Three local civilians were found dead after interrogations by the Army during the cordon-and-search operations to trace the militants a day later. The Indian Express had reported Saturday that of the eight civilians picked up by security personnel, three died and five were injured and admitted in the Government Medical College in Rajouri.
According to sources, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to visit Rajouri and Poonch beginning December 27. He will review the security situation and interact with troops and civilians in the area.
While the J&K Police has registered a First Information Report against unidentified persons for murder of the three civilians, the Indian Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to probe the circumstances which led to the incident. The probe will also investigate the militant attack on the two Army vehicles which killed four soldiers.
In a post on X, the Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information said, “General Manoj Pande #COAS visited #Poonch sector and was given an update on the prevalent security situation. #COAS interacted with commanders on ground, exhorted them to conduct the operations in the most professional manner and remain resolute & steadfast against all challenges.” Much of the Poonch sector lies along the Line of Control.
Sources told The Indian Express that the Army Chief landed in Jammuand proceeded to Dhera Ki Gali to take stock of the security situation in the area. He then went to Rajouri where he was briefed by the commanders in the chain.
General Pande subsequently addressed all officers on the operational aspects, and also asked them to be more professional in their conduct, practical in their approach, and not get swayed by emotions.
In the closed-door conference with senior commanders, Gen Pande is learnt to have expressed displeasure and directed strict action to be taken against anyone guilty of any misdemeanour, sources said. He is also learnt to have advised the senior officers to carry out a complete assessment of the area and make relevant changes in deployment, and conduct of operations, to avoid any loss of lives.
The areas of Rajouri and Poonch have seen multiple high visibility militant attacks this year. Some of these include the killing of five Army personnel in an explosion in a forested area in Rajouri in May. The previous month, on April 20, five soldiers were killed after militants ambushed their truck in Poonch.
In September, General Pande had visited forward areas along the LoC in the Rajouri sector to review operational preparedness and the security situation and interacted with troops there. Earlier, in May, General Pande and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Rajouri after a major military attack in the region.
The Indian Express had on Monday reported that a change of command at various levels is likely to take place in XVI Corps, including shifting out two senior officers from their current appointments because of lack of command and control.
According to sources in the military, three Army officers — the Brigadier heading the 13 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, the Commanding Officer of the unit concerned and a company commander have been moved out of their current roles on verbal orders.
The posting orders, sources said, are yet to be issued officially and are expected this week by which time the Court of Inquiry ordered by the Army will also be completed. This would establish if there were any lapses on the part of the Army personnel, and if they merit punishment, they said.
In the wake of the militant attack, the area is likely to see an increase in deployment with a brigade of a reserve formation being called in and/ or a readjustment of troops.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First published on: 26-12-2023 at 04:10 IST
