Poonch Ambush: Police Launch New Investigations Along IB, LOC
While cordon and search operations continued for the seventh day in a row on Wednesday to find the terrorists responsible for last week’s ambush that killed four troops in Jammu and Kashmir, new searches were started near the border with Pakistan in Samba and Poonch, according to authorities.
In order to assess the security situation in the wake of the terror incident, Army Chief Manoj Pande, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flew to Rajouri on Wednesday.
A senior source told PTI, “Security forces are continuing the cordon and search operation to track down the terrorists involved in the ambush on Army vehicles.”
Scent detection dogs, airborne systems, and surveillance equipment are all part of the operation. Amidst area dominance efforts, more soldiers have been sent in to block seven infiltration routes.
For the seventh day in a row, mobile internet services in Rajouri and Poonch will be halted.
Since this morning, search activities have been conducted at three locations along the International Border (IB) in the Samba area by security personnel and special operation units, according to authorities.
They said that because of the heavy fog around the border, this has been done as a precaution.
In response to allegations of suspicious activity in the region, security troops in Poonch’s Kirni sector have also begun new search operations along the Line of Control, they added. They claimed that the operations are still ongoing.
Following his visit to Rajouri and Poonch to meet with the relatives of three civilians who were discovered dead during the anti-terror operation in the region, officials said the minister of defense is expected to evaluate the security situation in a high-level meeting at Raj Bhawan. They claimed Singh would also meet with a delegation of chosen individuals.
Following the terrorist ambush of two Army vehicles on Thursday at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Buffliaz in Poonch, three civilians who were taken in by the Army for interrogation were discovered dead on Friday, causing widespread indignation.
The defense minister’s visit comes after Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Manoj Pande visited Poonch’s ground zero on Monday to assess the anti-terrorist operations in Surankote and the Thanamandi forest zone in the neighboring Rajouri district.
In the face of overwhelming obstacles, General Pande urged security forces to maintain their will and fortitude.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir has promised employment and compensation to the relatives of the fallen civilians. It said that the medico-legal procedures had been completed and that legal action had been started.
The Army has declared its commitment to provide complete assistance and cooperation for the probe’s conduct, and it has authorized a comprehensive internal investigation into the civilian casualties.
