India-China: Army Chief said, situation under control on LAC, our eyes on China's actions

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane has given a big statement on the India-China border dispute. He said that we hope that the 13th round of talks will be held in the second week of October. The situation has been quite normal in the last 6 months. We will reach a consensus on how the disengagement will happen. Wherever there is a dispute, there will be a solution. I firmly believe that we can resolve our differences through dialogue. I hope we will be able to get the result.

The Army Chief said that the Chinese have deployed a large number of people across Eastern Ladakh and the Northern Front up to our Eastern Command. There has certainly been an increase in their deployment in forward areas which remains a matter of concern for us. We are monitoring all their activities regularly. Based on the inputs we have received, we are making similar developments in terms of infrastructure as well as troops, which are essential to counter any threat. For the time being, we are fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.

The Indian Army has deployed the K9-Vajra Self-propelled Howitzer Regiment in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. This cannon can attack enemy positions at a distance of about 50 km. On the K-9 Vajra guns, the Army Chief said that these guns can work in high altitude areas as well, the field trials were very successful. We have added a whole regiment now, it will be really helpful.

Updates also given on Pakistan and Afghanistan

On Pakistan, he said that there was no ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army from February to the end of June. But recently there has been an increase in infiltration attempts that were not supported by ceasefire violations. There have been two ceasefire violations in 10 days. The situation is going back to the days before February. We have conveyed through weekly hotline messages and DGMO level talks that they (Pakistan) should not support any activity related to terrorism. Apart from this, on Afghanistan, the General said that we are regularly monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and its possible effects and repercussions. In what form this will happen, it is too early to say. But we are watching.