General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), visited the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to assess the security situation. The Army Chief's visit came as security forces maintained their anti-terror operation in the aftermath of a targeted attack that killed four soldiers in Poonch district last week.
In a post on X, the Indian Army stated: "Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande visited the Poonch sector and was given an update on the prevalent security situation. General Manoj Pande interacted with commanders on ground, exhorted them to conduct the operations in the most professional manner and remain resolute & steadfast against all challenges."
On Thursday, four military personnel were killed when their trucks were ambushed by militants at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Buffliaz in Poonch's Surankote district. Following the incident, three citizens, aged 27 to 42, were purportedly apprehended by the Army for questioning. On December 22, they were discovered dead.
According to the authorities, a major search effort is still underway near the ambush site, spanning both Surankote and the Thanamandi forest in adjoining Rajouri district. For the third day in a row, mobile internet has been banned in Poonch and Rajouri.
For the third day in a row, mobile internet has been banned in Poonch and Rajouri. The services were cancelled early Saturday following the killing of three citizens purportedly hauled up by security officers for interrogation in connection with Thursday's incident.
PDP Says Mehbooba Put Under House Arrest Ahead Of Scheduled Visit To Poonch
The PDP said on Monday that party president Mehbooba Mufti had been placed under house arrest ahead of a planned visit to Surankote in Pooch district, where three civilians allegedly died in Army custody.
"Mehbooba Mufti, PDP Chief, forcefully placed under house arrest before her scheduled visit to Surankote, where she aimed to assess the situation and console families of victims killed under army custody," the PDP posted on X.
"PDP vehemently condemns the unjust house arrest of party chief @MehboobaMufti. The sealing of gates and restrictions obstructing her Surankote visit are unwarranted and demands strong opposition," the party said.
On Sunday, Mufti requested Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene since additional youngsters were being kept by security personnel in the aftermath of the attack without alerting their families.