Gen Naravane calls on LG
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 2 : Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General MM Naravane, today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir ahead of summer and amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The Army chief visited units and formations of the Army in Kashmir valley where he was briefed by the local Commanders on the existing security situation and the measures being taken to identify and target the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) network involved in radicalisation and recruitment of youth into militant ranks.
He was given a detailed account on how OGWs are sustaining the militancy and how many have been arrested so far by the security forces which has put lot of pressure on militants.
The Army chief was also briefed about the local youth joining militancy and efforts made by the Army and other security agencies to prevent local recruitment and facilitate their surrender. He was told how security forces are persuading parents of militants and village elders to make the local militants surrender.
Besides this he was also given details of the successful operations conducted by the security forces in Kashmir valley especially South Kashmir during which dozens of militants have been eliminated. He was told that Army tries its level best to minimise the collateral damage during these operations.
Interacting with troops, the Army chief expressed his appreciation to the Army men and Commanders who are relentlessly battling the dual challenges of Pakistan backed militancy and the global pandemic.
He further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively. Later, he was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander on the overall situation pertaining to the Line of Control and the hinterland. Besides hinterland security issues he was given delated account of LoC situation in Kashmir including the tightening of the anti-infiltration grid. He was told by the Chinar Corps Commander that despite efforts by militants to infiltrate army has foiled their attempts. He was informed that despite pandemic army has kept close vigil at the LoC and defeated the nefarious designs of militants.
A Defence spokesman said here that the Army chief complimented the excellent synergy exhibited by all sections of the civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces and other security agencies in projecting a ‘Whole of Government’ approach that has resulted in improvement in the security situation conducive for fostering a new era of development in the UT.
In the evening, the COAS called on the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan and discussed the emerging challenges and roadmap for long term peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the Lt Governor and the Army chief discussed recent internal security developments and the prevailing security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir. “Discussions were also held on several internal and external security-related issues and their effective management”, he said.
The spokesman said that the LG stressed on the high importance of maintaining close synergy between the Army and other security forces to meet the security challenges.
He said that the LG lauded the Army’s role in ensuring a safe and secure environment for the people of J&K, besides extending necessary support and complementing Government’s efforts in controlling the spread of Corona virus.
Earlier, Army chief arrived this morning in Srinagar on a two-day visit to Kashmir to review the prevailing security situation in J&K. On arrival at Srinagar, the Army Chief, accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, the Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander visited Chinar Corps Headquarters.
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