The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken charge of the investigation into a recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, where four Bharatiye soldiers lost their lives and three others were injured. A specialized team from the Central agency, headed by a Deputy Inspector General and a Superintendent of Police, visited the encounter site to assess the situation.
The NIA, on its own initiative, dispatched the team to examine the scene of the crime and determine if there is any terror angle involved. The agency has been actively monitoring such incidents, deciding whether to take over the case based on their findings. In this instance, with four soldiers killed and three injured during a gunfight with terrorists, the NIA deemed it necessary to gather detailed information by visiting the spot.
The tragic incident unfolded on Thursday evening in the forest area of Dera ki Gali in the Rajouri district. Heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles carrying troops in Thanamandi, Rajouri, leading to the fatal encounter. The NIA team is now working alongside security personnel in conducting a thorough search operation in the forest area of Dera ki Gali.
This move by the NIA comes shortly after the agency took over the Kokernag encounter case in Anantnag district from September this year. In that incident, a Colonel, a Major, a soldier from the Indian Army, a DySP of J-K Police, and a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant were killed. The agency is actively investigating cases that involve a potential terror angle.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh, commenting on the Kokernag encounter, emphasized that the situation was blown out of proportion by vested interests. According to the DGP, the terrorists initiated the firing during the encounter, resulting in the unfortunate loss of three officers’ lives. The NIA’s involvement in such cases underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation into these incidents.
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