Poonch Tragedy: Suspected LeT Terrorists Operating In 2 Groups, NIA Visits Attack Site Amid Search Ops — Report

Poonch Terror Attack: Indian Army has intensified the search operation after receiving inputs about the presence of LeT terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri-Poonch sector.

Army intensifes search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

Indian Army has reportedly received inputs about the presence of 6-7 LeT terrorists who are from Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri-Poonch sector near the area where five soldiers died on Thursday. ANI reported citing defence sources that the terrorists are operating in two groups in the area and were involved in the ambush of the Indian Army vehicle. It added that the Army has deployed multiple special forces teams along with drones and surveillance helicopters who are carrying out search and destroy operations in the suspected area.

As per the sources, reported ANI, the security forces including the Army, police and intelligence agencies are coordinating the operations. It added that more details are being ascertained about their route of ingress into the area. Army sources said that a search is being conducted extensively in the area where multiple cave-type natural structures are present. 

J&K | The terrorists are suspected to be from LeT and are from Pakistan. More details are being ascertained about their route of ingress into the area. Search is being conducted extensively in the area where multiple cave-type natural structures are present. More details awaited:…

— ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2023

On Thursday, five jawans were charred to death as their Army vehicle caught fire after it was fired upon by terrorists on the Poonch-Jammu highway. The incident occurred when the Army vehicle was moving from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot in Poonch district. Proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed affiliate PAFF (People's Anti-Fascist Front) has claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Meanwhile, the Army has also put out the names of the five martyred jawans. They are - Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh.

In a tweet, the White Knight Corps said, "@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."

As per the latest information, National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been asked to probe the incident a team of the agency will reach Jammu and Kashmir Friday evening.