Move Forward With Commitment To Uproot Terrorism: Rajnath Singh To Troops In J&K After Poonch Ambush

Rajnath Singh visited the Rajouri-Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to review situation days after terror attack in the region.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Source : ANI

Rajnath Singh In J&K: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived at Jammu on Wednesday, visited Rajouri today to review the on-ground situation there days after a terror attack in the region that resulted in the deaths of four Army personnel, including two captains. The terror attack was followed by the deaths of three civilians in the area.

Speaking to Army troops in Rajouri, the Defence Minister said that there should be end to terrorism and there is a need to move forward with this commitment to stamp out terrorism, as reported by news agency PTI.

There should be end to terrorism in J-K, move forward with this commitment to stamp out terrorism: Rajnath Singh to army troops

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 27, 2023

Rajnath Singh also said that each of the army personnel is important, and the required steps are being taken keeping in mind the severity of the incident.

"I would pray for the speedy recovery of the army personnel who sustained injuries. I would like to ensure you that keeping in mind the severity of the incident, required steps are being taken. Each of our army personnel is important to us," Rajnath Singh said.

#WATCH | Rajouri: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "I would pray for the speedy recovery of the army personnel who sustained injuries. I would like to ensure you that keeping in mind the severity of the incident, required steps are being taken. Each of our army personnel is… pic.twitter.com/x4S8ui15sf

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023

Earlier in the day, Singh and Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande reached Jammu. 

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande arrive at Jammu.

Defence Minister will visit Rajouri today to review the on-ground situation there. pic.twitter.com/KTGgVdpsDZ

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023

Three other personnel also sustained injuries after heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles near Thanandi in the Rajouri sector on Thursday last week. On Sunday, the four killed soldiers, Naik Birender Singh, Rifleman Gautam Kumar, Naik Karan Kumar, and Rifleman Chandan Kumar, were accorded a tearful senf-off at a wreath-laying ceremony in Rajouri.

The incident took place during a joint operation that was launched against the terrorists. The operations took place in the 48 Rashtriya Rifles area.

On Tuesday, security forces continued to carry out cordon and search operations for the sixth consecutive day to track down the terrorists behind the ambush. Over 30 suspects have been questioned during the past few days and several of them have been released, they said.

"The cordon and search operation is going on to track down the terrorists involved in the ambush on Army vehicles," a senior official told PTI.

Indian Army Planning To Increase Number Of Troops In Poonch-Rajouri Sector

Amid the recent increase in attacks on its troops, the Indian Army is planning to increase the number of troops in the Poonch-Rajouri sector to curb the activities of the Pakistani terrorists there, sources said on Monday.

"An additional brigade-size formation had been moved into the area a few months ago. It is planned that another brigade will come there along with a few other units to support counter-terrorist operations," sources in the Army informed ANI.

The move is likely to strengthen the counter-terrorist grid in the area and increase the confidence of the local population.