J&K: Army Officer, Soldier Killed in Action in Counter-Terror Ops in Poonch

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Image used for representational purpose.

(Photo Courtesy: Muneeb) 

One army officer and a soldier were killed in action during a counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday, 14 October, reported news agency ANI.

It comes four days after five army personnel were killed in action in Poonch district.

The incident reportedly took place late at night on Thursday in Poonch's Mendhar area. The fierce gunfight claimed the lives of one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and one jawan, as per a report by Indian Express. According to the publication, the militants involved in this encounter were suspected to be from the same group which killed five army personnel on Monday.

As per Indian Express, traffic movement along the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch national highway was suspended in light of the operations, with reinforcements being rushed to the area.

A Jammu-based army spokesperson told The Hindu that the martyred were identified as Riflemen Vikram Singh Negi and Yogambar Singh. They were initially critically injured, but later succumbed to their injuries.

“The counter-terrorism operation by the Army is still in progress in the area of Nar Khas Forest in Mendhar, Poonch district, since evening of October 14,” he added.

While the jawan's body had been retrieved, it was difficult to retrieve the JCO's body, Times of India reported. While efforts were underway, the dense forests and mountainous terrain of the region acted as hurdles to the operation.

As per Times of India, the Jammu and Kashmir police said that the militant group suspected to be behind these attacks had been in the region for two or three months.

(This is a developing story. The copy will be updated with further details.)

(With inputs from The Indian Express, The Hindu and The Times of India.)