Martyr attended sister’s marriage only 15 days ago
*M4 Carbine, steel bullets used in terror strike
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Security forces continued massive search operations in Surankote and Mendhar besides some parts of Rajouri district including forests to track down the terrorists involved in yesterday’s ambush of IAF convoy at Surankote in Poonch district in which an IAF Warrior was martyred and five other soldiers were injured.
Several people have been detained for questioning including those previously affiliated with various terror outfits, officials said.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain and senior officers of the Army and intelligence agencies visited the ambush spot in the Surankote area. The Army also conducted aerial surveillance using a helicopter.
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Jain reviewed situation in the area along with senior officers of police and security agencies.
Despite massive search operations, the officials said, a contact with the terrorists hasn’t been established and it is suspected that they have escaped deep inside the forests.
As per the officials, Sajjid Jutt, a dreaded terrorist operation from Pakistan and PoJK seemed to have masterminded the terror attack ahead of voting for Parliamentary elections in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.
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Five IAF personnel were injured in the attack last evening near Shahsitar, Snehi in Surankote and one of them later attained martyrdom at a military hospital.
The officials said a well-coordinated joint operation by the Army and the police was underway in many areas, including Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai and Sheendara Top, to neutralise the terrorists.
Besides AK assault rifles, the terrorists also used a US-made M4 carbine and steel bullets to cause maximum casualties, the officials added.
The IAF yesterday identified the fallen hero as Corporal Vikky Pahade and expressed condolences to his family.
“The CAS (Chief of Air Staff) Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari & all personnel of Indian Air Force salute the braveheart Corporal Vikky Pahade, who made the supreme sacrifice in Poonch sector, in the service of the nation. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We stand firmly by your side in this hour of grief,” it posted on ‘X’.
The officials said teams of the Army’s Para Commandos were also pressed into service in the search operation.
There has been no “contact” with the terrorists yet, they said, adding that several people were detained for questioning in connection with the attack, the first major incident in Jammu region this year.
The officials said checking of vehicles has been intensified across the district which is going to polls in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election on May 25. Poonch is part of the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency.
The border district of Poonch, along with adjoining Rajouri, has witnessed major terrorist attacks over the past two years. The region was peaceful between 2003 and 2021.
Meanwhile, martyr Corporal Vikky Pahade had visited his house at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh 15 days back to attend his sister’s wedding
The mortal remains of Pahade, a resident of the Nonia Karbal area of Chhindwara, will be taken to Nagpur in neighbouring Maharashtra by special plane of the Air Force on Monday.
The remains will reach Chhindwara in a special vehicle, and the last rites will be performed with a guard of honour.
According to family members, Pahade joined the IAF in 2011. He is survived by his wife, Rina and son, Hardik, who has his birthday next month.
Pahade had rejoined his unit on April 18 after attending his younger sister’s wedding, they said.
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