JAMMU: The Army’s northern commander Lt Gen Y K Joshi on Saturday said the agreement between India and Pakistan to adhere to the ceasefire pact along the Line of Control (LoC) would not affect counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the investiture ceremony at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, Lt Gen Joshi said, “Recently, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan announced an agreement to uphold ceasefire along the LoC from February 24 and 25 midnight… this will have no bearing on the counter-terrorism operations and we will maintain our alertness.” He said 2020 was historic in many ways for the Army, which demonstrated its mettle in eastern Ladakh by its grit, determination, self-confidence, bravery and steadfastness.
Without naming China and Pakistan, Lt Gen Joshi said that the Army has maintained its domination on its borders with the neighbouring countries and is maintaining peace in the hinterland. “Whenever anyone has dared to attack the integrity of the nation, the Army always stood like a shield against such attempts to spread disturbance and will continue to do so in the future. Whenever anyone raises an evil eye on our country, the Indian Army has replied strongly,” he said.
Lt Gen Joshi said the overall security situation in Kashmir saw a great improvement in the previous year as there has been a considerable reduction in terror-related incidents, stone-pelting activities and protests as a result of tireless efforts of the security forces and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that during the Covid-19 crisis, the Army played a key role as doctors, nursing staff, ambulance and medical corps staff worked round-the-clock without caring for their lives to fight the pandemic.