Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to undertake a visit to the Rajouri-Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir today, aiming to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing anti-terrorism initiatives and the overall security landscape. The visit is a direct response to a recent terrorist attack in the region that resulted in the tragic demise of four Army personnel, including two captains, with three other soldiers sustaining injuries. This week, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande conducted a visit to Poonch to evaluate the security scenario.
After landing in Jammu post 11 AM, Rajnath Singh was welcomed by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha and other senior officials from the Army and civil administration. Subsequently, Singh proceeded to the Rajouri-Poonch area via helicopter, according to sources.
During his visit, the Defence Minister is expected to receive briefings from local Army commanders regarding the prevailing security conditions. Furthermore, he plans to interact with civilians in the region and extend support to the families of three civilians who reportedly lost their lives due to custodial torture. Sources suggest that Singh might present government job appointment letters to the kin of the deceased civilians.
A significant high-level meeting is scheduled at the White Knight Corps headquarters and Raj Bhavan, where prominent Army officials, including Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, White Knight Corps Commander Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, and GOC of Romeo Force, will participate. Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha is also expected to hold discussions with Singh during his visit.
This visit marks Rajnath Singh's second trip to Rajouri this year and is taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing anti-terrorism operations in the forest areas of Bafliaz and Dera Ki Gali, prompted by the Poonch terror attack. Despite intensified efforts, security forces are actively pursuing the terrorists who remain elusive, with additional troop deployments aimed at fortifying the counter-terrorism grid, as reported by India Today.
