Army chief asks troops to be prepared for 'all eventualities'

Amid border tensions with Pakistan, Army chief General Bipin Rawat has asked his troops to be prepared for "all eventualities" in close coordination with the Air Force.

Gen Rawat has been visiting forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border to review the operational deployment and preparedness of the forces.

On Thursday he visited forward locations at Barmer and Suratgarh sectors in Rajasthan where he was briefed on the current operational situation, prevailing security scenarios and preparedness of the formations.

The visit came close on heels of his visit to forward locations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and the international border in Jammu region on Sunday.

Gen Rawat expressed his confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Army to thwart the enemy's "nefarious designs".

The Army on Friday said that in the current scenario, it was fully prepared for emerging challenges.

"In the last three weeks, disinformation campaign by the adversary on digital media has increased. All ranks have been well sensitised of these disinformation campaigns and all ranks can see through the lie, deceit and deception of the terror sponsors," an Army spokesperson said.

In a related development, Commander of US Special Operations Command, General Raymond Thomas, who is on an official visit to India, on Friday called on Gen Rawat here.

The two Generals deliberated upon the regional security environment, issue of global terrorism and Pakistan's continued support to terrorism among other things.

Acknowledging India's role in peace and stability in the region, Gen Raymond emphasised on the need for further military cooperation in the field of technology and military to military exchanges between the two countries.

The developments come amid tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of a suicide bombing on February 14 that killed 40 CRPF troopers in Jammu and Kashmir and which was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group.

--IANS

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