Jammu: Making his first visit to the forward areas, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Jan 27, 2004) assessed the militancy situation after India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire and also monitored the progress of the ongoing fencing work in Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

Advani, who arrived in Jammu early this morning along with a high level team of Union Home Ministry, was received at the technical airport by Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, director general of police (DGP) Gopal Sharma and State chief secretary Sudhir Billoria, besides senior officers of the Army and Border Security Force, the sources said.

Soon after his arrival, Advani, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, chief secretary, DGP and other senior Army officers flew to Bhimbergali forward area in Rajouri-Poonch sector, they said.

Advani visited various forward posts and locations and monitored the progress of border fencing work, and ground situation in the post-ceasefire period along the LoC (line of control), the sources added.

The Deputy Prime Minister later reviewed with top Army and civil officials the situation with regard to security, infiltration and militancy after the ceasefire.