J-K: Security forces deployed in Poonch as search ops underway to nab terrorists in Rajouri sector

The Indian Army said on Saturday that it is conducting an inquiry into the deaths of three civilians in the Poonch-Rajouri sector, where militants launched an attack on army personnel on December 21, killing four soldiers.

The matter is under investigation, said the Indian Army in a post on social media.

Taking to X, the Indian Army posted, "Search operations by the security forces are continuing in the area of operations after the incident of December 21. Reports have been received regarding three civilian deaths in the area. The matter is under investigation."

"The Indian Army stands committed to extending full support and cooperation in the conduct of investigations," the army posted on X.

Earlier in the day, the Jammu and Kashmir administration announced compensation and jobs to the families of three civilians who were found dead near the site of an anti-terrorist operation in Poonch district.

As per the JK government, "After the deaths of three civilians were reported yesterday in Baffliaz, Poonch district, the medico-legal formalities were conducted and legal action in this matter has been initiated by the appropriate authority."

"The government also announced compensation and jobs for the next of kin of each deceased," it added.

This comes after four Army personnel were killed and three others were injured in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri district after two Army vehicles were ambushed by heavily armed terrorists on Thursday evening.

Pakistan is trying to revive terrorism in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir as around 25-30 Pakistani terrorists are suspected to be hiding in the forest areas of the region, defence sources said on Friday.

The sources said the plan to revive terrorist activities in the area is part of a greater game plan by Pakistan and China to pressurise the Indian Army to remove troops from the Ladakh sector and redeploy forces in this area.

"There is a larger game plan by the Pakistan-China nexus to not allow India to ease out of the Jammu and Kashmir sector and deploy troops on the China border, especially in the Ladakh sector, where the PLA and Indian forces have been in a standoff for the last three years now," they said.

India moved the Uniform Force of Rashtriya Rifles from the Poonch sector to Ladakh to counter Chinese aggression in 2020 as part of rebalancing and putting pressure on the PLA to match Indian strength.

Over the last few years since the Uniform Force left for Ladakh operations, Pakistan has started sending its terrorists from Pakistan to the area to carry out attacks against Indian troops in an attempt to force India to redeploy its troops in the area.

The Indian Army had recently moved in one more brigade to counter terrorist activities and has achieved success in the area.

Reacting to the situation, JK National Conference MP Farooq Abdullah said, "Terrorists attacked Surankote and our soldiers lost their lives. Our police personnel detained some locals. Are we fighting terrorists or our people?."

"If we are fighting with our people, then we can never win this. I want to request that Home Minister Amit Shah come to Surankote to address people's sentiments. It is important that he tells people that they will investigate the issue and put it in front of them. It is a serious situation and a violation of human rights," he added. (ANI)