Army chief reviews preparedness on western borders

Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat visited the Western Command Headquarters on Saturday and reviewed the operational preparedness along the western borders amid tensions with Pakistan, a release said.

“During his visit, Western Army Commander Lt. General Surender Singh briefed and updated the Army Chief on the current operational situation, prevailing security environment and preparedness of the formations, especially in Amritsar and Samba sectors,” read the release.

The Army Chief further directed the formations to ensure a continued state of vigilance and alertness and be prepared to deal with emerging challenges that may develop.

The visit comes in the wake of the escalating tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan, following the Pulwama terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed which was later followed by Balakot air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force in retaliation.

Rawat on his visit met with the officers at the Western Command Headquarters and commended them for maintaining the highest standards of training, operational readiness and exemplary synergy with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Meanwhile, a Pakistani drone tried to enter Indian airspace along the International Border at around 5 am at Hindumalkot border in Sri Ganganagar sector, Rajasthan. It was detected by the Border Security Force (BSF) who tried to shoot it down, the BSF said.

A week ago on March 4, an unidentified flying object was also shot down at the International Border in Rajasthan by an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet.