New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Saturday said that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to India and if the Parliament wants it, then the Army will take appropriate action.
Addressing his first press conference after becoming the Chief of Army staff, General Naravane said that there is a parliamentary resolution that entire Jammu and Kashmir is part of India.
“There is a parliamentary resolution that entire Jammu and Kashmir is part of India. If Parliament wants it, then, that area (PoK) also should belong to us. When we get orders to that effect, we'll take appropriate action,” he said.
Speaking about the formation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), the Army Chief said that its formation is a very big step towards integration among three services.
“The formation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and creation of Department of Military Affairs is a very big step towards integration and we on our part will make sure that this is a success,” he said.
“Integration will also be within the Army and the integrated battle group is just one example of that. But I also want to assure everyone that in this process of integration we will take everyone along. Nobody will be left behind,” he added.
His remarks come days after General Bipin Rawat took over as India's first Chief of Defence Staff with a mandate to bring in convergence in functioning of the Army, the Navy and the Indian Air Force and bolster the country's military prowess.
Recommended For You
He also said that the Indian Army is better prepared to deal with challenges along northern border. He, however, said that there is requirement of re-balancing as there is a feeling that both northern and western borders require equal attention.
#WATCH Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane briefs the media in Delhi https://t.co/DhQ0mfmkM4
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2020
"In case of threat from both fronts, there'll be a primary and secondary front. Wherever there is primary front, we'll deploy bulk of forces. On secondary front, we'll ensure we aren't found wanting. That's why we've dual front task forces," he said.
General Naravane also said that Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as enshrined in Constitution must guide the Indian Army.
“As the army, we swear allegiance to the Constitution of India and that should guide us in all our actions at all times. Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution should guide us,” he said.
The Army Chief also spoke about future wars and said that the focus of training will be on preparing Army for future wars which will be network-centric and complex.
Talking about Siachen, the General Naravane said that the glacier is strategically very important for India and one formation is looking after western and northern fronts.
He also spoke on complaints against army officers deployed in the Kashmir valley and said all the complaints that have been filed have proved to be unfounded.
“There is a shortage of officers but it is not because there is lack of people applying for it. We have not lowered the standards for selection of officers in the force,” he added.
Speaking about induction of female jawans, General Naravane said that the training of first batch of 100 female jawans has started for being inducted into military police.