Poonch Attack: Drones, chopper put into use in hunt for Terrorists
Aman Zutshi
Poonch: The Indian army has pressed into service helicopter, drones, and sniffer dogs in a massive manhunt for the terrorists who killed five army soldiers in an ambush attack on 21 December in Topa Peer village of Poonch.
The security forces, SOG, Commandos and J&K Police have launched a massive search operation in Thanamandi, Shahdara Sharif, Pangai top, Dera Ki Gali, Surankote belonged to Rajouri and Poonch district of J&K to catch the terrorists responsible for killing five jawans on 21 December. The operation has entered its sixth day since it was begin by army personnel.
On 23 December, the security forces suspended internet after three locals among 10 believed to be picked up for interrogation found dead near the Peer Topa village where on December 21 a grisly terrorist attack on army vehicles left five jawans dead. The internet services are still suspended in the twin districts.
The Indian Army has also ordered a court of inquiry into the three civilian killings of the Poonch terror attack yesterday, amidst allegations of custodial torture by the families of the deceased.
The deceased were identified as Safeer Hussain (43), Mohd Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz.
The Army has shifted three senior officers – a Brigadier stationed in Surankote area of Rajouri, three army officers of 48 RR.
The Bufliaz police station in Poonch has registered a case U/S 302 of the IPC against the army officers.
The J&K govt has announced jobs for the kins of the deceased while the angry family members demanded justice for their killed family members.
In October 2023, an officer of a major rank suddenly opened fire, hurled grenades on his colleagues during a routine shooting practice session and left at least five Army men, including three officers, injured in a forward camp along the Line of Control (LOC) in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district.
Yesterday, Defense Ministry said that Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will be coming to J&K to visit Poonch to take stock of the situation there.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pandey visited the Topa Peer village terror attack site and reviewed the security measures.
