Army chief visits Northern Command after cross-LoC strike

Army Chief Dalbir Singh also personally complimented officers and men who targeted seven terrorist launch pads in surgical strikes

Army Chief Dalbir Singh on Saturday visited the Northern Command based here to take stock of India's operational preparedness along the border in the wake of heightened tension in India-Pakistan ties following the surgical strike targeting terror camps across line of control (LoC).

"Gen Singh arrived at Northern Command headquarters this morning and chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation and operational preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir, including along the Line of Control," a Defence official said.

The surgical strike, seen as a reprisal for the Uri terrorist attack, was planned and executed by the Northern Command.

Singh also personally complimented officers and men who "successfully" targeted seven terrorist launch pads located in Leepa, Tattapani, Kel and Bhimbar, the official said.

He is scheduled to visit the army's Western Command to review operational preparedness.

Sources had said that the decision on the surgical strike was taken soon after the attack on the Uri army base on September 18. They said India was ready with contingency plans considering the possibilities that Pakistan may retaliate in the wake of the surgical strike.

It has been estimated that the number of casualties was at least 40 on the Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation.

The army has also trashed reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of the special forces received minor injury while returning but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action.