New Delhi: In a tragic incident in the Surankote area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, one member of the Indian Air Force lost his life while five others sustained injuries amid heavy terrorist gunfire targeting two vehicles, one belonging to the IAF, according to sources.
Among the injured, one airman is reportedly in critical condition. Swiftly, all the wounded were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for urgent medical attention, as confirmed by officials.
Responding promptly, reinforcements were dispatched to the area, initiating counter-terror operations. Sources within the security forces disclosed that the local Rashtriya Rifles unit promptly initiated cordon and search operations in the vicinity.
The Indian Air Force, addressing the incident, stated that its convoy, which came under attack near Shahsitar, has been secured. “An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress,” the statement read.
According to officials, the personnel were en route to the air force station from Jaranwali around 6:15 pm when the ambush occurred. This marks the first major assault on the armed forces in the region this year, following a series of terror incidents targeting the army last year. Post-attack visuals revealed numerous bullet holes on the vehicle’s windscreen that came under fire.
The assailants, wielding AK assault rifles, are believed to have escaped into the nearby forests. However, authorities have had no contact with the terrorists thus far.
In response to intelligence about suspicious movements, police aided by paramilitary forces have been conducting thorough searches in Poonch since Friday. Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made, officials confirmed.
It’s notable that Poonch falls within the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, slated for polling in the sixth phase on May 25.
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