Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reached Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district to review the security situation amid the ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Kandi forest area.
On his visit to the Army Base Camp in Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister reviewed the operational capabilities and security situation along the border.
Appreciating the valour of Army troops, Singh said, "Keep your spirits up, you will definitely get success."
During his visit, he was briefed on the security situation by senior Army officers for around 40 minutes. He also interacted with troops and appreciated their efforts in securing borders.
"India salutes their devotion towards protecting our motherland", the Defence Minister said. He was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Northern Army commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi and other senior Army officers.
A total of five soldiers lost their lives in the anti-terror operation in the Kandi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri on May 5. The five soldiers were killed during the anti-terror 'Operation Trinetra' of the Indian Army with Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF.
Meanwhile, according to recent updates, Army officials said that "one terrorist was neutralised and one likely injured" in a fresh exchange of fire in Kandi in the early hours of Saturday.
Yesterday morning, five Army personnel including members of elite Para commandoes were killed after militants triggered an explosive device following an encounter with security forces in the forests of Jammu region Rajouri district.
Acting on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorist in Karhama, Kunzer area of Baramulla, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (2nd RR) and CRPF (176 Bn) in the said area.
During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, a local terrorist linked with proscribed terrorist outfit LeT was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Abid Wani son of Mohd Rafiq Wani resident of Yarhol Babapora Kulgam.