Tribune News Service

Drass, August 19

The Army transformed the trans-Himalayan heights soon after the Kargil war 19 years ago and the measures with additional focus have heightened its confidence level that it can take meet any challenge along the Line of Control (LoC) and the Line of Actual Control (LAC).The Ladakh region has borders with Pakistan — LoC — and also with China — LAC. The terrain and the forbidding low temperatures that dip to minus 40°C during winter multiply the challenges.Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh’s words during his interaction with media on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Divas on July 26 have become a template for the rules that the troops have to follow in Jammu and Kashmir, the state under assault by the infiltration of terrorists from across the LoC and those getting recruited from within.This kind of infrastructural developments and overall modernisation has increased the overall war fighting capacity of the soldiers. Now, they have the night vision devices and night fighting capabilities. Now, no adversary can surprise the Army.The situation on the LoC, particularly in the Kashmir valley and Jammu region, is connected to the situation in the hinterland. Pakistan is continuing with its infiltration bids and has sought to push a number of infiltrators from across the LoC, particularly the Kupwara frontier, over the past few weeks.For them, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had a stern message that “any terrorist coming from across the LoC will not live for another day. This is the level of the preparedness of our forces.”Within the Valley, the situation is better than the previous years, but the Army has maintained its vigil. The Army is committed to neutralising “those who undertake terrorist activities”.Lt Gen Ranbir Singh made it clear to the soldiers, “Our operations have to be carried out effectively and in a very professional manner.” He demanded of the soldiers “complete respect for human rights and minimal collateral damage during encounters”.The most profound part of the message was that “we should try to ensure that there shouldn’t be any kind of civilian casualties… civilians who are not part of terrorist groups”.This message has percolated down to every soldier on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir.