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Army chief in Kashmir for security review

By IANS,

Jammu : Indian Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh Tuesday arrived on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review the security situation in the face of a persistent demands for reduction of troops and repeal of the army’s special powers under the AFSPA.

Singh landed at the headquarters of the Northern Command in Udhampur. During his visit he will assess the situation in the state and might also visit the shrine of Vaishno Devi, according to the sources in the army.

“Primarily, the army chief will review the situation along the frontiers with all the corps commanders in Jammu and Kashmir and also Northern Command chief Lt. Gen. K.T. Patnaik,” a source in the army told IANS.

The review would also be focused on the security needs, the strength of the troops and their special powers. People in Kashmir have been demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state.

These issues have become important in the light of repeated declarations by union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai that the centre may recall 10,000 paramilitary forces personnel from the state this year.