New Delhi: General Officer Commanding- in-Chief of the Pune-based Southern Command Lt. General P M Hariz has asserted that the Doklam problem was not the last of its kind and the Army cannot afford to lower its guard since it has been resolved.

"Our training in command and preparedness remains intact. It does not mean that we should let the guard down because the Dokalam issue has been resolved," he said in Bhopal after giving away 63 gallantry and distinguished service awards at an investiture ceremony of the Southern Command.

"We never let our guard down. We remain alert and we ensure that our preparedness is always of the highest order," Hariz said.

The officer said the Army was always in a state of readiness to swiftly take position when needed to give a befitting reply to the enemy.

"Recently there was a problem in Doklam which has been resolved. But this doesn't mean that it was the last. The Doklam issue was resolved through diplomatic efforts by both sides (India and China)," he said.

He praised the Indian media for handling the issue in a "responsible" manner.
Indian and Chinese troops faced off for more than two months at Dokalam plateau near Sikkim which has been claimed by both China and Bhutan.