Defence Minister Raveendra Singh has expressed his confidence that the forces in the Union Territory will succeed in eliminating terrorism from the country. Speaking to troops in Rajouri, Rajnath said that he trusts in their bravery and determination to ensure that terrorism is eliminated from the state. “I have complete confidence that you will succeed in this endeavour,” he said. “I would like to extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the ambush on Army vehicles at Poonch. I would also like to assure them that due to the seriousness of the situation, all necessary measures are being taken to ensure their speedy recovery.” Singh said that each of the army personnel is very important to him.
Six persons, including two members of each family of the civilian reportedly killed in custody within a few hours of being picked up by security agencies on December 22, arrived in Rajouri on Wednesday to meet the Minister of Defence around noon.
Six persons, including two members of each family of the civilian reportedly killed in custody within a few hours of being picked up by security agencies on December 22, arrived in Rajouri on Wednesday to meet the Minister of Defence around noon.
Less than 24 hours ago, senior Army officers visited the families for the first time.
A relative of one of the deceased said that Brigade Commander M P Singh came to the home of all three families on Tuesday around 4 pm. “He said that the Army is with us and that strict action will be taken against those who are responsible for our family members’ death,” he said. “The two officers came to the homes of the three families and informed them that an investigation has been initiated and some of the officers have been removed from their posts.”
The officers were in the village for nearly an hour before leaving, he added.
topa pir village, where three civilians died in custody hours after reportedly being picked up for questioning by security forces on Thursday morning following an attack on army vehicles by militants that killed four soldiers and injured three others. Another five civilians picked up on the same morning from the border district of Thanamandi were hospitalised with injuries. The district administration has already paid cheques worth Rs 10 lakh to the relatives of each deceased, promising them Rs 30 lakh each, a job with the government and a plot of 10 marla at Surankote.
