SRINAGAR: Five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed militants ambushed two Army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday. The attack took place at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz around 3:45 pm.
This marks the fourth such incident this year within the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
The militants, estimated to be between three to four in number, strategically positioned themselves atop a hill, targeting Army vehicles navigating the blind curves and uneven road.
It appears that the militants conducted a thorough reconnaissance of the area, selecting a location surrounded by mountains and characterized by pits. The assault resulted in the tragic loss of lives, with disturbing images revealing mutilated bodies of soldiers, blood-stained streets, and damaged military vehicles.
Notably, the remote area had minimal civilian presence, potentially delaying the arrival of additional security forces. Reports suggest that the encounter might have involved hand-to-hand combat between the soldiers and the militants. This modus operandi resembles the Bhatta Durrian attack in Mendhar earlier this year, where militants escaped after causing casualties.
A joint operation involving the Army, paramilitary forces, and police is underway to apprehend the militants responsible for the attack. The challenging terrain between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, densely forested and leading to Chamrer and Bhata Dhurian forests, has witnessed multiple security incidents this year, with 20 soldiers losing their lives in four encounters.
The latest incident occurred as Army units were conducting search operations in the Dera Ki Gali area. Identified casualties include Naik Birendra Singh, Naik Driver Karan Kumar, Rifleman Chandan Kumar, and Rifleman Gautam Kumar, with the fifth martyr’s identity pending confirmation.
The stretch of road between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz has been closed for traffic to facilitate search operations.
The militants, believed to be foreigners, may have received local support, prompting an investigation into their route identification, troop movement timing, and escape strategy.
This year, Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts have witnessed a series of encounters, resulting in the unfortunate demise of 55 individuals, including 20 security personnel and 28 militants.
In Rajouri, 27 people lost their lives, comprising 10 militants and 10 security personnel. Meanwhile, the Poonch district recorded 15 militants and 10 security personnel casualties, and in the Reasi district, three militants were neutralized.
The majority of the militants met their fate while attempting to infiltrate across the border. Tragically, on January 1, seven civilians fell victim to a massacre in Dangri, Rajouri.
In October 2021, two separate attacks in the forested region claimed the lives of nine soldiers. On October 11, five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), succumbed to an attack in Chamrer. Subsequently, on October 14, a JCO and three soldiers lost their lives in a nearby forest.
Among the casualties were three Army officers, including two Captains, who sacrificed their lives in an anti-militant operation in the Bajimaal area of Rajouri district.
Officials attribute the surge in encounters to robust counter-militant operations by security agencies. These efforts aim to thwart repeated attempts from across the border to revive militancy in the Jammu region and alleviate pressure on militants operating in the Kashmir valley.
