As the valley grappled into shock one by one, the chief of army staff (COAS), general Manoj Pande visited Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch sector today to take stock of the ground situation. 

Army said on its official X-post handle, “General Manoj Pande #COAS visited #Poonch sector and was given an update on the prevalent security situation. #COAS interacted with commanders on ground, exhorted them to conduct the operations in the most professional manner and remain resolute & steadfast against all challenges.”

Two days after four army soldiers were killed in an encounter with the terrorists in Bafliaz, terrorists shot and killed a retired senior police officer on Dec 24 when he was calling the ‘Azan’ from the mosque in J&K’s Baramulla district. 

Jammu and Kashmir Lt governor Manoj Sinha condemned the terror attack in Baramulla district in which retired SSP Mohammad Shafi Mir was shot dead. 

He has conveyed his deep sympathies to Mir’s family.

“Pained beyond words on the dastardly terrorist attack on retired police officer, Shri Mohammad Shafi Mir while he was giving a call for prayer in the mosque. Cowards responsible for this barbaric act will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief”, he said in a post on X. 

About the incident

Terrorists had mutilated the bodies of slain soldiers and decamped with their weapons.

A massive search operation has been launched in Poonch and Rajouri districts to hunt down the terrorists.

Three civilians were allegedly killed by the army after they were picked up from their village near the encounter site.

Locals alleged that the slain civilians had been killed by the army after being tortured.

The J&K government has ordered a probe into the incident and also announced compensation for the slain civilians.

The next of kin of the victims have been assured a government job as part of the compensation.

Police have also registered an FIR into the civilian killings and started investigating the matter.

The army has shifted the brigade commander and a colonel rank officer from the area following the allegations.

The Army has said that it will cooperate with the inquiry into the incident asserting that the protection of civilian lives and property has always been their first priority while fighting terrorism in J&K.

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