New Delhi, Jan 13 (UNI) Terming Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday claimed that violence has substantially dropped in Jammu and Kashmir with more and more terrorists neutralised, and an increase in troop deployment.
Addressing the customary annual press conference at the Manekshaw Centre here, Gen Dwivedi said, “The violence level is being orchestrated by the epicentre of terrorism that is Pakistan. If the support is not forthcoming the way India is looking at it, this kind of terrorist infiltration will continue to be there.
"However, as of now, we have inducted 15,000 additional troops in 2024 and that is why you will find that the violence level has gone down where we have been able to neutralise 73 terrorists out of which 60 percent were Pakistani terrorists,” he said.

He said that the local population was in favour of peace and the Parliamentary elections and the state assembly polls held last year witnessed nearly 60 percent voting, thereby proving that the people of J&K are shunning violence. He added that the “violence is completely being orchestrated by our western adversary”.

On the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Army chief said that it is “stable but sensitive”.

He said there have been a series of meetings among the ministers, even the Prime Minister has met the Chinese head. Similarly meetings have taken place at the corps commander level.

With regards to Depsang and Demchok, Gen Dwivedi said, “From April 20 onwards (last year), both sides had moved forward and stopped the other side from going to the traditional areas where they were carrying out the patrolling”.

“So what has happened in this disengagement, (is) that both sides have agreed to go back to the areas where both sides feel okay, This is where we used to come for the tradition patrolling. That have been agreed upon and both sides have fell back,” the Army chief said.

As far as verification patrolling is concerned, General Dwivedi said, “Two rounds have already been completed by both sides over a period of time and both are quite satisfied about it. Similarly, as far as the grazing ground is concerned, they have now been mutually agreed upon”.

He further added that the Indian Navy was working along with the Army in the Pangong Tso Lake in a big way including unmanned boats are concerned. Adding that, their special forces are working out in J&K and other places along with us including the deep sea divers.

Replying to a question on Manipur, Gen Diwivedi said that the tribal affiliations in Manipur have taken a strong line.

“But we have to work as a whole of nation approach to make sure that the reconciliation takes place. I am very hopeful with the new Governor who has gone there, the step towards this would be taken,” he added.

On the Bangladesh situation, the Army chief said that Bangladesh was strategically important to India and any kind of animosity will not be in each other's interest. As of today, there is no vulnerability from any side, he added. UNI RBE SSP