One member of the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost his life and four others sustained injuries when their convoy came under attack by terrorists in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir’s Surankote area. The incident, which took place at Sanai village, resulted in the injured personnel being promptly transported to the Command Hospital in Udhampur, where unfortunately, one of them passed away due to his injuries.
Following the attack, the local Rashtriya Rifles unit initiated cordon and search operations in the vicinity, with support from the Army and police, to track down the perpetrators. The IAF confirmed the incident through a tweet, stating that the targeted convoy had been secured, and emphasising the ongoing investigation.
An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 4, 2024
The Indian Air Force Garud Special Forces were deployed to the area for reinforcement. Amidst a confrontation with the terrorists, the IAF personnel engaged in a firefight, during which five of them sustained gunshot wounds. They were swiftly evacuated to the nearest military hospital for urgent medical care, but unfortunately, one of them succumbed to his injuries later.
Update
In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 4, 2024
The IAF further stated that the affected vehicles were safely contained within the airbase premises near Shahsitar.
#WATCH | J&K: Visuals of tight security checking by Indian Army personnel at Jammu-Poonch highway.
An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district.
One of the five Indian Air Force soldiers injured in the terrorist attack has passed away in… pic.twitter.com/a5QQ7xvU1y
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2024
One of the five Indian Air Force soldiers injured in the terrorist attack has passed away in hospital during treatment. One more soldier is critical and undergoing treatment while the remaining three are stable: Security Force officials
Congress Leaders Condemn Attack
जम्मू कश्मीर के पुंछ में हमारी सेना के काफिले पर कायराना और दुस्साहसी आतंकी हमला बहुत ही शर्मनाक है, दुखद है।
शहीद जवान को मैं अपनी विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूं और उनके शोकसंतप्त परिजनों को संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं। हमले में घायल जवानों के जल्द से जल्द स्वस्थ होने की आशा…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 4, 2024
“In Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, the cowardly and audacious terrorist attack on our army convoy is very shameful and tragic,” said Rahul Gandhi.
“I offer my humble tribute to the martyred soldier and express condolences to their grieving families. I hope for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers from the attack,” Rahul Gandhi said this in a tweet in Hindi.
Deeply pained by the cowardly terror attack on the IAF vehicle in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir.
We strongly and unequivocally condemn this dastardly terror attack and join the nation in standing together against terrorism.
Our deepest condolences to the family of the brave air…
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 4, 2024
“Deeply pained by the cowardly terror attack on the IAF vehicle in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. We strongly and unequivocally condemn this dastardly terror attack and join the nation in standing together against terrorism. Our deepest condolences to the family of the brave air warrior who made the supreme sacrifice. We hope that the injured air warriors recover at the earliest and earnestly pray for their well-being. India is united for our soldiers,” wrote Kharge.