Yogesh Sagotra
Jammu, Jan 22: Lieutenant General Yogesh Kumar Joshi, General Officer Commanding in Chief, northern command on Saturday said that there has been a “reduction in militancy-related incidents, stone pelting activities and protests” as a result of tireless efforts of the security forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Army Commander said that 2021 was a watershed year for the Armed Forces wherein they displayed boldness in standing up to the aggressive designs on the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC). Joshi, the General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), was speaking at the northern command’s investiture ceremony Northern Command Headquarters at Udhampur today, for their overall outstanding and distinguished performance in the command theatre.
The Operation Snow Leopard’ is still on with troops on alert and ready to meet any eventuality as the focus of disengagements in Ladakh continues to be through talks, said Lt Gen Joshi.
He presented GOC-in-C’s appreciation to 40 units and GOC-in-C’s Certificates of Appreciation’ to 26 units for their outstanding’ and distinguished’ performance in the command theatre.
The GOC-in-C’s Appreciation was given to units for their performance in Operation Meghdoot, Operation Rakshak, Operation Northern Borders, and other operations.
The GOC-in-C’s Certificates of Appreciation were given to units involved in Operation Snow Leopard, which was launched after China refused to move back and restore status quo ante in eastern Ladakh.
“The importance of both the union territories of J&K and Ladakh is well known and we have played our role as far as the security of this region is concerned with full dedication and devotion and are maintaining our complete dominance, whether it is Line of Control, Line of Actual Control (LAC), Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) and International Border (IB),” the army commander said in his address.
He said the brave soldiers of the northern command foiled the aggressive designs of the enemy.
Referring to the developments in Ladakh in the wake of Chinese aggression, he said disengagement with People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was completed from various areas in a peaceful manner and efforts are on through dialogue for disengagement from other areas.
However, he said that the troops are maintaining alertness on the snow-bound peaks.
On counter-insurgency campaign undertaken under Operation Rakshak, he said the people of Kashmir have rejected terrorism, separatism, and gun culture, and after many years, the number of terrorists has gone below 200 in the valley which is a big achievement.
The ceasefire along the LoC has provided relief to the border residents. But the attempts of infiltration of terrorists is going on, which are being foiled by our alert security personnel, he said.
He said 2021 was a watershed year for the armed forces when they displayed boldness in standing up to the aggression on the LoC and LAC.
