Army Chief visits frontier areas in Kashmir

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday visited frontier areas in north Kashmir and asked troops to remain "vigilant", a day after two Indian soldiers were killed and their bodies mutilated by the Pakistan Army.

The Army Chief interacted with commanders and troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) and assured them that the whole nation stood by them.

"Accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, the Army Chief was briefed by Formation Commanders on the security situation on the border and measures instituted to strengthen the security posture besides overall operational and logistical preparedness," the statement said.

"The Army Chief asked all to remain vigilant and thwart any misadventure from across especially now as the summer sets in," the statement said, referring to infiltration attempts across the border.

"During his interaction with troops, the General reassured that the entire nation stood behind its soldiers in their brave endeavours to safeguard country's sovereignty and integrity and maintain peace in the Valley," the statement added.

The army chief's visit comes as India, during Director General Military Operation talks with Pakistan, on Tuesday blamed Islamabad for the killing and mutilation of the bodies of a soldier and a BSF trooper in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. Pakistan has denied the charge.

--IANS

ao/rn