JAMMU AND KASHMIR: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced that the state government will provide ex-gratia of one crore to the families of four Army personnel who were killed in the recent Poonch terror attack. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, targeted an army truck and resulted in the death of five soldiers while another was seriously injured. The victims were all from the Rashtriya Rifles unit, which is deployed for counter-terrorism operations.
According to media reports citing official sources, the truck was hit by over two dozen bullets from all sides, indicating that several terrorists were involved in the attack. The vehicle carrying the soldiers was fired upon by terrorists around 3 pm and later caught fire due to a possible grenade attack, according to the Army.
Honouring the Martyrs of #Poonch 🪖🇮🇳
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) April 21, 2023
CM @BhagwantMann announces ₹ 1 CRORE ex-gratia to the families of 4 soldiers who were from Punjab.
AAP Govt stands with our bravehearts 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/JE2tEHuVTs
The attack in Poonch comes just three months after a targeted attack on Hindu families in Rajouri, which claimed the lives of seven people and injured more than a dozen others. Despite a massive security operation in the area, the perpetrators of the Rajouri attack are still at large. According to police, the terrorists responsible for the attack were Pakistani nationals.
According to the report, Four among the five jawans killed in Jammu and Kashmir ’s Poonch terror attack on Thursday were from Punjab.
Defence sources said that a large area around and outside the spot, where terrorists attacked an Army vehicle, is being combed to hunt down the terrorists.
Terrorists attacked an Army vehicle between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in Rajouri district around 3 p.m. on Thursday.
They fired at the vehicle followed by grenade attack which resulted in the vehicle catching fire.
Five soldiers of counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles identified as Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Sewak Singh, all four belonged to Punjab and Lance Naik Debashish of Orissa were martyred in this attack while another soldier was critically injured.
The recent attacks highlight the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region and the need for continued vigilance by security forces. The announcement of ex-gratia by the Punjab government provides some solace to the families of the deceased soldiers and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the armed forces in ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
A massive cordon and search operation has been launched in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir following the attack, and efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators. The incident has been widely condemned by political leaders across the country, who have called for a strong response to such acts of terrorism.