Srinagar, June 03 (KNO) : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday while hailing the joint efforts of government forces especially the army, extended full support to the forces in dealing with the militancy in the State while appreciating the “series of successful operations against militants since 2018 and the current year.” He also expressed his satisfaction over the security arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra, commencing from July 1 this year.
Sources told KNO that Singh, who was recently sworn in as the defence minister, decided to visit Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield and the forward posts on the LoC, met soldiers and appreciate their “morale and nature of vigil being maintained to protect the borders.”
The defence minister was accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat. Soon after his interaction with the soldiers at the forward posts on LoC reached the army’s Srinagar based 15-Corps late in the afternoon and chaired a high-level security meeting where in Army chief Rawat, northern army commander Lt General Ranbhir Singh, GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, top police, CRPF and intelligence officers were present.
A senior official, who was present in the meeting, told KNO that Singh was given a detailed description of the prevailing situation including the series of successful operations taking place against militants since 2018 and also those that took place in the ensuing year. “He was told that 105 militants were killed this year so far while as all the security agencies were maintaining a close synergy to ensure no collateral damage during the anti-militancy operations.
The defence minister was also told that this year since January almost 20 militants were killed each month and that almost the leadership of all the militant outfits has been wiped out,” the official said.
He said that Singh was also briefed about the security arrangements put in place for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1. “He was told that all the security arrangements in a close coordination will ensure smooth and incident free Yatra,” the official disclosed. The Defence Minister was also apprised on the overall security scenario prevailing in the State, especially Kashmir on which “he expressed his satisfaction.”
“The Defence Minister lauded the role of security agencies including the army in combating militancy in Kashmir and asked the heads of various security agencies to continue the good job,” the official revealed to KNO. “He stressed on the smooth conduct of operations against militants and to avoid collateral damage.” The Defence Minister assured all the support to army from the Centre, stating that “nation was at the back of every single soldier on ground in Jammu and Kashmir.”(KNO)