Poonch encounter: Missing JCO, soldier found dead
JAMMU: The JCO and a soldier, who went missing during an ongoing encounter in Poonch district, were found dead on Saturday, taking the toll to nine so far since Monday.
Defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said, “Subedar Ajay Singh and Naik Harendra Singh of Indian Army were killed in action during search operations being conducted by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police in densely forested area of Nar Khas forest in Mendhar, District Poonch(j&k).”
“The two soldiers, who were martyred on Thursday, and the JCO and third soldier, who were found martyred on Saturday, were part of the same team. While two were found martyred on Thursday, the JCO and the third soldier were found martyred on Saturday,” said Col Anand. Both hail from Uttarakhand.
A combing operation is on but there is no further headway.
Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and since then, the army is engaged in one of the longest counter-terrorist operations.
Earlier during the day, deputy inspector general Vivek Gupta said, “It takes time in such operations. For the past two-and-half months, we have been dealing with these different terror groups. The joint grid of the security forces is after them for the past two-and-a-half months.”
“It takes time in such operations because of the topography and terrain. Mainly thrice we established contact with them based on intelligence in the past few days. Their presence was observed two to three months ago. These jungles give a natural cover and advantage to these terrorists, but we are operating as per our SOPS,” he added.
Gupta said usually terrorists don’t get any support in these areas of Rajouri-poonch but the possibility of logistical support to them can’t be ruled out.
Two soldiers - rifleman Yogambar Singh and rifleman Vikram Singh Negi - were killed in the encounter that erupted in Nar Khas forest area on Thursday.