On a fateful Saturday in the Poonch district of Jammu & Kashmir, terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force convoy leading to the tragic martyrdom of one soldier and injuries to four others. Amidst these tensions, one of the injured soldiers is reported to be in critical condition. Consequently, the army has sharply escalated their search operations, with additional troops arriving in the area known as Jaranwali Gali (JWG).
A grim photo has surfaced showcasing the ferocity of the attack on the military vehicles, with the Air Forces’ truck windshield punctured by over two dozen bullet holes. Authorities believe the terrorists, equipped with AK assault rifles, have fled to nearby forests.
Source: aajtak
Search Operation Underway
The local Rashtriya Rifles (RR) unit has initiated a large-scale search and cordon operation in the area. Even today, every vehicle passing by is being meticulously checked by the security forces. The vehicles from the attacked convoy have now reached the safety of the airbase located in the general area of Shahsitar. Following secretive intelligence regarding suspicious movements, the police have been conducting searches in Poonch city with the help of paramilitary forces since Friday, though no arrests have been made during this campaign.
The terrorist attack occurred at about 6:15 PM when the soldiers were returning to the Air Force base from Jaranwali. Officials suspect the involvement of the same terrorist group that had previously carried out an ambush attack on soldiers in the nearby area of Bufliyaz on December 21st last year, resulting in the martyrdom of four soldiers and injuring three others.
Air Force Statement
The Indian Air Force in a post-discussion stipulated, "The convoy is secured and further investigations are ongoing. During an exchange of gunfire with the terrorists, the Air Force personnel retaliated. In this crossfire, five Air Force members were wounded and were immediately taken to a nearby military hospital for treatment. One airman succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The local security forces are proceeding with consequent actions.'
Signs of Terrorist Return?
Several significant terrorist attacks have taken place in the adjoining Poonch district and Rajouri over the past two years, indicating a resurgence of terrorist activities in this region, which was once declared free of terrorism from 2003 to 2021. BJP leader Kavinder Gupta accused Pakistan of attempting to disrupt the peace with these attacks.
In the last two weeks alone, this is the third terrorist attack in the Pir Panjal area encompassing the Rajouri and Poonch districts. On April 22nd, a 40-year-old villager was killed near Shahdara Sharif in the Thanamandi area following gunfire by terrorists. On April 28th, a village defense guard, Mohammad Sharif, was murdered in Basantgarh of Udhampur.
