In a heartbreaking Terrorist incident on Thursday, December 21, four valiant Indian Army personnel lost their lives, while three others sustained injuries in a heinous terrorist attack targeting two military vehicles in the picturesque Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The attack occurred at a blind curve at Dhatyar Morh, situated between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of Surankote police station at approximately 3:45 pm (IST).
Reports indicate that the ill-fated vehicles were en route to reinforce an ongoing cordon-and-search operation against terrorists in the 48 Rashtriya Rifles area. Shockingly, the bodies of two soldiers were found mutilated, underscoring the brutality of the assault.
The injured soldiers were promptly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Disturbing images and videos from the site depict a grim scene—streets stained with blood, soldiers’ broken helmets strewn about, and the shattered windscreens of Army vehicles bearing witness to the intensity of the encounter.
J&K | Three Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Thanamandi area in Rajouri sector. Indian Army troops also immediately retaliated after being attacked by terrorists. The troops were going to… pic.twitter.com/nlhywjMtn4
The incident unfolded during a joint operation aimed at eradicating the looming threat of terrorism in the area. The 48 Rashtriya Rifles, engaged in a relentless pursuit of insurgents since the previous evening, faced a sudden and fierce assault.
According to a statement released by the Army, the troops, already on a mission to reinforce the ongoing joint operation, retaliated promptly when confronted by the terrorists. The clash occurred in the vicinity of Dhera Ki Gali, where a meticulously planned search operation had been initiated based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists.
Recent Terrorist Attacks
This tragic ambush follows a recent gunfight in the Dharmsal belt of the Bajimaal forest area in Rajouri district, where five Army personnel, including two captains, lost their lives. The geographical expanse between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz marks the boundary between Rajouri and Poonch districts. This densely forested region, stretching through Chamrer forest to Bhata Dhurian woodland, has been witness to previous unfortunate incidents.
On April 20 this year, an ambush on an Army truck claimed the lives of five troops, and in May, another operation in Chamrer forest resulted in the loss of five more Army personnel.
The severity of the situation prompted swift condemnation from political figures, with former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Mehbooba Mufti, expressing strong disapproval of the attack.
As the nation grapples with the recurring challenges in the region, the bravery and resilience of the Indian Army shine through, undeterred by the tragic loss of lives in their unwavering commitment to securing peace and eliminating threats to national security.
