In a move signaling India’s heightened focus on border security, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army Commander of the Northern Command, reviewed the operational preparedness of the Fire and Fury Corps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. The visit comes amid renewed concerns over ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and unresolved tensions along the LAC with China.
Lt Gen Sharma’s tour included key forward areas and high-altitude posts manned by the Fire and Fury Corps, which is responsible for India’s most sensitive military zones including the Galwan Valley and the Siachen Glacier. With both India and China continuing to maintain substantial troop deployments in eastern Ladakh since the 2020 Galwan clashes, the Corps has remained on high alert.
During his inspection, Lt Gen Sharma interacted with soldiers stationed in the harsh terrain, acknowledging their fortitude and professionalism. He praised the Corps’ efforts in integrating cutting-edge military technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous surveillance systems, and cyber warfare capabilities—critical tools for operations in Ladakh’s complex and elevated geography.
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The Army Commander stressed the importance of remaining alert and professionally prepared, especially in the face of the continuing Sino-Indian border dispute. He reiterated that the evolving security landscape along the LAC, which spans Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, demands round-the-clock readiness and adaptability.
The visit also underscored the strategic significance of the Northern Command, which oversees India’s full northern frontier. With an estimated 70,000 Chinese troops deployed in the Southern Xinjiang Military District opposite Ladakh, and an additional 40,000 in Tibet, the region remains a potential flashpoint. While communication channels between the two nations—such as military hotlines and regular commander-level meetings—exist to ease tensions, substantive resolutions to the territorial disputes have yet to be reached.
Lt Gen Sharma’s review highlights the Indian Army’s continued emphasis on combat preparedness and its resolve to secure national interests in Ladakh. As the Fire and Fury Corps continues to spearhead operations in this critical theatre, India’s military leadership remains focused on strategic readiness to deter any misadventure along its northern borders.
