Army chief visits Kashmir, carries out security review

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat arrived here on Thursday to review the security situation and operational preparedness of the armed forces posted in Kashmir and along the Line of Control.

"Gen Rawat and some senior Army officers arrived at Badamibagh Cantonment area this morning for a routine day-long visit," an Army official said on Thursday.

He said the purpose of the Army Chief's visit was to review the security situation and operational preparedness in the Valley.

"The Chief of Army Staff is being briefed by Corps Commander and other top officers about the situation in the Valley, especially after killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Bhat.

"He will also be briefed about the situation along the Line of Control in the wake of reports of activity at infiltration launch pads on the other side of LoC," the official added.

Meanwhile, a General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF) laborer was killed, while two others, including a BSF jawan, were injured today as Pakistan violated ceasefire by shelling mortars and firing on forward posts along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts of the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.