Fayaz Bukhari   
Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, today reviewed security situation in Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
The Army chief was given detailed briefing by 15 Corps Commander Lt General A K Bhatt at Badami Bagh Cantonment this afternoon about the operations that have been conducted by the security in Kashmir during last few months. He was told that security forces continued their pressure on the militants and the forces which are inimical to peace, due to which large number of militants including their commanders were killed.
Gen Rawat was told by the Commanders that the troops have been maintaining utmost restraint during their anti-militancy operation in Kashmir so that there is minimal collateral damage. He was told that the security forces are conducting intelligence based operations so that the collateral damage is avoided.
The Commanders told the Army chief that despite provocations at the encounter sites by the stone pelting mob, security forces are trying to avoid any civilian casualties. He was told that Army is in touch with the general public and trying to win their hearts and minds.
A detailed presentation was also given to Gen Rawat about the counter-infiltration measures taken by the Army along the LoC in Kashmir. He was told that despite tight vigil along the LoC, over 59 militants managed to sneak into Kashmir.
The Army chief was told that the vigil along the LoC has been increased as over 250 militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration and they are making efforts to sneak in but troops have managed to counter them.
He was also briefed about security measures taken by the Army for Amarnath yatra which is culminating this weekend. “The security forces have put continuous pressure on the militants to prevent them from targeting the yatra”, the Army chief was briefed.
Gen Rawat appreciated troops for their successful operation in the hinterland and along the LoC. He said that with these efforts there has been significant improvement in the situation in Kashmir.
The Army chief after his arrival this morning in Srinagar interacted with former Governor NN Vohra and later he visited the Chinar Corps to review the overall security situation prevailing in the Valley and along the LoC.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said here in a statement: “On arrival, Gen Rawat interacted with former Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar. Later in the day, he was given an update by the Chinar Corps Commander in Badami Bagh Cantonment on the latest security scenario in the Kashmir valley including details of counter infiltration and counter terrorist operations undertaken in the recent past and the Amarnath yatra. He was appreciative of the measures initiated which have contributed significantly towards improving the security situation. He also interacted with other senior functionaries of the security forces.”
The Army chief also visited Kargil district in Ladakh region and reviewed situation on the LoC.

Courtesy: Daily Excelsior: 25 Aug 2018