SRINAGAR: Assuring support to bring normalcy in the Valley, particularly the four restive districts of South Kashmir, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh reinforced the need to synergise efforts with all stakeholders.

Calling for high vigil along the Line of Control (LoC), Gen Singh urged the troops to sensitise people, especially the youth, to abandon violence and usher peace.

Singh is in Srinagar to review the security situation in the Valley, especially the volatile North and South districts.

Singh’s visit comes amid reports that army will be deployed in South Kashmir where widespread protests were reported after the death of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8. At least 75 people have died in the Valley in clashes between the security forces and civilians.

The army spokesperson in Srinagar denied having any information about the new strategy, however, sources say the army will be used for increased “area domination and patrolling’’ and not for crowd control. Law and order enforcement will remain with the local police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

General Dalbir Singh arrived in Srinagar on Friday morning and was briefed by General Officer Commanding of Chinar Corps Lt Gen Satish Dua.

According to the army spokesman Gen Singh visited defence formations in the north and south of the Valley to get first-hand account of the situation.

He was accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua. The chief reviewed the security situation and collaborative measures taken by the security forces to bring peace in the region.The Chief also interacted with the J&K DGP and briefed Governor N N Vohra about the prevailing situation.

“The chief commended all ranks of Chinar Corps for their operational preparedness and commitment. Reinforcing the need to maintain high vigil along LoC, he also appreciated humanitarian initiatives by the troops to bring relief to locals during the ongoing unrest. He asked them to sustain positive engagement with the people,’’ the spokesman said.

Later, the Army Chief also came to BB Cantonment, Srinagar where he was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander on the initiatives taken by the Army all across the Valley to bring about peace.