J&K: Terrorists Attack IAF Convoy In Poonch; One Soldier Killed, Four Injured

One soldier of the Indian Air Force was killed in action and four others were injured when two vehicles, including one of the IAF, came under heavy terrorist fire in the Surankote area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday (4 May).

Of the five injured, one airman is reportedly critical. They were all airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for further treatment.

Reinforcement was rushed to the area and counter-terror operations are underway.

The local Rashtriya Rifles unit immediately commenced cordon and search operations in the affected region, NDTV reported citing sources.

"An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units," the IAF said in a statement.

The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress, it added.

"In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later," the IAF said.

The attack, occurring around 6.15 pm as personnel were en route from Jaranwali to the air force station, marked the first significant assault on the armed forces in the region this year, following a series of terror strikes on the army last year.

Visual evidence post-attack revealed multiple bullet holes on the vehicle's windscreen that bore the brunt of the assault.

Officials said that the armed militants, wielding AK assault rifles, allegedly escaped into nearby forests, and there have been no reported encounters with them thus far.

Authorities, supported by paramilitary forces, have been conducting extensive searches in Poonch since Friday, based on intelligence regarding suspicious movements.

However, no arrests were made during these operations, according to officials.

Poonch, a part of the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, is scheduled for polling in the upcoming sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls on 25 May.