J-K, Afghanistan situation to figure at Army commanders' meet

Security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in view of rise in militant activity, Afghanistan developments and upgrade in military infrastructure in the North-East along China border are among issues expected to be discussed at the army commanders' meet starting here tomorrow.
The security situation in the region in view of the pull-out of American troops in Afghanistan next year and its impact on Indian security is likely to be raised by the senior commanders during the bi-annual conference.
In view of the relative increase in activities of militants and strengthening of terrorist infrastructure by Pakistan on its side of the Line of Control (LoC), Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh is expected to discuss the security situation and ways to check terrorists there, Army officials said here.

Recently, the Army has observed that the Pakistan Army has activated its terror infrastructure much in advance before the summer months and it is expected that it would try to increase the level of violence in the Kashmir Valley, which has been relatively peaceful in the last few years, they said.
The situation at the LoC has also deteriorated after the killing of two Indian troops by the team of Pakistani Special Forces which beheaded Lance Naik Hemraj.
The status of upgrade of military infrastructure in the north-eastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam along the China border is also expected to come up for discussion at the meeting attended by the six operational commanders and the Army Training Commander.

In the recent past, the Army has raised several new formations including two Mountain Divisions in the region and is also planning to raise a new Mountain Strike Corps there along with the deployment of assets of the IAF to meet any security challenge.
The commanders will also discuss ways of doing away with the "hollowness" in the force which is facing shortages of critical equipment such as tank ammunition and artillery guns.
The conference would be inaugurated by Defence Minister A K Antony, who will address the top brass of the force.