Army chief reviews security situation along China border

KOLKATA: Operational preparedness of troops deployed along the border with China and security situation in the northeastern states was reviewed by Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh here today.

"Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag briefed the Army Chief on the operational preparedness and the security scenario in the eastern region," defence spokesperson Group Capt T K Singha said here.

The Eastern Command of the Army is in-charge of securing the region east of Kolkata up to Arunachal Pradesh covering India's boundary with China.

India is upgrading its defence preparedness along the eastern boundary by raising more troops, new formations and deploying more lethal assets such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

This was Gen Singh's maiden visit to the Fort William-based Command headquarter since taking over as Army Chief on May 31, this year. The visit follows his earlier visits to the three Corps headquarters under Eastern Command based at Sukna, Dimapur and Tezpur in recent months.

"It is virtually a homecoming," said Gen Singh on arrival. Having commanded the Eastern Command for over two years, this is one formation that is very close to my heart," he said.