Srinagar: The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday to apprise him of the prevailing security scenario and recent developments along the Line of Control (LoC) and other border areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lt. Gen. Sharma was accompanied by Lt. Gen. Prashant Srivastava, General Officer Commanding 15 Corps.
“Our forces are doing a commendable job in protecting the nation,” the Chief Minister stated.
Meanwhile expressing solidarity with the affected families, the Chief Minister during vist to Uri remarked, “Over the past few days, I have witnessed immense suffering and loss, but also unparalleled courage. These visits should have been about progress and development — not grief. The pain of my people is deeply personal to me.”
The Chief Minister also visited the Lagama market, where several homes and commercial establishments suffered damage. After assessing the situation on ground, he assured affected individuals of prompt relief.
In Gingal village, Omar Abdullah inspected the NHPC’s Uri-I Hydro Electric Project, which was also targeted in the recent shelling. He interacted with NHPC officials and assessed the damage caused to the infrastructure, including residential quarters.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister noted that the situation in Uri mirrors that of Tangdhar, Rajouri, and Poonch. “It appears that civilian areas were deliberately targeted in this instance, endangering more lives,” he said. “Thankfully, the ceasefire is currently holding, and we are working diligently to assess damages and extend help wherever needed.”
He also emphasized the need for individual bunkers in vulnerable areas. “With support from the Union Government, we will work for construction of individual bunkers in all shelling-affected regions,” CM said.