Meets Governor, Holds one-on-one meet with CM
Reviews security situation, was briefed by top army officers
Srinagar: Defense minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday arrived here for a two day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to asses and review the security situation.
Reports reaching KNS said that on his maiden visit since assuming charge as Defence Minister last month Mr Jaitley was accompanied by Army chief General Bikram Singh. According to a defence ministry spokesman on arrival, the Defence Minister was received by Lt Gen DS Hooda, Northern Army Commander and Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, Chinar Corps Commander. The Defence Minister visited Headquarters of Chinar Corps wherein he was given a comprehensive briefing on the overall security situation in the Valley including the Counter Infiltration grid along the Line of Control and Counter Terrorism grid in the hinterland. Later in the day, the defense minister met Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Mr. Jaitely was received by N.N. Vohra, Governor, at the Raj Bhavan. Jaitley and the Governor discussed various issues relating to the rapid growth and development of the State. Later in the day, the Governor and the Defence Minister held discussions with General Bikram Singh, Chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, Northern Army Commander; and Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, GoC XV Corps regarding important matters concerning external and internal security management, a defense ministry spokesman said. Mr Jaitley was briefed by top army officers here about counterinsurgency operations along the Line of Control besides anti infiltration measures being taken to prevent entry of ultras from Pakistan-Administered of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Mr Jaitley held a one-on-one meeting at Nehru Guest House discussing in detail the security scenario prevailing in the state. During the meeting which lasted for over one hour, the two leaders also discussed the current situation on LoC and borders.
The matters relating to the preparedness of the State Government to conduct Amarnathji Yatra smoothly also came up for discussion in the meeting. The Chief Minister shared with Jaitley who is also Union Finance Minister certain critical financial matters relating to the development plan of Jammu and Kashmir. Aspects regarding skill development initiatives taken by the State Government also came up for the discussion. On 15 Jun 2014, the Defence Minister is scheduled to visit the forward areas along the Line of Control where he will be interacting with commanders and troops. He is also scheduled to attend special Unified Headquarters Meeting at Srinagar, said a defense ministry spokesman.