In a significant display of proactive leadership shortly after assuming charge, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth visited forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch, Rajouri, and Sunderbani sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. The visit underscores the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to maintaining robust defence postures in one of the most sensitive regions along the western frontier.
Keywords: General Dhiraj Seth, COAS LoC visit, White Knight Corps, Poonch Rajouri security, Indian Army counter-insurgency J&K, Army Chief forward areas 2026
During the extensive tour, General Seth received detailed briefings on the evolving security environment from the White Knight Corps (XVI Corps), the formation responsible for safeguarding this critical stretch of the LoC. He reviewed the counter-insurgency grid, operational deployments, advanced surveillance architecture, field-level innovations, and the overall integrated operational readiness of the troops. The Army Chief also assessed ongoing infrastructure development projects and the Corps’ sustained people-centric initiatives aimed at empowering communities in India’s border villages.
Sources indicate that General Seth commended all ranks for their operational excellence and unwavering commitment amid persistent challenges, including infiltration attempts and hybrid threats. He exhorted the soldiers to remain mission-focused, operationally agile, and to continue striving for excellence. This engagement is believed to be his first forward area visit since taking over as the 31st COAS, signalling a hands-on approach to understanding ground realities.
The Rajouri- Poonch sector has long been a focal point for counter-terrorism efforts. The White Knight Corps has successfully conducted multiple operations to neutralise threats, leveraging improved intelligence coordination and technology integration. General Seth’s assessment comes at a time when security forces are also gearing up for enhanced vigil during the annual Amarnath Yatra, highlighting the dual responsibility of border defence and internal stability.
Strategically, such visits by the Army Chief serve multiple purposes: boosting troop morale, validating operational preparedness, and ensuring that policy decisions at the highest level remain grounded in field feedback. In an era of evolving regional dynamics, including cross-border terrorism and technological disruptions, the emphasis on surveillance upgrades and community outreach reflects a comprehensive approach that combines kinetic operations with socio-economic integration.
General Seth’s interaction reinforces the Indian Army’s doctrine of proactive defence and humane outreach. As India navigates complex security challenges, this visit reaffirms the military’s role not just as a defender of territory but as a key enabler of lasting peace and development in frontier regions.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
