Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 14: Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh today discussed security situation in Kashmir with Governor Satya Pal Malik and Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh here ahead of Panchayat and Local Bodies elections.
Singh arrived here today for two day visit to review overall security scenario in Kashmir valley and along the Line of Control (LoC).
During the visit, the Army Commander along with the Chinar Corps Commander, Lt General AK Bhatt, held discussions with DGP Dilbag Singh at Badami Bagh Cantonment on the prevailing security situation in Kashmir.
They discussed the successful operations conducted by security forces in Kashmir during last few months and strategy to be adopted to maintain pressure on the militants and forces inimical to peace ahead of Panchayat and Local Bodies elections, slated for October and November. They also discussed the mechanism to be adopted for providing sense of security to the people and candidates during the elections.
The Northern chief and DGP discussed the infiltration attempts being carried out by militants from across the LoC and steps taken by the Army to foil them. As per Army sources, there are over 250 militants on launch pads ready for infiltration. But Army is on alert to prevent them from sneaking in.
Lt General Singh appreciated the cooperation and synergy being maintained among all the agencies, which, he said, was the most critical aspect of successful counter infiltration and counter operations in Kashmir. He said that the cooperation is must for putting pressure on the militants and anti-national forces.
Later in the day, the Army Commander called on Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar and discussed the prevailing internal and external security situation of the State.
They also discussed the security scenario in Kashmir in the wake of Panchayat and Local Bodies elections. The Army Commander told the Governor that they are ready for providing area domination in Kashmir valley to put pressure on the militants which will go a long way to give sense of security to the people and the candidates.
The Army Commander told the Governor that they will further intensify security along the LoC so that any attempt of infiltration is foiled ahead of elections. He informed Malik that there are apprehensions that militants will try their level best to create sense of insecurity during these elections which is to be countered effectively.
Earlier, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh today said that a strict vigil should be maintained in the State to counter nefarious designs of anti-national elements. His statement comes a day after three JeM terrorists were killed in a fierce gunfight in Katra area of Reasi district.
“All ranks need to remain vigilant to counter the nefarious designs of the inimical and anti-national elements,” he said while interacting with senior officers at the Nagrota Military Station here.
The Army Commander reviewed the operational preparedness and was briefed by Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, the General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps, on the security situation in the Corps zone and also on the operations being conducted by the formation, sources said.
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh was also briefed on the preparedness of the formations in their respective area of responsibility in light of ceasefire violations, infiltration bids and hinterland security.
The Army Commander interacted with soldiers and complimented them for their dedication to duty and high standard of professionalism.
Three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed and 12 security personnel injured on Thursday in an encounter in Reasi district.
The encounter broke out after security forces, comprising CRPF, police and Army personnel, during a cordon and search operation, zeroed in on a location near a house in the district’s Kakryal area, and surrounded the terrorists.
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