Uri attack: Parrikar, Army Chief visit Kashmir to take stock of situation

Srinagar [India], Sept. 18 (ANI): On the day of a terror attack in Uri when four terrorists were killed and 17 soldiers martyred, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh visited Kashmir to take stock of the ongoing operations and review the overall security situation in Kashmir. They were briefed by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders Lt General DS Hooda and Lt General Satish Dua respectively at Srinagar on the Uri attack and the operation launched to neutralise the terrorists. While three of the four heavily armed terrorists were eliminated within the initial fifteen minutes of establishing contact, the fourth was neutralized later and four AK 47 rifles and equal number of UBGLs along with other war like stores were recovered from them. Unfortunately, 17 soldiers have attained martyrdom in the operation. 13 of these soldiers died as they were trapped in the tents and shelters that caught fire due to the explosives used by the terrorists. Parrikar was briefed about the security grid along the Line of Control (LoC) and the hinterland also covering the deployment and employment of the additional forces that have been recently inducted into the Valley. The need for heightened vigil both on the LoC and hinterland and to remain prepared for any developing was stressed upon. There have been a number of infiltration attempts that the Army has foiled recently. It may be recalled that in the last one week itself, three such attempts were foiled in Kupwara Sector when four terrorists were killed and another group of four terrorists was eliminated in Poonch. On being briefed about the internal security situation in the hinterland, the Army Chief reiterated the importance of complete synergy amongst all security, intelligence and other government agencies to ensure calm and prevent the terrorists and other inimical forces from moving with impunity and intimidating the populace. Earlier the Army Chief also visited Uri to get a first-hand account where he was briefed on the latest situation by the Commanders on ground. Parrikar and Chief later met the casualties at the Army Base Hospital in BB Cantonment. Saluting the martyrs, they expressed their deep grief and condolences over the loss and wished speedy recovery to the injured. The Defence Minister has directed that the mortal remains of all the martyrs would be transported directly to their respective hometowns for which arrangements are being made. (ANI)