Sitharaman meets martyr’s kin in Poonch
Minister visits forward areas, reviews security, steps taken to maintain vigil on LoC
Jammu, June 20: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday visited the family of the soldier who was abducted and killed by terrorists two days ahead of Id last week and described him as an inspiration to the nation, as she reviewed security situation in J& K.
Accompanied by senior Army officers and Poonch district development commissioner Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Ms Sitharaman braved rain and walked half- a- kilometre from the last motorable road to reach the remote hamlet of Salani in the border district to express her condolences to the family of slain soldier Aurangzeb, officials said.
“I have come here to meet the martyr’s family,” the defence minister told reporters after meeting the family, including Aurangzeb’s father, himself a former Armyman, who reiterated his resolve to sacrifice his all to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of the country.
“Here is a family, here is a martyr, who to me and I am sure to the whole nation, stands out as an inspiration. And that is the message I am carrying from here,” she added.
Aurangzeb, who was posted with the44 Rashtriya Rifles, was on his way home to celebrate Id when terrorists abducted him from south Kashmir on June 14 and killed him the same day.
He had boarded a private vehicle for Shopian, from where he was supposed to go to Rajouri district. The terrorists intercepted the vehicle as it approached Kalampora and abducted the jawan.
His bullet- riddled body was found at Gussu village, about 10 km from Kalampora, in Pulwama district. Army public relations officer Col. N. N. Joshi said the minister handed over a welfare cheque of ` 5 lakh to the bereaved family.
“During her interaction with the family of the brave heart, she reiterated the heroism of the valiant soldier, which will continue to motivate the young generation for times to come,” the spokesman said.