Army needs to be aware of weather patterns: General Bipin Rawat

The army lost 20 soldiers in snow avalanches last week after Valley witnessed record snowfall this winter.

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat. | PTI File Photo

SRINAGAR: After losing 20 of its soldiers in snow avalanches in Valley last week, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Wednesday said army needs to be constantly aware of the weather patterns to avoid any untoward incidents.

An army official said General Rawat chaired a high-level security meeting at Badamibagh Srinagar, the headquarters of 15 Corps.

“During the meeting, he was briefed by GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen JS Sandhu on security situation in the Valley and the measures taken to meet the challenges posed by weather,” he said.

The army lost 20 soldiers in snow avalanches last week after Valley witnessed record snowfall this winter.

14 of the soldiers were killed after the army post and patrol were hit by massive avalanches in Gurez sector, close to Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday last.

Five more soldiers were killed on Saturday last after the snow route caved in during their patrolling in Machil sector.

An army officer Major Amit Sagar was killed after an army camp was hit by an avalanche in Sonamarg area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Wednesday last.

Paying tributes to the deceased army men, General Rawat laid emphasis on the need to be constantly aware of the weather patterns prevailing in the area and take all necessary precautions to avoid any untoward incidents.

The administration has been daily issuing avalanche alert for upper reaches of the Valley.

The army chief accompanied by Northern command chief Lt Gen D Anbu and GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen J S Sandhu visited troops formations along Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir today.

“The army chief interacted with the local commanders, who briefed him about the operational and logistical preparedness,” a defence spokesman said.

The army chief was briefed about the measures taking to prevent infiltration of militants from across the LoC.

General Rawat commended the alertness of troops deployed along the LoC in foiling the nefarious designs of inimical forces.

He called on men and officers to continue the endeavours in maintaining a high degree of vigil.

The army chief also visited the Victor Force Headquarters at Awantipore in South Kashmir, where he was apprised of the latest situation in South Kashmir.

South Kashmir was the epicentre of last year’s unrest, which was triggered by the killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

“General Rawat appreciated the professionalism with which the troops had been operating in full synergy with other security and civil agencies to keep the situation under control and impressed upon everyone to uphold human rights at all times,” the defence spokesman said.
He said Army Chief was also briefed on numerous initiatives undertaken by the Army across the Valley to constructively engage with the people.

Lauding such humanitarian steps, General Rawat reinforced the need to synergise efforts with all the other stakeholders.

This was General Rawat’s third visit to the State after taking over as army chief. Earlier, two of his visits had to be cut short due to inclement weather conditions.