JeM suspected behind attack
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 3: Five Pakistan army personnel were killed and another seriously injured in a mysterious blast on the Line of Control (LoC) at forward village of Barnala in PoK opposite Pallanwalla area of Akhnoor tehsil today amid reports that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants could be behind the act.
Pakistan army has confirmed the killing of its five jawans and injuries to another.
An Inter-State Public Relations (ISPR) handout said the nature of the blast is being ascertained. It, however, said five Pakistan army personnel were killed and another injured.
The Pakistani troops were patrolling in the forward area of Barnala in PoK when the blast occurred.
There were inputs that Jaish-e-Mohammed militants could be behind the blast as they were not happy with the Pakistani army’s decision to shut their training camps and launching pads on the LoC under mounting Indian as well as international pressure.
Pakistan was also at the verge of facing sanctions from Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for sheltering militants and it was in this connection also that Pakistan army had started closing down some of the terror camps and launching pads in the forward areas, which was not being liked by the militants.
“Possibility of Jaish-e-Mohammed militants targeting Pakistan army for closing their camps and launch pads hasn’t been ruled out,’’ sources said.
The Pakistan army personnel killed in the blast have been identified as Subedar Muhammad Sadiq, Naik Sher Zaman, Sepoy Ghulam Qasim, Sepoy Zohaib and Sepoy Muhammad Tayyab.
The injured Pakistan army jawan has been hospitalized and his condition is also stated to be critical.
Sources said the blast took place only few meters away from the LoC and going by intensity of the explosion, it seems to have been triggered by a very powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
It may be mentioned here that Jaish-e-Mohammed is known for triggering powerful IED blasts.
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