5 Army soldiers martyred in J&K, ambushed by terrorists at 'blind curve'

In yet another major loss for the Army, fourth this year in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, five Army soldiers were martyred and two others were injured in an encounter with the terrorists at Dhatyar Morh between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz falling under the jurisdiction of Surankote police station in Poonch district this afternoon.

The terrorists, whose number is believed to be between three to four, had taken positions atop the hill from where they targeted the Army vehicles which had to slow down their speed at the blind curve and bumpy road. The terrorists seemed to have carried out recce of the area and chose the spot where there were pits and the spot was surrounded by mountains.

A civilian dumper was also caught in the firing.

Also, there was virtually less or no civilian population in the area and it would have taken some time for additional help of security forces to reach the site of encounter. Pictures of the spot showed a couple of bodies of soldiers in mutilated condition. Disturbing images and videos also showed blood on the street, broken helmets of soldiers and shattered windscreens of the two Army vehicles including a Gypsy and a truck.

The officials have not ruled out the possibility of the soldiers engaging in hand-to-hand combat with terrorists during the intense confrontation.

Modus operandi of the attack was almost similar to Bhatta Durrian attack at Mendhar in the same district on April 20 this year in which five bravehearts lost their lives while the terrorists escaped.

Army, paramilitary forces and police have launched massive crackdown in the area to hunt down the terrorists involved in the gun battle, whose number was believed to be between three and four. Some of the weapons of the fallen soldiers were reportedly missing and they might have been taken with them by the fleeing terrorists though there was no official confirmation to this effect.

This was fourth major encounter/ambush in Rajouri and Poonch districts this year in which 20 soldiers have sacrificed their lives. They included two Captains.

In all four attacks, five soldiers each have been martyred.