Uri Brigade Commander ‘side-stepped’, not removed

New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) The commander of the Uri-based army brigade has not been removed but "side-stepped" for an inquiry, sources said.

"The Brigade Commander has been 'side-stepped' for fair, comprehensive and objective inquiry," an Indian Army source told IANS.

Refuting some news reports that the commander had been removed, he said this was part of the protocol of enquiry.

IANS had earlier reported that the Brigadier K Somashanker had been side-stepped (not removed). Side-stepping means that the officer being attached with some other unit until the inquiry is over.

This action is part of the inquiry ordered after the terror attack on the army camp in the Uri town of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 17 soldiers were killed. Subsequently, two more soldiers succumbed to injuries.