Jammu and Kashmir: 5 soldiers martyred, 2 injured as terrorists attack army vehicle in Rajouri

Jammu: Five soldiers were martyred, and two others injured when terrorists attacked an army vehicle at Thanamandi area in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Army here said that the terrorists targeted two army vehicles, a gypsy and a one-ton vehicle, which were en route to fortify the cordon in the area in neighbouring Surankote in Poonch where an anti-terror operation was underway following a mysterious explosion near Armed Police Headquarters late on Wednesday night.

A Jammu-based defence spokesman said that an operation was being conducted in general area DKG (Dera Ki Gali), Thanamandi, Rajouri, since Wednesday night.

“Around 4 pm, two army vehicles carrying troops were moving to the operational site, which was fired upon by the terrorist. The fire was immediately retaliated upon by their own troops. Three soldiers lost their lives in the operation while three suffered injuries and evacuated to nearest medical care,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Operation are in progress. Further details are being ascertained”.

However, a senior army official said that five soldiers were killed in the attack that took place in the same area where five soldiers of the Army were killed in a deadly attack in the Dara Ki Gali (DKG) area of Surankote in Poonch.

The operation lasted for more than a month in which nine army officials were killed in action while one terrorist was killed after months of attack.

Earlier, joint security forces launched a massive anti-terror operation in the upper reaches of Poonch district after the movement of a suspected group of terrorists in the area.

Senior officials of Jammu Kashmir Police including SSP Poonch Vinay Sharma and Army officials rushed to the spot.

A senior Army official said that a group of terrorists had been spotted in the Topa Pir area of Poonch district after which the area had been cordoned off and intensified searches were underway. (UNI)