Troops, terrorists exchange gunfi re in Poonch

Jammu, May 10: As the search operation launched by security forces in the forest areas of Poonch following last week’s ambush on IAF convoy, the troops and terrorists exchanged a brief gunfi re in the Sinai Top area of border district of Poonch on Friday.

Sources said security forces and terrorists exchanged the brief gunfi re in the Sinai Top area of Poonch during the search operation today.

“It is believed to be the same group of terrorists that attacked a vehicle of the IAF on May 5 near Shahsitar between Surankote and Mendhar in Poonch district in which one solider Vikky Pahade was killed and four IAF personnel injured,” they said.

Since May 5, a joint contingent of army, police and CPF have launched a massive search operation in forest areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts to track down the terrorists involved in the attack.

“This group of terrorists is operating in a heavily forested area,” the sources said.

Police has released sketches of two terrorists who are believed to have carried out the attack on the Air Force vehicles.

Security forces also released pictures of 3 terrorists taken out of a video clip captured by a CCTV camera.

According to sources, the three terrorists reportedly used high- powered assault rifl es, United States- made M4s and Russian- made AK- 47s, in

the attack, which was the first major strike of the year in an area that witnessed several terror- related strikes on military targets and soldiers last year.

Police sources identified the three attackers as Illiyas, a former Pakistan Army commando, Hadoon ( or Hadun), and Abu Hamza of Lashkar- e- Taiba.

“Army is using surveillance equipment including drones and helicopters to track down the terrorists in the dense forest area. The security forces are trying to identify the attackers through four pictures of terrorists released by them,” a security official said.

Earlier, posters offering a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of two individuals, believed to be the prime suspects, were put up in Surankote.

About 30 persons have been picked up for questioning by the security agencies during the ongoing search operation.