Uri attack: Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi to visit Srinagar to meet top state officials

Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi will visit Srinagar today to assess the situation in wake of Uri attack.

Mehrishi will meet the top officials of the state government and take stock of the situation.

At least 17 soldiers were killed yesterday in the gun battle at the base, which is around 100 km from state capital Srinagar.

Four militants were also killed after penetrating the base in Uri sector in the most deadly attack in the province in recent years.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh visited Kashmir yesterday to take stock of the situation and review the overall security in Kashmir.

They were briefed by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders Lt. General D.S. Hooda and Lt. General Satish Dua respectively at Srinagar on the Uri attack and the operation launched to neutralise the terrorists.

Parrikar was briefed about the security grid along the Line of Control (LoC) and the hinterland also covering the deployment and employment of the additional forces that have been recently inducted into the Valley.

The need for heightened vigil both on the LoC and hinterland and to remain prepared for any developing was stressed upon.

On being briefed about the internal security situation in the hinterland, the Army Chief reiterated the importance of complete synergy amongst all security, intelligence and other government agencies to ensure calm and prevent the terrorists and other inimical forces from moving with impunity and intimidating the populace.

Earlier the Army Chief also visited Uri to get a first-hand account where he was briefed on the latest situation by the Commanders on ground.

Parrikar and the Army Chief later met the casualties at the Army Base Hospital in BB Cantonment.

Saluting the martyrs, they expressed their deep grief and condolences over the loss and wished speedy recovery to the injured.