JAMMU, Apr 21: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation in the Poonch terrorist attack and a massive joint search operation has been launched by the Army, Police and the Intelligence agencies in Poonch, Lt Col Devender Anand, PRO Defence informed Rising Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Army informed that three to four terrorists were involved in the terror attack on Thursday at Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar area of border district Poonch in which 5 Army Jawans were martyred, while one Army jawan was critically injured.
Meanwhile, the Army today paid rich tributes to the martyred jawans who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Poonch on Friday.
A wreath laying ceremony was organised at Rajouri with full military traditions, the Army spokesman said, while adding, senior officers from Army and civil administration were present on the occasion and paid rich tributes to the martyrs.
“The Indian Army and our proud nation expresses their solidarity with the bereaved families,” the Army spokesman said.
The Army spokesman said that the mortal remains of the martyred jawans from Punjab were today moved by road from Rajouri at around 14:30 hours and are likely to reach their respective hometowns tonight.
“The mortal remains of jawan from Odisha have been moved by air to his home town,” the spokesman further said.
The fallen bravehearts were identified as Hav Mandeep Singh, L/NK Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh and Sep Sewak Singh, all natives of Punjab and L/NK Debashish Biswal, a native of Odisha.
In a statement on Friday, the army said the fallen braves were attached to the Rashtriya Rifles and were deployed for counterterrorist operations in the area.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each for the next of kin of four deceased soldiers from the state.
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, too, released a statement extending his condolences to the fallen bravehearts.
A statement from the governor’s office stated that he was “deeply saddened to hear the news of the martyrdom of five of our soldiers, including four from Punjab and one from Odisha”, adding that “their sacrifice for the security of the country will not go in vain”.
“The whole country will always remember and respect him,” the release quoted the Punjab Governor as saying.
Earlier in the day, a Bomb Disposal Squad and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police reached the spot at Bhimber Gali in Poonch, where the ambush attack took place. (With inputs from ANI)
