Terror activities in Rajouri-Poonch an area of concern, says Army Chief

Gen Manoj Pande said there had been a drop in overall incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir but such incidents have increased in the Rajouri-Poonch sector

Army Chief General Manoj Pande on January 12, expressed concern over terrorism activities over the past six months in the Rajouri-Poonch area, citing the activation of proxy outfits by the adversary.

The Army Chief also highlighted successful counter-terrorism efforts with 45 terrorists killed in the region in the past few years while 14 were eliminated in the past year.

Given the terror incidents, Pande said the Indian Army strongly focuses on strengthening human intelligence through local collaboration. The Army Chief also affirmed zero tolerance for human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

He emphasised that the Army has already taken follow-up actions in the area to ensure people don’t feel alienated and the "affected village in Poonch" has been adopted by them.

“We have given directions to the army to act professionally and our anti-terror operations will continue relentlessly,” he said.

“The Indian Army recorded 20 casualties in Jammu in 2023. Some tactical lessons are there and we are studying the methods used by our adversary,” the Army chief added.

Gen Pande said there had been a drop in overall incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir but such incidents have increased in the Rajouri-Poonch sector.

“The terrorists have chosen the Rajouri-Poonch region as the situation is getting normal in the Valley. Terrorism in the area was fully dismantled after 2003 and peace prevailed till 2017-2018,” he added.

Terror infra continues to thrive across the border, he said in an apparent reference to Pakistan's support to various terrorist groups.