Army Chief Manoj Pande visits Poonch as counter terrorism operation underway in Poonch and Rajouri

On December 21, Thursday, an army convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Two army vehicles were attacked by terrorists when they crossed a blind spot near Dhatyar Morh on Bafliaz- Thanamandi road. The army soldiers immediately retaliated by firing. The terrorists opened fire at the personnel and managed to escape the spot by entering into dense forest. The terrorist attack killed 4 Indian Army soldiers and injured three others.

3 civilians killed

Security forces immediately launched an investigation into the matter. The security forces detained around a dozen people for investigation. Indian army reported that it had received reports of the death of 3 civilians and that 7 other civilians had sustained injuries. The investigation is still open. The dead civilians were Showkat Hussain, Shabir Ahmed, and Mohammad Safee. The government announced a compensation of 3 lakhs for the family of deceased men.

Political parties protested against the death of civilians and demanded justice for the victims. Security forces increased the deployment of forces in the Poonch and Rajouri areas. As tensions rose, Internet services were also suspended in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The political party claimed bruises on the bodies of the deceased civilians.

The army personnel martyred in the attacks were Naik Birendder Singh, Naik Karan Kumar, rifleman Gautam Kumar, and rifleman Chandan Kumar. High-ranked officers of the Indian army paid tribute to the fallen soldiers by laying a wreath in the wreath-laying ceremony. The mortal remains of the martyrs were sent to their homes for the last rites.

Army Chief Manoj Pande visited Poonch

Amid the ongoing tensions in the regions, the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande reached Jammu and Kashmir to review of the security situation in the area. Security forces have been undertaking massive counter-terrorism operations to locate the terrorist responsible for the cowardly attack.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud was addressing a gathering on the occasion of Christmas where he mentioned the terrorist attack. The CJI said "we should not forget the soldiers standing tall on the borders. we lost four members of our armed forces a few days ago. So as we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget those on the borders who are spending these cold mornings protecting us and our nation."

The mention of soldiers by CJI gave a message to the country and the families of the soldiers that the supreme sacrifice of the lives of the soldiers should not be and will not be forgotten by the nation.

Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility

The terrorist group named Peoples Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a front of the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed full responsibility of the attack and also released photos of the attack.

Also Read-Security reinforcements deployed in Poonch amid ongoing search for terrorists in Rajouri

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