Antony to review security situation in J

New Delhi, Oct 25 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony will review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir during a day's visit to the valley on Saturday.

Mr Antony is scheduled to hold meetings with senior Army and state government officials.

The Defence Minister will also inaugurate the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIMWS), Pahalgam and attend its Executive Council and General Body Meetings.

Set up in October 1983, the JIMWS imparts theoretical and practical training in mountaineering and rock climbing techniques.

It also provides training in winter sports.

Mr Antony had earlier visited the state in July to take stock of the security scenario there.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry today increased the ex-gratia relief amount to the people who suffered losses because of a major fire in the ammunition depot at Khundroo, to Rs 26.75 crore.

The amount is to be disbursed by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

It may be recalled that a major fire had broken out at the Army's biggest ammunition depot at Khundroo in Anantnag district on August 11, resulting in loss of property and livelihood for a large number of people in the adjoining areas.

Concerned over the plight of the affected people, the Defence Ministry had released Rs 10 crore as interim assistance to the state government on August 28 to provide relief to the people.

''With today's sanction, MoD has fully met the amount requested by the state government. It is hoped that the state government will take urgent measures in disbursing the amount to the affected people,'' a ministry official said.

UNI