Sounding a word of caution on the prevailing situation in Jammu & Kashmir, GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lt Gen YK Joshi on Friday said the internal situation in J&K, which is stable and under control, has the propensity to flare up at any time.

Interacting with the media persons after paying tributes to the “bravehearts” of the Indian Army on the occasion of Army Day in the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, Lt Gen Joshi also claimed that Pakistan has not relented from using terror as an instrument of state policy.

Additionally, he went on to say, “We have seen the Chinese belligerence on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). They have tried to alter the status quo which has been contested with resolve and courage by the Indian Army.”

“Thirdly, the internal situation in J&K, which is stable and under control, has the propensity to flare up at any time,” he said.

Elaborating, Lt Gen Joshi said, “There is also the collusive factor with threats ranging from supplying weapons to sharing of operational practices and so on.”

Referring to the prevailing security scenario, the Army commander said that the relentless operations on the Line of Control backed with a robust multi-agency grid in hinterland has forced the deep state in Pakistan to recalibrate its approach to handle this situation.

He said, “The terrorist networks across are trying hard to abet recruitment by extensive use of social media”.

The recent District Development Council elections have conveyed the resolve and will of the common people to shun separatism and embrace democracy, he said.

Commenting on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, Lt Gen Joshi said the abrogation of Article 370 and improvement in governance  have been  major game changers that helped in restoring the faith of the common people in the institutions of the Government.

Referring to the situation in the Eastern Ladakh sector, Lt-Gen Joshi said the situation on ground zero has been further complicated by vagaries of weather and terrain.

“The Indian Army has displayed immense grit and determination to match the Chinese belligerence and give them a befitting reply. The Army Commander said that we at the Northern Command are now perched at a position of operational advantage and are negotiating with the PLA from a position of equivalence,” he said.