Defence Minister reviews J&K situation

Srinagar, July 9: In a high-level meeting on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, along with the Indo-Myanmar border.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Indian Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

Defence sources stated that a comprehensive discussion took place to formulate future security strategies.

Expressing his sorrow over the death of five soldiers in the Kathua terror attack, the Defence Minister reaffirmed his confidence in the Army’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the region.

Rajnath Singh took to the microblogging platform X to convey his condolences, stating, “I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K). My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers are determined to usher in peace and order in the region. I pray for a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries in this dastardly terror attack.”

The attack, which occurred on Monday, resulted in the death of five soldiers, including a JCO, and left five others injured when terrorists ambushed an Army vehicle in the Badnota area of Kathua district. A massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) is currently underway to apprehend the terrorists involved. Elite para commandos of the Army have been airdropped in the area to ensure the perpetrators are neutralized.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders. This marks the second major terror-related incident in Kathua district in the past four weeks. Earlier, on June 12 and June 14, two terrorists and a CRPF man were killed in a gunfight during a CASO in the Hiranagar area of Kathua district.

In another significant incident on June 9, terrorists attacked a yatra bus in the Reasi district of Jammu division, resulting in the death of the driver and nine yatris, while 44 others sustained injuries. The bus, returning from the Shiv Khori temple, was fired upon by terrorists, causing it to fall into a gorge.