cross-border incursions. General Chauhan is scheduled to proceed to Srinagar on Saturday, where he will review security arrangements at the XV Corps Headquarters and visit forward operational areas in the Kashmir Valley.
Concurrently, Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, arrived in Leh, Ladakh, on a three-day visit aimed at reviewing the operational situation along the Line of Actual Control with China. During his stay, Mr. Seth is expected to engage in detailed discussions with senior Army commanders concerning the ongoing border dynamics.
Mr. Seth’s itinerary also includes a visit to the Siachen Glacier, recognized as the world’s highest battlefield. The objective of this visit is to assess the operational preparedness and interact with troops stationed in the extreme high-altitude conditions, a challenging operational environment for the armed forces.
In parallel, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi was in Leh, reviewing the security posture in Eastern Ladakh. His discussions with senior Army commanders focused on the current situation along the LAC, where disengagement has occurred in several friction points following agreements between India and China. However, troop deployments remain in certain sectors, necessitating continued vigilance.
During his visit to Ladakh, General Dwivedi called on Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Their discussions centered on enhancing civil-military cooperation, strengthening coordination between the Union Territory administration and the armed forces, and advancing efforts towards ensuring peace, stability, and development within Ladakh. The meeting also addressed the potential re-employment of Agniveers within the Union Territory administration.
General Dwivedi later visited the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre. He received briefings on training initiatives, operational capabilities, regimental advancements, and ongoing civil-military cooperation efforts with the Ladakh Administration. He also reviewed the upgraded Mutup Sanghralaya, which now features a “Chief’s Corner” dedicated to the legacy of successive Chiefs of the Army Staff.
The Army chief commended the training staff for their professionalism in preparing soldiers for service in high-altitude terrain. He also acknowledged the Ladakh Scouts personnel for their high level of operational readiness and presented commendation cards to selected individuals in recognition of their dedication and contributions to operational preparedness.
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The Chenab Times News Desk