Retired Pakistani Soldiers Identified as Terrorists in Rajouri Encounter: Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Retired Pakistani Soldiers Among Terrorists Infiltrating India, Says Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi

In a significant revelation, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, the general officer commanding-in-chief of Northern Command, stated that some of the terrorists who have infiltrated into India from across the border are retired Pakistani soldiers. Speaking to media-persons after paying his last tributes to five soldiers, including two Army captains, who lost their lives in the Rajouri firefight, Lt Gen Dwivedi highlighted the grave threat posed by these terrorists.

While expressing his grief over the loss of brave soldiers, Lt Gen Dwivedi emphasized the successful elimination of two dreaded terrorists during the operation. He commended the courage and dedication displayed by the Indian Army personnel who fearlessly confronted the well-trained and equipped foreign terrorists. This successful operation dealt a major blow not only to the terror ecosystem but also to Pakistan.

According to Lt Gen Dwivedi’s estimation, there could still be around 20-25 terrorists operating in the area. However, he expressed confidence in being able to control the situation within a year with the assistance of locals. The Northern Command chief added that the eliminated terrorists were responsible for the killing of innocent civilians in Dangri, Kandi, and Rajouri. Hence, their elimination remained a top priority for the joint forces team involved in the operation.

Highlighting the extensive training received by the terrorists, Lt Gen Dwivedi suggested that they may have undergone training in various countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their high level of training and preparedness posed a challenge for the Indian forces, resulting in a prolonged operation. Nevertheless, the bravery exhibited by Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht, who had vowed to eliminate the terrorists within seven days, and the heartfelt statement made by Captain MV Pranjal’s father in Bengaluru, further motivated the soldiers to carry out their duties diligently against all odds.

Drawing attention to the vulnerability of Poonch, in Rajouri district, due to its connection with the rest of the country through a highway, Lt Gen Dwivedi warned about the possibility of more terrorists lurking in the area. He revealed that in the past year, 10 civilians had lost their lives to terrorist incidents in Poonch. However, he assured that the security forces were highly motivated and had received valuable information about terrorist hideouts through local sources.

Earlier on Friday, a somber wreath-laying ceremony was held for the fallen army personnel who lost their lives in the fierce firefight in the thickly forested terrain in Kalakote, Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The mortal remains of Captain M V Pranjal, Captain Shubham Gupta, Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht, Paratrooper Sachin Laur, and Havildar Abdul Majid were brought to Jammu, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with senior officials, bid them a tearful farewell at the wreath-laying ceremony. Havildar Abdul Majid received a similar send-off in Poonch, his hometown.

The encounter between terrorists and a joint team of the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police took place in the Bajimaal area of Dharamsala. While the forces suffered five casualties, they also successfully neutralized two terrorists, including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and sniper known as Quari. The army recovered substantial quantities of “war-like stores” from the encounter site. Quari, believed to be the mastermind behind several attacks, including the Dangri incident resulting in the loss of six innocent lives, and the Kandi attacks in Rajouri’s Poonch areas, had orchestrated a revival of terrorism in these districts.

The elimination of Quari marks a significant setback to the resurgence of terrorism in these regions, as confirmed by an army official. The Indian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the nation, and their relentless efforts to neutralize terrorists infiltrating from across the border continue unabated..