DEFENCE MINISTER ON A TWO DAYS (JULY 17-18) VISIT TO LADAKH AND J&K

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh started his trip by visiting Ladakh on July 17. He arrived early morning at Leh airport accompanied by the CDS General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General M.M. Naravane. The aim of the day long visit was to carry out a security review of the region due to the LAC conflict with China. From Leh the Defence Minister went to Stakna and Lukung. At Stakna he reviewed the readiness of the troops which included a para drop and scoping of weapons. Lukung is the last Ladakhi village north of Pangong Tso where he addressed and interacted with Indian Army and ITBP personnel. Later on the Defence Minister visited the holy cave of Amarnath and offered prayers. After reviewing the LAC, the Defence Minister then took stock of the LOC including a visit to the forward post near LoC in Kupwara and interacted with the soldiers deployed there.