Defence minister visits Siachen, reviews security (Third Lead)

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday visited the Siachen glacier - once the world's highest battlefield - and reviewed overall security situation.

"Parrikar arrived here on a two-day official visit to army formations of Northern Command accompanied by Army Chief Gen. Dalbir Singh," defence ministry statement said here.

Upon his arrival at Thoise Airfield in Nubra area of the Ladakh region, the minister was received by Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, the northern army commander.

"The minister arrived later at Leh Airport where he was briefed by Lt. Gen. B.S. Negi, GOC 14 Corps, on the overall security situation in the corps zone and along the Line of Actual Control between India and China," it said.

Parrikar visited the Siachen glacier, also the world's toughest battlefield, and interacted with solders at the base camp.

Later in the day, he visited Srinagar. Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha, GOC of 15 Corps, briefed the minister on measures being taken by the army to prevent infiltration and operations being undertaken in the area.

The defence minister also called on Governor N.N. Vohra and met Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in Srinagar.

Parrikar will spend the night in Srinagar. He and the army chief will visit the Nagrota (Jammu) based White Knight Corps on Saturday.

Parrikar will pay obeisance at the Mata Vaishnoo Devi Shrine here.

This is his second visit to Jammu and Kashmir after he took over as the defence minister in November.