Ladakh strategically important due to its proximity with India's adversaries: Army

‘Lauds locals for sharing historical connect with Army’

Jammu: General Officer Commanding–in Chief, Northern Command Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday said that Ladakh region is strategically very important due to its proximity with adversaries at active borders which participated in all wars India fought after Independence.
The army commander said that from Gilgit-Baltistan in West to Kailash Mansarovar in Eastern front Ladakh has shared all active borders with adversaries; India has been facing since Independence.
“The geo-strategic importance of Ladakh which stems from Gilgit-Baltistan, Kargil, Aksai Chin, Siachen Glacier and Kailash Mansarovar,” the army commander said.
“The strategic importance of Ladakh is overarching due to its proximity to our adversaries as it is the only province having Line of Control (LC), Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) and Line of Actual Control (LAC) and which has participated in all wars fought by Independent India till date,” Lt Gen Dwivedi said.
Genearl Dwivedi was delivering key note address during a three days National Seminar organised on Ladakh History, Culture & Heritage at Leh.
Parsing the people of Ladakh, army commander said that it has been just about three years that Ladakh got the status of a Union Territory and this has led to a renewed interest amongst masses not only in India, but around the world.
The Army Commander also said that the local populace of Ladakh have a historical connect with the Indian Army, post-independence, when Gilgit was annexed by Pakistan and Ladakh was threatened, the locals of the region came forward and volunteered to fight the intruders, referred to as Nubra Guards, which was later renamed as Ladakh Scouts and distinguished itself to be one of the most elite and decorated regiments of the Indian Army.
Addressing the gathering, Fire and Fury General Officer Commanding, Lieutenant General Anandya Sengupta said, despite the conflicts due to perceptual boundaries, the heartland of the world Ladakh has evolved from time to time.
He listed various historic incidents that have taken place in the Ladakh region since the year 1800, and how it became part of the Great Game.
Appreciating the army civilian symbiosis in the region, Lt Gen Anandya Sengupta said, the Army has been part of the socio-economic and sustainable development of the region.
He said, Army is also providing better education and sporting facilities in Ladakh.
Earlier, the three day seminar National Seminar on Ladakh History, Culture and Heritage concluded in Leh.
Indian Council of Historic Research, ICHR, in collaboration with New Delhi-based Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre and Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, CIBS, has organized the seminar.
It was unique and laid emphasis on the rich cultural, historical heritage of Ladakh with an aim not only to highlight it at a National level but also, to preserve the same.
Updated On 10/1/2022 12:32:33 PM