Northern Army commander meets troops, reviews security

Amid a spate of sniping attacks by Jaish-e-Mohammad terorrists on Indian security forces, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen. Ranbir Singh asked the troops to effectively meet new challenges. Ranbir, who was in Srinagar for a two-day visit to review the security situation, was accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General AK Bhatt. He visited the formations and units in central Kashmir and was briefed by field commanders.

"He commended the troops for their dedication to duty and high standards of professionalism. The need to be prepared for effectively meeting emerging security challenges was also reinforced," said an Army spokesman.

A series of gunbattles in different parts of Kashmir in the recent past have killed four soldiers and about 10 terrorists. There have also been sniping attacks being carried out by JeM terrorists in south and central Kashmir. In one such attack on security forces, the assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was killed in Srinagar on Friday night.

Snipping attacks are targeted fire by terrorists using guns mounted with a telescopic lens to identify and hit targets from a distance. Police sources said that there are four snipers active in the Valley, and these three are carrying US-made state-of-the-art M4 carbine to snipe at the security forces.

On Monday, Ranbir visited 92-Base Hospital in Badami Bagh Cantonment, where he met injured soldiers, enquired about their health and wished them a speedy recovery.