SRINAGAR – Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat arrived in Srinagar onThursday on a two-day visit days, a little over a week after the governmentannounced a suspension of security operations in Kashmir valley.

General Rawat’s visit also coincided with that of the Centre’s interlocutorDineshwar Sharma who met Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Muftiand Governor Narendra Nath Vohra.

The army chief who reviewed the security situation in the Valley met topformation commanders to take stock of the current situation, especially inthe Valley and on the Line of Control. General Rawat was also briefed aboutthe impact of the suspension of security operations.

“The Army Chief visited formation headquarters and units where he wasbriefed by the commanders on ground as regards the operationalpreparedness. The Army Chief was appreciative of the measures and StandardOperating Procedures instituted by the units and formations to meet thechallenges posed by the inimical elements,” the defence spokesman said.

He said that Army chief also commended the performance of the troops in therecent successful operations and stressed the need to maintain extra vigilto defeat the designs of hostile forces.

“General Rawat also took stock of the security and administrativearrangements for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra which begins from June 27,”the spokesman.

Meanwhile the Centre’s interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma who arrived inSrinagar a day earlier, had a detailed meeting chief minister MehboobaMufti on Thursday. Officials said during the meeting overall situation inthe State, particularly after the announcement of the Ramzan ceasefire bythe Centre, came up for discussion.