Chief of Army Staff, Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag called on the Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti here this morning.The Army Chief was accompanied by GOC-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt Gen D S Hooda, GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua and other senior commanders.The Chief Minister and Army Chief discussed important matters relating to internal and external security management in Jammu and Kashmir and the general geo-political situation in the region. The Chief Minister was briefed by top army commanders about the overall security scenario and the steps being taken to maintain peace in the state through greater public participation.Stressing the need for maintaining greater vigil along the borders to prevent infiltration, which she said, army is capable of doing effectively, Ms Mehbooba called for minimising the visibility of the troops from the civilian areas and tourist places in the State. She said the troops should ensure that no civilian is harmed and there is minimum damage to civilian properties during encounters with the militants.
“While the Army is competent enough to deal with the situation along the borders, for internal security, police and paramilitary forces should shoulder the greater responsibilities,” she said.The Chief Minister urged upon the Army commanders to help consolidate and carry forward the State Government’s confidence building measures on the security front and initiative of border tourism which would go a long way in ensuring peace and tranquillity along the borders and within the mainland.While appreciating the role of the Army in civic action programmes like Sadhbavana, Ms Mehbooba asked them to involve the local youth in activities like sports and skill development, especially in the remote border areas of the State.Chief Secretary, Mr B R Sharma, Principal Secretary Home, Mr R K Goyal, Director General of Police, Mr K Rajendra and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Kumar Choudhary were also present at the meeting.