Covid was overshadowed by China’s surprise action on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) thus the lead article by Lt General P.C. Katoch (Retd) gives a very comprehensive background on how Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (LOC) and China Occupied Kashmir (LAC) was created. As a result the original State of J&K which acceded to India in October 1947 comprised 2,22,236 sq km but today India is in physical occupation of only 1,06,566 sq km of the original state of J&K. Since then problems on LAC and LOC continue.

Regarding lessons learnt from the LAC in Ladakh, Lt General Katoch laments the norm to appoint committees after conflict situations whose reports are either buried or lessons forgotten. Result is that we tend to keep repeating our mistakes thus the author has suggested 12 points for focus. We hope somebody higher up is listening.

After protracted military-to-military talks, both sides had agreed to disengage but then PLA has reestablished its posts and built ups at various points. In an article on the Disengagement and De-escalation, Lt General J.K. Sharma (Retd), a China expert warns not to take the Chinese pull-back on its face value as China’s history of back stabbing is well known and can repeat itself.

The world and India are in the grip of Covid-19 thus in an article on the subject Lt General R.K. Jagga (Retd) defines the role of Armed Forces under the threat of the virus and how to keep them operationally fit in the all pervasive environment of the Covid-19.

Writing about the unscheduled and surprise landing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Leh on July 3, 2020, along with the CDS and the COAS, Lt General J.K. Sharma (Retd) claims that India has seized the initiative and taken the challenge to Chinese camp and have sent a clear message that India shall resist every expansionist move with courage and resolve. The visit has been a great morale booster for the troops on the front line in Ladakh and whole of the armed forces and their families. With special focus on the strategy of some countries without mentioning China the Prime Minister stated that “those who are driven by expansionism have always posed danger to the world. History bears testimony that such forces have either been destroyed or forced to return back. It is due to this experience that world is coming together against expansionism”. The PMs trip was followed by a two day trip by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to LAC and LOC from July 17-18.

Then there are a few articles on technologies which play a key role specially in gathering intelligence and border management. Weapon Locating Radar, Battlefield Surveillance Radar and Electronic Warfare are all systems of the moment. Dhanush is another success story of ‘Make in India’ which is also included.

This issue as usual wraps up with the News Digest. All personnel who are involved in publishing newspapers and magazines like this one, are all Corona Warriors as they are risking their life to reach you all to keep you updated with key news.

Happy reading!