Jammu, June 09: Defence Minister George Fernandes today left for border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to take stock of ground situation along the Line of Control after successful conduct of Operation Sarp Vinash at Hill Kaka to eliminate militants holed up there. Fernandes, who arrived here this morning from New Delhi by a special plane, left for Poonch immediately to personally monitor the progress of anti-militancy operations and border fencing along LoC, official sources said today.
The minister, who would visit Rajtani, Noushera, Surankote, Rajouri and Poonch, would meet the troops operating in the difficult mountainous border belt to encourage them and will hold discussions with senior army and civilian officials on the latest situation in the region, the sources said.
Besides, Fernandes would also visit forward defence locations along LoC and see the progress of border fencing work currently being undertaken by troops in the twin border districts, the sources said.
The troops had started fencing work along the LoC stretching 279 km in the twin districts last month to prevent infiltration, the sources said.
The Minister will return to New Delhi after holding a security review meeting with senior officials of 16 Corps and Northern Command headquarters here, the sources said.
Bureau Report