Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 21: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will start two days visit to Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow during which he would visit extreme forward posts on the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and review situation along LoC and Line of Actual Control (LAC) with Pakistan and China respectively, have extensive meetings with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and get briefings from top Army Commanders including Northern Army Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen KH Singh, GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha and GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen BS Negi among others.
Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag will accompany the Defence Minister during his two days visit to Jammu and Kashmir in which Parrikar will cover the LAC and LoC with China and Pakistan and review anti-infiltration measures, Counter-Insurgency Grid, damages suffered by Army during floods, Amarnath yatra arrangements, summer strategy of the Army and other related issues.
Parrikar is also scheduled to visit holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji before concluding his two days visit on May 23.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Parrikar might also visit Siachen base to acquaint himself with the situation at world’s highest battlefield and tough terrain in which the Army soldiers were working in the most strategic mountains, which remain snowbound throughout the year.
Parrikar would visit forward posts of the Indian Army along the LoC in Bhimber Gali (BG) sector of Poonch district on Saturday afternoon to have on spot assessment of the situation including working conditions of the Army soldiers, installation of sophisticated gadgets to counter infiltration by the militants and other related issues. He will also visit Infantry Brigade Headquarters in BG for briefing by the local Army Commanders on the situation prevailing at LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Sources said the Defence Minister accompanied by the Army chief from New Delhi and joined by the GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen DS Hooda will reach Leh tomorrow morning, where they will be briefed on the situation along the LAC with China in Eastern Ladakh by Leh based General Officer Commanding (GOC) 14 Corps Lt Gen BS Negi and other top Commanders of the Army.
Though the situation is peaceful along China borders in Ladakh with no incident of incursions by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China reported during past quite some time, India has been developing infrastructure to match strength of China. The LAC with China hasn’t been demarcated. There was no agreement between India and China on demarcation of LAC during recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to that country.
Parrikar along with the Army Commanders will reach Srinagar tomorrow afternoon, where he would have briefing on the situation prevailing in the Kashmir valley from Srinagar based 15 Corps GOC Lt Gen Subrata Saha.
Sources said upcoming Amarnath yatra arrangements including fool-proof security for the pilgrims along with other security agencies, summer strategy on the LoC when maximum infiltration attempts are made by the militants due to melting of snow, installation of sophisticated gadgetry on the LAC, strengthening Counter-Insurgency Grid, presence of militants within the Valley and those waiting across the LoC to sneak into this side and rebuilding of Army infrastructure damaged by the floods were high on agenda of discussions of the Defence Minister in the Kashmir valley.
Parrikar will have one-to-one separate meetings with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the evening, sources said, adding issues related to security aspects could come up during the meetings.
The Defence Minister was likely to list the Army’s demands during meetings with the Chief Minister. Later, the Governor will host dinner for the Defence Minister at the Raj Bhawan.
The Defence Minister and the Army chief would visit Jammu on May 23. They would fly to Poonch and have briefing on the situation along LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts from the Army Commanders and visit forward Indian posts in BG sector.
Parrikar would be briefed on the situation in Jammu region by Nagrota based 16 Corps GOC Lt Gen KH Singh.
The Defence Minister is likely to visit holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji before flying back to New Delhi in the evening of May 23.
PTI adds from New Delhi:
Asserting that terrorists have to be neutralized only through terrorists, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said India will take “pro-active” steps to prevent a 26/11 type attacks hatched from foreign soil.
“There are certain things that I obviously cannot discuss here. But if there is any country, why only Pakistan, planning something against my country, we will definitely take some pro-active steps,” he said at an event in New Delhi.
Speaking candidly, the Minister used the Hindi phrase “kante se kanta nikalna” (removing a thorn with a thorn) and wondered why Indian soldiers should be used to neutralize terrorists. He said the pro-active steps could include pressure tactics.
“We have to neutralize terrorists through terrorists only. Why can’t we do it? We should do it. Why does my soldier have to do it?” he said adding that this issue cannot be discussed beyond this.
He was speaking at ‘Manthan’ conclave organised by a news channel and was replying to a question on what would be Government’s reaction if a repeat of Mumbai attacks or a Parliament attack takes place.
He said the best response would be to ensure it does not happen.
Meanwhile, he said, the Army has been given orders to neutralize infiltrators trying to enter India.
“I can only say that anyone trying to infiltrate will be neutralized,” he said.
He also said that a terrorist who comes with a gun cannot be lectured on human rights.
However, the Minister added that instructions have been given to take precaution that there is no “collateral damage” and that no Indian soldiers die.
“Take precaution there is no collateral damage. Don’t touch civilians,” he said.
Asked what has changed from the previous Government’s tenure, the Minister said, “Porosity on borders is less; intelligence has improved”.
Parrikar also said he will stand by the Army at any cost if they are right.
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