COAS General Bipin Rawat reviews hinterland security in the Kashmir Valley, visits Army school in Sopore

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat is undertaking a two-day visit to the Kashmir Valley to review the prevailing security situation in the state and arrived in the capital, Srinagar, on Thursday. 

The COAS, accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh and Chinar Corps Commander Lt General KJS Dhillon, visited the formations and units deployed in the hinterland in North Kashmir. The Chief of Army Staff was briefed by the local Commanders on the existing security situation and the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all government agencies towards maintaining vigil and peace in the Valley.

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During his interaction with the soldiers on the ground, he lauded them for their high levels of morale and motivation. He further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively. The Army Chief also visited the Army Goodwill School at Mazbug, Sopore, and interacted with the students and staff. The school has constantly been striving to develop its infrastructure and is now one of the finest educational institutions in the area.

The students got an opportunity to meet General Bipin Rawat, who encouraged them to aspire to achieve success in life through education and hard work and to make full use of the opportunities available, leaving an indelible mark them.

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Subsequently, the COAS was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander at Badami Bagh Cantonment on the overall situation and major operational, informational, logistical and administrative aspects pertaining to the Corps.

Later in the day, the Army Chief also called on J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar and apprised him about the overall security situation in the Valley including stringent enforcement of the Counter-Infiltration Grid along the Line of Control. They also discussed the vital importance of a fully integrated inter-service approach being used for planning and executing counter-terrorist operations in the hinterland. The Governor appreciated the Army’s role in restoring and preserving peace in the state.

The visit by the COAS came amidst an increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC, especially in civilian areas, with the Indian forces replying befittingly. Less than a week before that, on Kargil Vijay Diwas, General Bipin Rawat had given Pakistan a sound warning against attempting any misadventures like the 1999 Kargil war, telling them that they would get an even bloodier nose if they did.