5 Soldiers Killed, Another Injured In Militant Attack In Poonch: Army

M S Nazki

Jammu : Five soldiers were killed and another injured in a militant attack in Poonch district, army said on Thursday.

“At approximately 1500 hours, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajauri sector was fired on by unidentified (militants), taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by (militants),” army.

“Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident,” it said, adding, “Another seriously injured soldier was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri and is under treatment.”

Operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators, the army said. “Further details are being ascertained.”

Soon after the incident, army and police personnel rushed to the spot. Visuals showed semi-burnt bodies of the soldiers lying on the road beside the burning truck.

“Army and police rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area and put halt on the vehicular traffic on the highway,” the sources said.

They said traffic shall remain suspended from BG to Surankote Road. “All the commuters are advised to adopt the alternative routes i.e from BG- Mendhar-Jarran Wali Gali to Surankote-Poonch or via KG Top to Poonch.”