More facilities for soldiers working in J

Poonch, Dec 10 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today asserted that more facilities would be provided to soldiers working in a ''very difficult situation'' in Jammu and Kashmir.

''The soldiers are working in a very, very difficult situation in Jammu and Kashmir. They should be provided with more facilities and financial assistance,'' he told reporters here after dedicating a model village, Khari Karmara in this district, to the people.

Mr Antony said a high-level committee, probing the recent suicides and fratricides among the Army personnel, would submit its report within two months following which corrective measures would be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

The Defence Minister, accompanied by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Army Chief General J J Singh, General Officer Commanding-in- Chief Northern Command Lt Gen Deepak Kapoor, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief XVI Corps Lt Gen Tej Kumar Sapru and other senior officials. said the armed forces would be equipped with modern weapons, including nuclear submarines for the Navy.

Mr Antony also took stock of the defence and security situation in the state.

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