Jammu and Kashmir: At least five soldiers were killed and one injured after an Indian Army vehicle was fired upon by unidentified terrorists on Thursday at around 3 pm in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, according to a statement by the Army Headquarters, Northern Command.
The five deceased personnel belonged to the Rashtriya Rifles Unit and were deployed for counterterrorist operations in the area. Another soldier was seriously injured in the incident and was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri, they said.
“Today, at approximately 1500 hours, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists," Jammu-based defence spokesperson, Lt Col Devender Anand said.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh has been briefed by Army Chief General Manoj Pande about the attack. Singh had earlier offered condolences to the families of the deceased tweeting, "Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families."
Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed officers securing the spot of attack.
{{/usCountry}}Visuals shared by news agency ANI showed officers securing the spot of attack.
{{/usCountry}}While initial reports suggested that a lightning strike may caused the truck to catch fire, it was later found that the blaze was likely due to terrorists using grenades. The incident happened at Bhata Dhurian falls in Mendhar sub division while the vehicle was moving from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot.
Search operations and drone surveillance are underway to identify the perpetrators.
Army and police personnel have rushed to the spot, which is 90 kilometres from Poonch, the sources added. Traffic has been suspended from Bhimber Gali to Surankote following the terror attack.
“In wake of some incident in Bhatta Dhuriyaan, traffic will remain suspended from BG to Surankote Road. All the commuters are advised to adopt the alternative routes, that is, from BG- Mendhar-Jarran Wali Gali to Surankote-Poonch or via KG Top to Poonch,” read a statement.
As per intelligence sources, the Sangiot area where the ambush happened has traditionally been a transit route for Pakistani terrorists.
Last year, at least four people were charred to death after a bus carrying pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine caught fire near Katra in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir. As many as 22 others were injured. A letter purportedly issued by an unknown terror outfit ‘Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Fighters’ later claimed responsibility for the fire, which it said was an ‘IED blast’ triggered by one of its ‘special squads’.
(With inputs from bureau)