Five Army Soldiers Killed In Ambush Attack By Terrorists In Jammu And Kashmir (image-screen grab)

Five soldiers were killed and two injured in a heavily-armed terrorist ambush in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, PTI reported. The attack took place between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz during transportation for a cordon-and-search operation.

The army troop retaliated soon after being attacked by the terrorist group. The troops were going to reinforce a joint operation against terrorists activities going on in area.

Sources told India Today TV that the Dhatyar Morh location in Poonch district was chosen by the terrorists to attack as the army vehicles slowed down at this point due to blind curve and bumpy road. As per the sources, the terrorists positioned themselves atop at Dhaytar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz and fired bullets at the two army vehicles.

A defence spokesperson said a joint operation was launched in the region on Wednesday in Poonch district based on “hard intelligence” about the presence of terrorists and encounter ensued there. The attack occurred when additional force was moving to the region. Though the security forces were retaliated, the terrorists managed to flee from the location, says India Today. The injured are admitted to the hospital.

The region where the ambush took place is densely forested, and an earlier ambush in April this year has resulted in the death of five soldiers.

Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mehbooba Mufti, vehemently condemned the attack, echoing widespread disapproval of such heinous acts of violence, reports economic times.

The People”s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the ambush.