Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 16: Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh today visited the forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier district of Kupwara to take stock of the anti-infiltration measures and visited Divisional headquarters of the Army in Kashmir valley to get first hand account of the counter-insurgencies operations conducted in the hinterland.
The Army chief also met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the morning and visited the Army’s 92-Base Hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar where he inquired about the health of injured Army personnel especially those who were injured in a militant attack at Hyderpora Srinagar Bypass last month.
The Army chief was accompanied by GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt General Sanjiv Chachra and GOC 15 Corps Lt. General Gurmit Singh during his two day visit to Kashmir valley. He left for New Delhi at around 4 p.m.
The Army chief visited Keran sector of Kupwara in North Kashmir where 5 militants were killed by troops on the Line of Control (LoC) on July 9. Sources said that the local brigade commander of Keran sector, Brigadier Rajive Kumar gave detailed briefing about the infiltration attempt that was foiled in the sector by the Army early this month.
“Brigadier Kumar gave graphic description of the operation that was launched against the infiltrating militants on July 9 after Army received information about the possible infiltration attempt”, sources added.
Sources said that the Brigadier also briefed the Army chief about the counter-infiltration grid that has been strengthened after the information that the militants across the LoC are waiting for the cross over.
The Army chief later addressed troops and interacted with them. He complemented them for their alertness along the LoC and for foiling the designs of the militants who are desperate to infiltrate into Kashmir valley.
The Army chief visited the Kupwara based 28 Division of the Army where he was briefed by the General Officer Commanding, Major General, Lalit Pandey about the situation along the LoC in Tangdhar,Keran, Macchil and Gurez sectors. He was given detailed account of the counter-infiltration measures put in place in these sectors by the Army.
The GOC told the Army chief that there are over 300 militants waiting on the launching pads on the other side of the LoC in Tangdhar,Keran, Macchil and Gurez sectors. He said that troops on the LoC are alert to foil any infiltration attempt.
The Army chief visited the Baramulla based 19 Division Headquarter of the Army. The GOC Major General VG Kandare briefed the Army chief about the situation along Gulmarg, Rampur, Uri and Nowgam sectors along the LoC. Sources said that the Major General told Army chief that the militants across the LoC are desperate to infiltrate but Army’s heightened vigil prevents them from infiltrating through these sectors.
The Army chief later visited the Sharifabad headquarters of counter-insurgency Kilo Force that conducts operations in North Kashmir against militants. The GOC Kilo Force Major General Sarath Chand briefed him about the successful operations conducted by his force in North Kashmir.
The Army chief also visited the Awantipora headquarters of the counter-insurgency Victor Force of Army. He was briefed by GOC Victor Force, Major General R R Nimbhorkar about the operations conducted by Army in South and Central Kashmir by his force. He was also briefed about the Army’s efforts to ensure peaceful Yatra and security arrangements put in place by the Victor Force for Amarnath yatra.
Earlier in the morning the Army chief called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and briefed him about various aspects of infiltration from across the LoC and overall security scenario in the State.
An official statement issued here said that the Chief Minister and Chief of the Army Staff discussed issues concerning the internal and external security situation.
Army Chief informed Omar about the various aspects of infiltration from across the LoC, and the overall security scenario in the State, the statement added. They also discussed issues relating to the security aspects of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Before calling on Chief Minister the Army chief visited the 92-Base hospital of the Army and inquired about the health of the Army personnel admitted there. He hoped their speedy recovery and lauded their role for fighting militancy in Kashmir.
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