Shivraj Patil arrives in Kashmir

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday arrived in Srinagar on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read Militants storm BSF camp in Sopore

He is scheduled to meet top state leaders and security officials to assess the ground situation in the Valley, ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the state later this month.

Patil, accompanied by Union Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, drove straight to Raj Bhavan where he met Governor S K Sinha.

Patil will meet Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and top opposition leaders on Sunday, official sources said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma will host a lunch for the visiting minister, while Assembly Speaker Tara
Chand will host a dinner.

Patil will also discuss the security situation in the state with General Officer Commanding, Northern Command, Lt Gen
Hari Prasad.