In a dastardly attack just three weeks before the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency goes to polls, terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in Poonch district on Saturday, resulting in the martyrdom of one brave IAF soldier and injuries to four others.
According to official sources, the incident occurred when four heavily armed militants opened indiscriminate fire on IAF vehicles moving towards Sanai Top in the Surankot area of Poonch in the evening hours. The ambush triggered a fierce gunbattle as security personnel retaliated to the unprovoked attack. In the ensuing exchange of fire, five IAF personnel sustained bullet injuries, with two of them being critically wounded. Despite being immediately evacuated to the nearest military hospital for medical treatment, one of the critically injured soldiers succumbed to his injuries, making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Update
In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 4, 2024
The Indian Air Force confirmed the tragic incident on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units.”
In a subsequent post, the IAF elaborated, “In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later. Further operations are on by the local security forces.”
The brazen attack has sent shockwaves across the region, especially as it comes just three weeks before the crucial sixth phase of polling in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, scheduled for May 25th. Poonch falls within the boundaries of this parliamentary constituency.
While security forces have cordoned off the area and launched search operations to neutralize the militants responsible for the attack, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent threat of militancy in the region.
Authorities have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and have appealed for calm and vigilance in the run-up to the elections.
