Jammu, 27-12-2023 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in a significant move, met with the families of three civilians who tragically lost their lives last week, allegedly after being detained by the Army following a terrorist ambush on two Army vehicles in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Accompanied by Army Chief General Manoj Pande and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Singh reached Rajouri district to extend his condolences and assure justice to the grieving families. The visit also included a stop at the Government Medical College (GMC) to inquire about the health of four individuals who were reportedly subjected to mistreatment.
During the meeting, which was attended by District Development Council (DDC) members, former legislators, and civil society representatives, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his commitment to ensuring justice for the families of the deceased civilians. He conveyed a strong message, stating, “Whatever has happened…there will be justice,” emphasizing the government’s dedication to addressing the tragic incident.
The incident in question unfolded when terrorists ambushed Army vehicles at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Buffliaz in the Surankote area of Poonch on December 21. This unfortunate event resulted in the loss of four soldiers, with three others sustaining injuries. In the aftermath, three civilians—Safeer Hussain (43), Mohd Showket (27), and Shabir Ahmad (32)—were allegedly detained by the Army for questioning and later found dead on December 22. Video clips depicting the purported torture of the detained civilians circulated widely on social media platforms.
Additionally, four individuals—Mohd Zulfkar, his brother Mohd Betab, Fazal Hussain, and Mohd Farooq—were admitted to GMC hospital, Rajouri, after allegedly being subjected to physical assault by the troops during an anti-terrorist operation in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri. The search for terrorists continues in both the Surankote and Thanamandi forest belt.
The Defence Minister’s visit aimed to reassure the victim families, civil society members, and DDC representatives. During the meeting at Dak Bungalow, the families were assured that a thorough inquiry would be conducted, and appropriate action would be taken against those found guilty. Shahnaz Ganai, former MLC present at the meeting, expressed hope that the families would receive justice, appreciating the Defence Minister’s empathetic gesture.
Sohail Malik, DDC member from Surankote, conveyed that Rajnath Singh assured them that all individuals responsible for the incident would face legal consequences. The incident had sparked public outrage, with demands for justice, compensation, and employment opportunities for the affected families. The visit of the Defence Minister and his commitment to addressing the concerns were met with satisfaction, bringing a sense of assurance to the aggrieved families and the local community.