Srinagar: Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane, on Wednesday arrived here on a two day visit to Kashmir to review the prevailing security situation in the Jammu and Kashmir.
A defence ministry spokesman said that soon after his arrival at Srinagar, the Army Chief, accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, the Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen DP Pandey, Chinar Corps Commander, visited various units and formations where he was briefed by the local Commanders on the existing security situation and the measures being taken to identify and target the over ground workers’ (OGWs) network involved in “radicalisation and recruitment” of youth into militants ranks. “Efforts to prevent local recruitment and facilitate surrender of local (militants) were also discussed,” the spokesman said in a statement.
While interacting with troops, the army expressed his appreciation to the soldiers and commanders “who are relentlessly battling the dual challenges of Pakistan abetted (militancy) and the global pandemic”, the spokesman quoted him as saying.
“He further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively.”
Later, he was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander on the overall situation pertaining to the Line of Control and the elsewhere in the Valley.
“The Army Chief complimented the excellent synergy exhibited by all sections of the Civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces and other Security agencies in projecting a ‘Whole of Government’ approach that has resulted in improvement in the security situation conducive for fostering a new era of development in the J&K.”
In the evening, the army called met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan and discussed the emerging challenges and road map for long term peace in J&K. “The LG appreciated the role played by the Indian Army in restoring and preserving peace in the J&K and providing aid to the civil authorities against the COVID 19 pandemic,” the spokesman added.