During his visit to Jammu on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed solidarity with the armed forces, stating that every soldier is like a family member.
Amid ongoing tensions in Jammu and Kashmir following the deaths of three civilians detained by the Army for questioning, Singh told soldiers that they should not "make any mistake" that hurts an Indian.
"You are the country's protectors. But I want to request you that besides ensuring the country's security, you also have the responsibility to win the hearts of the people. There should be no mistake that hurts an Indian," Defence minister said.
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"Every Indian feels this way. It is not tolerable to us if anyone casts an evil eye on you. Security and intelligence agencies play a crucial role in stopping such attacks. Whatever support is needed to step up surveillance will be provided by the government. The doors to our treasury are fully open," he said.
The Defence Minister added that such attacks should not be taken for granted.
"I know you all are alert, but I think more alertness is required. Your bravery makes us proud. Your sacrifice, your efforts have no parallel. And they are priceless. When a soldier dies a martyr, even if we pay some compensation, it cannot compensate for the loss. I want to assure you that the government is with you and your welfare and security are high on our priority list," he said.
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Earlier today, the Defence Minister arrived in Jammu and left for Rajouri soon after.
Background
The Defence Minister's visit comes when an ongoing probe involves a Brigadier-level officer facing scrutiny for recurring lapses in Army operations leading to soldiers' deaths.
The visit also comes when there is local outrage in Jammu and Kashmir over the deaths of three civilians in the Poonch sector after being detained by the Army for questioning.
Rajnath Singh also met the families of the deceased and visited the Government Medical College (GMC) to enquire about the health of four other victims.
