Search Operation by Indian Army to Find Terrorists Involved for Poonch Attack
Guwahati: Five soldiers were killed on Thursday in a grenade attack on troops in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Army has initiated major search operations to find the terrorists responsible.
The entire area has been blocked off as drones and sniffer dogs are employed to find any terrorists who may be hiding there, the Army said.
“The Army and security agencies have received inputs about the presence of 6-7 terrorists operating in two groups in the Rajouri-Poonch sector near the area where the incident took place yesterday,” defence sources told ANI.
Multiple Special Forces troops, drones, and observation helicopters have reportedly all been dispatched to the area to assist with search and destroy operations. The actions are being coordinated by the security forces, which include the Army, Police, and Intelligence Agencies.
According to officials, Rajouri and Poonch, two border districts, have been placed on high alert, and the Line of Control is being closely monitored. Following the incident, traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped, and people were advised to travel to Poonch via Mendhar, they said.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Army on Thursday, the incident in Jammu and Kashmir was caused by a terrorist grenade attack. The Indian Army reported that after the vehicle was shot upon by terrorists, it burst into flames, probably as a result of the terrorists throwing grenades.
The army statement read, “An Army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector in J&K was fired on by unidentified terrorists today. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists. Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident. Another seriously injured soldier was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri and is under treatment. Search operation on.”