Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi assures Armed Forces' readiness for challenges at LoC & LAC

Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, on Monday, made a robust statement regarding the readiness of the Indian Army at both the Line of Control (LoC) and Line of Actual Control (LAC). He affirmed that the armed forces are fully prepared and equipped to face any challenge, regardless of the location.

"The Indian Army stands prepared for any challenge, whether it be at the Line of Control or Line of Actual Control. We are operationally prepared to tackle any situation," the LG told Republic, expressing his confidence in the nation's military readiness. 

The Line of Control (LoC) represents the military demarcation line dividing the territories of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir administered by India and neighbouring Pakistan. While the LoC holds significance for both nations, it is not internationally recognized as a legal international boundary; instead, it functions as a de facto border.

Whereas, the Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as a conceptual demarcation line that separates areas under Indian control from those under Chinese control in the ongoing Sino-Indian border dispute. Points of Patrolling (PPs) situated within the LAC, along with the connecting patrol routes, are referred to as patrolling limits.

India's cross-border drone challenge

Considering the ongoing threat of hostile drone activities along the India-Pakistan border, the Army Commander reassured that authorities are actively conducting counter-operations. He added that security forces are operationally prepared to combat the challenge on international borders. 

"Cross-border drone activities are a challenge and counter operations are being done. We are identifying locations where illicit items are dropped mostly. Legal actions are also being taken," said the Army Commander adding that the Indian Army is planning to bring robust equipment to counter the drone threat. 

An instance of cases that reported drones bringing drugs, arms and ammunition along the Punjab and Jammu borders from across Pakistan has more than doubled in 2022. In the current year, the cases have managed to decline with the efforts of the Armed Forces and local police.  

Instances of drones transporting drugs, arms, and ammunition across the Punjab and Jammu borders from Pakistan more than double in 2022, according to BSF Director General Pankaj Kumar Singh. However, in the current year, these cases have witnessed a decline with the concerted efforts of the Armed Forces and local police.