J&K: Manohar Parrikar meets Siachen troops on two-day visit

Manohar Parrikar interacting with the troops deployed at Siachen glacier. (Source: Express Photo by Shuaib Mashoodi)

Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday interacted with troops deployed at the World’s highest battle field – Siachen Glacier.

In Srinagar, Parrikar was briefed by the formation commanders about the situation on the Line of Control and infiltration from across the border.

A day before starting his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Parrikar had said that he would take ‘proactive steps’ to meet any threat to the country, and terrorist could be neutralized through terrorist only. However, the statement of the Defense Minister also evoked sharp criticism from former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

ALSO READ: ‘You have to neutralise terrorist through terrorist only,’ says Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

“Looks like Mufti Syed is reviving and empowering the Ikhwanis. That’s the only way to carry out ‘terrorists killing terrorists’ policy of MoD,” Omar wrote on twitter.

Looks like Mufti Syed is reviving & empowering the Ikhwanis. That’s the only way to carry out “terrorists killing terrorists” policy of MOD.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 22, 2015

Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, S D Goswami said that the Defence Minister will be visiting various formations in the state during his J&K visit.

Giving details, he said that Parrikar arrived at Leh Airport in the morning where he was briefed by Lt Gen BS Negi, General Officer Commanding 14 Corps, on the overall security situation in the Corps Zone and along the Line of Actual Control.

“The Defense minister also visited the Siachen Glacier and interacted with troops deployed at the World’s highest and the toughest battlefield. He was also briefed by the commanders on the ground situation in Ladakh,” Goswami said.

Later in the day, Parrikar also visited 15 Corps headquarters where GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, the GOC of 15 Corps briefed the minister on measures being taken by the Army to prevent infiltration and the operations that had been undertaken in the area on the LoC and in the Valley.

Parrikar also held meeting Governor Narendra Nath Vohra.

Goswami said that Defense Minister along the Chief of Army Staff would be visiting the Nagrota based 16 Corps on Saturday where he will be briefed about the situation in Jammu sector.

Source:: Indian Express