Army assures full support in investigations
*Caves being searched to track down terrorists
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 23: The Army today announced full support and cooperation in investigations in the death of three civilians near Thursday’s site of terror attack at Dera Ki Gali in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district in which four soldiers were martyred and three others were injured while the civil administration announced compensation and jobs for dependents of the deceased.
Mobile internet services were shutdown in Rajouri and Poonch districts in the early hours of this morning even as situation remained peaceful. Security forces have, however, intensified search operations in mountainous areas and other places to track down the militants. Helicopters, drones and para commandos have been deployed in the searches.
A post by the Indian Army on X this evening said the Army is committed to extending full support and cooperation in the conduct of investigation into the death of three civilians during an operation to track down terrorists behind the recent ambush on two Army vehicles at Dera Ki Gali on Thursday afternoon.
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In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army said, “Search operations by the security forces are continuing in the area of operations after the incident of Dec 21, 2023. Reports have been received regarding three civilian deaths in the area. The matter is under investigation. Indian Army stands committed to extending full support and cooperation in the conduct of investigations.”
Army’s post on twitter comes hours after the civil administration announced compensation and jobs for the kin of deceased civilians identified as Safeer Hussain, 43, Mohammad Showket, 27 and Mohammad Shabir, 32, all residents of village Topi near Dera Ki Gali, the site of terror attack that left four soldiers martyred and three injured while the terrorists believed to be three or four managed to escape.
The Information and PR department of the Union Territory wrote on X: “The death of three civilians was reported yesterday in Bufliaz area of Poonch district. The medico legal formalities were conducted and legal action in this matter has been initiated by the appropriate authority.”
“Government has announced compensation for each of the deceased. Further Government has also announced compassionate appointments to the next of kin of each deceased,” it stated.
However, the department didn’t mention amount of the compensation but, according to officials, it was more than the prescribed norms.
Following announcement by the civil administration, bodies of all three civilians were laid to rest in a graveyard at Bufliaz.
Officials said civil and police administration held talks with senior civilians of the area and assured them of proper and fair investigations into the killings besides compensation and job to the next of kin of those killed. Thereafter, the people as well as family members of the deceased agree for burial.
Post-mortem of the civilians was performed last evening.
As the search operation was underway, the authorities suspended mobile Internet services in Poonch and neighbouring Rajouri district as a precautionary measure to check rumour-mongering and prevent any law and order problem.
Sound of firing was heard deep inside a forest in Dera Ki Gali area this afternoon but the security agencies later clarified that security forces resorted to speculative firing to check a natural cave.
Officials said security forces have intensified search operations and were targeting natural caves in Pir Panjal mountains and other upper reaches following reports that nearly 30 terrorists who are active in Rajouri and Poonch districts might have taken shelter there.
Besides other suspected hideouts, forests and vulnerable areas are also being searched jointly by Army, paramilitary forces and police.
Officials said elite para commandos are also involved in searches to hunt down the terrorists. Helicopters and drones are also being used to locate the terror hideouts.
Sources, however, said four persons – Mohd Zulfkar, his brother Mohd Betab, Fazal Hussain and Mohd Farooq — were admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Rajouri with injuries.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone Anand Jain are also camping in Poonch and are monitoring the situation, the officials said.
Additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in sensitive pockets of the districts to maintain peace.
Senior Army, police, civil and paramilitary officers are also monitoring the situation constantly.
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