Jammu & Kashmir: An Army truck was fired on by terrorists in Poonch, killing five soldiers

Digital Desk: Based on Army Headquarters, Northern Command statement, at least five troops were killed and one injured when an Indian Army vehicle was fired upon by suspected terrorists on Thursday at about 3 p.m. in the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The five killed were members of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit, which was conducting counter-terrorism operations in the area. According to them, another soldier was critically hurt in the event and was quickly moved to the Army Hospital in Rajouri.

"Today, around 1500 hours, an Army vehicle travelling between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists who took advantage of the heavy rains and low visibility in the area." The truck caught fire as a result of terrorists' use of grenades, said Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande addressed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the attack. Singh had previously expressed his sympathies to the families of the deceased, writing on Twitter, "Anguished by the tragedy in Poonch District (J&K), where the Indian Army has lost its brave soldiers after a truck caught fire." My thoughts are with the grieving families at this awful time."

Though at first said the truck caught fire owing to a lightning strike, it was later discovered that the fire was most likely caused by terrorists using grenades. The incident occurred while the car was travelling from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot in the Mendhar sub-division.

Following the sources, it has come to light that the army and police troops have rushed to the scene, which is 90 miles from Poonch. Following the terror attack, traffic from Bhimber Gali to Surankote has been halted.

"Due to an incident in Bhatta Dhuriyaan, traffic from BG to Surankote Road will be suspended." All commuters are urged to take other routes, which are "BG-Mendhar-Jarran Wali Gali to Surankote-Poonch or via KG Top to Poonch," according to a statement.

As reported by intelligence sources, the Sangiot area, where the ambush occurred, has long been a transit route for Pakistani terrorists.

Last year, at least four people were killed when a bus carrying pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine caught fire near Katra in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. Another 22 people were hurt. A letter published by an unknown terror organisation 'Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Fighters' later claimed responsibility for the fire, which it said was an 'IED detonation' triggered by one of its 'special squads'.