Siliguri: At least five soldiers were killed and another seriously injured when some unidentified terrorists opened fire on an army truck in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch on Thursday. The army said the truck caught fire most likely due to grenade attack by terrorists on the military vehicle. According to a statement by the Army Headquarters, Northern Command, the terrorists opened heavy fire at around 3 pm and the vehicle caught fire due to possible use of grenades.
“Today, at about 1500 hours, an Army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in Rajouri sector was fired upon by unidentified terrorists taking advantage of heavy rain and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire due to possible use Army said, terrorists hurled grenades.
Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter terrorist operations in the area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident. Army Chief General Manoj Pandey has informed Defense Minister Rajnath Singh about the incident.
Another soldier who was seriously injured was immediately rushed to the Army Hospital in Rajouri and is currently undergoing treatment. At the same time, a campaign is being run to find out the criminals.
Public Relations Officer (Defence), Jammu had earlier said that “Today, at about 1500 hours, an Indian Army vehicle, while moving from Bhimber Gali towards Sangiot in Poonch (J&K) caught fire.” “In this tragic incident, five soldiers of the Indian Army have lost their lives,” he said.
The PRO had then said that more details about the nature of the incident were being ascertained. Although some reports suggested that a sticky bomb or ambush may have started the fire, this was not verified at the time of the incident.
Army and police personnel rushed to the spot, which is 90 km from Poonch. Visuals showed semi-burnt bodies of soldiers lying on the road next to a burning truck. It was not immediately clear how many soldiers were in the vehicle when it caught fire.
video | An Indian Army vehicle caught fire in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/E4gyvthM54– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 20, 2023
Local people and some army personnel were seen extinguishing the fire. Sources said the army and police reached the spot and cordoned off the area and stopped vehicular movement on the highway.
The terror incident assumes significance in view of the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting to be held in Srinagar in May. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reviewed the security situation in the Union Territory last week.