Poonch Terror Attack: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday visited Jammu to review the security situation days after heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles near Thanamandi in the Rajouri sector on Thursday last week. The Defence Minister was accompanied by Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, who reached the Kashmir Valley on Monday.

The terrorist attack last week resulted in the death of four Army personnel while three others sustained severe injuries. Addressing troops in Jammu, Rajnath Singh said that every personnel of the Indian Army is "family to us". He assured that appropriate steps are being taken to tackle the increased terror attacks on the Indian Army.

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"I would pray for the speedy recovery of the army personnel who sustained injuries. I would like to ensure you that keeping in mind the severity of the incident, required steps are being taken. Each of our army personnel is important to us," Rajnath Singh said, as quoted by ANI.

Lauding the troops, Rajnath Singh said that he had full faith that the army would wipe out terrorism from the soil of Jammu and Kashmir. "I believe in your bravery and steadfastness. Terrorism should be finished from Jammu and Kashmir and you need to move forward with this commitment. I have full faith that you will achieve victory," Singh said.

Rajnath Singh also met the relatives of three civilians allegedly killed by the Army troops in Topa Peer village of Bafliaz area in Poonch district. The bereaved families demanded action against those involved in the killing of their kin. Authorities have promised Rs 30 lakh, a government job and 10 marlas of land in Surankote to the next of kin of each deceased.

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Following the uproar over the alleged killing of the three civilians, the Brigadier and Colonel in charge of the area have been already shifted out. Police have registered an FIR into these killings and the government has ordered a probe. The Army has assured full cooperation with the inquiry to identify the culprits.

Fresh Searches Initiated Along International Border, LoC

Fresh searches were launched along the border with Pakistan in Samba and Poonch even as cordon and search operations continued for the seventh straight day today to track the terrorists involved in last week's ambush that killed four soldiers. Mobile internet services will remain suspended in Rajouri and Poonch for the fifth day in a row.

The operation includes sniffer dogs, surveillance equipment and aerial mechanisms. Additional forces have been deployed to plug seven infiltration routes amid area domination operations in the area. Fresh search operations along the LoC in Kirni sector in Poonch also began following reports of suspicious movement in the area.

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The defence minister's visit follows Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Manoj Pande's visit to ground zero in Poonch on Monday where he reviewed the anti-terrorist operation underway in Surankote and nearby Rajouri district's Thanamandi forest belt. General Pande asked security personnel to remain resolute and steadfast against all challenges.