In a recent incident on Thursday evening, militants ambushed an Army convoy near Dehra Ki Gali in Poonch district’s Surankote subdivision, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack occurred as two vehicles, a Gypsy and a mini truck, were in route from Bufliaz to Thanamandi. The militants, seemingly having premeditated the ambush, targeted the vehicles below Topa Pir.
The Army promptly cordoned off the area, launching a joint operation based on hard intelligence. A statement from the Army indicated that contact had been established during the operation, and the encounter was still in progress. Further details are currently being ascertained.
This incident near Topa Pir echoes a tragic event from over two decades ago when militants killed Rajouri District and Sessions judge V K Phool, along with his friend and two police personnel at the same location on December 1, 2001. The stretch between Dehra Ki Gali and Bufliaz is densely forested, situated on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch districts, leading to Chamrer forests and Bhata Dhurian forests.
Despite being declared “militancy-free” in 2011 by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed a recent surge in militant activity. Pakistan-based militant groups are making attempts to revive the terror network in these areas, leading to increased encounters between security forces and militants.
This month alone, security forces and police have successfully neutralized 27 militants along the Line of Control and in the hinterland. Tragically, 14 Army soldiers have lost their lives in these encounters. Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, the Northern Army Commander, recently stated that there are at least 20-25 active terrorists in both Rajouri and Poonch, emphasizing the challenges faced by security forces in the region.
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