Rajauri: Hours after 5 jawans were killed and one seriously injured after their vehicle caught fire in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch sector, Indian Army confirmed it to be a terror attack.
Unidentified terrorists fired at an Army vehicle at around 3 pm today, according to the Northern Command of Army Headquarters.
The five personnel who lost their lives belonged to Rashtriya Rifles Unit and were deployed for counter-terrorist operations in the area. The injured soldier was rushed to the Army Hospital at Rajouri.
Initial reports had suggested that a lightning strike may have caused the truck to catch fire, but that was not the case.
“Today, at approximately 1500 hours, one Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area. The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists,” Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said.
Watch video clip posted by ANI of security personnel at the accident site:
#WATCH | Security forces secure the area where an Army truck was attacked by terrorists in Poonch dist, J&K. 5 personnel of Rashtriya Rifles deployed in this area lost their lives
Army says terrorists may have thrown grenades at the truck which led to the vehicle catching fire. pic.twitter.com/Z5JD7gFhZm
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2023
Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande apprised Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the incident.
The entire area was cordoned off as security personnel launched a drone surveillance and search operation to nab the terrorists.
