Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today appreciated the high standards of military discipline and preparedness of troops in the North East region as he interacted with troops at Salmara Military Station.
Parrikar also appreciated the troops' performance in the backdrop of the difficult terrain and the challenging environment.
The defence minister, who arrived here on a two-day visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh exhorted the troops to continue with the same zeal and sense of pride and honour while showing due respect to human rights.
Accompanied by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Parrikar was received at Tezpur Air Force Station by Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh and GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lt Gen MMS Rai.
Parrikar visited Gajraj Corps HQ here and reviewed the overall security situation in the state.
He was briefed by the Gajraj Corps Commander, Lt Gen Sarath Chand on the dynamic counter insurgency grid and the synergy achieved with the civil administration, state police and other para-military forces in bringing back normalcy in the state by carrying out relentless operations against the perpetrators of terror, a defence spokesman said.
The Minister expressed satisfaction at the results achieved and complimented the high level of camaraderie and synergy existing among the Army and the civil agencies, the spokesman said.
Later talking to reporters, Parrikar emphasised on the development of infrastructure facilities, including border roads, in the North Eastern border states.
To queries on China's reaction on his scheduled visit to Arunachal Pradesh tomorrow, he said the neighbouring country has the right to react on it.
Parrikar is scheduled to visit the troops deployed in the forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh and interact with them to get first hand inputs of the ground situation, the spokesman said, adding, the Minister will also be paying homage at the Tawang War Memorial to the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice of their life while guarding the frozen frontiers.
