Defence Minister visits Ladakh, J&K

Defence Minister Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman visited the forward locations of Leh, Ladakh and Siachen on Saturday, 30 Sept. to review the security situation in the area.

During her visit she was accompanied by The Chief of the Army Staff, The Army Commander, Northern Command and Corps Commander of the Ladakh Corps. The Defence Minister interacted with the soldiers in the remote areas of Siachen Glacier and conveyed her best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra.

Mrs Sitharaman also inaugurated a bridge on river Shyok on the road between Durbuk and Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) which was constructed by the BRO. During her visit to Leh she interacted with the troops of Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Leh. Defence Minister Visits J&K, Reviews Security Situation in Valley

On Friday, Mrs. Sitharaman visited the Chinar Corps in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to review the overall security situation prevailing in the Valley. She was accompanied by the Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Northern Army Commander Lt General D Anbu and the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu.

She visited the forward areas and was briefed about the robust counter-infiltration posture along the Line of Control. The Defence Minister was subsequently briefed by the Army Commander in Badami Bagh Cantonment on the prevailing security situation in J&K and was given an overview of the counter-infiltration and counter-terrorist operations undertaken in the recent past.

She appreciated the effectiveness of the intelligence and operational grids and commended the troops for the excellent operational successes, which had contributed significantly towards a secure environment in the State.

The Minister complimented the commanders for the high level of synergy achieved with the J&K Police and Central Armed Police Force. Later in the evening, she called on Governor N N Vohra and also interacted with the Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti.