The Hindu : National : Antony arrives in Kashmir, visits Aman Setu in Uri

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Antony arrives in Kashmir, visits Aman Setu in Uri

Shujaat Bukhari

To apprise himself of problems faced by troops in one of the most inhospitable terrain

Aman Setu links Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road
Visit comes against backdrop of PDP’s demand for troop reduction

SRINAGAR: Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday visited Kaman Aman Setu and interacted with troops deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri Sector. He lauded the role of armed forces in defending the borders and said they had withstood the challenges in testing times.

Mr. Antony, who began his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, was accompanied by Army Chief General J.J. Singh; General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag; Srinagar Corps Commander Lt. Gen. A.S. Sekhon; and GOC 19 Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Ramesh Halgali. The Kaman Aman Setu connects the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and has been in focus since the launch of trans-LoC bus service in April 2005.

Measures

Brig. N.P.S. Hira, Brigade Commander of Uri, briefed the Minister about the measures taken to make the road useful for passengers and also about its upgradation. Mr. Antony was also apprised about the prevailing situation along the LoC. Though ceasefire between India and Pakistan is in place since November 2003, reports of infiltration, though on a low scale, have been pouring in.

During his interaction with troops, he lauded the armed forces for showing exemplary courage in guarding the country’s frontiers and at the same time fighting militancy against all odds, a Defence spokesman said here.

Mr. Antony made a special mention of troops in the 19 Infantry Division Sector for their success in checking infiltration through the LoC. “Indian armed forces have stood the test of time by serving everywhere relentlessly, be it at the heights of Siachen or in the deserts of Rajasthan,” said the Minister, during his maiden visit to Uri. He said that his visit came as he wanted to get first-hand information on the problems faced by troops while defending the LoC on one of the most inhospitable terrains.

The Minister said he had full faith in country’s forces, who would stand up to any challenge.

Mr. Antony’s visit comes at the time when the Centre is deliberating on the demand of the People’s Democratic Party to reduce troops in the State.

The panel, headed by Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt, has already given its report and made certain recommendations.

He is likely to meet Governor S.K. Sinha, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and other State officials during his stay in Kashmir.

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