Poonch terror attack: Army releases names of martyrs
What's the story
The Indian Army released the names of the five soldiers martyred in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday. The martyrs are Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, and Sepoy Sewak Singh. They were attached to the Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit and were deployed in the area for counter-terrorist operations.
Incident
Terrorists took advantage of rain, low visibility
Per reports, the attack took place around 3:00pm near the Bhata Durian Forest in Bhimber Gali Sector when terrorists fired upon the Army truck carrying the soldiers. The Army's Northern Command said in a statement that the unidentified insurgents took advantage of low visibility due to rain. Officials also added that the truck's fuel tank caught fire likely because of a grenade attack.
Details
JeM, LeT terrorists responsible for attack
It was reported earlier that terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) affiliate People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials suspected at least four terrorists to be involved in the attack. The truck was fired upon by three sides, followed by the grenade attack. However, new reports say that seven terrorists related to JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were involved in the attack.
Infiltration
Terrorists infiltrated India from PoK, hid in villages
Intelligence agencies reportedly received information about terrorists from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) infiltrating India through Rajouri and Poonch. The terrorists were directed to gather at specified locations in PoK and then they were hidden in villages, per reports. Security forces are conducting searches in the Bhata Durian area using drones and sniffer dogs along with a bomb disposal squad and Special Operations Group (SOG).
Twitter Post
Indian Army's 16 Corps expresses condolences
@Whiteknight_IA salutes the sacrifice of Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh, Sep Sewak Singh, who laid down their lives in the line of duty in #Poonch Sector on 20 Apr 23. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. pic.twitter.com/50D9HRdssa
— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) April 20, 2023
Tributes
Political leaders pay tributes to the martyrs
Following the incident, politicians offered their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said, "I unequivocally condemn this heinous attack and send my condolences to the loved ones of those killed today." Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal called for punishing those "behind this cowardly attack." An injured soldier was reportedly admitted to the Army Hospital.
Information
Two NIA teams to reach Poonch
Reports also claimed two National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams, including a forensic experts team, will arrive in Poonch to investigate the incident. The incident occurred near the site of a 2021 encounter that lasted for weeks. It was the Army's longest counter-terrorist operation since 2009.