SRINAGAR: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen NS Raja Subramani on Friday began his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir since assuming office, reviewing the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region, while Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi conducted a review of the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth also arrived in Ladakh on a three-day visit that includes a tour of the Siachen Glacier.
Gen Subramani, who took over as the Chief of Defence Staff on May 31 from Gen Anil Chauhan, visited the Northern Command Headquarters at Udhampur and the XVI Corps Headquarters at Nagrota before undertaking an aerial and ground assessment of forward areas along the LoC in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Though there was no official statement on the visit, sources said the CDS was briefed by field commanders on the prevailing security situation, anti-infiltration measures and the operational deployment along the LoC. He also reviewed the Anti-Infiltration Grid and was apprised of recent attempts by Pakistan-based terrorists to infiltrate across the border, several of which were foiled by alert troops.
At the Northern Command and XVI Corps headquarters, senior Army commanders gave detailed presentations on the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, ongoing counter-terrorism operations, anti-infiltration measures and preparations for the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3.
The CDS is scheduled to visit Srinagar on Saturday, where he will review the security situation at the XV Corps Headquarters and undertake a visit to forward areas in the Kashmir Valley.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth reached Leh on Friday evening on a three-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh. During the visit, he is expected to hold detailed interactions with senior Army commanders and review the operational situation along the Line of Actual Control with China.
Seth is also scheduled to visit the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, on Sunday to assess operational preparedness and interact with troops deployed in extreme high-altitude conditions.
Separately, Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi visited Leh on Friday and reviewed the security situation in Eastern Ladakh with senior Army commanders. The review focused on the prevailing situation along the LAC, where disengagement has taken place in several friction areas following agreements between India and China, although troops of both countries continue to maintain deployments in some sectors.
During his visit, Gen Dwivedi called on Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at Lok Niwas in Leh. The two discussed measures to strengthen civil-military cooperation, improve coordination between the Union Territory administration and the armed forces, and advance efforts aimed at ensuring peace, stability and development in Ladakh.
According to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, the meeting also deliberated on the re-employment of Agniveers in the Union Territory administration and issues relating to enhanced coordination between the civil administration and the armed forces.
The Army chief later visited the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, where he was briefed on training initiatives, operational capabilities, regimental developments and ongoing civil-military cooperation with the Ladakh Administration. He also reviewed the upgraded Mutup Sanghralaya, including the newly established “Chief’s Corner”, showcasing the legacy of successive Chiefs of the Army Staff.
Gen Dwivedi commended the training staff for their professionalism in preparing soldiers for service in high-altitude terrain and lauded personnel of the Ladakh Scouts for maintaining a high level of operational readiness. He also presented Army Chief’s Commendation Cards to selected personnel in recognition of their devotion to duty and contributions to operational preparedness.
