Jammu, Mar 21 (Representative) The Northern Command Army Commander, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that the status quo with China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is maintained while ceasefire continues on the Line of Control (LoC). “As far as the current situation is concerned, Status Quo is maintained with China on LAC,” the GOC-in-C said addressing the Veterans Sampark Rally here. He said, “talks are going on at different levels and all our formations are at a high level of operational preparedness.” The Army Commander further said that the ceasefire continues on the Line of Control, adding, “there have been some infiltration attempts which have been successfully foiled by our units.” “The situation in the hinterland is largely under control. Our CI/CT Grid is fully working with civil administration and efforts are on to stop such incidents completely,” he stated. Welcoming the veteran heroes like Maj Gen Govardhan Singh Jamwal, (Retd), Brig Gurmeet Singh Shan, Director Sainik Welfare Dept, J&K, Brig SK Goswami, Commander 92 Inf Bde, Brig Rajesh Sharma, Commandant JAK RIF Regimental Center, he said that through this rally, India Army is honouring the ex-servicemen because of whom we are free today.
“We owe a debt to the heroes of this country, which can never be repaid, but the nation will always express gratitude and respect towards them,” said the Northern Command Army Chief. “Our (JAK RIF) regiment was raised in Jammu in 1820 under the leadership of Maharaja Gulab Singh and hoisted its glory by conquering areas like Tibet, Gilgit, Yasin, Darel, Hunza – Nagar, Chilas and Chitral under the leadership of General Zorawar Singh. Our regiment has participated in every war since 1820 and has given a wonderful example of its valor and sacrifice,” he added. “Recognizing our bravery in Hussainiwala Operation of 4 JAK RIF and our bravery in history, we were made an integral part of the Indian Army as the Jammu and Kashmir Regiment,” Lt Gen Dwivedi said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi, who tool over the charge of Northern Command and Colonel of the Regiment of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts on February 1, 2022, said, “the purpose of this rally is to reach out to the Ex-servicemen of Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, their closest relatives and Veer Naris living in the nearest district of Jammu and surrounding areas, to solve their problems and anomalies related to pension and to get medical help from medical experts.” On Agniveer, he said, “some of these Agniveers will go back to the society after completing their four years term and I am sure that after being associated with the regiment, they will also join the regiment in an unbreakable bond.” Meanwhile Brig Gurmeet Singh Shan (Retd), Director Sainik Welfare Department, J&K informed about the efforts being made by DIAV, a Helpdesk has set up here and the Veterans Cell functions directly under the Adjutant General, giving necessary importance to the management of Veterans affairs in the Indian Army. More than 800 Ex-Servicemen, War Veterans, Veer Naris and Next of Kins of Fallen Heroes hailing from Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir belonging to the Regiment attended the ‘Veterans Sampark Rally’.