Tezpur, May 2: Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar has lauded the citizen-friendly approach of army personnel during the conduct of operations against the National Democratic Front of Boroland (Songbijit) and other militant outfits of the region.

Parrikar, who arrived here yesterday, today visited the Rangiya-based Red Horns Division to review the security situation in lower Assam and the operations against militant groups.

He was accompanied by Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju and chief of army staff Gen. Dalbir Singh, among others. He was received by Maj. Gen. C.P. Mohanty, the general-officer-commanding of Rangiya-based Red Horns Division.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneet Newton said the defence minister was given a detailed briefing on counter-insurgency operations in lower Assam, with a specific update on the current operations against NDFB (S).

Newton said Parrikar expressed his satisfaction on the progress of the operations and appreciated the efforts made by the army to dynamically review and alter its tactics to counter the rapidly changing situation in the region.

The spokesperson said the minister was especially satisfied with the army's citizen-friendly approach in conducting the operations against the NDFB (S) and other militant outfits of the region.

The defence minister said if required, more funds could be provided for Operation Sadbhavna to carry out welfare activities for the people of the region.

He appreciated the efforts of the army in the violence-free conduct of the BTC elections and in restoring peace and normalcy in the area.

Kiren Rijiju, minister of state for home, who accompanied Parrikar, also appreciated the successful conduct of operations against the NDFB (S) by the army and other security agencies.

He said this was the most successful operation carried out in the region in recent past as it was carried out with utmost precision.

In the ongoing operations, several top leaders of the NDFB (S) have been killed in encounters and 180 cadres have been apprehended.

Parrikar, who was scheduled to visit Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh this morning from Tezpur, had to postpone the visit because of inclement weather. He later left for Itanagar, where he called upon governor Nirbhay Sharma at Raj Bhavan to discuss security and border areas.

The governor said the army and air force units deployed along the Line of Actual Control have to play a significant role in the implementation of development projects in addition to taking care of national security.