'Stable but sensitivity': Chief of Army Staff about situation at Northern border

Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, assured the nation that the security situation on the northern border remains stable but sensitive. Speaking at the Annual Press Conference ahead of Army Day on January 15, General Pande highlighted various aspects of the country's security landscape.

Stable yet Sensitive Northern Border

"The situation on the northern border is stable but sensitive. We continue to talk to find a solution to address and balance issues between the two sides. Operational preparedness is very high, and deployment is both robust and balanced," affirmed General Manoj Pande.

Ceasefire Holding Strong in Jammu and Kashmir

Addressing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, General Pande mentioned, "The ceasefire understanding along the LoC continues to hold. Even though we see infiltration attempts, which we have been able to thwart... We have a strong anti-drone mechanism in place to stop the use of drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics."

Strategic Competition in Disruptive Technologies

General Pande acknowledged disruptive technologies as the new arena of strategic competition. "National interests remain paramount, and the relevance of hard powers has been established. Disruptive technologies have become the new arena of strategic competition," he stated.

Security Forces Aligned for Stability

Ensuring a stable and secure environment for the nation, General Manoj Pande asserted, "...Our nation is on the rise firmly on the path of progress in the economic sphere. We are fully aligned to ensure a stable and secure environment, both internal and external, to help our country progress."

Positive Developments in North-East India

Speaking about the North-East, General Pande noted positive developments, saying, "...The Northeast has witnessed positive developments in the last year because of the proactive policies of the government. The violence parameters have overall come down."

Technological Advancements in the Army

The Chief of Army Staff highlighted technological advancements, stating, "As part of emergency provisions, we have been able to induct some new technologies and address domains of warfare. We have restructured our artillery unit and electronic warfare systems. By 2027, we will achieve an optimization of 1 lakh numbers."

Agniveers Recruitment and Online Exams

General Manoj Pande provided updates on Agniveers recruitment, saying, "The first two batches of Agniveers are now fully deployed in field units." He also mentioned the move to conduct competitive and promotion exams entirely online by the end of the year.