B’desh army chief to review IMA parade

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7

Commandant of the Indian Military Academy Lt Gen SK Jha today said the Bangladesh army chief’s visit to the academy would improve the relations between both countries.

Chief of the Bangladesh army General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq will review the passing-out parade to be held at the IMA on Saturday. He will be accompanied by his wife Shoma Huq.

Lt Gen Jha asserted that Bangladesh was India’s close neighbour and the two countries share a 4,900-km boundary. “Both nations have great diplomatic ties and conducted joint military exercises in the recent past,” he said.

He pointed out that the IMA had invited heads of the SAARC nations as reviewing officers for its passing-out parades in the past.

“The army chiefs of Afghanistan and Nepal have reviewed the parade in the past and it is a matter of great honour that Bangladesh army chief will be at the IMA to review the parade this time,” Lt Gen Jha said.

Referring to the training at the academy, he said stress was being laid on turning Gentlemen Cadets from scholastic warriors to techno warriors without compromising on physical aspect of the training.

On proposed underpass along the Chakrata road, which divides two campuses of the IMA, the Commandant said the proposal was in the final stage. He asserted that an underpass would help in strengthening security arrangements at the IMA.