Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his day long visit to Jammu and Kashmir arrived at world's highest battlefield in Siachen this morning. He held discussions with army officers and jawans there. During his stay with jawans, the Prime Minister got first hand information about their problems and issues.

Mr. Modi conveyed the message that every Indian stands shoulder to shoulder with them. AIR Leh correspondent reports that Mr Modi greeted the soldiers on occasion of Diwali and distributed sweets to them. He also had aerial survey of some other difficult area in Ladakh region.

On the 2nd leg of his visit, the Prime Minister will be arriving in Srinagar this afternoon to meet delegations of flood affected people at Raj Bhawan. AIR correspondent reports that he will also interact with top administrative and police officials apart from having meeting with J & K Governor N.N.Vohar and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Amid hopes and speculations of a Diwali package for flood affected in Kashmir Valley, PM Modi is scheduled to meet a cross section of people during his brief visit in the city. At least 12 delegations including the flood affected people and Civil Society would apprise PM about the situation they have been confronting with, post floods. Though all eyes are on the expected announcement of PM's Food package, the political parties have reacted on his visit on expected lines. This would be his fourth visit to J & K state and third to valley after taking over as PM which has generated hopes among the common kashmir that the PM is concerned about the development of the militancy ridden state.

The Prime Minister's visit evoked mixed reactions in different political parties . Congress feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Jammu and Kashmir visit is politically motivated. Talking to media in New Delhi today, party spokesperson P C Chacko alleged that Mr. Modi is playing politics with the natural calamity affected state.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Tariq Anwar alleged that the visit is a part BJP's poll preparation in the state.
Meanwhile, BJP has termed the criticism as unfortunate. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra said that it is astonishing that when Mr. Modi is trying to share sorrow of flood affected people, opposition is seeing politics in it.

Another BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi appreciated the Prime Minister's visit saying it will light the lamp of faith and belief among the people who have suffered due to floods.