5 soldiers killed in ‘Militant ambush’ at Poonch: Army

Jammu : Five soldiers were on Thursdat killed in first of its kind ‘ambush’ on a moving military vehicle by militantsa Poonch district of Jammu Province, while a massive hunt has been launched in the area to nab the attackers, defence sources said.
Quoting sources a local news agency reported that around 3.00 pm, suspected militants laid an ambush and targeted a moving military truck, which was moving from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot, around 90 kilometers away from the district headquarters Poonch.
Sources said that militants managed to stop the truck by throwing grenades while another opened calibrated fire towards its fuel tank, triggering a massive blaze in the vehicle.
A defence source said that another group of militants also opened fire at on-board soldiers with intention to wound them, so that they were not able to move out of the vehicle.
“One army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified militants, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area,” army’s Northern Command said in a statement, adding, “Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Militancy operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident,” it said adding, that another solider is seriously injured who was evacuated immediately to the Army Hospital at Rajouri and is under treatment.
The army’s statement further added that operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators. Further details are being ascertained.
Meanwhile, defence experts said that the militants laid down the trap in a planned manner, leaving very little scope of reaction time for the trained Rashtriya Rifles, who were traveling in the truck. They added that modus operandi of attack is also new to Jammu and Kashmir and it was earlier seen in North East, where militant groups target army and paramilitary conveys on isolated roads.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolence with brave hearts “Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” defence minister tweeted. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed anguish over the loss of lives. “I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives of brave Army personnel in a tragic incident at Poonch. Their rich service to the nation will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” LG Sinha tweeted.