Srinagar, July 27: Defence Minister A K Antony will arrive in Srinagar tomorrow (Saturday) on a two-day visit during which he will review the security situation in the valley. Controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will also figure during his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
On Saturday, sources said, Antony will begin his tour from Army's Udhampur-based Northern Command headquarters, where he will be briefed about the overall security scenario in the state by General Officer Commanding (GOC)-in-Chief Lt Gen KT Pranaik. He would be accompanied by Army chief General Bikram Singh and Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma.
Sources said that from Udhampur, the Defence Minister will arrive in Srinagar and visit some of the forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC). “Soon after his landing in Srinagar, Antony along with Army chief and defence secretary will visit forward posts in Uri sector in Baramulla district and will meet the troops there,” a senior Army official of 15 Corps told Greater Kashmir. “In the afternoon, he will meet Chief Minister and other senior state officials followed by a meeting with Governor NN Vohra.”
However, sources said during the meeting between, Antony and Chief Minister AFSPA would be discussed. Antony had Thursday said that he will have detailed discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He had refused to comment whether AFSPA will be discussed during his meeting with Abdullah and other state officials. "I don't want to say anything in public on this issue," he had said.
The Army official said that in the evening, Defence minister would chair the meeting of Unified Command (UC) at Nehru Guest House. “During the meeting Defence minister would review the security situation,” he said. “We do not have any information about the agenda between Antony and CM,” the official said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST