Army chief reviews security in Kashmir, meets governor

Srinagar: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to the Kashmir Valley on Thursday to review the prevailing security situation.

The army chief accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon visited the formations and units deployed in the hinterland in North Kashmir, a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said the Chief of Army was briefed by the local Commanders on the existing security situation and the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all government agencies towards maintaining vigil and peace in the Valley. “During his interaction with the soldiers on ground, he lauded them for their high levels of morale and motivation,” the spokesman said.

He further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively, the spokesman said.

“The Chief of Army Staff also visited the Army Goodwill School at Mazbug, Sopore and interacted with the students and staff. The school has constantly been striving to develop its infrastructure and is now one of the finest educational institutions of the area.”

The children, he said, were thrilled to get an opportunity to meet Gen Bipin Rawat, who encouraged the youth to aspire to achieve success in life through education and hard work and to make full use of the opportunities available. “The interaction with the Chief of Army Staff left an indelible mark on students which would undoubtedly inspire them to achieve greater goals in life.”

Subsequently, he said, the army chief was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander at Badami Bagh Cantonment on the overall situation and major operational, informational, logistical and administrative aspects pertaining to the Corps.

Later in the day, the Army Chief called on the Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar and apprised him about the overall security situation in the Valley including stringent enforcement of the Counter-Infiltration Grid along the Line of Control. “They also discussed the vital importance of a fully integrated inter-service approach being used for planning and executing counter militancy operations in the hinterland,” the spokesman said.

“Governor lauded Gen. Rawat and his men for their exemplary devotion in maintaining a constant vigil along the borders and conducting successful anti (militancy) operations in co-ordination with the State Police and Central Armed Police Forces in the hinterland,” said an official statement issued here.