Stopping infiltration my top priority: Jaswal

Jaswal said his other priorities would be new initiatives to keep the morale of the forces high and also maintain their battle worthiness.

Earlier,Lt General Jaswal was given a ceremonial send-off on relinquishing the charge of GOC-in-C,ARTRAC,which he served for nearly nine months. The new Northern Command chief dispelled all apprehensions on the growing attention on the Chinese border. He said: “The China border has always been sensitive,but there is no immediate cause for tension or worry.”

On Jammu and Kashmir,Jaswal said: “The Army has been keeping a close watch on the infiltration along the LoC. This will be further strengthened. Steps will be taken to launch a relentless operation,with the help of locals and the civil administration,to flush out all militants hiding in that territory.”

Lt Gen Jaswal,who carries with him a vast experience of working in insurgency environments,said: “The Army is for the protection and safety of the people. We have an excellent coordination and synergy with the local administration.” He claimed that certain new surveillance equipment and weapons had been inducted to help the forces working in the militancy-hit areas,including Kashmir.

“To keep pace with the changing needs,the ARTRAC has also tried to improve the skills of the jawans,junior officers and seniors,” said Jaswal. In J-K,he said,the village defence committees formed to fight militants were doing a great job to help the Army. “Steps will be taken to strengthen them,” he added.

‘Rukhsana is finest example of bravery’

New GOC-in-C,Northern Command,Lt General Jaswal described Rukhsana Kauser’s act of killing militants at a remote Jammu village as the finest example of bravery. “This shows people are turning against the militants. This girl had no formal training to handle weapons. Still,she acted courageously to fight three insurgents,” he said,adding that he hoped this would boost the confidence of the people.