Massive Search Operation Launched To Nab Terrorists Behind Poonch Attack On Army Convoy

Officials reported on Friday that security forces have commenced a large-scale search in the thick woodland of the Bhata-Durian region following a terrorist attack in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir.

The attack resulted in the death of five soldiers of the Indian Army and wounded another army soldier.

Drones and sniffer dogs are being used to search for militants in the cordoned-off area.

Authorities have issued a high alert and are closely monitoring the Line of Control (LoC) in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road has been halted and the public has been advised to travel to Poonch via Mendhar.

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) has also reached the site of the terror attack to inspect the area and gather evidence. The Director General and Additional Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh and Mukesh Singh, respectively have also reached the attack site.

The incident occurred on Thursday when militants attacked their vehicle, causing it to catch fire. The soldiers, who belonged to a Rashtriya Rifles unit, were coming back after completing their administrative duties. One soldier was critically injured in the attack.

Unidentified terrorists fired at the army's vehicle, causing it to catch fire, possibly using grenades, according to official statement. Some sources suggest that there are around six-seven terrorists hiding in the dense forests of the Bhata Durian area.

However, the Pakistan backed Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group's proxy outfit People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) has last night, claimed responsibility for the attack, and the army with various agencies are trying to ascertain the veracity of the statement.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has, in January, banned the PAFF and declared it a terrorist organisation. 

"Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and all ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of five Indian Army bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Poonch Sector yesterday," the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) said in a tweet.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also been briefed by the Army Chief General Manoj Pande. The Defence Minister said that he "was anguished by the attack".

Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed his sadness over the death of brave soldiers.

Political parties criticised the attack. VHP and Bajrang Dal protested on Tawi bridge in Jammu with anti-Pakistan slogans on Thursday evening.

It is worth noting that, just yesterday, the Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto has confirmed his attendance, next month, for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Minister's Meeting to be held at Goa.