Srinagar: Army Chief, General Dalbir Singh, on Wednesday reviewed the security situation in Kashmir Valley at a meeting of senior local commanders held at the Srinagar-based 15 (Chinar) Corps headquarters.
Meanwhile, curfew continued to remain in force in the Valley on the 12th consecutive day and fresh stray incidents of violence have been reported from various areas.
A 50-year-old man Ghulam Muhammad Mir among those injured in security forces’ firing on protesters at Lolal in frontier Kupwara district at the last weekend died in a Srinagar hospital raising the toll to 45. The separatists have extended their shutdown call to July 25.
(Photo: ANI/Twitter)
The Army Chief, a defence spokesman here said, was briefed by the Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. DS Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Satish Dua on the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and in the hinterland including the measures initiated “to ensure Army's close coordination with all other security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley”.
The Army Chief, accompanied by the two commanders also visited the Kupwara sector and Awantipur (Pulwama) based Army’s counterinsurgency ‘Victor Force’ where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by Army in collaboration with civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by the populace due to the prevailing unrest.
“The Army Chief also met Director General of J&K police, K. Rajendra Kumar, to reassure him of excellent synergy between Army, police, central armed police forces and intelligence agencies,” the spokesman said.
He also said, “In his interaction with officers and troops, the Army Chief commended their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of national security. He exhorted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the LoC and while appreciating the synergy being shown amongst all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter terrorist operations he also complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation.”
Gen. Singh expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and those of security forces during the protests and made “an earnest appeal” to the people of Kashmir to maintain peace and help the security forces serve them better.
“He also impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the Awaam (masses) and lend them all possible assistance in close coordination with the other stakeholders,” the spokesman said.
