‘Reviewing security for Amarnath Yatra, interacting with troops, assessing overall security situation top priority’
Jammu, Jul 02 :
Newly appointed Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday in his first official trip after taking over as India’s 30th Chief of Army Staff.
Top army sources informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the Army Chief will be visiting army formations in Jammu. He is also scheduled to visit operational areas and interact with troops.
Official sources said that General Dwivedi will also review security for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
This will be his maiden tour to J&K after taking over as the new Army Chief. General Upendra Dwivedi assumed the role on June 30, succeeding General Manoj Pande, who retired after more than four decades of distinguished service.
General Upendra Dwivedi is an accomplished military leader with 40 years of service in the Armed Forces. An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), he was commissioned into the Regiment of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in 1984. He eventually became the first officer from J&K’s native JAKRIF to rise to the position of Army Chief.
The General also has the unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern, and Western theatres, in varied operational environments.
General Dwivedi brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of effectively planning and executing for the unexpected. He has held critical appointments and played a pivotal role in combating grey zone manifestations in the national security landscape.
Earlier, a day after assuming charge, Gen Upendra Dwivedi said that the Indian Army is ready and capable of facing all current and future security challenges facing India. He was interacting with the media on Monday after inspecting a guard of honour at the South Block in Raisina Hills, Delhi.
The Army Chief said working towards ensuring synergy among the Army, Air Force, and the Navy would be one of his priorities. He called for equipping soldiers with the latest weapons to face “unique operational challenges”.
“I am fully conscious of the responsibility assigned to me and I assure the country and fellow citizens that the Indian Army is fully capable and ready to face all current and future challenges,” General Dwivedi said.
He added that the Indian Army is on the “path to transformation” and aspires to be ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) in defence. Gen Dwivedi has been serving as the Vice Chief of the Army since February 19. Before becoming the Vice Chief, he served as the General OfficerCommanding-in-Chief of Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.
He also breaks a 16-year-old precedent of selecting an officer with experience in leading the Indian Army’s Eastern Command as COAS. The last Army Chief with experience commanding the Northern Command before assuming the role of Chief of the Army Staff was General Deepak Kapoor, who served from October 1, 2007, to March 31, 2010—(KNO)