Satisfied over readiness of troops along LoC: Arun Jaitley

SRINAGAR: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has expressed satisfaction over the "aggressive domination" and "readiness" of troops along the Line of Control or LoC in Jammu and Kashmir to give a befitting response to any "misadventure" by Pakistan. Mr Jaitley held a meeting with senior army commanders at a forward post along the LoC in north Kashmir, and reviewed the security situation in the valley.

"Had a meeting with senior commanders & troops at a forward post along the LoC, and reviewed security situation," he said.

"The aggressive domination and readiness of troops for befitting response to any misadventure by enemy is very satisfying," he tweeted.

Mr Jaitley, who also holds the finance portfolio, was in Srinagar to attend a two-day meeting of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council. During his visit, he conducted an aerial survey of forward posts along the LoC and interacted with troops in Rampur sector where he told them to maintain vigil and foil any misadventure from across the Line of Control, an army official said.

Mr Jaitley, who was accompanied by General Officer Commanding of Chinar Corps, lauded the high morale of the troops and assured them that the entire nation was with them, he added. Mr Jaitley's visit comes weeks after the Pakistani Army beheaded two Indian security personnel in Poonch district.

While Army chief General Bipin Rawat had hinted at retaliation to avenge the killings, Mr Jaitley had said the sacrifice of the two soldiers will not go in vain and that the armed forces will react "appropriately".