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National

Soldiers promised better package

Shujaat Bukhari

Antony, on a visit to forward areas, lauds sacrifices made by defence forces

— Photo: Nissar Ahmad

Defence Minister A. K. Antony with Army officers at a Sainik Sammelan in Baramulla on Wednesday.

SRINAGAR: Defence Minister A.K. Antony visited border forward areas on Wednesday and acknowledged the sacrifices made by the defence forces in defending the country. He said normality was fast returning to Jammu and Kashmir due to their sustained efforts.

Mr. Antony, on a two-day visit to Kashmir, was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. P.C. Bhardwaj and Commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt. Gen. Mukesh Sabharwal. During his visit to the LoC in the Kupwara sector, Mr Antony, for the first time, flew in the special helicopter Alh Dhruv.

The Minister was briefed by top Army officials about the situation along the LoC. He interacted with troops in their underground bunkers and living area, defence spokesman Lt. Col. A.K. Mathur said.

Mr Antony addressed a special Sainik Sammelan in Baramulla and expressed satisfaction with the good work being done by the armed forces in tackling terrorism and restoring normality in the Valley.

The entire nation recognised the hard work and dedication of the soldiers operating in difficult conditions along the line of control. The anomalies in the sixth pay commission were being looked into and the government would give the soldiers a satisfactory package.

Mr Antony said security forces could succeed only with the support of the people. The purpose of his visit was to have a fresh look at the security situation in Kashmir. He was happy that the school and hospital buildings had been vacated.

The Army was now paying higher rents for land and buildings.

Crucial months

On Tuesday, Mr. Antony chaired a high-level meeting here. He said the coming months were crucial as there were forces out to thwart the election process. These forces, within and outside the State, did not want to see an end to militancy and wanted to use the situation for their own vested interests. “But we are here to defeat their designs.”

Human rights

The Defence Minister wanted the security forces to achieve the objective of neutralising militants causing minimum inconvenience to the people.

He asked the security forces to vacate all remaining public buildings and ensure that human rights were not violated in the process.

He said a positive approach would be adopted in dealing with the issues that arise between the State and the defence forces from time to time. A committee headed by Chief Secretary was constituted to sort out disputes relating to land.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Deputy Chief Minister Mustafa Hussain Baig and top State officials attended the meeting.

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