The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Bipin Rawat, visited the Western Command Headquarters on Saturday and reviewed the operational preparedness along the western borders of the country. The visit comes in the wake of the escalating tensions between India and its western neighbour, Pakistan, following the Pulwama terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and the subsequent Balakot air strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force in retaliation.

Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Surender Singh briefed and updated General Rawat on the current operational situation, prevailing security environment and preparedness of the formations, especially in Amritsar and Samba Sectors.

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General Rawat interacted with the officers of the Command Headquarters and complimented them for maintaining the highest standards of training, operational readiness and exemplary synergy with the Indian Air Force.

The Army Chief directed the formations to ensure continued state of vigilance and alertness and be prepared to decisively deal with emerging challenges that may develop.

Pakistani drone tries to enter Indian airspace

Meanwhile, a Pakistani drone tried to enter Indian airspace along the International Border at around 5 am at Hindumalkot border in Sri Ganganagar sector, Rajasthan. It was detected by the Border Security Force (BSF) who tried to shoot it down, the BSF said.

The moment it was sighted the BSF troopers started firing, forcing it to return, a BSF official said, adding that the drone returned safely across the border to Pakistan.

Earlier, on March 4, an unidentified flying object was shot down at the International Border in Rajasthan by an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet.

According to reports, the unidentified aircraft was probably a Pakistani drone that entered Indian airspace.