Army chief in Srinagar to review security

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Jan 31: Army chief, General Bipin Rawat this evening arrived in Srinagar for two day visit to review the security situation in Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LoC).
The Army chief arrived in Srinagar for second visit to the Valley after assuming the appointment as the COAS last month. Earlier last week he arrived in Srinagar but held a meeting of the top commanders at JKLI centre near the Srinagar Airfield.
Accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General D Anbu, Army chief was received by the 15 Corps Commander, Lt Gen JS Sandhu and other Commanders.
The Army chief was briefed about the situation along the forward area of Kashmir where there was heavy snowfall during January in which 20 Army personnel including an officer were killed. He was given details about the efforts made by Army personnel for the safety of troops along the LoC.
The Corps Commander also briefed him about the recent successful operations in Kashmir valley in which security forces eliminated top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commanders and several Hizbul Mujahideen militants.
Army Commanders informed him that the focus of the troops is to conduct intelligence based operations so that there is no collateral damage during these operations as the conduct of operations have become difficult in built up areas after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as troops have to face stone pelting mob attacks.
The Army chief was also briefed about the preparedness of the troops deployed along the LoC in Kashmir. He was told that Army is alert on the LoC despite heavy snowfall which closed the mountain passes.
General Rawat was also briefed about various programmes conducted by Army to engage youth in various activities so that they don’t fall prey to militancy. He was also told that the Army is making efforts to bring back the Kashmiri youth who have joined the militancy to mainstream.
The Army chief is scheduled to visit Baramulla where he has served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 19 Division. He will interact the troops at the RT Brigade. He will be also briefed about the counter-insurgency operations conduct by the security forces in the area.
General Rawat is also scheduled to visit 28 Division headquarters of Army based at Kupwara and Victor Force Headquarters at Awantipora in South Kashmir.

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