Srinagar June 3: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General MM Naravane who reviewed the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday said that the onus of peace in Kashmir is on Pakistan.
“There have been decades of mistrust between Pakistan and India. The situation can’t change overnight,” said Gen Naravane before wrapping up his two-day Kashmir visit. “If they (Pakistan) continue to observe ceasefire, stop and desist from pushing militants across India, then these steps will incrementally build up trust,” Gen Naravane said.
A defence spokesperson said that on the second day of his visit to the Valley, General Naravane accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, the Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander visited the formations and units wherein the local commanders briefed the COAS about the existing security situation and the measures instituted to foil infiltration by militants from across the LoC.
The COAS interacted with the troops and complimented them for their high morale and high state of operational preparedness, the spokesperson said.
While appreciating the current state of peace prevailing along the LoC, the COAS cautioned all commanders and troops to not let their guard down and asked them to remain prepared to meet any emerging security challenges effectively.
The Army Chief also complimented all government agencies for their close coordination in maintaining peace in the region and reaching out to the people wholeheartedly to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.