Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar began his two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir to take stock of security situation along the borders and within the hinterland. Accompanied by Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh, the Minister held discussions with Corps Commanders based in leh, Srinagar and Jammu before discussing the situation with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed.
The Minister began his visit from Siachin base camp of the Army in Nubra area of ladakh region. A Defence spokesman said that Parrikar landed at the Nubra airbase and went to Siachin to interact with ground troops.
lt Gen BS Negi, General Officer Commanding of leh-based XIV Corps gave a detailed briefing on the situation along line of Actual Control (lAC).
later in the afternoon, Parrikar landed at Srinagar where XV Corps Commander lt Gen Subrata Saha briefed him on the situation along the line of Control (loC), preparedness of the troops to foil infiltration attempts besides the security situation within the Kashmir Valley.
After overnight stay in the Valley, Parrikar will visit the Jammu region on Saturday where he would visit the line of Control (loC) in Bhimber Gali sector of Poonch district. Defence spokesman said Parrikar will also visit Nagrota headquarters of XVI Corps.
This is the Defence Minister’s second visit to Jammu & Kashmir since assuming charge of the Ministry in November last year.
An official spokesman said that Parrikar met Governor Vohra in the afternoon and discussed various important matters relating to effective management of internal and external security, particularly in the backdrop of several terrorist infiltrations from across the IB in the past year and a half and the more recent encounters in the Valley.
Among the several other matters discussed with Parrikar, the Governor stressed the need for urgent strengthening of the BRO’s resources for ensuring the maintenance of the vital road networks and strategic connectivity in J&K. The Governor also solicited Parrikar’s personal intervention for the return of certain pieces of the lands to the State Government, particularly those at Satwari, Jammu; Army Transit Camp in the Jammu University; and land for the long pending extension of the Kargil airport runway, about all of which he had earlier written to the Defence Minister, the spokesman said.