Major terror attack on VDG’s house, army picket in Rajouri foiled: Army

Rajouri, July 22: Security forces foiled a major terror attack on the house of a Village Defence Guard, who was recently awarded Shaurya Chakra by the President of India, and a nearby army picket in Gundha village of Rajouri on Monday.

However, one of the members of VDG’s family and an army soldier sustained injuries in the incident.

Attack occurred seventeen days after VDG (previously called Village Defence Committee member) Parshotam Lal was conferred with Shaurya Chakra by the President of India.

Besides, targetting VDG’s house, the terrorists also attempted attack upon an army camp, established in the village recently. This attack, however, was also thwarted by the alert army troops.

The terrorists tried to strike within 48 hours after the Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi chaired a high level security review meeting at Jammu to take a review of operational progress in the region, in wake of a series of terror incidents in the last two months.

The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had also chaired a security review meeting, same day i.e., July 20 to take stock of the prevailing situation.

Official sources said that this terror incident took place at around 3.10 am on Monday morning when a group of terrorists appeared near the house of VDG Parshotam Lal and attempted to attack the house.

Parshotam, along with some other VDGs (VDC members), was part of a major anti-terror operation in the village on August 5 last year in which one terrorist was killed.

“As the terrorists attempted the attack, the explosions, suspected to be because of lobbing of grenades, were also heard alongside bullets in the vicinity of the house of VDG,” the official sources said.

“Vijay Kumar, uncle of VDG Parshotam Lal, sustained injuries in the incident besides an army jawan was also injured. He received wounds in lower limbs. He was evacuated to army hospital for treatment,” they added.

Parshotam, VDG from Gundha village, was recognised for his bravery during the operation as he had led VDGs from the front and cornered the terrorist, who was eliminated.

Later, the Government of India announced an award (Shaurya Chakra) for his bravery. It (Shaurya Chakra) was conferred upon him on July 5 by the President of India.

“President Droupadi Murmu conferred Shaurya Chakra upon Shri Parshotam Kumar, a farmer and member of Village Defence Committee,” the President House spokesperson had stated. “He displayed astute patriotism and inspirational acts of gallantry under fire when he tailed the terrorists and maintained contact till security forces closed in. His brave act led to the neutralisation of one terrorist,” it was stated in his citation, read on the occasion.

White Knight Corps of the Indian Army, in an official statement, stated, “Terrorists attacked the house of a VDC member at Gunda Rajouri at 3.10 am. A nearby army column reacted and a fire-fight ensued.”

“Tactical teams swiftly intervened, ensuring no harm to the VDC member and his family. The operations are continuing,” army said.

“Indian army acted on intelligence anticipating the threat to a Village Defence Guard in a remote area in Rajouri – Reasi,” it was stated by the army.

Some cattle tied in a shed in front of VDG’s house also perished in the attack after they were hit with bullets and splinters.

“Alongside this, the terrorists also attempted an attack on an army picket located in the village Gundha. This picket has been set up recently with the aim to increase the area domination of forces in this remote region. However, this major terror attack on the army picket in the remote village of Rajouri was thwarted,” official sources said.

Meanwhile, senior officers of army and police including Additional DGP Jammu zone, Anand Jain also visited the site to oversee the operational progress.