Army Chief Visits LoC in Poonch-Rajouri to Review Security

New Delhi, July 10, 2026 — In his first high-profile field visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking command, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, carried out a comprehensive assessment of India’s frontline defenses along the Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday. The Army Chief spent the day touring the highly sensitive frontier sectors of Poonch, Rajouri, and Sunderbani, analyzing the anti-infiltration measures and checking the operational readiness of troops positioned at the border.

The strategic visit arrives during a crucial window, coinciding with heightened security measures deployed across the region for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The visit also marks a return to familiar terrain for General Seth, who previously commanded the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) in this exact belt, bringing a deep, localized understanding of the region’s geographical challenges and security dynamics to his new role.

High-Level Briefings at White Knight Corps

General Seth commenced his tour by arriving at the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps (16 Corps) Headquarters. He was accompanied by top military commanders, including the Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General P.K. Mishra.

At the headquarters, senior commanders provided the COAS with a detailed blueprint of the current security grid. The briefings centered on:

• Operational Deployments: The spatial positioning of units along the rugged border terrain to block potential ingress routes.
• Surveillance Architecture: The integration of electronic surveillance, drones, and thermal imaging assets deployed to monitor the LoC 24/7.
• The Counter-Infiltration Grid: Multilayered security measures explicitly designed to prevent cross-border infiltration from Pakistan-occupied territory.

Following the operational brief, the Army Chief traveled directly to the forward locations, including the Poonch Brigade Headquarters, to evaluate tactical readiness at the ground level. Local commanders apprised him of real-time troop configurations and the precise security measures maintaining peace in the hinterland.

Focus on Technological Adaptation and Border Welfare

A major theme of General Seth’s review was the modernization of frontier warfare. The Army Chief was briefed extensively on recent field innovations, technology absorption, and capability enhancements that allow the military to operate with greater agility. With the rugged topography of the Pir Panjal region often serving as an obstacle, the deployment of advanced technological solutions has become standard protocol to minimize human error and safeguard troop safety.

Beyond strict defense parameters, the COAS reviewed the progress of vital infrastructure development in these remote areas. He took stock of the army’s ongoing people-centric initiatives, which aim to uplift and empower residents living in India’s isolated border villages. Military officials emphasized that winning the trust and cooperation of the local population remains a cornerstone of successful counter-insurgency and border management strategy.

Interacting with the Troops

While visiting remote forward posts, General Seth took the opportunity to personally interact with the jawans and officers standing guard at the front lines. He also met with representatives from sister security agencies, including Dr. Shammi Kumar, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Operations) for Rajouri, emphasizing the need for absolute synergy between the military and local police forces.

Recognizing the immense mental and physical pressure of maintaining extreme vigilance in high-altitude terrain, the Army Chief commended all ranks for their exceptional professionalism, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to national defense.

Broad Security Assessment Across J&K

The tour of the Poonch-Rajouri belt follows a string of high-level meetings General Seth conducted since his arrival in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. A day prior to visiting the LoC, the Army Chief held a detailed review of the Kashmir Valley’s security infrastructure at the Chinar Corps (15 Corps) Headquarters in Srinagar. During that phase of his tour, his focus was explicitly trained on the complex security layout protecting the routes of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, ensuring seamless cooperation between different security tiers.

While in the capital, the COAS also called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the broader civil-military security ecosystem, reiterating the Indian Army’s commitment to preserving long-term peace and stability across the Union Territory.

Commanders on the ground reassured the Army Chief that anti-infiltration frameworks have performed with high efficiency over the last several months, severely restricting cross-border movement. As the summer months historically bring an uptick in infiltration attempts due to clear mountain passes, General Seth directed his forces to maintain strict, unyielding surveillance on all adversary movements to preempt any security disruptions.