Quite disappointing
Have full faith Army will wipe out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir: Rajnath Singh in Rajouri
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir days an ambush by militants on Army vehicles in Poonch left four soldiers dead, said he has full faith that the forces will wipe out terrorism from the Union Territory.
“I believe in your bravery and steadfastness… Terrorism should be finished from Jammu and Kashmir and you need to move forward with this commitment. I have full faith that you will achieve victory,” Singh said, addressing troops in the border district of Rajouri.
He added: “I will 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.”
Six people, two from the families of each civilian allegedly killed in custody a few hours after they were picked up by the security forces on December 22, reached Rajouri town on Wednesday for a meeting with the Defence Minister around noon.
Interaction with troops in Rajouri. https://t.co/26ogZUsizE
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 27, 2023
Speaking to The Indian Express, a member of one of the families said they were brought here from their homes in Topa Pir village near Poonch district’s Bufliaz area in vehicles arranged by the administration. “The local tehsildar and SHO are accompanying us,” he added.
This comes less than 24 hours after some senior Army officers paid the first ever visit to the homes of the families.
“Brigadier M P Singh, Commander of Sector 6 Rashtriya Rifles, and Commanding Officer of the 16 Rashtriya Rifles visited us around 4 pm on Tuesday and assured strict action against those responsible for the death of our family members,” a relative said. “They assured us that the Army was with us. Both the officers visited the homes of all three families and informed us that an inquiry had already been initiated and some officers removed from their posts,” the person said.
The officers were in the village for nearly an hour before leaving, he added.
Three civilians from Topa Pir village, situated near the site of Thursday’s militants attack on Army vehicles in which four soldiers were killed and three injured, had died in custody a few hours after they were allegedly picked up by security forces for questioning the next morning. Five other civilians picked up from Thanamandi area of adjoining border district the same morning were hospitalised with injuries.
The district administration has promised Rs 30 lakh, a government job and a 10 marla plot in Surankote to the next of kin of each deceased. Of this, it has already paid them cheques of Rs 10 lakh each.
Express Web Desk – 2023-12-27 13:57