Rajnath Singh interacting with Rashtriya Rifles troops in Jammu & Kashmir, on December 27, 2023. (Photo: X/@rajnathsingh)
Jammu/New Delhi: The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, visited the border areas of Jammu & Kashmir to assess the security situation along the line of control (LoC), on Wednesday. He was accompanied by the Army chief, General Manoj Pande, and the general officer commanding in chief of the Northern Army Command, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi.
His visit comes at the backdrop of the recent deadly militant ambush on Army vehicles in the Pooch-Rajouri sector, in which five soldiers were killed and two injured, as India Sentinels had reported. This also comes at a time when the Army is accused of torturing three local civilians to death while interrogating them on the attack.
During his visit, Singh was briefed on the security situation, counterinsurgency grid, and operational preparedness. He also discussed the challenges associated with the operations with the commanders on the ground and urged them to carry out their duties with professionalism and due diligence.
Singh interacted with the troops and paid tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in action. He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the brave hearts and wished a speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. He emphasized that all necessary measures are being taken in view of the prevailing situation in the Union territory.
Singh assured the troops that the government stands with the armed forces and the nation will forever be indebted to the unparalleled valour and sacrifice of the soldiers. He stressed that the welfare of the armed forces is the government’s “top priority”, and additional efforts are being made to bolster the security and intelligence framework.
Singh described the Indian Army as not an ordinary army and urged the troops to not only safeguard national interests but also win the hearts of the people. He exhorted the troops to remain extra vigilant so that no untoward incident occurs in future, reiterating that there should be zero tolerance to terrorism. Singh then described the recent incidents in the sector as unfortunate and asked all ranks to undertake operations based on hard intelligence, in accordance with established procedures aided by niche technology.
Visited Jammu and Rajouri today.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 27, 2023
Reviewed security situation along the LoC and interacted with the troops. The Government stands firmly with the Armed Forces and the nation will forever be indebted to the unparalleled valour and sacrifice of the soldiers.
The Indian Army is… pic.twitter.com/tLzsfMRTeV
He urged all commanders to have zero tolerance for violations of the well-established SOPs (standard operating procedures).
Singh also met with the families of the deceased civilians of Topa Peer village in Bufliaz, Poonch, who were found dead under suspicious circumstances after being picked by the Army for interrogation following the deadly ambush on Army vehicles in the area. He assured expeditious investigation into the incident culminating into deliverance of justice.
Singh expressed satisfaction for the high level of synergy between the security forces, civil administration, J&K Police, central armed police forces (CAPFs) and other security agencies in projecting a clear message of resoluteness towards improving of the security environment, that is conducive to fostering a new era of development in the Union territory. He also complimented the local people for their steadfastness and contribution towards joining the mainstream efforts undertaken by the government.
He emphasized that the unity in thought process, alignment, and collective resolve for the good of the nation is the most important foundation for achievement of shared aspirations of peace and development in Jammu & Kashmir.
Prior to the defence minister’s visit, the Army chief had visited the area on Monday and exhorted all ranks of the service to conduct operations in the most professional manner while remaining resolute and steadfast against all challenges. He had also underscored the commitment of the Army to respecting human rights and zero tolerance for violations in any form.
As India Sentinels had reported, on December 21, a militant ambush on Indian Army vehicles in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch-Rajouri sector left five soldiers dead and two injured. It was the eighth such incident in the area since 2021.
Following this, the Army picked up eight local villagers for interrogation. The bodies of three of them were found under suspicious circumstances the next day while the rest five had to be hospitalized with severe injuries.
Later, a video went viral purportedly showing Army personnel beating some men, believed to be those they picked up from the Topa Peer village in Bufliaz, close to the ambush site, and applying chilli powder on their wounds.
The Army and civil authorities have launched a high-level inquiry into the incident. The Jammu & Kashmir administration has also announced compensation and employment to the next of kin of the three civilians who were found dead.
