No threat from Chinese build-up along border: GOC

Udhampur, August 26 (Vijay Kumar) – "Chinese infrastructure across the LAC (Line of Actual Control) does not pose any threat to us”, said GOC-in-chief of Northern Command, Lt. Gen PC Bhardwaj on Wedensday at its headquarters in Udhampur.He added that Indian Army build-up along borderare on a high state of vigil along the frontier with China.

While replying to a question about China‘s emerging strength and its activities across the 646 LAC in Kashmir, Lt. Gen PC Bhardwaj said that these were not causing any undue concern as "our troops are also maintaining maximum vigil all over".

He said, Northern Command has specific operational role and task in ensuring the territorial integrity of the borders. It faces diverse and harsh terrain stretching from the plains of Akhnoor to the barren borders with China. The approx length of borders include, 772Km of LC, 122 Km of AGPL, 646 Km of LAC and 192 Km of IB.

Genral said,the army’s presence generates economic development of the area. The routine maintenance requires hiring of transport, daily hiring of 15,000-17000 porters and ponies, approx 20% of its milk requirements is purchased from local diaries and its payments for electricity and local purchases of products amount to approx 800 crores per year. In addition to the employment generation of porters and ponies, the State gets approx 600 vacancies every year for recruitment into the army. Six Home and Hearth Battalions and Ecology battalion raised so far comprises entirely of people of J&K.