Chandigarh, July 14 : The Chief of Army Staff, General M.M. Naravane, on Tuesday visited forward areas in Punjab and reviewed the armed force's operational preparedness along the western border. Accompanied by Lieutenant General R.P. Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, the Army chief visited the formations of Vajra Corps in Amritsar and Ferozepur. He was briefed by Lieutenant General Sanjeev Sharma, Corps Commander of Vajra Corps and General Officers Commanding of Panther and Golden Arrow Divisions. An official statement said the Army chief interacted with the troops and lauded them for their high morale and motivation and also awarded Commendation Cards for bravery and devotion to duty. General Naravane commended the efforts of the formations in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and also exhorted all ranks to maintain focus on operational preparedness at all times. /IANS