Udhampur /Kupwara: Two top Army commanders on Saturday said the fresh ceasefire between India and Pakistan will have no bearing on the counter-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and that the force will exercise “maximum restraint” in the event of any violation by the neighbouring country.
The comments by the Army’s northern commander Lt. Gen. Y K Joshi and General Officer Commanding (GoC), 28 Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. V M B Krishnan at separate events came two days after India and Pakistan issued a joint statement to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control(LoC) and other sectors. The decision by the two countries came into effect from the midnight of February 24/25.
“Recently, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan have announced an agreement to uphold ceasefire along the LoC. I want to assure that this ceasefire will have no bearing on the counter-terrorism operations and we will maintain our alertness,” Lt. Gen. Joshi said at the northern command investiture ceremony in Udhampur.
Without naming China and Pakistan, he also said the Indian Army has maintained its domination on its borders with the neighbouring countries and helped in maintaining peace in the hinterland.
“The northern command has always stood like a shield against the attempts by our neighbouring countries to spread disturbance and it will continue to remain so in the future. Whenever anyone raises an evil eye on our country, Indian Army has replied strongly,” Lt. Gen. Joshi said. The military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh erupted on May 05 last year.
Maj. Gen. Krishnan said the army will exercise maximum restraint in case of any violation of the ceasefire understanding by Pakistan.
Welcoming the Thursday agreement, he said the decision was significant as it would bring relief to the people living near the LoC.
