Srinagar: The army chief MM Naravane today confirmed that there were eight positive Covid cases in the Indian army of which four are responding well to the treatment. He also said the moral of men in J&K was very high and they are ready to face every challenge especially the one thrown up by “our neighbor who is exporting terror when India is exporting medicine to other countries to cure the pandemic patients.”
Today, on his visit to Kupwara, the army chief while talking to a selected group of reporters of a news agency from New Delhi, said there were eight positive cases of Covid-19 in Indian army. “So far, we have only 8 positive cases in the entire Indian Army, of which two are doctors and one nursing assistant, four are responding well to treatment and we had one case in Ladakh, now he is fully cured and has joined duty,” he said.
General Naravane said that the moral of soldiers is very high despite lockdown. “Soldiers are doing an excelling job. I want to compliment them not only those who are in J&K but those guarding northern borders and northeast also,” he said.
Talking about the recent infiltration bid, he said earlier this month, a group infiltrated into this side and there was an encounter which a JCO and four gallant soldiers were killed. “We were able to foil the infiltration attempt. The operation was conducted in very difficult conditions amid snowfall in the area.
The route infiltrators had taken would not have been possible without the support of Pakistani army,” the army chief said. “It is very unfortunate that when India is fighting the pandemic and exporting medicines to other countries to fight Covid, Pakistan is exporting terror.”
Meanwhile, Defence Spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia told news agency KNO, that on the second day of his two-day visit to Kashmir, General Naravane continued to review the security situation along the line of control.
“The army chief accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi and Srinagar based 15 Corps Commander, Lt Gen BS Raju visited the formations and units, wherein the local Commanders briefed the army chief on the existing security situation and the measures instituted so that infiltration bids by terrorists are foiled,” Colonel Kalia said.
He said that the army chief was briefed by the local Commanders on the situation on the Line of Control, cease fire violations, retaliations, counter infiltration operations and operational preparedness being maintained.
“During his interaction with the soldiers on snow clad heights, he was appreciative of the sharp vigil and alertness along the Line of Control and high morale of the troops,” the Defence Spokesman said.
He said that the army chief also impressed upon the commanders to maintain strict vigil along the Line of Control and remain prepared to give a befitting reply to any misadventure from across and exhorted the soldiers to remain alert for any eventuality.
