By IANS
Jammu : Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir here Thursday to assess if the situation was right for "relocation and reconfiguration" of troops in the troubled state.
Dutt, accompanied by other senior officials, left on a tour of Rajouri and Doda districts of the state. He was also joined by the General officer Commanding (GOC) 16 corps, Lt. Gen T.K. Sapru, and other security officials.
The team would hold consultations with commanders at the ground in various sensitive districts of Jammu and Kashmir before a high level meeting in Srinagar on Friday, official sources said.
Dutt will go to the Kashmir valley later in the day after visiting the twin districts in Jammu region.
Dutt heads the panel announced by the Prime Minister Manmonhan Singh in March this year to study the security situation in the state and assess if relocation and reconfiguration of troops can be carried out there.
The panel was formed after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a coalition partner in the Congress led government in the state, demanded troops reductions.
It will submit its report to Defence Minister A.K. Antony after the meeting in Srinagar on Friday.