Surgical strikes: Army asks forces to 'be prepared for any eventuality'

Srinagar: Amid heightened tension with Pakistan, Army asked the forces to be "prepared for any eventuality" and maintain "very high level of alert" as its Chief Gen Dalbir Singh visited Jammu and Kashmir to assess the military preparedness.

The situation on the Line of Control (LoC) and hinterland was discussed at a meeting held by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda and attended by Srinagar-based Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua, state Chief Secretary B R Sharma and DGP K Rajendra Kumar.

During the meeting, "Lt Gen Hooda stressed upon the need for maintaining a very high level of alert and vigil and to remain prepared for any eventuality," an army spokesman said.

"The Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Satish Dua reviewed the entire gamut of operational readiness with the Army Commander and briefed him on all security measures along the LoC as well as the hinterland," the spokesman added.

The review of security was undertaken against the backdrop of surgical strike carried out by the Indian army against terror camps across the LoC two days back.

The army made an "earnest appeal to the people of Kashmir to ensure calm and peace in these sensitive times and strengthen the government and security agencies in meeting the challenges emanating from across the borders".

Earlier, Lt Gen Hooda briefed the Army Chief at Northern Command Headquarters at Udhampur about the overall security situation along the borders. The Army Chief then visited the Kashmir valley.

Lt Gen Hooda and Lt Gen Dua also called on Governor N N Vohra and apprised him about the overall security situation in the state and preparedness of the army.

Lt Gen Hooda assured the Governor of complete synergy amongst all the agencies towards facing any kind of security challenges.

He also conveyed his compliments to 15 Corps for the high degree of professionalism shown by all ranks involved in the planning and execution of surgical strikes across the LoC.

Meanwhile, a Raj Bhawan spokesman said the Governor congratulated the Northern Army Commander and all his officers and men concerned for their outstanding success in executing a crucial counter-terrorism operation across the Line of Control in the areas of responsibility of the 15 and 16 Corps.
"The Governor particularly complimented Lt Gen Hooda for the brilliant efficiency with which he had planned and carried through this milestone initiative," the spokesman added.