General Manoj Pande Archives - Lokmarg

Situation On Northern Border Is Stable But Sensitive: General Pande

By LokMarg 11th January 2024

The Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, said on Thursday that the security situation on the northern border is stable but sensitive. The Army Chief was speaking at the Annual Press conference ahead of Army Day on January 15.

“The situation on the northern border is stable but sensitive. We continue to talk to find a solution to address and balance issues between the two sides. Operational preparedness is very high, and deployment is both- robust, and balanced…” Chief of Army Staff, Manoj Pande said.

“As far as the situation in JK is concerned, the ceasefire understanding along the LoC continues to hold. Even though we see infiltration attempts, which we have been able to thwart… We have a strong anti-drone mechanism in place to stop the use of drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics…. The area of Rajouri Poonch has seen increased terrorist activities. Support infrastructure for proxy tandems in the Rajouri Poonch sector from across the border continues…” General Manoj Pande added.

General Manoj Pande also highlighted that disruptive technologies have become the new arena of strategic competition.

“National interests remain paramount and the relevance of hard powers has been established… Disruptive technologies have become the new arena of strategic competition.” said General Manoj Pande.

He also affirmed that security forces are fully aligned to ensure a stable and secure environment for nation.

“…Our nation is on the rise firmly on the path of progress in the economic sphere. We are fully aligned to ensure a stable and secure environment, both internal and external, to help our country progress…”

Speaking about the security situation in North-East India, the chief of Army Staff said,”…The Northeast has witnessed positive developments in the last year because of the proactive policies of the government. The violence parameters have overall come down. Manipur witnessed violence in May last year, but with the combined efforts by the state administration, Army and Assam Rifles, they have been able to stabilise the situation. We are working to normalise the situation and ensure stability…”

General Manoj Pande also said that the Army has inducted better vehicles, drones and counter-drone systems.

“As part of emergency provisions, we have been able to induct some new technologies and address domains of warfare. We have inducted better vehicles, drones and counter-drone systems. We have terrain-specific electronic warfare systems.,” General Manoj Pande said.

“We have restructured our artillery unit. We also have restructured units of electronic warfare and electronic intelligence. We have started the process of reducing animals in our animal transport units and they are being replaced by drones…We have made a plan and optimise our strength by significant numbers and by 2027 we will achieve an optimisation of 1 lakh numbers. We have given the proposal to the government,” he added.

Speaking about Agniveers recruitment General Manoj Pande said, “The first two batches of Agniveers are now fully deployed in field units and the feedback is very exciting and positive… 120 women officers who have been given permanent commission and are in command roles are deployed in field areas, and they are doing a good job there.”

“…We also have moved from the current conduct of our competitive and promotion exams to fully online mode and by the end of this year, all our promotion exams will be held entirely online…” CoAS General Manoj Pande concluded. (ANI)

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Agnipath Scheme Is A Path-Breaking Manpower Intake Exercise: Army Chief Pande

By LokMarg 7th December 2023

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande on Thursday said that the introduction of the Agnipath scheme has been a path-breaking manpower intake and management methodology that will ensure induction of youthful profile and bring more technologically adapted and oriented soldiers into all ranks and files of the forces

Addressing the convocation cum scroll presentation ceremony at the College of Military Engineering (CME) in Pune, General Manoj Pande said, “The scheme will also ensure that the best of the best are retained as core manpower at their end and the integration of Agniveers into the units and subunits is the key, as their assessments and retention in service are based entirely on merit.”

Emphasizing the role of the officers in mentoring Agniveers, Gen Pande said, “You all are going to be important stakeholders at the grassroots in your units. I want you to provide professional leadership and mentorship as expected from a good sub-unit commander.”

Army Chief Manoj Pande also emphasised the utility of cutting-edge technology in the forces.

“Approach each task, not just as an engineer but as a problem solver and innovator. The technological progression in multiple domains today and the use of contemporary techniques and solutions in the realms of combat engineering must engage your attention,” the Army chief said.

Stressing the adoption of new age technology and that that focus should extend beyond the conventional methodology, the Army Chief said, “Our need is to be proficient in leveraging advanced technology such as drone surveys, augmented and virtual reality and its usage to enhance its ability to visualise and simulate project scenarios.”

“Incorporate technologies like drones for surveys, virtual reality and 3D printing in the execution of combat engineering projects,” he added.

The Army Chief further said that the Indian Army has embarked on a path of transformation in the last year.

“The need for the transformation has accrued essential four key drivers, such as unprecedented trends in the geo-strategic landscape, the limitless potential of destruction technology, transforming the changing character of war and profound changes in the socio-economic situation,” he said.

“To address these imperatives to affect the changing design, we implemented a transformation roadmap a year ago,” said the Army Chief, adding that good progress was necessary to ensure continued focus and impetus across all wide pillars of the transformation roadmap. (ANI)

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‘Slight Increase In Chinese Troops At LAC On Close Watch’: General Pande

By LokMarg 12th January 2023

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Thursday said there has been a ‘slight increase’ in the number of Chinese troops at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“There is a slight increase in the number of troops [by China] opposite our Eastern command. We are keeping a close watch on the movements,” General Manoj Pande said during a press conference on the sidelines of an event to mark the annual Army Day in the national capital on Thursday.
General Pande, however, said that the situation along the northern borders with China is under control but still remains ‘unpredictable’. Five of the seven thorny issues between the two armed forces have been presented on the table, he added.

“Though unpredictable, the situation at the northern borders is stable and under control. We have been able to resolve five of the seven issues on the table in the talk as our preparedness is of very high level and we have enough reserves to deal with any contingency,” Army Chief had said.

He also stressed on the need to ‘remain alert’, saying the ceasefire has held well on the Pakistan border but the neighbour’s support to terror infrastructure and terror groups was still persistent.

Detailing the welfare projects of the Army in the last five years, General Pande said, “The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has built roads spanning 2,100 km along our northern borders and 7,450-metre bridges in the last five years.”

He further said some of the work at the frontier highway in Arunachal Pradesh is currently underway.

“Habitats for the deployment 500 tanks and 400 guns have been created in the Eastern Ladakh sector by the Army. Habitats for 55,000 troops have also been created,” he added.

The Army chief said peace has returned to most of the states in the Northeast.

Speaking on Army Day, which is marked on January 15, every year, General Pande said they are fully aligned with the future national vision and have “decided to undertake transformation”.

“This Army Day is special as it is also the 75th year of India’s Independence. We are also fully aligned with the future national vision. We have decided to undertake a transformation,” he said.

General Pande said women officers might be commissioned soon into the Indian Army’s Corps of Artillery, as a proposal to that effect has been forwarded to the government for its assent.

“We also have the Army Martial Arts Routine which will help in dealing with combat situations. It is an amalgamation of different martial arts in the country,” he added.

Without naming China, the Army Chief further said they have been able to prevent all attempts to change the status quo (on the LAC) in a robust manner.

“In a firm and resolute manner with our soldiers deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), we have been able to prevent any attempts by (the) adversary to unilaterally change the status quo in a robust manner,” General Pande said. (ANI)