145;Full support for healing touch146;: Vij

With the promise that the Army would continue to maintain a strict vigil in Jammu and Kashmir and extend adequate support to the state gover...

With the promise that the Army would continue to maintain a strict vigil in Jammu and Kashmir and extend adequate support to the state government for its 8216;8216;healing touch8217;8217; policy, General Nirmal Chander Vij today assumed office as the Indian Army8217;s 21st chief.

Commissioned in the Dogra regiment and the first chief from Jammu, Vij spelt out five priority areas for his tenure, saying 8216;8216;strategic re-deployment8217;8217; of the army would ensure it 8216;8216;was not taken by surprise.8217;8217;

Some positions held during Operation Parakram would continue to be occupied to keep up the vigil. He made it clear that operations against militants would continue. On top of his agenda is the consolidation of the 8216;8216;gains from Operation Parakram8217;8217; that was discussed threadbare with his predecessor Gen S Padmanabhan who retired yesterday.

He said the army8217;s modernisation drive, which had gained impetus during the 10-month mobilisation, would be sustained.

Considered a sharp military operations strategist 8212; he was awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal for his role as the Director General of Military Operations DGMO during the Kargil war 8212; Vij is also expected to take a close look at the newly set up Integrated Defence Service Headquarters, the initial five-year mandate of which ends with his retirement in February 2005.

Vij will also be steering the army through another crucial stage as the government makes a formal announcement on the Strategic Forces Command, expected this month. While the first appointment goes to the Air Force, the army will have a key role to play in the command.

To a query on the inter-services rivalry, Vij insisted that synergy was the buzzword between the three services.

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He refused to comment on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf8217;s threat on use of nukes, saying Musharraf had stated a few months ago that 8216;8216;only a mad person8217;8217; would resort to the use of nuclear weapons.

Vij is also keen on pushing through the Rs 16,000-crore housing plan for the armed forces announced by the PM.