Army reviews Kashmir flare-up

Army commanders review Kashmir flare-up and situation along border

Kashmiri protesters shout slogans as they clash with government forces in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, April 13, 2018. Government forces fired tear gas and pellets on Kashmiris who gathered after Friday afternoon prayers on a protest call given by separatists against the recent killing of civilians. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Against the backdrop of rising violence in Kashmir and concerns about increasing uncertainties along the disputed China border, Army commanders on Saturday carried out day-long discussions on military operations.

The senior most generals of the Indian army have been in a conference since Monday as part of the bi-annual Army Commanders Conference.

Army sources said the Saturday discussions looked at the entire gamut of military operations, including assessments from joint operations as well as the immediate realities. A significant part of the discussions was focused on the border situation with China and Pakistan, as well as the recent flaring-up in Kashmir.

Along the China border, the Army is ready to meet any eventuality, but would not resort to any provocation, a senior officer said. He said the Army was confident of its deployments and necessary preparedness along the 3,440-km disputed Line of Actual Control.

Test of diplomacy

“This summer is going to be a test of renewed diplomatic efforts between the two sides,” he said of the China border.

The officer said the commanders also extensively reviewed the situation along the Pakistan border as well as within Kashmir. They are expecting a very hot summer in Kashmir, and related rise in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, he said.

On Friday, a senior Army officer had said that the ongoing Army Commanders conference felt that the priority must be accorded towards ushering in peace in Kashmir by “conducting counter terrorist operations that minimize collateral damage” and by “deradicalisation” of youth who have taken up guns.

Collective approach

He said the commanders believed that the “radicalised youth must be brought into the mainstream by carrying out deradicalisation and collective approach that focusses on convincing the youth to shun violence and gun culture.”

The officer said that the commanders on Friday discussed in detail the current situation along the Line of Control, the increase in Cease-Fire Violations and the adequacy of the response mechanism.