Army Chief in Valley, says keep extra vigil to check hostile forces

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 24

For the first time since the Ramzan ceasefire was implemented, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in the strife-torn Valley to review the security situation.

While the Army officers on ground briefed General Rawat about the security situation, especially in wake of the cessation of the anti-militancy operations, the Army Chief stressed the need to maintain “extra vigil to defeat the evil designs of hostile forces and assured his full support to further strengthen the security posture”.

Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the Chief of Army Staff reviewed the prevailing security situation in the hinterland.

Accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt, the Army Chief visited the formation headquarters and units where he was briefed by the commanders on ground regarding the operational preparedness.

“The Army Chief was appreciative of the measures and the standard operating procedures instituted by the units and formations to meet the challenges posed by the inimical elements. Commending the performance of the troops in the recent successful operations, the Army Chief stressed the need to maintain extra vigil to defeat the evil designs of hostile forces and assured his full support to further strengthen the security posture,” the spokesman said.

General Rawat also took stock of the security and administrative arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath yatra, which is scheduled to commence from June 28, and stressed on the need for close coordination with the civil administration to ensure a smooth and efficient conduct of the pilgrimage.

While there have been some militant-initiated actions in Kashmir during the past eight days, the situation has been relatively calm, especially in south Kashmir which has been volatile since July 2016, after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani .

Since May 17, militants have initiated few actions across Kashmir, including an attack on Army patrol in north Kashmir’s Hajin area of Bandipore district. Four civilians, including two sisters, were injured allegedly in Army firing in volatile Shopian in south Kashmir on Monday evening during an iftaar party hosted by the Army.