Army chief arrives tomorrow
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, who also happens to be the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, today held high-level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at Udhampur Garrison with top brass during his four day visit to the State to assess operational preparedness of the troops.
As Admiral Lanba also happens to be the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, he held detailed assessment of the situation including review of security situation, operational preparedness and requirement of the troops in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been facing militancy in the hinterland and hostile enemy on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan and Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
The Navy chief also visited Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and inter-acted with troops there to ascertain the situation as well as problems, if any, faced by the soldiers deployed at the Glacier at the height of 5400 meters from the sea level, where the troops faced extreme hostile weather conditions.
Admiral Lanba interacted with Marine Commandos (MARCOS) team at Watlab Ghat yesterday.
The Navy has very less presence in Jammu and Kashmir as compared to Army and Indian Air Force (IAF). However, they had played significant role during 2014 floods in the Kashmir valley in rescuing civilians.
The Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee was briefed on overall security situation at Udhampur. Reena Lanba, president, Naval Wives Welfare Association accompanied by Kalpana Singh, Regional President, Army Wives Welfare Association, Northern Command also visited the Command Hospital at Udhampur and inter-acted with the patients.
Sources said Admiral Lanba in his capacity as the Chairman Chief of Staff Committee also assessed requirements of all three Services in Jammu and Kashmir.
Admiral Lanba lauded the dedication of the troops and zeal with which they are performing the duties at Siachen Glacier and other places in Jammu and Kashmir. Yesterday, 15 Corps Commander had briefed him about the preparedness of the troops deployed at the Siachen Glacier.
The Navy Chief had visited Watlab Ghat in Sopore area of North Kashmir where he was briefed by the Marine Commandos (MARCOS) on their operational role in the Valley.
Admiral Lanba was given an update on the various operations and initiatives undertaken by the MARCOS in countering terrorism in and around the Wular Lake region. The MARCOS are conducting operations in the Wullar lake and also assisting Army in their operations in the forests of Bandipora.
Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat is visiting Drass sector in Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir on July 26 to join the ‘Kargil Vijay Divas’ celebrations. Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh will reach Drass tomorrow.
Kargil Vijay Divas is celebrated every year on July 26 as it was on this day in 1999 that Indian Army had successfully evicted all Pakistani intruders from the heights of Kargil, which they had occupied. The Kargil war had last 60 days in which the Indian Army had inflicted heavy casualties on Pakistan side.
Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other national leaders would pay tributes to the Kargil war heroes in New Delhi and rest of the places.
The celebrations of `Kargil Vijay Divas’ have already begun in Drass sector and other parts.
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