Stay alert as enemies waging proxy war, Rajnath tells Army

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the top leadership of the Indian Army to maintain a “firm and vigilant” stance along the borders with China.

Addressing the Army Commanders’ Conference, a biannual apex-level event, Singh expressed full confidence in the capabilities of the troops. “He complimented the armed forces for standing firm and vigilant along the northern borders and said the same should continue,” the Ministry of Defence quoted him as saying.

Referring to the situation along the western border with Pakistan, Singh praised the Army’s response to cross-border terrorism. His remarks came just two days after the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in the Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Defence Minister flags off expeditions

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday flagged off two separate expeditions to Mount Everest (8,848m) and Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m). The Indian Army’s Mount Everest expedition, comprising 34 climbers, will follow the traditional South Col Route, and will be led by Lt Col Manoj Joshi. A joint Indo-Nepal expedition, aiming to scale Mount Kangchenjunga, will feature 12 mountaineers from the Indian Army and six from the Nepali Army. It will be led by Col Sarfaraz Singh of the Indian Army. TNS

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“The adversary continues to wage a proxy war,” Singh said, highlighting ongoing security threats. He commended the joint operations by the Indian Army, Central Armed Police Forces and Jammu & Kashmir Police, stating that their efforts were contributing to greater regional stability and should continue.

The minister also lauded the Border Roads Organisation for significantly improving road connectivity along both the northern and western borders.

He further acknowledged the Army’s initiatives in developing niche technologies through collaborations with civil industries and premier educational institutions, emphasising the push for “modernisation through indigenisation”.

Meanwhile, during the four-day Army Commanders’ Conference (April 1-4), military leaders comprehensively reviewed the current security landscape, border situations and operational challenges. Discussions also covered organisational restructuring, logistics, administration, human resource management, modernisation through indigenisation, induction of niche technologies and the impact of global developments on national security.