Guwahati: Indian Army has initiated massive search operations to find the terrorists responsible for the Thursday grenade attack on troops in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir which claimed the lives of five soldiers.
According to the Army, the entire region has been blocked off while drones and sniffer dogs are being utilised to find any terrorists who may be hiding there.
“The Army and security agencies have received inputs about the presence of 6-7 terrorists operating in two groups in the Rajouri-Poonch sector near the area where the incident took place yesterday,” defence sources told ANI.
Multiple Special Forces troops, drones and observation helicopters have reportedly all been dispatched to the area to assist with search and destroy operations. The actions are being coordinated by the security forces which include the Army, Police and Intelligence Agencies.
According to officials, two border districts Rajouri and Poonch have been placed on high alert and the Line of Control is being closely monitored.
Following the incident, traffic on the Bhimber Gali-Poonch road was stopped and people were advised to travel to Poonch via Mendhar.
According to a statement from the Indian Army on Thursday, the incident in Jammu and Kashmir was caused by a terrorist grenade attack. The vehicle allegedly came under fire after being shot upon by terrorists probably as a result of the militants throwing grenades.
The army statement read, “An Army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector in J&K was fired on by unidentified terrorists today. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists. Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident. Another seriously injured soldier was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri and is under treatment. Search operation on.”