‘Zojila Tunnel, airport important for Kargil’

Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, May 18: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 14 Corps, Lt Gen Ravi Dastane, has said that as per strategic point of view and over all development of Kargil, it is important to have tunnel at Zojilla and an airport in the area.
While talking to a group of media-persons during a visit here today, the GOC said people of this area are very good and peace loving. He said due to heavy snow fall entire region remains cut off during winter months. Therefore, air and the permanent road connectivity is must. For this reason, the construction of a tunnel at Zijila and airport is must.
Responding to another question regarding presence of Chinese forces in Gilgit Baltistan area of PoK, the GOC said the Indian troops were fully prepared to face any challenge. The troops were equipped with modern technology and keeping vigil all along the borders and activities on that side. With the improvement in the economy of the Country, the nation is getting stronger day by day, he maintained.
Earlier, the GOC had a meeting with the Chief Executive Councilor, Kargil Kachoo Ahmed Ali Khan and the Executive Councilors and other prominent persons of the area. The CEC lauded the services of the outgoing GOC on promotion and presented him a gift as token of love and honour on behalf of LAHDC Kargil. The GOC also laid a wreath at Kargil War memorial and paid homage to the martyrs at Helipad. GOC presented a memento to CEC, LAHDC.
GOC Mountain Division, Lt Gen Ramond Naronha, Commander 121 Infantry Brigade Brig Shami Raj, SSP Kargil Javed Iqbal and ADC Kacho Hassan Khan were also present.