Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar on two-day visit to Uri

Parikkar to pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary

Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar is scheduled to visit Uri, where militants had attacked an army camp last month, and also pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary during his two-day visit to Kashmir beginning on Wednesday.

The Defence Minister is scheduled to arrive here later today and will visit Uri Brigade headquarters, an army official said.

He said Parikkar will be briefed by army officials on the situation along the Line of Control arising due to the ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the wake of last month's surgical strikes and the anti-militancy operations in the hinterland.

Militants had attacked an army base in Uri on September 18, killing 19 soldiers and injuring several others.

The attack led to the army carrying out surgical strikes against militant positions in Pakistan occupied Kashmir on September 29.

The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, the official said.

Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour.

He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.

He laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.