Security forces deploy drones, sniffer dogs in search for attackers in J&K
A high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and heightened vigil has been maintained along the Line of Control.
Poonch, April 22: On Friday, security forces detained at least 12 people in the dense forest area of Bata Doriya in Poonch for questioning in connection with the deadly ambush of five army soldiers the day before. A MI helicopter, drones, and sniffer dogs were used in the massive manhunt for the perpetrators.
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team headed by a Deputy Inspector General rank officer was also present.
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Initial reports suggest the presence of around five terrorists, who possibly used grenades and sticky bombs to set the vehicle ablaze. Vehicular traffic was suspended on the national highway between Bhimber Gali and Jarran Wali Gali for the second consecutive day.
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The officials said those who executed the attack are believed to belong to Jammu and Kashmir Gaznavi Force (JKGF) and the People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a proxy wing of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed. There are also reports that suggest the involvement of the banned Lashker-e-Taiba group.
The entire area of Tota-Gali-Bata Doriya, which has dense forests, has been cordoned off and drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace the terrorists while the army conducted a recce of the area with a MI-chopper.
The five Army personnel who were killed and another who was seriously injured on Thursday were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counter-terror operations. Top army and police officials paid homage to the soldiers and their bodies were sent to their native places.
A high alert has been sounded in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and heightened vigil has been maintained along the Line of Control.
Jammu witnessed several protests by BJP, VHP, Rastriya Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena, Dogra Front, and Jammu Statehood organisation among others. The Army and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to the brave soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice.
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