Army chief visits Central Command HQ; meets UP Guv, CM

Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane visited the Central Command Headquarters at Lucknow and reviewed the preparedness at the China and Nepal borders. Naravane's visit comes amid reports of Chinese troop build-up across the border from Uttarakhand. He also met Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Lucknow: Army Chief Gen MM Naravane visited the Central Command Headquarters here on Friday and reviewed the operational preparedness of the troops.

The Army chief, during his visit to the state capital, also met Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, officials said.

Naravane was briefed by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Central Command Lieutenant General IS Ghuman on both operational and administrative aspects, an official release issued by a Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) said.

The Army chief met Chief Minister Adityanath at his official residence here.

Read:Army Chief visits forward areas in Jammu-Pathankot region

"It was a courtesy meeting between the two. The chief minister presented a memento to the Army chief during the meeting," a state government official said.

During his visit to the Army's Central Command Headquarters, Gen Naravane expressed satisfaction on the efforts being made to ensure capability enhancement and operational effectiveness of the forces and development of infrastructure in the central sector, the release said.

Naravane firmly told his commanders to be prepared for any "eventuality" and maintain the highest operational preparedness. He gave the remarks during his recent visit to the Tezpur-based 4 Corps, which looks after the China border with Arunachal Pradesh.

"The Army Chief has told all his commanders to be prepared for any eventuality and maintain the highest level of operational preparedness on the front," Army sources said.

The Army Chief was on a two-day visit to Eastern Command where he was briefed on the Indian and Chinese deployments and build up along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) there.

The Chinese Army has maintained four to five Combined Armed Brigades, which are like the Integrated Battle Groups being planned to be set up by the Army for warfighting.

The Indian Army has deployed around 40,000 troops along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh to tackle the heavy build-up by the Chinese. The Chinese Army has also made significant deployments opposite Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

During the talks with the Indian side, the Chinese are refusing to disengage from the Finger area completely and have been raising insignificant issues to buy time.

He conveyed his appreciation to the Central Command for achieving a high degree of operational preparedness, it said.

The Army chief was appreciative of the efforts being put in by the soldiers in the forward areas operating in very difficult weather conditions in high-altitude areas, the release issued by the Defence PRO said.

Before departing from Lucknow, Gen Naravane also met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan.

Read:Army Chief visits 4 Corps; reviews military preparedness along LAC in Arunachal sector

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)