Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 2: Northern Army Command chief Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra today held a high level review of security scenario in the Kashmir Valley including the Line of Control (LoC) with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, the summer capital of the State. Lt Gen Chachra accompanied by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps Lt Gen Gurmit Singh also visited the LoC in Kupwara district for on spot assessment of the situation in the wake of reports of infiltration attempts from across the LoC.
Lt Gen Chachra, GOC-in-C Northern Command and Lt Gen Gurmit Singh were with the Chief Minister for more than an hour during which counter terrorist operations, security scenario in the Valley including the LoC and just concluded talks between Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) came up for a high level review.
The two top Army Commanders gave their assessment of the situation to Mr Abdullah in entire Jammu and Kashmir especially the Kashmir Valley including presence of the militants in hinterland and across the LoC, who could make attempts to infiltrate into the State ahead of this year’s Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Lt Gen Chachra reiterated the Army’s commitment to zero tolerance towards human rights violations in the State. He told the Chief Minister that the cases of misdemeanor, if any, would be dealt with severely. He cited the example of Machhal encounter in Kupwara district in which Army had ordered action against its six personnel including officers.
The Northern Army Command chief assured the Chief Minister that the Army would continue with people friendly operations and no inconvenience would be caused to the ‘Awaam’ (the people) during conduct of counter terrorist operations. He said all efforts would be made by the Army to avoid collateral damage during operations targeted against the militants.
The Chief Minister appreciated the successful operations conducted by the Army recently and commended the restraint exercised by the troops during conduct of these operations ensuring that there was no collateral damage.
Omar hoped that the Army would continue to maintain restraint during the search and cordon operations against the militants
Lt Gen Chachra, who reached Srinagar this morning on a three days visit to the Kashmir Valley, apprised the Chief Minister about the details of DGMO level talks between India and Pakistan held after 14 years at Wagah border in Amritsar district of Punjab in which the two sides committed themselves to 2003 ceasefire agreements.
He also gave Omar a detailed account about Army’s perception of security scenario in the State and attempts the militants could make to breach the LoC to sneak into this side with a view to disturb Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State, both of which were due next year.
The Army Commander apprised the Chief Minister about preparedness of his troops along the LoC bordering Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir especially during the winter when most parts of the LoC remained snow bound.
Lt Gen Chachra and Lt Gen Gurmit Singh later visited forward posts along the LoC in Kupwara district to review winter preparedness and strategy of the troops for counter infiltration and counter terrorism operations. They visited several snow bound areas along the LoC in Kupwara district.
The Northern Army Commander along with Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, Chinar Corps Commander also visited Hajipir Brigade where he was briefed on the counter infiltration grid. The operational preparedness of the formation for the coming months was also discussed.
Lt Gen Chachra carried out the aerial reconnaissance of forward areas to get the view of the snow levels and how the troops deployed in the snow bound areas were bravely operating. He commended the troops for recent operational successes resulting into recovery of huge cache of arms and ammunition in Farkiyan Gali area along the LoC and expressed his satisfaction over the preparedness and synergy between the security forces for ensuring sustained peace in the Valley.
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