Army chief reviews situation along LoC, meets guv Vohra
Army chief General Bipin Rawat discussed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with governor NN Vohra on Saturday during his first visit to the Valley after governor’s rule was imposed in the state.
The visit comes a day after four militants believed to be influenced by Islamic State ideology, a cop and a civilian were killed in an encounter in southern district of Anantnag.
Rawat called on Vohra at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar and discussed issues relating to “external security, challenges of counter-terrorist operations in the hinterland” and the arrangements for the safe conduct of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, a Raj Bhawan PRO said.
The two also discussed steps required for “assuring a stable and bright future for the youth of the state”, the official said.
Earlier, the army chief reviewed the prevailing security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and also in the hinterland.
Accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh and the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt, Rawat visited forward posts along the Line of Control in the frontier districts of Kupwara and Baramulla where he was briefed on all aspects of operational and logistical preparedness.
Governor’s rule was imposed in the state on June 20, a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party ended its alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party and three days after Centre ordered security forces to resume counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, ending a month-long halt for the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.
As many as 41 killings took place in Kashmir during the month-long (May 17 to June 17) suspension of security operations in the Valley out of which 24 were militants and most of them were killed in the frontier district of Kupwara where the army chief visited.
GUV VISITS AMARNATH YATRA CAMPS
Governor Vohra earlier reviewed security arrangements at Sheshnag, Chandanwari and Nunwan Camps for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.
The pilgrims would start arriving into the Valley on June 28.
He also reviewed the arrangements at the Sheshnag Yatra Camp and inaugurated waiting hall at the Pahalgam helipad for pilgrims travelling by helicopter to Panjtarni, a spokesman of the governor said.
Thereafter, he inspected the ongoing works to upgrade the Chandanwari Access Control Gate.
He also visited the area where langars, shops and other facilities are being set up.
The governor then held a meeting with Central Armed Police Forces, representatives of the army, police and all concerned divisional and district level officers at the Nunwan Yatra Base Camp.