Srinagar, Dec 25 (KNS): Army Chief General Manoj Pande, during his Monday visit to the Rajouri-Poonch sector, called upon ground-level commanders to carry out operations with the highest level of professionalism.
The army chief’s visit to the Jammu region comes days after a group of terrorists on Thursday ambushed an army convoy, killing four Rashtriya Rifles personnel, in Jammu’s Poonch. Three men picked up for questioning from the Topa Peer village in connection with the attack were later found dead near gunfight site. After their families alleged they were killed in custody, the army promised an investigation.
“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,” the additional directorate general of public information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Official sources said that the General Manoj Pande also reviewed the situation on the ground in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. He was also briefed by the 16 Corps GOC Lt Gen Sandeep Jain about the ongoing counter-terrorist operations.
He was also briefed about the steps taken to further strengthen the security grid and the death of the three civilians.
Ahead of Gen Pande’s visit, the army, which has instituted a court of inquiry, on Sunday shifted out three army officers of the rank of brigadier, colonel and a lieutenant colonel from Poonch.
Sources have revealed that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to visit Jammu on December 27, intending to spend a day meeting senior Army officers at 16 Corps and visiting Rajouri and Poonch alongside Army officials to engage with both troops and civilians. Additionally, a security review meeting is scheduled at Jammu Raj Bhawan during his visit.(KNS).