Sainik Samachar With the ongoing ceasefire, and as the Kashmir problem heads towards a more manageable phase in terms of security, what is the Army's vision for winning over the people of Jammu and Kashmir?

COAS : The ceasefire on the Line of Control is generally holding out. There is, however, no direct linkage between the ongoing ceasefire and reduction of terrorist activities in the state. Levels of violence are normally low in winter months. Moreover, the "fencing" has also made infiltration very difficult. This is obvious from the incident where seven infiltrators were killed at the fence in Rajouri Sector on
December 21 last. Our operations against terrorists have been further intensified. This is a fact that the populace of Jammu & Kashmir are our own people. Under no circumstances, irrespective of the great disadvantage to our own troops, are we going to use force without utmost restraint. We generally believe that besides stopping infiltration, the answer lies in helping the state government in developing the standard of living of the people. Our recent raising of seven battalions on the 'Home and Hearth' concept and earlier enrolment of over 1500 personnel, over and above the quota of the state in recruitment, are major steps in this direction. Look at our 100 schools, computer centres and such facilities which have been created by the Army in the remote villages. We have even given admission to 101 orphan children, the victims of terrorism, for our prestigious Army Public School, Beas. The Army shall bear their schooling expenditure from its private funds. The number of roads developed and the bridges constructed by us are the testimony to our approach towards winning the hearts and minds of the people of the state.

I am finally glad to confirm that the people are also responding in a friendly manner, convinced that the Indian Army is their friend. This feeling has resulted in creating a secure environment, which is also a prerequiste for various political initiative being initiated at the national level.

Sainik Samachar Has there been a perceptible drop in infiltration attempts in J & K in the last few months? How is the Army planning to neutralise various terrorists in J&K?

COAS : The level of infiltration drops during winters and this year is no exception. We need to wait for the summer months before arriving at a firm conclusion. Our counter-terrorist strategy focuses on effective counter infiltration operations and conduct of relentless pro-active operations in the hinterland. While the former includes surveillance of all known routes of infiltration, deployment of effective fence along the Line of Control and multitiered deployment of troops, the latter includes constant review of our posture, based on intelligence inputs, and to launch timely operations in the hinterland in close coordination with the various civil police and para military organisations operating in the state. All such operations are conducted whilst ensuring the least possible inconvenience and harassment to the local population.

Sainik Samachar Following the recent operations launched by the Royal Government of Bhutan to flush Indian insurgent groups from their territory, coupled with recent mass surrenders by Bodos and other cadres in the North East, how do you perceive the situation in these states?

COAS : The insurgent groups of ULFA, NDFB and KLO had been using the Bhutanese territory as a safe sanctuary since the early nineties. The Royal Government of Bhutan had been asking these groups to leave their country amicably, but they did not yield to their request. As a result, the Royal Government of Bhutan was left with no choice but to take recourse to evicting these groups through military action. The Indian Army has supported these operations by sealing the border on our side and providing security to the Bhutanese convoy through our territory. Out of 650 terrorists neutralised in the first 15 days, more than hundred and fifty, who had crossed over to our side of the border, were neutralised by our own troops. Overall the operations have been a great success. As these groups stand largely marginalised now, their cadres must lay down their arms and shun the path of militancy and join the national mainstream. The security situation in the North East has shown progressive improvement over the years. Formation of the Bodoland Territorial Council Autonomous District and the recent mass surrender by Bodo militants is a positive development, which would go a long way in ushering peace in the NE region.

Sainik Samachar Do you plan to expand the scope of Information Technology (IT) in the Army? If so, in which areas and by when?

COAS : Army is very well seized with the limitless reach of the IT. Its exploitation to enhance our overall efficiency has been a continuous process. It is also being developed as a force multiplier, particularly in planning and conduct of operations as also to bring about greater battlefield transparency. Our endeavour is to proliferate IT down to the fighting soldier as also to maintain a technological edge over our adversaries. As a matter of fact, it is one of our key areas.

Sainik Samachar What is the progress of Army's modernisation programme? In what time-frame is it likely to be completed?

COAS : Till the end of last decade, modernisation of the Army had been slow due to paucity of funds, and certain shortcomings came to the fore during operation Vijay. Thereafter, a concerted drive to modernise the Army was undertaken and the 10th Army Modernisation Plan was conceived. The modernisation process received a fillip during operation Parakram.

The modernisation programme is an all-spectrum programme. It includes removal of night blindness for the mechanised fleet and introduction of T-90 tanks. It also includes a big leap towards modernisation of our Artillery, overhauling of our Air Defence and ensuring state-of-the-art communications. It also caters for introduction of surveillance equipment in large numbers, purchase of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and developing our Surveillance and Target Acquisition capabilities. Needless to say that Infantry is also being modernised in a big way on priority. With the completion of the 11th Plan Indian Army will be a true modern Army.

Sainik Samachar With sports being given a major impetus globally, what are our thrust areas to compete internationally with a view to win medals?

COAS : With a view to win medals at international level, we had identified 10 disciplines viz, athletics, archery, boxing, shooting, weight lifting, rowing, wrestling, sailing, diving and equestrian. We have also formed Army Nodes where specialised training and coaching is given to potential medallists. state-of-the-art infrastructure is being procured for these nodes and foreign coaches, who have produced world class sportsmen, are being identified and commissioned for these nodes. At present the Army shooters, archers, boxers and rowers are amongst top medallists at various international competitions. Maj RVS Rathore has earned an Olympic berth in Trap and Skeet Shooting while Hav Tarundeep Rai has qualified for Athens Olympics in archery. We have, therefore, made a promising headway once again.

Sainik Samachar As part of promoting adventure activities, how do you plan to expand its scope in the Army?

COAS : We have taken certain steps in enhancing its scope amongst our various ranks, since such activities build team spirit, endurance and esprit-de-corps. The Army has undertaken various adventure activities in a big way. Microlight flying, hand-gliding, hot air ballooning, sky diving, para-sailing, white water rafting and mountaineering are few of such activities. It is also proposed to attempt Mount Everest in 2005 by an all Army ladies team comprising lady Army officers, NCC cadets etc.

Sainik Samachar You have initiated a few novel welfare measures for all ranks. At what stages of implementation are they?

COAS : We have initiated a number of welfare measures. To cite an example, a Married Accommodation Project (MAP) has been approved by the Prime Minister. A total of 200,000 dwelling units are to be constructed for the Army in 34 stations out of which 90% will be for JCOs and Other Ranks. It is proposed to commence construction at nearly ten stations during this year.

Furthermore, to remove the worries of old age, an Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) has been introduced. Under this, all our ex-servicemen and their dependents will be provided quality medicare at our various Military Hospitals, numerous polyclinics and other reputed civil hospitals for their life span. That apart, children of battle casualties will be entitled to "Education Scholarship" from AG's Branch. We are also opening a number of new professional colleges that will cater exclusively for wards of all ranks, both serving and retired, under the aegis of Army Welfare Education Society. We are in the process of opening a number of other institutions in the fields of medicine, nursing, management sciences, mass communication, designing, architecture and the like. The capacity of existing Army institutes are also being enhanced to nearly 20,000 professional seats over the next five years.

Sainik Samachar As the Chief of the Army Staff, what would be your priorities and focus areas for the coming years?

COAS : In the current global and regional security environment, our nation faces grave security challenges. Terrorism has ominous portents for us and for the international community as well. Therefore, the security of our nation against external and internal threats remains the major focus area of the Army. As COAS, it is my duty to ensure that Army is ever-ready to successfully meet various multi-faceted challenges that our nation might face. Maintaining such a high state of readiness also requires constant attention to a variety of aspects, both human, organisational and material.