Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar May 17: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today impressed upon the Army Commanders to maintain strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) and remain prepared to give a befitting reply to any misadventure from across the border. He urged the Armed forces to deal strictly with the inimical forces without harming civilians.
Soon after his arrival here, the Defence Minister this evening reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and along the LoC and International Border with Pakistan in a meeting with Army chief General Bipin Rawat and top Army Commanders.
Jaitley arrived here this evening and was received at Srinagar Airport by Finance Minister, Haseeb Drabu and other top Army Commanders. Soon after his arrival at Army’s Chinar Corps Headquarters at Badami Bagh Cantt, he was briefed on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and along the LoC and International Border.
Army chief, Gen Bipin Rawat, Sanjay Mitra, Defence Secretary (Designate) and senior Army officers including Northern Army chief D Anbu and 15 Corps General Officer Commanding (GOC), JS Sandhu were present in the review meeting.
The top Commanders briefed Jaitley about the situation along the LoC in the State and International Border and various measures to strengthen the counter infiltration grid along the LoC. He was given detailed presentation of the militant camps in PoK and the launching pads along the LoC which have become active recently after the melting of snow from the mountain passes.
The Defence Minister was briefed about infiltration bids that were foiled by the Army along the LoC recently. He was also told about the infiltration of few militant groups into Kashmir that took place in recent months.
Jaitley was also briefed about the Pakistan’s unprovoked firing along the LoC in Rajouri that killed several persons recently and was briefed about Army’s response in these areas.
Jaitley was also briefed about the situation in the hinterland and the increased militancy and protests coupled with stone pelting that is hampering the security forces operations against the militants.
The Defence Minister was also given a detailed briefing about the trouble spots in Kashmir valley where militants are operating and the areas where they are getting cover by the stone pelting protesters.
He was briefed about the strategy adopted by the Army to tackle the militancy under changed circumstances. He was told that the law and order during the anti-militancy operations is being effectively done by the police and paramilitary CRPF.
The Commanders also briefed him on the close coordination amongst all the various security agencies towards bringing back normalcy in the region.
Lauding the valour, sacrifice and patriotic fervour of soldiers who was serving in these challenging situations, Jaitley urged all to continue the good job being done and ensure safety of the innocent people while dealing firmly with the inimical elements.
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