Photographs captured from the CCTV footage have been released depicting three terrorists believed to have attacked an Indian Air Force convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district last week The assault resulted in the death of Corporal Vikky Pahade and injuries to four of his colleagues as per a report from Indian new agencies.
All three assailants were reportedly using high powered assault rifles including US built M-4 and Russia’s standard weapon, the AK-47. This attack marked the first major strike of the year in an area that witnessed several terror related incidents targeting military installations and personnel last year.
The three terrorists identified as Illiyas, a former Pakistani Army commando, Pakistani militant known as Hadoon and Abu Hamza, the alias of LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) commander.
According to a sketch released by the J&K Police, Abu Hamza is described as a man aged 30-32 of medium build and fair complexion with a trimmed haircut. He was last seen wearing a Pathani suit with orange bag and brown shawl. A reward for Rs 10 lakhs has been announced for information leading to his arrest.
The attack on the IAF Convoy on May 4, 2024, occurred amidst a series of terrorist strikes in Poonch and Rajouri areas in recent weeks. One such attack in the Shadra Sharif area of Rajouri resulted in the death of a 40-year-old government employee Mohammed Razak who was shot outside the mosque. The attackers utilised a United States made M-4 Assault Rifles and pistol.
Razak’s brother, a soldier in the Territorial Army was present during the attack, but managed to escape unhurt despite attempted abduction by terrorists. Security officials have suspect that that Abu Hamza was involved in this attack as well.
Poonch falls within the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency slated to vote in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on May 25, 2024. These incidents followed targeted attacks on two non-locals, a migrant worker from Bihar and an individual from Dehradun in the Anantnag and Herpora areas of Shopian district
Security forces, including the Army, police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have further intensified combing and search operations in nearly 20 square kilometres area in Surankote belt and over five kilometres of the area has been searched, the officials said.
Armed with surveillance equipment, including drones and sniffer dogs, the search operation is underway in Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai, Lasana, and Sheendara top in the Surankote belt and adjoining areas in Poonch district, officials said. According to the officials, 26 persons have been detained for questioning and the authorities are reviewing some CCTV footage for leads.
