JAMMU, MAY 5, 2024 (TBINN)
One soldier was killed and four were injured as terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (I.A.F.) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch District today, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha Constituency.
Poonch is part of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency which goes to polls in the sixth phase on May 25, 2024.
Officials said five security personnel were injured, two of them critically, when four terrorists opened fire on I.A.F. vehicles moving towards Sanai Top in Poonch’s Surankot Area.
One of the critically injured soldiers later succumbed at a military hospital during treatment, they said.
“An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J-K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are under way presently in the area by local military units.
“The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress,” the IAF said in a post on X.
“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. Further operations are on by the local security forces,” it said in another post.
The terror-attack took place when the troops were returning to the Air Force Station from Jaranwali.
Officials suspect involvement of the same group of terrorists which ambushed troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, leaving four soldiers dead and three injured.
One of the trucks in the I.A.F. convoy bore the maximum brunt of attack with several bullets hitting its windscreen and side. The terrorists, who were armed with A.K. Assault Rifles, are believed to have fled into the nearby forests, officials said.
Reinforcements from Army and Police have been rushed to the area and a massive search and cordon-operation has been launched.
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