Udhampur Firing Incident: MoS Jitendra Singh appeals people not to panic or listen to rumours

Jitendra Singh. Pic/PTI

Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh appreciated the Indian Army for deploying troops in the affected area, following the Udhampur firing incident, in which one Village Defence Guard member was killed.

Singh, who is also an MP from Udhampur, appealed to the people not to panic or listen to any unconfirmed rumours about the Udhampur firing incident.

"Basatgarh Firing incident #Udhampur: In cognisance of the concerns expressed by our local representatives and PRIs in the Basantgarh area of district Udhampur following this morning's firing incident in which one VDG unfortunately lost his life, I appreciate that the authorities have conceded our request to call Army for deployment in the area. It is a public appeal not to panic or listen to unconfirmed rumours," the MoS stated in a post on X.

Earlier, it was informed that a VDG member who sustained injuries during the exchange of fire with terrorists, succumbed to his injuries.

He had got injured after fire broke out between terrorists and security forces in Chochru Gala heights, Udhampur.

The deceased VDG member has been identified as Mohammad Shareef (48), son of Abdul Rehman. He was a resident of Lower Ponar, Basantgarh, in Udhampur.

Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Anand Jain, said that the VDG member was hit after the terrorists attacked the security forces. He said that further investigation and search operations are underway.

"We received the information about the presence of terrorists in this region, post that the entire area was activated as the information was not specific. We did the activation everywhere. When the area dominance exercise began, during that course, terrorists attacked, and the retaliation was done by our party as well; our partner was martyred," the IGP told reporters.

"We have sieged the entire area and the search operation is on. This is a fresh infiltration group that has arrived in this area...Now, the entire region has been cordoned off, searches are going on to trace and neutralise them. Further investigation is underway," he added.