Northern Army Commander reviews security across Kashmir and Poonch

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma reviewed operational preparedness in the Kashmir Valley on August 15, focusing on heightened security for Independence Day. He visited forward areas along the Line of Control in Poonch on August 17, where he assessed deployment challenges in rugged terrain and stressed continued vigilance. The visits followed a high-level security meeting in Srinagar with the Army, J&K Police, CRPF, and other agencies, aimed at strengthening joint operations and intelligence sharing through Joint Control Centres.

Greater Kashmir reports that Lt Gen Sharma, accompanied by GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Balbir Singh, assessed troops in the Valley's hinterland and urged sustained vigilance and rapid response. In Poonch, he interacted with troops guarding the borders and emphasised fostering synergy and adopting innovative approaches to emerging threats. The Northern Command has regularly held Joint Control Centre reviews to integrate operational inputs from Jammu and Kashmir and bolster the counter-terrorism framework.

Security forces have maintained heightened vigilance, strengthened checkpoints and surveillance, and intensified patrolling at vulnerable locations and entry points across Jammu and Kashmir. The Army has emphasised intelligence-led operations and inter-agency coordination. Troops in forward areas were commended for their resilience in demanding conditions, and Lt Gen Sharma exhorted them to remain mission-ready at all times.