Shimla, Sep 30  The Indian Army's top priorities are eliminating militants and checking infiltration from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir, an officer who takes over as the Northern Command chief said Wednesday.

Lt Gen B. S. Jaswal, who takes over as the general officer-in-command of the Northern Command Thursday, is presently the general officer-in-command of the Army Training Command.

"Eliminating militants, checking infiltration across the border, boosting the morale of the troops and creating conducive environment for the Jammu and Kashmir government would be my top priorities," Gen Jaswal said before leaving for Udhampur where the Northern Command is based.

He said special operations would be launched in Jammu and Kashmir to flush out the militants.

"Special operations would be carried out to eliminate all the surviving militants hiding in remote areas," he said. "Steps would be taken to keep the morale of the troops high and maintain their battle worthiness."

On killing of a Lashkar-a-Taiba militant by an 18-year-old Kashmiri girl Saturday night in Rajouri district, he said: "It's a classical case of bravery. A number of village defence committees have been set up in Kashmir. The resolve is to take on the militants. It's a good initiative."

On Chinese intrusion into Indian territory, he said certain stretches along the border have not been demarcated. But "we are prepared to take on any challenge", he said.(IANS)