Despite indications of a thaw in relations with Islamabad, Defence Minister George Fernandes today ruled out lowering vigil on the Line of Control ahead of the summer when infiltration is at its peak. Addressing commanders and senior officers of the Army at the bi-annual commander’s conference, Fernandes reviewed the measures taken by the various formations to combat terrorism in the Kashmir Valley.While Fernandes expressed hope relations between New Delhi and Islamabad would improve, the present spate of encounters with terrorists in the Valley pointed to an increase in infiltration. In its deliberations over the next three days, the Army will also review the operational mandate of the Rashtriya Rifles, the force raised to combat insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. With more battalions to be added to the force, the conference will also take stock of the Unified Command in Srinagar and the hurdles faced by commanders in counter-insurgency operations.
