Tribune News Service & PTI

Jammu/Srinagar, July 26

The Army is capable of meeting any contingency or challenge along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan or the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, a top commander said on Thursday.He said the modernisation of the armed forces was going on in a big way and it had improved operational preparedness.“I can tell you that the Army is fully prepared to take on any challenge along the LAC and even along the LoC,” General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told reporters in Drass after paying tributes to the 1999 Kargil war heroes.In the past 19 years, the modernisation of the armed forces was going on in a big way, he said.“We have been able to identify certain areas where we required additional focus — whether in the form of infrastructure development close to the LoC or on the LAC or improvement in night vision, surveillance and night fighting capabilities. Substantial improvement has taken place so far as ops preparedness is concerned,” he said.He downplayed incidents of transgression along the LAC by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China saying these happened due to differing perception about the LAC.“On a large number of occasions, there are reports about PLA’s transgressions in various areas along the LAC. But these have always taken place in areas where we have differing perception of the LAC. We do not have a delineated LAC. Similarly, when we speak to Chinese authorities, they also refer to us having transgressed into their territory on several occasions,” he added.On the situation in Kashmir, he said it was stable but fragile.“The situation in Kashmir is stable. However, it is fragile. The parameters of violence in 2018 are relatively better as compared to 2017 and earlier years. The stone-throwing activities are relatively less this year,” he said.Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said the situation deteriorates whenever Pakistan pushes in funds, weapons or militants.Earlier, the GOC-in-C led a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Drass war memorial. Gallantry award winners, next of kin of the martyrs, Veer Naris, senior Army officers and civil dignitaries also paid tributes to the martyrs.A defence spokesperson said the sombre mood at the ceremony brought home memories of the losses borne by the martyrs’ families.Thanking everyone for participating in the event, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said the commemoration was the Army’s modest homage to the martyrs and a way of remembering the contribution of the units and formations in the conflict that gave India its finest victory in recent times.‘Kashmir situation stable but fragile’The situation in Kashmir is stable. However, it is fragile. The parameters of violence in 2018 are relatively better as compared to 2017 and earlier years. The stone-throwing activities are relatively less this year. — Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Northern Command Chief