Defence minister visits LoC in Kashmir

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday visited the forward areas along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and said Indian soldiers are doing a commendable job in safeguarding the country's borders.

"Visited the Army Posts at the LoC in the Haji Pir Area. Our soldiers are doing a commendable job in safeguarding the country," Jaitley said in a tweet after the visit.

LoC - Line of Control - refers to the working boundary between the Indian and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir.

"Our soldiers strive selflessly to maintain the sanctity of the LoC and in responding to any ceasefire violation," he said.

Jaitley later told reporters the central government is ready for dialogue with anyone who wants to talk, but within the framework of the country's constitution and its sovereignty.

Addressing a media conference here at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, he said: "We are prepared for a dialogue with anyone who is ready to talk to us within the framework of the Indian constitution and India's sovereignty. These are two issues on which there can be no compromise."

The defence minister said there was no political objective to his visit to the state.

"I came here to review the security situation and there has been no political objective to this visit."

"After all discussions, I am quite optimistic about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Lok Sabha election has been held peacefully. A very good tourism season is going on here," he noted.

"Towards the end of this month, the Shri Amarnathji Yatra will begin. Assessment is that it will be a peaceful and successful yatra. Life must go on peacefully here, and there should be overall development," he said.