New Delhi: A massive search and cordon operation is underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch region to track down and neutralise the terrorists involved in the attack on an Air Force convoy yesterday. An Air Force personnel was killed and four were injured as the terrorists ambushed their convoy while it was returning to the air force station.
Of the five injured, one airman is reportedly critical, according to reports. The injured soldiers are being treated at the Command Hospital in Udhampur.
The tragic incident took place three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. Poonch is part of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency which goes to polls in the sixth phase on May 25.
Here are the big updates on the story: The Air Force convoy was attacked by three terrorists in Sanai Top in Poonch's Surankot area around 6 PM. The terror attack took place when the troops were returning to the air force station from Jaranwali. After carrying out the attack, the terrorists fled to nearby forest belt. "An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J-K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress," the IAF said in a post on X. This resulted in a gunfight between the terrorists and joint team of army and police in woods of Gursai Mendhar area of the Poonch district. Two to three terrorists are trapped. "In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later. Further operations are on by the local security forces," it said in another post. The officials suspect the involvement of the same group of terrorists who ambushed troops in adjoining Bufliaz on December 21 last year, leaving four soldiers dead and three injured. Police and the paramilitary forces are carrying out searches in Poonch town since Friday following inputs about the movement of suspected persons. However, no one was arrested during the operation, news agency PTI reported quoting officials. A border district, Poonch along with adjoining Rajouri has witnessed some major terrorist attacks over the past two years. The latest incident signals the return of terror activities to the region, which was once cleared of terrorism and remained peaceful between 2003 and 2021. Last month, terrorists suspected to be members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) killed two people - a government employee and a village defence guard - in the union territory. Police have released pictures of the two terrorists, including suspected Pakistani national, and announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to his arrest. 
