Sitharaman visits Tezpur, reviews operational preparedness

Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at Assam's Tezpur on Sunday as part of her maiden visit to the Eastern Command.

The minister who was accompanied by army Vice Chief Lt Gen Sarath Chand and Eastern Command Lt. Gen. Abhay Krishna was received at Tezpur Airforce Station by Gajraj Corps commander Lt Gen A.S. Bedi and other senior dignitaries of the Army and the Air Force.

The visit which is part of Sitharaman's familiarization with all the formations of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force (IAF) comes close on the heels of her visit to Northern Command recently and her visit to Sikkim on Saturday. She also reviewed the operational readiness of the airbase, seeing the Sukhoi fighter aircraft and other IAF assets at first-hand.

The Defence Minister extended her good wishes to the Air Warriors on the occasion of 85th Air Force Day anniversary as she interacted with them at the strategically important eastern airbase of Tezpur. She also visited the Gajraj Corps headquarters where she was briefed by Lt Gen Bedi, on the overall security situation in Assam and the Kameng Sector of Arunachal Pradesh and the operational preparedness of the Corps.

Sitharaman subsequently visited Solmara Military Station near Tezpur where she interacted with the officers and jawans over a cup of tea. She appreciated the high standards of military discipline and preparedness of the army men and women and their excellent performance in the difficult terrain and challenging environment in which they are operating.