NB Explains | How Army truck caught fire and soldiers were killed by terrorists in J&K's Poonch

NewsBharati 21-Apr-2023 10:03:53 AM

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Poonch, April 21: 5 Indian Army soldiers martyred after a military truck caught fire due to a grenade attack by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch. People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) claims responsibility. The vehicle came under firing by terrorists at around 3 pm, according to a statement by the Army Headquarters, Northern Command.

Here is what we know so far-

While initial reports suggested that a lightning strike may caused the truck to catch fire, it was later found that the blaze was likely due to terrorists using grenades. The incident happened at Bhata Dhurian falls in the Mendhar sub division while the vehicle was moving from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot.

The army said that the vehicle was fired upon by terrorists after which it erupted in flames, possibly due to the lobbing of grenades by the terrorists.

The deceased soldiers have been identified as Havildar Mandeep Singh, Lance Naik Debashish Baswal, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh and Sepoy Sewak Singh. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande paid his tributes to the soldiers on Friday.

General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of 05 #IndianArmy Bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh & Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at #Poonch Sector. https://t.co/7YSI1sEiEb
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 21, 2023

"An Army vehicle moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajouri sector in J-K was fired upon by unidentified terrorists today. The vehicle caught fire, due to the likely use of grenades by terrorists," the army said in its statement.

"Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations, in this area, have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident," it added.

Another soldier, who sustained serious injuries, was evacuated immediately and rushed to the Army Hospital at Rajouri. He is currently under treatment. A search operation has been launched to nab the attackers, the army informed further.

🚨 #Poonch attack on Indian Army jawans claimed by PAFF

🔸PAFF was declared a terrorist organization in January 2023

🔸It is known to be an offshoot of JeM

🔸5 Indian Army Jawans attained सद्गति today after their vehicle was attacked#Poonch #JammuKashmir
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) April 20, 2023

Earlier this day, Defence PRO said, "Today, at about 1500 hours, one vehicle of Indian Army, while moving from Bhimber Gali to Sangiot in District Poonch (J-K), caught fire. In this tragic incident, Five Soldiers of the Indian Army have lost their life."

Officials said that operations are in progress to locate the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the Jaish-backed terror group People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Apart from this, the NIA team will reach the site at around 12:30 pm today along with eight forensic experts from Delhi.