In Indian Army’s build-up in Uri, village meets, hospital visit

Since the Uri attack, officials of local units had been meeting village heads and other leaders and asking them to report any suspected movement to the nearest Army unit. “We were asked not to venture out after 6 pm. They said this was a precautionary measure after the attack on the camp,” said a village head in Uri who attended one such meeting in his village near the LoC.

Col Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman in Srinagar, said the Army interacts regularly with village leaders but denied there is no restriction in the movement of civilians. “Some coordination is required for the safety of the local population so that no untoward incident takes place during patrols,” he said.

In Gwalata, Churunda and Silikote situated on or near the LoC, villagers said there has been increase in the movement of soldiers close to the LoC. “We have border passes, but if any relative who lives in other village intends to visit us, we have to register his name in the camp,’’ said a villager in Silikote.

The Army claimed to have arrested two guides Sunday, reportedly residents of PoK, from border areas in Uri. They have been now handed over to the NIA that is investigating the terrorist attack. Troopers of 19 Infantry Division based in Baramulla and 28 Infantry Division based in Kupwara were reportedly engaged in operations launched from Nowgam and Tangdhar sectors.

The 19 Infantry Division has been under pressure since the terrorist attack on the 12 Infantry Brigade headquarters in Uri.