Jaitley in Kashmir to review situation

IANS/SrinagarDefence Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday said the army was fully equipped and strong enough to deal with ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.Speaking to reporters on his arrival in Srinagar, Jaitley said: “I have come here to review the overall security situation. I shall be interacting with officials during my stay here.”Replying to a question on the ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu region on Friday, when the Pakistani army used mortars to target Indian positions, the defence minister said: “Our army is strong enough and well-equipped to deal with such violations.”Jaitley was briefed about the security situation on the borders and in the hinterland at the Badami Bagh headquarters of army’s 15 Corps by officers. Army chief General Bikram Singh was present during the briefing.Jaitley later met Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Governor N N Vohra hosted a dinner for the defence minister.The defence minister will co-chair a meeting of the unified headquarters here today with the chief minister.The unified headquarters is the apex security grid in the state comprising the army, paramilitary forces, state and central intelligence agencies, local police and senior officials of the state government.Jaitley will visit some forward positions today when he will interact with officers and soldiers.