Kathua: Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the India’s Northern Command, conducted a high-level operational review today at the Jhangar Battalion following the successful execution of Operation Balliyan.
The visit comes in the wake of a thwarted infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Rajouri district, where alert troops intercepted a group of armed infiltrators attempting to breach the border under the cover of the rugged terrain.
This visit of Lt Gen Sharma highlights the Indian Army’s evolving ‘Zero Infiltration Grid.’ This strategy increasingly relies on a sophisticated fusion of indigenous high-tech sensors, artificial intelligence, and robotic platforms to secure the Line of Control (LoC).
Precision and Professionalism
During his interaction with the troops, Lt Gen Sharma lauded the “resolute commitment” and “professionalism” of the Jhangar Battalion. Operation Balliyan, which was launched following credible intelligence inputs on March 10, resulted in the elimination of at least one Pakistan-sponsored terrorist and the recovery of significant war-like stores, including Turkey-made pistols and high-capacity magazines.
“The alertness of our troops in the Jhangar sector has effectively denied a breach of the Line of Control, ensuring continued peace and stability in the region,” the Northern Command stated in an official release.
Strategic Preparedness
The Army Commander’s visit was not merely ceremonial; it involved a comprehensive review of the security architecture and the counter-infiltration grid. As the snow melts in the higher reaches, the “spring surge”—a traditional window for increased infiltration attempts—remains a primary concern for the Northern Command.
Lt Gen Sharma was briefed on the integration of ground and aerial surveillance, including the use of advanced drones to monitor dead zones along the fence. He exhorted all ranks to maintain a “robust operational posture,” emphasizing that the peace in the hinterland is directly tied to the unyielding vigilance at the border.
A Region on Alert
The success of Operation Balliyan is seen as a significant blow to the terror infrastructure operating across the LoC. This operation is part of a series of successful counter-terror actions in the Rajouri-Poonch sector, which has seen a spike in tactical engagements over the last year.
As the Indian Army reorients its forces to dominate the sensitive sectors of the LoC, the Commander’s visit serves as a morale booster for the “sentinels of the north” who continue to guard one of the most volatile borders in the world.
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.
