Army chief on two-day Kashmir visit

Indian army chief, Gen. Bikram Singh, Friday arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on a two-day visit to review the overall security situation on the border and hinterlands, a defence spokesman said.

Gen. Singh arrived at the northern command headquarters in Udhampur town of Jammu region Friday and was received there by the commander, Lt.Gen. Sanjiv Chachra.

"The army commander briefed the COAS (chief of army staff) on the overall situation in the command. The COAS was also briefed about the relief operations undertaken army for the general public during the recent heavy snowfall in remote areas of the (Kashmir) Valley," said the spokesman.

He said the visit came against the backdrop of several successful counter terrorist operations by the army during the last few months.

The army chief interacted with senior commanders and also discussed issues pertaining to the welfare of troops and ex-servicemen.

"The COAS complimented officers and men of Dhruva command for extending humanitarian assistance to the general public," the spokesman said.

Gen. Bikram Singh is scheduled to return to Delhi Saturday.