Leh, Oct 1 (UNI) Army chief General MM Naravane visited forward areas in Eastern Ladakh, where he reviewed prevailing security situation and operational preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an Army official said on Friday.

He said General Naravane visited forward areas along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. “The Army chief was briefed about the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness of the troops,” he said.

During his visit, the Army chief interacted with the troops and complimented them for their resoluteness and high morale.

“General Naravane also visited Rezang La War Memorial in Eastern Ladakh and paid homage to the Bravehearts who laid down their lives for the nation,” he added.

The visit of the Army chief to Eastern Ladakh holds significance as it comes at a time when China has alleged that the standoff at the LAC was because New Delhi was following a ‘forward policy’ and ‘illegally’ encroaching Chinese territory.

The allegation has promoted New Delhi to hit out at the neighbouring country, saying that ‘unilateral’ attempts and ‘provocative’ behaviour by the Chinese military to alter the status quo along the LAC has seriously disturbed peace and tranquillity in the region. “China continues to deploy a large number of troops and armaments in the border areas and it was in response to Chinese actions that Indian armed forces had to make appropriate counter deployments,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
UNI ABS SY 1812