Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, visited BALBIR a Forward Post in Kashmir Kupwara District and met troops from the 28th Infantry Division located there. She became the first Defence Minister ever to visit this particular post.
Earlier while at Srinagar, Sitharaman along with the COAS had held discussions with Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan. She was received by the Governor on her arrival. The Defence Minister extended her warm greetings to Malik on his appointment as the state governor.
The Governor, the Raksha Mantri and the COAS discussed several important inter-related issues concerning the effective management of internal and external security, particularly in the context of increasing attempts at infiltration and the ongoing anti-terrorist operations.
They also underscored the crucial need for strengthening and the maintenance of vital road networks and strategic connectivity in the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Ladakh region.
The Governor lauded the Northern Army’s working in total coordination with the civil administration, state police and central armed forces for ensuring safety and security of the people.
The Governor and the Raksha Mantri also held detailed discussions on the urban local bodies and panchayat elections, which will be conducted in the months of October to December this year.
