‘Army on high alert, ready to respond to any threat’

Rajouri, Apr 13: Asserting that Army is on high alert, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Ace of Spades Division, Major General Kaushik Mukherji on Monday said that the soldiers are fully prepared to respond to any threat from across the border.
Addressing a ‘Rajouri Day’ event, GOC Mukherjee said, “The Army is ready to give a strong response to any hostile action and is closely monitoring the security situation in the region.”
He said the Army, civil administration and local residents in Rajouri and Poonch districts are working in coordination to maintain peace and stability in the border areas. “Given the prevailing situation, we remain vigilant and fully prepared to deal with any eventuality,” he said.
GOC Mukherjee paid tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1947–48 operations to liberate Rajouri from enemy forces, saying their sacrifice continues to inspire the armed forces.
He also remembered officers and personnel who laid down their lives during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ acknowledging their contribution to national security.
Highlighting the role of civilians, the GOC said that cooperation from local residents is a major strength for the Army in countering threats. He noted that people in the region stand shoulder to shoulder with security forces, helping in maintaining vigilance and thwarting any attempts to disturb peace.
“Apart from security measures, the Army is also focusing on community outreach and development initiatives in the region,” he said, adding, “A project to manufacture interlocking tiles from plastic waste is being launched in Rajouri and Poonch, which will contribute to environmental protection while also creating livelihood opportunities for local residents.”
He said that under the Digital Bharat Darshan programme, students from government schools are being virtually connected to major cities across the country on a monthly basis to broaden their exposure and awareness. (KNO)