Aurangzeb inspiration to nation: Nirmala

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 20

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday described the supreme sacrifice of Rifleman Aurangzeb, who was abducted and killed by militants in Pulwama district, and his family as an inspiration for the entire country.

Sitharaman said this after visiting the family of Aurangzeb at Salani village in Poonch district. The minister was accompanied by senior Army officers.

“I have come here to meet the martyr’s family and spend some time with them. One message I can take back is that here’s a family, here’s a martyr, who, to me and I am sure to the whole nation, stands out as an inspiration,” the Defence Minister told mediapersons.

She stayed with the family for about half an hour and handed over a welfare cheque of Rs 5 lakh to Aurangzeb’s father. She also presented shawls to martyr’s brothers and sisters.

On June 18, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had visited the family and had said that the supreme sacrifice by “the brave son of India” would not go in vain. Gen Rawat had assured all possible assistance to the family.

Mohammad Hanief, Aurangzeb’s father and an ex-serviceman, had made a passionate appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avenge the killing of his unarmed son and reiterated his resolve to sacrifice his life for the country.

Meanwhile, the Defence Minister also visited forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Krishna Ghati sector and interacted with the troops.

“On her official visit to the state, the minister was briefed by the GOC, Ace of Spades Division, on the prevailing security situation and steps being taken to maintain a close vigil on the LoC and maintain peace in the hinterland,” a Defence spokesperson said.

He said the minister also interacted with soldiers and complimented them on their exemplary devotion towards maintaining sanctity of the LoC and giving a befitting reply to the inimical forces.

Interacts with soldiers in Krishna Ghati sector 

• The Defence Minister also visited forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Krishna Ghati sector and interacted with the troops. 
• She complimented the soldiers on their exemplary devotion towards maintaining sanctity of the LoC and giving a befitting reply to the inimical forces.