Jammu, Feb 7: Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday visited forward areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, where he reviewed the operational preparedness of troops deployed along the border and interacted with personnel at forward locations.
During the visit, the Army Chief commended the troops for their high morale, professionalism and operational readiness while assessing the prevailing security situation in the sector.
General Dwivedi also visited Kamsar village in Poonch, where he met Subedar (Honorary Captain) Parvez Ahmed (Retired) of 18 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. The Army Chief and the veteran JCO had served together on multiple occasions, including during the period when General Dwivedi commanded the battalion from 2002 to 2005.
Subedar Parvez Ahmed joined the Indian Army in March 1991 and retired in March 2019 after completing 28 years of service. During his career, he served in various operational and instructional roles, including tenures as an instructor at training establishments, and was recognised for his performance in specialised courses.
After retirement, Parvez Ahmed continued to remain actively engaged with the local community. During Operation Sindoor, he played a key role in supporting deployed troops by assisting with logistics and local coordination, leveraging his familiarity with the terrain and close association with the unit.
His efforts, carried out at personal risk during periods of heightened tension, earned him recognition from the Army. In appreciation of his continued contribution and support during Operation Sindoor, the Army Chief felicitated him with the Veteran Achiever Award.
Family members, ex-servicemen and local residents were present on the occasion. Several other veterans and civilians, including women and children from the region, also interacted with the Army Chief during the visit.
Officials said the visit underscored the enduring bond between the Indian Army, its veterans and the local communities in the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, where military service remains closely linked with everyday life.
