Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to visit Jammu on Saturday to assess the security situation following the recent encounter in Rajouri where five Indian soldiers lost their lives. According to sources cited by ANI, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande will also be accompanying Singh on his visit. The Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi is already on the ground in Rajouri, where contact was re-established with militants. He was briefed on all aspects of the operations by ground commanders.
The encounter occurred on Friday when the Army launched intelligence-based operations to flush out a group of terrorists in the Kandi area of Rajouri. In retaliation, the terrorists triggered an explosive device, leading to the death of five soldiers and injuries to another. Two soldiers were killed on the spot, while three others succumbed to their injuries later, as per the Army’s statement.
Meanwhile, security forces are currently engaged in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla and Rajouri districts. In one of the operations, the security forces neutralized a terrorist identified as Abid Wani, a resident of Yarhol Babapora Kulgam, who was linked to the proscribed terror outfit LeT. One AK-47 rifle and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site.
The situation in the region remains tense, and the Defence Minister’s visit and the ongoing operations by the security forces are aimed at bringing back normalcy and ensuring the safety of civilians and defense personnel.