Army chief reviews security situation in J&K

In the backdrop of Centre's decision to withdraw 10,000 security personnel from Jammu & Kashmir, army chief General V K Singh today met senior officers at Udhampur-based Northern Command which looks after the operational area of the state.

The army chief, who arrived at Udhampur-based Northern Command on a two-day visit this morning, held a meeting with top army personnel.

Singh also reviewed the security situation, counter-terrorism and counter-infiltration measures in the state.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General AK Choudhary, Commander of 9 Corps, told reporters in Yol Camp in Himachal Pradesh today that there is a need to take a holistic view on reduction of troops in Jammu & Kashmir.

Based on this holistic policy, troops reduction would be assessed and decided by Unified Headquarters in Jammu & Kashmir, he said.

The Centre plans to withdraw nearly 10,000 paramilitary personnel from Jammu & Kashmir this year as it feels that the state can do with less central forces.

The army chief had earlier said that a decision on troop reduction will be taken by Unified Headquarter, the highest security assessment panel in the state.

The army chief also visited the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi along with his wife Bharti Singh.