SRINAGAR: Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande visited Jammu and Kashmir on Monday and urged commanders in the Poonch sector to conduct military operations with utmost professionalism.
He emphasised the need for a professional approach amid an ongoing anti-militancy operation in Surankote, Poonch, and the Thanamandi forest belt of the nearby Rajouri district, aimed at neutralising militants behind the December 21 attack.
Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, and Lt General Sandeep Jain, GOC of Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, were among those present during the visit.
The Army Chief stressed intelligence-sharing with other agencies and coordination with the J&K Police. He also asked commanders to focus on the use of technology during search operations in dense forest areas and ensure that the killers of four soldiers do not escape.
The Army Chief’s visit holds importance as there has been anger among locals over the alleged custodial deaths. Sending out a strong message that it has taken serious note of the death of the three civilians, the Army has also replaced some senior officers in the region after a purported video of the civilians’ interrogation went viral.
