Following recent attempts of infiltration across the line of Control and two major strikes by the militants against the Army in Kashmir, Army Chief General Bikram Singh conducted a two-day visit to examine the ground situation and troops’ preparedness in the forward areas and the hinterland.
Before flying to Delhi, the Army Chief interacted with officers of the Northern Command and the Srinagar-based XV Corps and interacted with troops and field officers posted along the loC in Kupwara and Baramulla districts. He also held discussions with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the security situation in the embattled Valley. This was Singh’s second tour to Valley since he assumed the charge earlier this year.
The Army Chief’s Kashmir visit was important against the backdrop of spurt in militant activities in the recent months. The Army suffered heavy casualties in at least two attacks in the past three months. On May 24, Hizbul Mujahideen militants ambushed an Army patrolling party in Buchoo forest of Tral in south Kashmir, killing four soldiers. A month later, on June 24, militants attacked a convoy at Bypass Road on the outskirts of Srinagar, killing eight soldiers and injuring 18 others.
The Army also fought back and frustrated militant’s designs to infiltrate into the Valley. On July 9, troops intercepted a group of infiltrators in Macchil sector of north Kashmir killing five militants. The other members of the group were reported to have fled away taking advantage of thick foliage along the loC.
The killing of two youngsters in Sumbal area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, allegedly by soldiers, also figured in his discussions. Massive protests had erupted in Bandipora district over the June 30 killings, which are being separately probed by the Army and the police.
“The Army Chief was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing security scenario FF and the ongoing endeavours of Chinar (XV) Corps towards enduring peace in the Valley,” a Defence spokesman said.