Poonch Terror Attack: Day 3 | CASO continues; surveillance in deep forests intensifies

Rajouri, May 6: Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched in and around Shaistar area of Poonch, immediately after terrorists ambushed a convoy of Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicles on May 4, entered its third day on Monday.

Surveillance in and around deep forest stretches was intensified though no fresh contact with terrorists was established.

Meanwhile, official sources stated that quick firing response by personnel inside the Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicle and troops from nearby Rashtriya Rifles camp had prevented a higher number of casualties in the terror attack in which one IAF soldier lost his life while four others sustained injuries.

The attack took place on Saturday evening when an IAF convoy was on its way to Shaistar camp and was ambushed by terrorists, a few hundred meters ahead of its destination.

A massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched after this attack and many people were also detained by security forces in connection with investigation of the case. Their questioning was still going on.

Sources said, “Three to four terrorists carried out this attack and ambushed IAF vehicles in the area, which is surrounded by dense forests. However, swift firing response by a gunman in vehicle, ambushed by terrorists as well as firing response by troops of Rashtriya Rifles from nearby army camp averted a rise in the number of casualties in this attack.”

“Earlier, in such ambush attacks, it was seen that the number of casualties was on the higher side. Four army personnel lost their lives in a similar kind of attack in DKG on December 21 last year. A gunman, among the troops in the vehicle, had sustained injuries but kept on firing on the attackers. Immediate and adequate firing response to the attack prevented attackers from coming close to the vehicle and inflicting a higher number of casualties,” sources said.

“Besides, a Rashtriya Rifles (RR) camp is located a few-hundred meters away from the attack site. Troops in this camp also resorted to immediate response with fire soon after attack on vehicles. They also fired RPGs towards attackers, making them leave the attack site at the earliest,” the sources said.

Official sources stated that both these reasons accounted for the lesser number of casualties in this ambush attack.

Meanwhile, security forces have reportedly developed some clues about two terrorists who may be involved in this attack and a reward has also been announced for those providing any information about them.

“On the basis of some clues, we have zeroed in on two suspected terrorists, who may be involved in this attack and an award of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for any information about them,” officials said.