Amidst rising tensions, Army Chief reviews Poonch-Rajouri operations: Behave in ‘professional manner’
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Poonch, Dec 26: Amid an ongoing operation to track down terrorists behind the ambush that left four soldiers dead in Poonch last week, Army Chief General Manoj Pande reviewed the security situation in the sector on Monday and asked commanders on the ground to conduct operations in the “most professional manner”.
Three local civilians were found dead after interrogations by the Army during the cordon-and-search operations to trace the militants a day later.
While the J&K Police has registered a First Information Report against unidentified persons for murder of the three civilians, the Indian Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances which led to the incident. The probe will also investigate the militant attack on the two Army vehicles which killed four soldiers.
The Army Chief landed in Jammu, and proceeded to Dhera Ki Gali to take stock of the security situation in the area. He then went to Rajouri where he was briefed by the commanders in the chain. He addressed all officers on the operational aspects, and also asked them to be more professional in their conduct, practical in their approach, and not get swayed by emotions.
Reports suggest that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Rajouri and Poonch beginning December 27. He will review the security situation and interact with troops and civilians in the area.
The areas of Rajouri and Poonch have seen multiple high visibility militant attacks this year. Some of these include the killing of five Army personnel in an explosion in a forested area in Rajouri in May. The previous month, on April 20, five soldiers were killed after militants ambushed their truck in Poonch.
In September, General Pande had visited forward areas along the LoC in the Rajouri sector to review operational preparedness and the security situation and interacted with troops there. Earlier, in May, General Pande and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Rajouri after a major military attack in the region.
This visit comes amidst a Staff Court of Inquiry initiated by the Army to investigate the death of three civilians. The Indian Army attached the Brigade Commander of the 13 Sector Rashtriya Rifles in it.
Three local civilians were found dead after interrogations by the Army during the cordon-and-search operations to trace the militants a day later.
While the J&K Police has registered a First Information Report against unidentified persons for murder of the three civilians, the Indian Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances which led to the incident. The probe will also investigate the militant attack on the two Army vehicles which killed four soldiers.
In a post on X, the Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information said, “General Manoj Pande #COAS visited #Poonch sector and was given an update on the prevalent security situation. #COAS interacted with commanders on ground, exhorted them to conduct the operations in the most professional manner and remain resolute & steadfast against all challenges.” Much of the Poonch sector lies along the Line of Control.
General Manoj Pande #COAS visited #Poonch sector and was given an update on the prevalent security situation. #COAS interacted with commanders on ground, exhorted them to conduct the operations in the most professional manner and remain resolute & steadfast against all… pic.twitter.com/Ek0zjYy0J2
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 25, 2023
The Army Chief landed in Jammu, and proceeded to Dhera Ki Gali to take stock of the security situation in the area. He then went to Rajouri where he was briefed by the commanders in the chain. He addressed all officers on the operational aspects, and also asked them to be more professional in their conduct, practical in their approach, and not get swayed by emotions.
Also Read: 4 Indian Army personnel martyred after terrorists ambushed Army vehicle in J&K's Rajouri
Rise of terrorist attacks in Poonch-Rajouri
The areas of Rajouri and Poonch have seen multiple high visibility militant attacks this year. Some of these include the killing of five Army personnel in an explosion in a forested area in Rajouri in May. The previous month, on April 20, five soldiers were killed after militants ambushed their truck in Poonch.
In September, General Pande had visited forward areas along the LoC in the Rajouri sector to review operational preparedness and the security situation and interacted with troops there. Earlier, in May, General Pande and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Rajouri after a major military attack in the region.
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