Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, today told the troops to remain in a very high state of alert to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across.
Accompanied by Army chief General Dalbir Singh, Parrikar today arrived in Kashmir to review the security situation at a time when the Line of Control (LoC) is hot due to cross LoC shelling and increased attempts of infiltration.
The Defence Minister visited Uri on his arrival where he was briefed by the local Army Commanders about the situation along the LoC. It was his first visit to Uri Brigade after Fidayeen attack in September this year in which 20 Army personnel were killed.
He interacted with the troops deployed in the forward areas and complimented their valour and fortitude. He told them that the entire nation is proud of them. He impressed upon the soldiers to remain in a very high state of alertness to give a befitting response to any misadventure from across.
Parrikar was briefed about the strengthening of the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC and measures taken to prevent militants to infiltrate into Kashmir. He was also informed about the designs of Pakistan and militants and their handlers, who are sitting across.
The Defence Minister and the Army chief were later briefed at BB Cantt, Srinagar on the latest internal security situation and all the security measures initiated by the Army and other security agencies along the LoC as well as the hinterland. They were briefed by Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders Lt Gen DS Hooda and Lt Gen JS Sandhu respectively.
The Defence Minister was also told about the role of Army in the unrest and containing the militancy in the hinterland. He was also told about Army’s success this year during operations along the LoC and the hinterland in which 129 militants were eliminated so far this year when last year the figure for whole year was 97.
Parrikar will be staying in Srinagar overnight and meet more troops deployed in other areas tomorrow.
The Defence Minister is scheduled to visit Budgam tomorrow to pay homage to the India’s first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary.
Parrikar will join senior Army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath in Budgam. Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour.
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