Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday paid tributes to the three soldiers killed in militant attack in Shopian district on Thursday, even as he called for coordinated efforts by security forces to deal with the problem of stone-pelting.
A week after warning of tough action against those impeding counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir, Gen Rawat asked security agencies to synergise efforts to effectively deal with the problem of stone-pelting during operations, an army official said.
Gen Rawat was taking a security review meetings at headquarters of counterinsurgency units-- Kilo Force and Victor Force-- here, an army official said.
He also underlined the need to maintain high vigil.
The Army Chief had on February 15, while paying tributes to soldiers killed during two encounters a day earlier in Kashmir, warned of tough action against those civilians who were impeding the counterinsurgency operations in the Valley by resorting to stone-pelting.
His statement evoked sharp reactions from both mainstream parties, including National Conference and Congress, and separatists who insisted the Kashmir problem cannot be addressed militarily.
Despite the Army Chief's warning, there has been no let up in stone-pelting against security forces during their counterinsurgency operations and three such incidents have taken place since February 15.
Gen Rawat, who arrived here on Thursday, was briefed on the prevailing security situation and recent operations conducted by the security forces.
He also reviewed the collaborative measures of security forces towards ensuring peace and calm in the region.
The army chief interacted with local commanders and troops urging them to continue discharging their duty with utmost professionalism.
Gen Rawat, accompanied by Northern Command Chief Lt General D Anbu and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen J S Sandhu, also paid tributes to the three soldiers killed in a militant attack in Shopian district of Kashmir on Thursday.
He laid wreaths on the coffins carrying the mortal remains of the soldiers, one of whom was from Marhama area of Anantnag district.
"As the entire nation salutes the martyrs...the army gave a befitting farewell to its brave-hearts on Friday in a solemn ceremony here," the official said. Gen Rawat also expressed his grief and offered condolences to the families of Lance Naik Ghulam Mohi Ud Din, Sepoy Vikas Singh Gurjar and Sapper Sreejith M J.
Gen Rawat also conveyed his anguish at the death of an elderly lady, Taja Begum, in the terrorist attack, the official added.
Thousands bid tearful farewell to brave boy in Kashmir
In a rare outpouring of grief for a fallen soldier in strife-torn Kashmir, thousands of civilians on Friday bid a tearful adieu to Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, who was killed in an ambush by militants on Thursday.
Little did the people know what fate had in store for the valiant soldier when he left his home at Marhama Mohalla in Bijbehara of south Kashmir last month after celebrating the birthday of his son Aahil, who had turned one.
On Friday, when his body, draped in tricolour, was brought for the last rites, a pall of gloom descended on the locality.
34-year-old Rather, who was killed in an ambush by Hizbul Mujahideen militants in Shopian district on Thursday, was part of the 4-Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and posted with 44 Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency force carved from various army units. Two other soldiers and a civilian woman were also killed in the encounter, which took place barely 25 kilometres from his home. His wailing wife Shahzada Akhter and grieving relatives received the body.
The huge turnout of mourners surprised the army officers and jawans who accompanied Rather's mortal remains.