Indian Defence Minister for enhancing vigil on J&K borders to foil infiltration

Jammu,January 12 (Vijay Kumar) – Indian Defence Minister, A. K. Antony stressed on enhancing vigilance on the borders and LoC keeping in view the increased attempts of infiltration in 2009 as compared to 2008.

 Addressing Unified Headquarter’s meeting in Jammu.. A. K. Antony while complementing the J&K State Police and Security Forces for efficiently handling Lal Chowk incident said that, in future also such incidents would be handled with same efficiency. He informed that the Army had vacated all hospitals and school buildings in the State.

The Defence Minister also said that some outside forces inimical to the country are making several attempts to infiltrate borders, therefore, there is need to heighten vigilance.

J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who was present in the meeting said, “Let us all consolidate the gains made in the direction of  normalization of situation in J&K to make 2010 the year of consolidation.”

He emphasized for recruitment drive for local youth in defence forces and urged for frequent recruitment rallies for this purpose in the State especially in far-flung areas. He said that there is need to carry on developmental works in the State as “State succeeded in receiving maximum financial support from the Centre and a massive development process has been launched as such sporadic militancy related incidents and law and order incidents should not hamper the development process. He further said that standing operating procedures should be followed while dealing with law and order and militancy related incidents. He said that synergy existing between various forces needs to be further strengthened. 

Omar also stressed on enhancing the rotary tonnage and providing helicopter service to the cut off and far-flung areas in the State.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister,  Tara Chand, Union Defence Secretary,  Pardeep Kumar, Chief of Army Staff,  Deepak Kapoor, GOC-in-C, Northern Command,  B. S. Jaswal, Chief Secretary,  S. S. Kapur, Financial Commissioner, Home,  S. Verghese, Director General Police,  Kuldeep Khuda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister,  Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mrs. Naseem Lankar, GoC of XIV, XV, XVI and IX Corps, ADGP, CID and other senior, police and security forces officials

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