SRINAGAR, DEC 27 – During his visit to Poonch-Rajouri in Jammu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached out to the families of the three civilians who tragically lost their lives following the December 21 ambush that claimed the lives of four Indian Army soldiers.
Singh, on a day-long visit to review the security situation in the Rajouri-Poonch sector, personally met with the families of the deceased persons from Topa Peer village in Bufliaz, Poonch district.
Assuring an expeditious investigation leading to justice, the minister stated, “Whatever has happened… there will be justice.” Singh, while at the Government Medical College to meet four men undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during their questioning by security forces, reiterated the commitment to a fair inquiry into the incident.
Paying homage to the soldiers killed in action, Singh emphasized the nation’s indebtedness to these brave individuals for their sacrifice. He underscored the duty of the armed forces not only to safeguard the nation’s interests but also to win the hearts of the people.
The tragic attack on December 21 saw four soldiers killed and three injured in an ambush at Dhatyar Morh in Poonch’s Surankote. Subsequently, nine civilians were taken in for interrogation the following morning. Three of them – Safeer Hussain (44), Showket Ali (22), and Shabir Hussain (32) – were found dead later in the day.
The families allege that the victims were subjected to torture inside a 48 RR camp at Bafliaz, a claim that has sparked demands for a thorough investigation.(KNS)
