Northern Army commander chairs joint security review in Kashmir; fine-tunes counter-terrorism strategy, calls for expanding soldier-public outreach

Northern Army commander chairs joint security review in Kashmir; fine-tunes counter-terrorism strategy, calls for expanding soldier-public outreach

Strategy framed to wipe-up remaining terrorists from Southern districts; Synergy among security agencies to be further strengthened; Visits Machil sector, directs troops to maintain extra vigil along LoC to thwart infiltration bids in view of delay in snowfall

Umaisar Gull Ganie

Awantipore, Jan 13 (KNO): The northern army commander Lieutenant General Upendera Dwivedi Saturday chaired a crucial joint security review meeting at Victor Force headquarters in Awantipore to fine-tune the strategy for fighting terrorism, strengthening the synergy and further building the public outreach in Southern districts of Kashmir.

The northern army commander also visited the forward posts in Machil sector Kupwara to take first-hand account of counter infiltration grid and to interact with the soldiers on ground including BSF and BRO. The meeting assumes significance as it was held 12 days ahead of the Republic Day.

Reliable sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the army commander reached Victor Force headquarters and took a joint security review of police and army. He was accompanied by GoC Kilo Force, Dagger Division and Vajra Division. Inspector General of Police Kashmir, V K Bhirdi, SSP’s of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Awantipore and Kulgam also participated in the meeting besides the officials from CRPF and BSF.

Northern Command wrote on X that Lt Gen Upendera Dwivedi visited headquarters of Victor Force for a “comprehensive joint security review.” “The army commander complimented officers from Victor force, Kilo Force, Dagger Division and Vajra Division, CRPF, police and other intelligence officers for seamless synergy in operations, joint combat readiness, counter terrorism grid and soldier-citizen connect. He directed the participants of the meeting to remain steadfast towards maintaining peace and tranquillity in the region,” the Northern Command said on X.

An official present in the meeting told KNO that strategy to fight terrorism in southern districts was fine-tuned and it was decided the human and technical intelligence will be further strengthened and “a collective approach will be adopted to eliminate the remaining active terrorists in southern parts of the Valley.” “The army commander stressed on intensifying the anti-terrorist operations by generating more human and technical intelligence to ensure South Kashmir is made a terror free region in the months ahead. He called for a professional approach while carrying out the anti-terrorist operations in the Southern districts,” the official said, adding that “The army commander hailed the synergy among different security agencies and stressed on strengthening the same further for achieving the set targets.”

Sources privy to the meeting said that the army commander directed the officers to ensure that terrorists active in Rajouri-Poonch aren’t able to reach south Kashmir through Mughal road and hence “keep a close watch on the upper reaches.”

The northern army commander also visited forward posts in Machil. The northern command worte on X: “In the relentless pursuit of operational excellence and to review the counter infiltration grid, the northern army commander accompanied by GoC 15 Corps and GoC Vajr division visited forward battalions in Machil sector.”

It further wrote: “The army commander integrated with the troops and personnel of Rashtriya Rifles, J&K police, BSF and BRO and commended them for their persistent vigilance and compelling contribution to maintaining lasting peace in the region.”

Defence sources said that the northern army commander directed the troops along the Machil sector remain vigilant and to maintaining highest level vigil in view of possible infiltration attempts from across given delay in snowfall this season—(KNO)