SRINAGAR: Hours after Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the dividing Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the countrys forces were capable of responding to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
Jaitley, who arrived here on his maiden visit as defence minister, said he will review security related matters with the state government and officers involved in the security grid.
Asked about ceasefire violations, including the one ahead of his visit, the Defence Minister said our forces are capable of responding to it.
Pertinently, ahead of Jaitleys visit, Pakistan troops had yesterday targeted Indian posts in Poonch sector with heavy weaponary like mortar shells, prompting India to remind it that maintenance of peace on border is a pre-condition for normalisation of relations.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had questioned the timing of the ceasefire violation.
Is it just a coincidence that the Defence Minister is visiting J&K, for his 1st visit, to review the security situation tomorrow? Omar tweeted.
The firing came a day after an IED blast in the Tarkundi forward area along the LoC in Poonch in which one jawan was killed and three others injured.
Between end of April and mid-May, 19 incidents of ceasefire violation were reported along the LoC.
Jaitley is accompanied by Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh and other top Defence officials. He was brought to Badami Bagh Contonment in chopper where he landed in an Air force plane where the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, commanders of 14, 15 and 16 Corps briefed him about the security situation in the state..
Earlier, at Srinagar International Airport, the Defence Minister was received by top senior army officers.
After chairing the security review meeting, Jaitley called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor N.N.Vohra in Srinagar. In one to one meeting both the leaders discussed the security scenario prevailing in the state in detail.
During the meeting which lasted for over one hour, the two leaders also discussed the current situation on LoC and borders. The matters relating to the preparedness of the State Government to conduct Amarnath Yatra smoothly also came up for discussion in the meeting.
The Chief Minister shared with Jaitley, who is also Union Finance Minister certain critical financial matters relating to the development plan of Jammu and Kashmir.
Aspects regarding skill development initiatives taken by the State Government also came up for the discussion.
The defence minister is also scheduled to visit some forward positions on the LoC on Sunday where he will interact with army officers and soldiers.
The minister will also review the security situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the state between India and China.
The Defence Minister later arrived at Raj Bhawan where he was received by N.N. Vohra.
Jaitley and the Governor discussed various issues relating to the rapid growth and development of the State. Later in the day, the Governor and the Defence Minister held discussions with General Bikram Singh, Chief of Army Staff; Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, Northern Army Commander; and Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, GoC XV Corps regarding important matters concerning external and internal security management.
He is also scheduled to attend special Unified Headquarters Meeting at Srinagar, said a defense ministry spokesman.
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