‘India has operational advantage in Ladakh against Chinese Army’
Says northern command is facing a triple challenge from China, Pakistan and internal security
UDHAMPUR: Amid a protracted stalemate between India and China in eastern Ladakh, the general officer commanding-inchief (GOC-IN-C) of the Northern Command Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi on Friday said the Indian Army was perched at a position of operational advantage and was negotiating with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from a position of equivalence.
Addressing media persons on Army Day at the Northern Command headquarters here, Lt Gen Joshi said the northern command is facing a triple challenge posed by China, Pakistan and the internal security situation.
“At northern command, we are contending with a triple challenge. Firstly, we have a western adversary Pakistan which has not yet relented from using terror as a state policy… at the northern border we have seen the Chinese belligerence along the LAC… third is the internal security situation,” he said.
He said that the challenge in eastern Ladakh have been further complicated by vagaries of weather and terrain.
“However, the Indian Army has displayed immense grit and determination to match the Chinese belligerence and is giving them a befitting reply,” he said. “Relentless operations on the LOC backed by a robust multi agency grid in hinterland has forced the deep state in Pakistan to recalibrate its approach. Terrorist
networks are trying hard to abet recruitment through extensive use of social media,” he added.
The Northern Army chief hailed the people of the UT for successful conduct of the recent district development council elections. He also said that the abrogation of Article 370 was a game changer. Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a bitter standoff in eastern Ladakh since May 5 as multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks have not produced any breakthrough yet.
At the northern command, we are facing a triple challenge-- China, Pak and internal security situation. LT GEN JOSHI , GOC-IN-C Northern Command