J&K: Two More Army Soldiers Killed In Action In Anti-Terror Ops In Poonch-Rajouri; Toll Rises To Nine

Two more army soldiers including a junior commissioned officer (JCO) were martyred during an anti-terror operation in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Their bodies were recovered on late Saturday (16 October) evening.

The operation entered 5th day on Saturday and has claimed lives of nine soldiers including two JCOs, reports Times of India.

Notably, a massive search operation in the forest areas of twin frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir was launched earlier to track down terrorists hiding in the forested area.

Lt Colonel Devender Anand, defence ministry spokesman said, "Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh of Indian Army were killed in action during search operations being conducted by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police in densely forested area of Nar Khas forest in Mendhar district of Poonch."

"Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh were part of search operations launched by the security forces to flush out terrorists hiding in the forested area."

"Relentless operations continued to neutralize the terrorists and to re-establish communication with the soldiers. Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh were killed in action in the fierce fight and their bodies have been recovered in the evening today," an army statement said.

On Friday, two Army personnel were killed in an encounter with terrorists in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The two were identified as riflemen Vikram Singh Negi (26) and Yogambar Singh (27).

On Monday (11 October), five soldiers, including a JCO, had lost their lives when a group of heavily-armed terrorists opened fire on an army search party in a village close to Dera Ki Gali (DKG) in Surankote.

The operations in the area are continuing.