Jaipur (NVI): Army Chief General MM Naravane visited forward areas of the Sapta Shakti Command in the states of Rajasthan and Punjab on May 12 and 13th and met troops on the western front.
The Army Chief, accompanied by Sapta Shakti Army Commander, Lt Gen Alok Kler, visited formations in the field and reviewed their operational preparedness, including logistic aspects.
The COAS interacted with troops, and lauded them for their high morale and motivation. He appreciated, the high state of operational preparedness of the Sapta Shakti Command to thwart any threat that inimical forces may pose across the Western Front.
He commended efforts of the formations in the ongoing fight against Covid-19 pandemic.
While addressing the officers, the Army Chief declared that IBGs (Integrated Battle Groups) will be operationalised soon. He also advised optimisation of funds allotted under defence budget in view of the economic constraints due to COVID-19, and said that the funds should be utilised judiciously giving highest priority to operational needs.
During the visit, he exhorted all ranks to continue the excellent work and to maintain highest standards of battle readiness while ensuring force preservation to meet the emerging challenges efficiently and effectively.
Army Chief’s visit to the western front comes two days after Western Army Commander Lt Gen RP Singh visited forward areas in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir to review the current security situation and operational readiness there.
