Series of operations to be launched in border distts
Militant killed, another injured
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 6: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed security situation in Jammu and Kashmir particularly in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Army chief Gen Manoj Pande and Northern Command chief Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi during his visit to the border district of Rajouri, a day after five elite para commandos of the Army were martyred and a Major was injured in a powerful IED blast triggered by the militants. Click here to watch video
Rajnath took stock of operational preparedness of the Indian Army and situation along the borders during his visit to the Army base camp in Rajouri.
As per the officials, a detailed strategy has been chalked out to neutralize the militants operating in Rajouri and Poonch districts where 26 Army soldiers and nine civilians have been killed during last about two and a half years. Army, paramilitary forces and police could launch series of joint search operations to track down the militants operating in the two districts, they said.
After getting a brief on the operation in Kandi forest, the Defence Minister chaired a high-level security meeting to review the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Rajouri and Poonch before returning to Jammu on way back to New Delhi, they said.
The Lieutenant Governor, the Army chief and the Northern Command chief are reported to have given detailed account of recent operations in Rajouri and Poonch districts and steps being taken by Army and police to eliminate the militants to Rajnath Singh.
“Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh accompanied by the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha & Gen Manoj Pandey reviewed the security situation & ongoing counter terrorism operations in Rajouri,” ADGPI tweeted.
The Defence Minister interacted with the soldiers and commended their valour and zeal while operating in challenging situations. He stressed that the nation feels secure because of unmatched courage, commitment and constant vigil of the soldiers of the Indian Army in difficult areas.
He motivated them to continue working with same dedication and bravery stating that the Government and people of the country are with the Armed Force always.
While paying homage to the brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in service to the nation in Rajouri yesterday, Rajnath declared that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“Visited the Army Base Camp in Rajouri, J&K today. Reviewed the operational capabilities and security situation along the border. Also, interacted with the brave soldiers of the Indian Army. India salutes their devotion towards protecting our motherland,” Rajnath wrote on his Twitter account.
In another post in response to a tweet by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI)-Indian Army paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, Singh said, “I pay homage to these brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
Singh condoled the deaths of the personnel and commended the security men for their valour and zeal while operating in challenging situations.
The Defence Minister’s visit also assumes significance as militants have killed 35 people, including 26 soldiers, in eight attacks in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch since October 2021. The two districts were declared terrorism-free more than a decade ago.
Officials said Singh, accompanied by Army chief General Manoj Pande and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, reached Ace of Spades Division headquarters in Rajouri after a brief stopover in Jammu.
Five Army personnel were martyred and a Major-rank officer was injured during a combing operation — Operation Trinetra — in the Kandi area on Friday. A holed up terrorist was killed and one more is believed to be injured this morning.
Officials said the Army chief reached Jammu from Delhi ahead of the Defence Minister, who followed him minutes later. The Lt Governor also joined senior civil and army officers to receive the Defence Minister.
Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Corps Commander White Knight Corps, and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu also accompanied Rajnath to Rajouri.
Earlier in the day, Lt Gen Dwivedi visited the encounter site and was briefed on the developments in the ongoing Operation Trinetra by ground commanders.
Meanwhile, one militant was killed and another believed to be injured during a search operation in Kandi area of Rajouri this morning.
‘Operation Trinetra’ was launched a day after five Army bravehearts sacrificed their lives and a Major-rank officer was injured when the militants triggered a blast targeting a search party in the dense Kandi forest.
“In the ongoing joint operation in Kandi forest, Rajouri sector, by Indian Army in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF, at around 7 am, the cordon, while closing in, spotted and pinned down the militants.
“In the ensuing gun battle one militant has been neutralised and another is likely to be injured,” Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said.
He said an AK-56 rifle, four magazines, 56 bullets, one 9-mm pistol, its three magazines and three grenades were seized from the slain militant whose identity and group affiliation were not known immediately.
“The operation is underway and further details will be shared later,” Lt Col Anand said. The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a shadow organisation of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack.
Officials said the search operation was extended to nearby areas with fresh reinforcements from the Army and police moving in to block the escape routes.
The body of the slain militant was removed from the scene and his post-mortem was also conducted, the officials said, adding he is believed to be a Pakistani.
Meanwhile, the loss of five jawans in Kandi forest is the third major incident this year. It took place at a time when the security forces had been engaged in a massive combing operation for the past 15 days following an ambush on an Army truck in Bhatta Durrian (Poonch).
Five soldiers lost their lives and another was injured on April 20 when an Army truck carrying fruits and vegetables for Iftar was bombed and strafed with bullets by the militants.
More than 250 people were detained for questioning during combing operations in the wake of the incident. Six Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who extended full support to militants were arrested.
According to military officials, militants now have adopted a strategy of engaging troops or attacking people, and then laying Improvised Explosive Devices to harm security forces engaged in combing operations.
This also happened in Dhangri village in Rajouri where the militants killed seven civilians in two attacks that came close on the heels of each other on January 1 this year.
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