SRINAGAR: Amidst rise in militancy related incidents in the State and troops battling militants along Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of Kupwara, army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Wednesday met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and top army officials and discussed prevailing security scenario and the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra.
General Dalbir Singh called on Mehbooba here this morning. He was accompanied by Northern Command chief, Lt Gen D S Hooda, GoC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua and other senior commanders.
“The CM and Army Chief discussed important matters relating to internal and external security management in the State and the general geo-political situation in the region,” an official spokesman said.
He said Mehbooba was briefed by army commanders about the overall security scenario and the steps being taken to maintain peace in the state.
“A wide range of issues from the overall security scenario to the specific arrangements for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra and the bypoll Assembly election in Anantnag constituency in South Kashmir were discussed during the meeting,” a defence spokesman said.
Mehbooba is contesting the election from Anantnag constituency. The election will be held on June 22.
Stressing the need for maintaining greater vigil along the borders to prevent infiltration, Mehbooba during her meeting with Army chief called for minimising visibility of troops from the civilian areas and tourist places in the State.
“Troops should also ensure that no civilian is harmed and there is minimum damage to civilian properties during encounters with the militants,” she said.
Mehbooba said Army is competent enough to deal with the situation along the borders and for internal security, police and paramilitary forces should shoulder the greater responsibilities,” she said.
Earlier, Army Chief was briefed by GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen Satish Dua about the preparedness of troops in dealing with the emerging security challenges and measures to thwart any misadventure by the inimical forces.
The army chief was also informed about the measures taken to integrate the efforts of various security forces for efficient intelligence network and synergised conduct of operations.
General Singh visited the forward area of Baramulla.
“He also visited Awantipura in South Kashmir, where he was briefed on the operational readiness by the respective formation Commanders,” the defence spokesman said.
He said General Singh also interacted with officers and men during the visit complimenting them for their untiring efforts.
“He (army chief) reiterated the continued need for integration and close coordination amongst all security agencies,” the spokesman said.
Encounter on in Machil sector
An encounter erupted between militants and army men along Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of border district of Kupwara this afternoon.
An army official said alert army men detected a group of militants trying to sneak into this side of Kashmir from Machil sector. “They were signaled to stop but they fired on the troops. The fire was returned by the army men, triggering an encounter”.
The official said the exchange of fire between the two sides was going on. “Two army men were injured in the gunfight and were evacuated to military hospital in Srinagar for specialized treatment”.
He said the operation against the militants was going on.