Parrikar reviews anti-terror operations in Assam

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, on a trip to Assam on Saturday, reviewed the security preparedness and status of ongoing anti-terror operations here.

On the second day of his maiden visit to the northeast, the defence minister visited the Red Horns Division at Rangiya along with Indian Army chief Gen. Dalbir Singh and Lt. Gen. M.M.S. Rai, general officer commanding-in-chief of the Eastern Command, to review the overall security situation prevailing in lower Assam.

An official statement said the visit was aimed at getting a "first-hand feel of the ongoing operations against militant groups".

It said Parrikar was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in lower Assam.

The minister expressed satisfaction on the progress of operations and also appreciated the efforts made by the formation to dynamically review and alter its tactics to counter the rapidly changing situation in the state.

Parrikar complimented the army for the high level of integration with Assam Police and central armed police forces.

He also appreciated the efforts of the army in the violence free conduct of elections to the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) to bring peace and normalcy in the region.

The defence minister also had a long interaction with the soldiers.

Parrikar, however, could not visit Tawang along the China border in Arunachal Pradesh as planned, due to bad weather.

"Visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh could not take place today due to bad weather," ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar tweeted.

The minister was to pay homage at the Tawang War Memorial in the border district on which China has staked its claim.