Army chief takes stock in restive J&K regions

Indian Army chief General Manoj Pande on Monday visited the Poonch sector and "exhorted" commanders on the ground to conduct operations "in the most professional manner", days after four soldiers were killed in an ambush on December 21, and the custodial death of three civilians in an army camp the following day, officials aware of the matter said.

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

On Monday, officials said that defence minister Rajnath Singh will visit the Rajouri-Poonch areas on Wednesday to take stock of the security situation.

Top commanders are expected to brief Singh on the security situation and the army's counter-terrorism operations, the officials said.

The army chief was briefed in detail on the security situation in the region, which has deteriorated during the last one year, the officials said.

Pande's visit to the RajouriPoonch sector is significant as the area has been tense following the killing of four soldiers in the ambush on December 21 at Dhatyar Morh in Surankote, and the custodial killings of the civilians in a 48 Rashtriya Rifles camp the following day.

"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 Indian Army wrote on X.