Scrapping Article 370 historic: Army Chief

"We have many options to counter those who promote terrorism and we will not hesitate to use them," Army chief General MM Naravane said, adding that India will soon acquire new, sophisticated weapons.

Abrogation of Article 370 'historic step', 'disrupted proxy war': Gen MM Naravane on Army Day

CDS General Bipin Rawat, Army chief General Naravane, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria and Naval chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh pay homage to martyrs at National War Memorial, on Army Day 2020 (Source: PIB)

Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane called the abrogation of Article 370 a historic step and added that it disrupted the plans of Pakistan and its proxies. Speaking at an event to mark the Army Day, Naravane said “the state of Line of Control is linked to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir” and “to scrap Article 370 is a historic step, which will prove to be significant to bring Jammu and Kashmir to the national mainstream”.

Naravane said, “This decision has disrupted the plans of our western neighbour and its proxies.” He also said India has a “zero tolerance policy towards terrorism” and added that “we have many options to counter those who promote terrorism and we will not hesitate to use them”.

At the 72nd Army Day Celebration at the Delhi Cantt Parade Ground in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Express photo/Praveen Khanna)

The Army Chief mentioned that the Army is taking all steps to maintain peace in the region following the principles of mutual and equal security and through talks. He said the country faced “some grave security challenges” last year and the Army “not only participated in proxy wars” but has also kept the borders secure.

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Speaking about the situation in the Northeast, Naravane said the conditions there have improved. He stated that “time-bound discussions are on with most insurgent groups”.

Captain Tania Shergill, first woman officer to lead all-men contingents at Army Day Parade

The Army, he said, is preparing for future warfare, and mentioned Integrated Battle Groups as one of the significant steps being taken. There are also efforts to prepare for “space, cyber, special operation and electronic warfare”, he said. The Army Day parade was also attended by the recently appointed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh.
Woman officer leads parade

Read Army Day 2020 highlights

On Wednesday, Captain Tania Sher Gill (26) became the first woman Parade Adjutant in the history of the Army Day function. Gill of the Corps of Signals, the fourth generation to serve the Army, said, “It was a feeling of great pride, a sense of accomplishment and worthiness, and pure blessing.”

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