Army Chief Visits Jammu and Kashmir; Punjab, Rajasthan And Gujarat On High Alert

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh visited Army’s Northern Command in Jammu and Kashmir today to take stock of the prevailing situation and review operational preparedness along Line of Control in wake of heightened tensions and continued ceasefire violations by Pakistan. This will be his first visit to the state after Indian Special Forces carried out surgical strikes against terrorist launching pads across the LoC on Wednesday night.

The surgical strike was planned and executed by the Army’s Northern Command situated in Udhampur. The Army Chief is also scheduled to visit army's Western Command to review operational preparedness.

All services of the Indian army have been placed on high alert to deal with Pakistan’s retaliation. Border areas adjoining Pakistan in Jammu and Punjab have been evacuated. Out of 553 km international border that runs through Punjab, 489 km is fenced. The remaining 64 km could not be effectively fenced due to a riverine terrain.

The state governments have set up make-shift tent camps and arranged food facilities for the dislocated. Rajasthan and Gujarat are on alert with the Border Security Force (BSF) deploying its units along the International Border as a pre-emptive measure. The BSF has also restricted all civilian movement along borders with Pakistan.

With Inputs From IANS