The Indian Army has launched a significant search operation following a terrorist attack on an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in the Shahsitar area of Surankote, Poonch district. The attack resulted in the tragic death of one soldier and injuries to four others, prompting heightened security measures in the region.
Terrorists struck the IAF convoy on Saturday, leading to the ongoing search operation. Armed bulletproof vehicles are patrolling the area, and a dog squad is deployed for vehicle checks. The main goal is to locate the terrorists responsible for the attack and ensure civilian safety.
IAF Corporal Pahade, a 33-year-old from Nonia-Karbal village in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara, was killed in the attack. He was scheduled to return home for his son's birthday on May 7 but had rejoined his unit on April 18 after attending his sister's wedding.
Abu Hamza, a foreigner affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), is suspected to lead the group behind the attack. Hamza is also accused of orchestrating the killing of government employee Mohammad Razaq on April 22 in Rajouri.
Senior officials from the Army, police, and paramilitary visited Poonch on May 5 to oversee the operation. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu stated, "Corps Commander of 16 Corps & ADG Jammu Zone Anand Jain accompanied by GOC Romeo Force, IGP CRPF & DIG RP Range today visited the area & monitored the ongoing massive search operation. Many suspects have been picked up for questioning."
Police have announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to Hamza's capture. He is suspected to be hiding in the jungles of Poonch and Rajouri. Senior Army and police officers visited the attack site to monitor the search. "Reinforcements were dispatched to Jarra Wali Gali area," an official said.
Para Commandos have been deployed, barricades set up, and aerial surveillance, including helicopter patrols, to prevent terrorists from escaping. Corporal Pahade succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after the ambush on the trucks en route to Sanai Top in the Surankote area, where they were returning from technical work on radars deployed in the Poonch sector.
"The four wounded Air Warriors were airlifted to the Northern Command Hospital in Udhampur, with one reported to be critical and the other three in stable condition, according to doctors," an official stated. The terrorists reportedly used AK-series rifles, US-made M4 carbines, and steel bullets during the attack to inflict maximum damage.
Security forces have established checkpoints in the area, with additional forces reaching Jarra Wali Gali (JWG) in Poonch on Saturday night. Following the ambush, injured personnel were swiftly taken to the Command Hospital in Udhampur, where unfortunately, one of the injured airmen succumbed to his injuries.
After the attack, the local Rashtriya Rifles unit, with support from the Army and police, initiated cordon and search operations to locate the attackers. The IAF confirmed the incident through a tweet, ensuring that the targeted convoy was secured, and an investigation into the attack is ongoing.
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