JAMMU, Dec 27: On Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged the Indian Army not to make any such “mistakes” that could harm the nation’s citizens, but he also expressed his complete confidence in the army’s ability to eradicate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. Singh, who arrived in Jammu and Kashmir earlier in the day to assess the security situation, stated that it is the troops’ duty to uphold national security while also winning over the hearts of the populace. Singh is visiting Rajouri and Jammu for the day in the wake of a terrorist attack in Poonch.The minister’s remarks coincide with the fury that followed the discovery of three dead civilians in Poonch district on December 22, purportedly as a result of their being apprehended by security forces for interrogation in relation to an ambush on two army vehicles that had claimed the lives of four soldiers the day before. Soon after arriving in Jammu, the defence minister flew to the Rajouri district with Army chief General Manoj Pande and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to review the security situation, particularly in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where terror attacks and infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control (LoC) have increased this year.Speaking to the soldiers at a Rajouri military garrison, the defence minister praised their bravery. “I have faith in your courage and perseverance. Jammu and Kashmir should be free of terrorism, and you must follow through on this promise. With General Pande and Lieutenant Governor at his sides, Singh remarked, “I have complete confidence that you will triumph.”On December 21, terrorists ambushed the vehicles of four soldiers at Dhatyar Morh, between Dhera Ki Gali and Buffliaz in the Surankote area of Poonch, resulting in four deaths and three injuries. After the attack, the army allegedly picked up three civilians, ages 27 to 42, to question them. The next day, they were discovered dead. Short videos that appeared to show the detained civilians being tortured quickly gained popularity on social media. “One cannot take such ambush incidents for granted. Though I am sure you are aware of the circumstances, I believe you should be more vigilant. The government is with you, and your welfare is our first priority, I want to reassure you,” Singh stated.He continued, “We will pray that such a time comes and that discussions take place here as well so that the clouds of problems hanging over us lift.” “If America wishes, this war (in Gaza) will stop tomorrow but they also want Muslims to be killed,” Abdullah said in reference to the Israel-Palestine conflict. He claimed that the Middle East’s conflict had its roots in the days when “kings from foreign lands would come to kill Muslims.”
