In a tragic incident that unfolded in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists launched an attack on an Indian Air Force convoy, causing the death of one soldier and leaving four others wounded. The ambush, carried out by four armed militants who opened fire on the IAF vehicles en route to Sanai Top in Poonch's Surankot area, resulted in a critical situation where two soldiers were severely injured, with one later succumbing to his injuries while receiving treatment at a military hospital. The scenario escalated swiftly as the Air Warriors retaliated against the terrorists, engaging in a fierce gunfight that left a total of five IAF personnel injured, prompting their urgent evacuation for medical care.
The harrowing attack, suspected to involve the same group of terrorists responsible for a previous ambush in Bufliaz, triggered a response from security forces, with the Army and police swiftly mobilizing reinforcements to the scene. The intensity of the assault was evident from the bullet-ridden truck in the IAF convoy, bearing the impact of the assailants' AK assault rifles, who managed to flee into the nearby forests post-attack. Subsequently, a comprehensive search and cordon operation were set in motion to locate and thwart the terrorists, underscoring the gravity of the situation as the region witnessed a surge in terrorist activities following a period of relative peace between 2003 and 2021.
The volatile environment in the border district of Poonch elucidates the resurgence of terror incidents in the region, punctuated by previous attacks such as the killing of government employee Mohd Razaq and village defence guard Mohd Sharief, further exacerbated by the recent ambush that claimed the life of an Air Warrior. The extensive history of terrorist confrontations in the region, including incidents like the Dharmsal gunfight and the suicide attack at the Pargal camp, underscores the continual threat posed by militant elements operating in the dense forests that straddle the Rajouri-Poonch boundary. Amidst the backdrop of escalating tensions and sporadic attacks, the security apparatus remains on high alert, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced in safeguarding the region against insurgent activities.