By IANS,
New Delhi : Ahead of a major army war game in the Rajasthan desert mid-May, Defence Minister A.K. Antony will visit the area Monday to inspect the build-up of military infrastructure and review operational preparedness of troops along the border with Pakistan, it was announced Friday.
During the day-long trip to Jaisalmer, Antony will be accompanied by army chief General V.K. Singh and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, a defence ministry press release said.
“Defence Minister A.K. Antony would be visiting Rajasthan Monday to review the operational preparedness of the army along the western border,” the release said.
“He will visit the forward-most locations and interact with the personnel deployed there,” it added.
At one of the forward locations, Antony will receive a briefing on the infrastructure created and what more is required along the western border.
The minister will also visit the Jaisalmer military station, where he will be briefed by southern army commander Lt.Gen. A.K. Singh about the operational preparedness and issues relating to the Pune-based southern army command.
Antony’s visit comes ahead of a major war game in Bikaner, codenamed ‘Vijayee Bhava’ (Be Victorious), by the Army’s Chandimandir-based Western Command, which will deploy a division-sized troops numbering about 15,000 to validate its battle concepts and tactics.
One of the army’s three strike corps will also participate in the war game, deploying its fire power including artillery and armoured vehicles such as main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers.