Violence levels in Jammu and Kashmir were orchestrated by Pakistan, the “epicentre,” but with the Bangladesh army, there was “no animosity” but a realisation of both sides that there was a need to “work together,” the army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, said today.
Speaking to reporters today, he said that the people of J&K were shunning violence and that was clear from the fact that 60 percent of the terrorists neutralised were Pakistani and not local. About 80 percent of the ones remaining in J and K were also from outside. Recruitment of locals had come down dramatically, a positive sign. While infiltration is continuing with drones being used, and terrorists were active in north Kashmir and the Doda area, the gradual progression from “terrorism to tourism” was happening.
Referring to the situation in Bangladesh and the recent tensions after Sheikh Hasina’s move to India in August, he pointed out that Bangladesh was of strategic importance for India. “We have to work together,” he said, and reassuringly added that he was in touch with the Bangladesh army chief and while the bilateral military exercise was slightly delayed as a result of the political situation, it was certainly on.
On the Agneepath scheme, he said it was a political decision, and regarding Gurkha troops, there was no deficiency in numbers. He had visited Nepal and spoken with the authorities there. He pointed out that Indian army men weren’t mercenaries fighting only for money. They fought for their country and their fellow comrades. He added that there were currently 1.23 lakh Agniveers and the feedback was positive.
The Chief spoke about restructuring the army, with more emphasis on cyber warfare and the use of emerging technologies. The use of manned and unmanned teams came up. Also, the use of drones, which he referred to as “eagles on the arms of soldiers,” and the increasing use of night-vision devices. With new technologies, syllabi at education institutions were being changed.
