Army chief visits Northern, Southern Commands to review India's operational preparedness

Udhampur/Chandigarh, Oct 1 (PTI) Army Chief Dalbir Singh
on Saturay visited the Northern and Western Commands to review
India's operational preparedness along the border with
Pakistan in the wake of heightened tension between the two
countries following the surgical strike at terror camps across
the LoC.
The Army Chief was briefed by top commanders in both the
crucial commands about the prevailing situation and their
overall prepardness and contingency plans.
At the Udhampur headquarters of the Northern Command,
which planned and executed the surgical strike, General Singh
interacted with the special forces personnel who successfully
carried out the operation.
He was briefed by Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC-in-C Northern
Command on the overall security situation in the Command
theatre.
"The Army Chief interacted with the Corps Commanders and
took a first hand assessment of the prevailing security
situation and operational preparedness," a top army official
in the Northern Command said.
He said General Singh also interacted with the troops who
participated in the surgical strike operation and conveyed his
appreciation for the successful operation.
Singh personally complimented officers and men who
"successfully" targeted seven terror launch pads located in
Leepa, Tattapani, Kel and Bhimbar.
"The Army Chief was briefed on the operational matters
by GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh," a
defence spokesman said in Chandigarh.
"The Army Chief interacted with senior formation
commanders and exhorted them to continue to maintain the
highest vigil and alertness on the western borders," he said.
   Sources had said the decision on the surgical strike
was taken soon after the attack on the Uri army base on
September 18. They said India was ready with contingency plans
considering the possibilities that Pakistan may retaliate in
the wake of the surgical strike.
It has been estimated that the number of casualties was
at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official
confirmation.
The Army has also trashed reports in Pakistan about
Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of
the special forces received minor injury while returning but
it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action. PTI MPB/VJ
CK
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