Jammu, July 17: A media visit to forward areas along Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri sectors, Jammu and Kashmir was organized from July 12 and July 15 under the aegis of White Knight Corps. A total of 32 Journalists from Electronic and Print media houses accompanied by PRO (Defence), Jammu participated in this Forward Area visit.
The participants were taken to some selected forward locations along LoC aimed to enhance the understanding on improvement of situation along LoC post abrogation of Article 370 and post implementation of ceasefire.
The contribution of MoD establishments like Indian Army, BRO towards infrastructure development, education, youth employment, women empowerment, mega initiatives in fight against COVID pandemic in border & far flung villages along LoC and ahead of LoC Fence was also adequately covered by media houses.
The tour commenced with mandatory COVID Rapid Antigen Test for all at Natu Auditorium, Poonch. The journalists were briefed by PRO (Defence) Jammu on the conduct and Do’s and Dont’s including safety precautions and National Security while moving and coverage along LoC and forward posts.
In Poonch sector, the journalists were taken to AIOS, forward posts and Kausalian village along LoC. In Bhimber Gali (BG) sector, the journalists were taken to AIOS, forward posts and Dharati village ahead of LoC fence. The journalists were facilitated for field visits and Interaction with civilians of LoC villages previously affected by ceasefire violations. They were also shown various efforts by Indian Army assisting the locals for making community Bunkers and COVID Vaccination drive.
The journalists were briefed by senior army officials at forward posts in Poonch and Bhimber Gali highlighting the present security scenario and the on-going activities along LoC. The conduct of visit in Poonch included a firsthand exposure on CI/CT Drills, life of soldiers at LoC, various Military-Civic action projects including COVID Vaccination for villagers, Community bunkers, training youth for employment etc. An interaction with families of civilian porters who were killed by Pakistan action followed by interaction with locals on various Military – Civic action projects and Army’s contribution in their day to day life.
In Bhimber Gali sector, the visit included: Life of a soldier at LoC, information on the surveillance system, Army continues uplifting education standards in Pine Wood School, Hamirpur. The Pine Wood School comprises 450 students out of which 210 students are from BPL families for whom all study related materials are being provided by Army. Students hail from remote areas of Bharoti, Dharati, Balakote, Dhargloon and Bhimber Gali Panchayats. Community classes in Basooni School for local children who were not having any mobile facilities during COVID. Thereafter, the team visited to Dharati Village ahead of LoC Fence.
There the media houses have seen how Indian Army facilitating the Primary Health Centre Dharati to reach at remote locations for door to door COVID vaccination. COVID Quarantine Centre, Medical camp and Community Bunkers were also shown. The media got ample opportunity to interact with local villagers on various Military -Civic action projects and Army’s contribution in their day to day life. The media houses were escorted to Chhapar Dhara, Kanga and Datote Villages ahead of LoC Fence and as close as 400 meter from LoC. Indian Army in close coordination with civil administration commenced Road construction and electrification for the First Time under Border Area Development Projects.
