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Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reviewed the security situation along the border in Jammu and Kashmir while visiting Rajouri district, a day after five army commandos were killed during an anti-terrorism operation in Kandy forest district of Kandy state. spend.
Singh expressed his condolences for the deaths of the employees and commended the security personnel for their courage and zeal while working through difficult situations.
The minister’s visit is also gaining significance as terrorists have killed 35 people, including 26 soldiers, in eight attacks in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch since October 2021. The two districts were declared terror-free more than a decade ago. “Visited Army Base Camp Rajouri, J&K today. Reviewed operational capabilities and security situation along the border. Also interacted with brave Indian Army Soldiers. India salutes their dedication to protect our motherland,” he wrote on his Twitter account.
In another post in response to a tweet by Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) – Indian Army paying tribute to fallen soldiers, Singh said, “I salute these brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the country. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.” In this hour of sorrow. Officials said Singh, accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, arrived at the headquarters of the Ice of Spades squad in Rajouri after a brief stopover in Jammu.
Five army personnel were killed and a Major was injured during a sweep operation – Operation Trinetra – in Kandy district on Friday. A terrorist holed up was killed and another is believed to have been wounded on Saturday morning. Officials said the army chief arrived in Jammu from Delhi before the defense minister, who followed minutes later. The governor also joined senior civilian and army officers to welcome the defense minister.
They said that the commander of the northern army, Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, the commander of the White Knight Corps and the divisional commissioner, Jammu, had accompanied Ragnath to Rajouri.
They said that after receiving a briefing on the operation in the Kandy forest, the Defense Minister chaired a high-level security meeting to review the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Rajouri and Poonch before returning to Jammu.
ADGPI tweeted: “H’ble Raksha Mantri Shrirajnathsingh accompanied by H’ble Governor Lt Shri Manoj Sinha and Gen. Manoj Pandey #COAS reviewed the security situation and ongoing counter-terrorism operations in #Rajuri.”
In another tweet, she said Raksha Mantri offered his condolences to the #Bravehearts and reacted to the troops. He commended them for their courage and enthusiasm while working through difficult situations.
“He (the defense minister) said that the nation feels ‘safe’ because of the eternal vigils and sacrifices of the army in difficult and difficult areas,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Lt. Gen. Dwivedi visited the standoff site and briefed the field commanders on developments in the ongoing Operation Trinetra.
The loss of five Jaws in the Kandy forest is the third major accident this year. It took place at a time when the forces were engaged in an intense combing operation during the past 15 days after an ambush of a military truck in Bhata Darian (Poonch).
Five soldiers were killed and another wounded on April 20 when terrorists bombed a military truck carrying fruits and vegetables during Iftar.
More than 250 people were detained for questioning during sweeps in the aftermath of the incident. They said that six above-ground workers who were providing full support to the terrorists were arrested.
According to military officials, terrorists have now adopted the strategy of engaging forces or attacking people, and then placing improvised explosive devices to harm security forces participating in sweep operations. This also happened in Dangri village of Rajouri where terrorists killed seven civilians in two attacks that came close to each other on January 1 this year. In two major incidents in Rajouri in 2022, five army personnel and two terrorists were killed in a suicide attack at a security camp in Pargal Daral on August 11, while two civilians were killed in a shooting incident outside an army camp near Rajouri town.
Four explosions rocked Kutranka in Rajouri district between March and April last year. All these cases have been prepared by the police with the arrest of the accused.
Nine army personnel were killed in two separate encounters with terrorists at Bhatta Durian in Mindar Tahsil in Poonch districts in October 2021.
Two army personnel, including a lieutenant, were killed in a mine explosion in Nowshera sector of Rajouri on October 30, 2021. Rajouri and Poonch districts saw more killings of army personnel than the Kashmir Valley which was hit by militants.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is republished from a syndicated news agency feed.)
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