Army Commander asks troops to remain alert for any eventuality

Srinagar, Oct 6: Amid heightened tension with Pakistan and increased infiltration bids, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda today visited the border area of Uri sector of Kashmir and asked troops to remain alert for "any eventuality".

He took stock of all measures taken by the army to beat back "any misadventure" from across the Line of Control (LoC). The visit came on a day the troops foiled an attempt by terrorists to storm an army camp in Handwara and three infiltration bids on the LoC, killing 7 terrorists in all.

"The Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda, accompanied by Srinagar-based Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua, visited the frontier area of Uri and reviewed security with the local commanders," a defence spokesman said.

During his interaction with officers and men on ground, Lt Gen Hooda "conveyed his compliments for their high levels of operational preparedness, vigil and morale and exhorted them to remain alert for any eventuality," the spokesman said.

He said the Army commander also complimented the troops operating in hinterland for their professionalism which was amply displayed again in the successful foiling of terrorist attack in Baramulla on October 3 and in today's operation in Langate, Kupwara, in which three Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated.

Later, both the senior officers visited Awantipura-based 'Victor Force' Headquarters in south Kashmir where Lt Gen Hooda was briefed on the security situation in the valley.

"The Army Commander urged all to sustain the pressure on terrorist groups operating in the valley and also to continue with the humanitarian initiatives to help the civil administration in alleviating the problems of the people," the spokesman said. South Kashmir has been the epicentre of the recent unrest in the valley.

PTI