Sitharaman’s maiden visit to J&K on September 20

Jammu:defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be arriving in Srinagar on September 20 for a high-level review of the present security situation.

This will be her maiden visit to the state after taking charge.

Accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat, the defence minster will review security scenario along the line of control (LOC) and international border (IB), which had seen escalation in the recent past.

The army chief will reach Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

In the last six days, Pakistan has violated ceasefire along the LOC and IB nine times .

Soon after her arrival, Sitharaman will hold a security-review meeting at the headquarters of the 16 corps. The minister will also review progress of ‘Operation All Out', launched by the Army, to flush out militants from Kashmir.thereafter, she will head to Jammu and visit LOC along the Bhimber Gali sector.

Sitharaman is later scheduled to visit Akhnoor brigade.

Meanwhile, taking note of Sunday’s ceasefire violation by Pakistan, deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Nirmal Singh warned Pakistan of heavy retaliation.

“Pakistan will face heavy retaliation if it continues to violate ceasefire on the borders", Singh said, after meeting the injured on Sunday.