Indian Army to go in a huddle to discuss strategies to counter Pakistan and China
HIGHLIGHTS
• The conference will begin on April 8
• This will be first such conference after recent airstrikes by IAF
• The conference will be chaired by Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat
A strategy to combat the increased aggression by Pakistan over the last month and infrastructure development along the China border will be the key areas for discussion when top commanders of the Indian Army will hold brainstorming sessions in the Capital. The Army brass will meet for the biannual commanders' conference starting April 8 to deliberate critical issues for enhancing the Army's capabilities and drawing a blue print of strategy amid enhanced skirmishes with Pakistan, sources said.
This will be the first time top commanders of the Indian Army will meet in the wake of changing security scenario following the Indian Air Force's (IAF) airstrike on a terrorist training camp in Pakistan's Balakot and subsequent escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan. Also on agenda will be the future strategy on counter terror operations in Kashmir in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack on February 14 in which 40 troops of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed. Pakistan Army has enhanced mobilisation along LOC and the International Border along Punjab as it maintains a state of 'operational readiness' amid frequent skirmishes with the Indian Forces, sources said. There have been over 600 ceasefire violations in 2019 and the numbers have increased since the Pulwama attack in which 40
troops of CRPF were killed. Last year there were 1629 ceasefire violations. Infrastructure development along the Indo-China border, review of strategic railway lines, budget constraints and its optimum utilisation to make up for critical deficiency in ammunition, Border Road Organisation projects and welfare of troops will be the key areas of discussion, sources said. Army commanders' conference, chaired by Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, is held biannually for formulating important policy decisions through collegiate deliberations. The conference is an important event for planning and execution process of the Indian Army. The opening address at the conference will be delivered by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.