Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 11: Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today visited Eastern Ladakh, falling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along China border and had a half at one of the extreme forward post, where he inter-acted with the jawans.
On second day of his three days visit to Leh, the Army chief had an extensive tour of Eastern Ladakh and reviewed prevailing situation and previous transgressions by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China along the LAC. He was accompanied by GOC-in-C Northern Command Lt Gen DS Hooda and GOC Leh based 14 Corps Lt Gen BS Negi.
Official sources said Gen Suhag had a halt at one of the extreme forward post along the LAC with China, where he inter-acted with the troops and had detailed assessment of the situation prevailing there like activities of the PLA and movement across the LAC. The Army chief boosted morale of the troopers and lauded their courage for manning the posts in extreme adverse weather conditions.
The Army chief had a halt at the forward post for about half an hour and was briefed by the local Commanders about the prevailing situation, preparedness of Army and earlier transgressions by the Chinese Army including their present activities.
Gen Suhag flew over several forward posts along the LAC on Eastern Ladakh for detailed assessment of the situation.
This is Gen Suhag’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after taking over as new Army chief from Gen Bikram Singh on July 31.
Yesterday, the Army chief had reviewed in detail the defence preparedness along China and Pakistan borders in Leh and Kargil with senior Army officers. He had also visited Siachen Glacier, the highest mountain battlefield considered to be very strategic with Pakistan.
Tomorrow, Gen Suhag will receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who would address the troops at Leh Garrison and inter-acted with the Army Commanders and jawans during his one day visit to Leh and Kargil.
Modi has, however, dropped the programme to visit Siachen Glacier from his tour itinerary, sources said.
Modi on his maiden visit to Leh and Kargil will meet Army and IAF personnel besides inaugurating two hydro-power projects and laying a foundation stone for the 349-km Leh-Srinagar transmission line.
Modi’s visit to the two high-altitude Himalayan town–his second to Jammu and Kashmir after assuming office–is expected to touch on demands of locals in Leh and Kargil including employment generation and an assurance to take up with China and Pakistan respectively the issue of opening of Mansarovar road from Leh and re-opening of Kargil-Skardu road.
The Prime Minister will also address public meetings at Leh and Kargil.
Leh town is all decked up to welcome the Prime Minister with hoardings been erected at various places and BJP’s Lotus flag seen prominently at various traffic intersections.
The Prime Minister, who will be accompanied by Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, will be received at the Leh Airport by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Ladakh Affairs Minister Abdul Rahim Rather and other senior Ministers.
The Prime Minister, after his arrival in Leh, will be addressing the Airmen and Army men who have been guarding the border in harsh winters in high altitude areas.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Avinash Rai Khanna have reached Leh to monitor arrangements for Modi’s visit.
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