An Indian Army soldier near the line of control (LAC) with Pakistan in Poonch, J&K. (File photo for representation.)
Jammu/New Delhi: The death toll in the militant ambush on an Indian Army convoy in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch-Rajouri sector, as reported by India Sentinels on Thursday, has reached five, according to media reports. Two soldiers injured in the attack are undergoing treatment.
However, the Army is yet to officially release details of those killed in action during the ambush and subsequent encounter that took place at Dhatyar Morh, which falls between Dera Ki Gali and Bufliaz, under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station. The ambush took place when Army troops were moving to the area with reinforcements for an ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the sector.
An Army truck and a Gypsy carrying Rashtriya Rifles soldiers were hit during the ambush, causing the casualties.
Locals found ‘mysteriously’ dead
According to a PTI report, three civilian men were found dead under mysterious circumstances near Thursday’s ambush site, on Friday. They have been identified as Mohammad Showket (27), Safeer Hussain (43), and Shabir Ahmad (32) and belonged to Topa Peer village of Bufliaz, which comes under Surankote police station’s jurisdiction.
The road where the ambush took place. (Google Maps)
The report, citing officials, said the three were among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning in connection with Thursday’s deadly ambush in the area.
According to a Hindu report, the three bodies were found to have multiple injury marks. The other five picked up by the Army for questioning have been admitted to a hospital with serious injuries.
The report said a relative of one of the deceased told the Hindu that the Army tortured the three to death, and the kin of the dead were asked to collect the bodies from the Army camp on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, a short video has gone viral on social media that purportedly shows Army men stripping and severely thrashing the three men, apparently immobile/unconscious, and putting chilli powder on their wounds.
This created an outrage with many rights activists and political parties calling it a serious “human rights violation” and demanded an probe into the matter. They also called for the perpetrators of crime must be brought to justice. Dr Farooq Abdullah, former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and leader of the National Conference, were among those voices.
JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah speaks on the civilian killings in Poonch. Says that it is severe violation of their human rights. A must watch! pic.twitter.com/WdfpwvONGb
— JKNC (@JKNC_) December 23, 2023
Following the shocking video and outrage triggered by the incident, the Army released a statement saying that it would support and cooperate with a probe into the incident.
Terrorist Initiated Incident at Bafliaz in Poonch-Rajouri Sector (21/ 22 Dec 23).
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 23, 2023
Search operations by the Security Forces are continuing in the area of operations after the incident of 21 Dec 23. Reports have been received regarding three civilian deaths in the area. The matter… pic.twitter.com/KLwtC2C2nm
The Jammu & Kashmir administration too said “legal action” has been initiated by “appropriate authority” without giving any further details. It also said the government has announced compensation for next of kin of each of the deceased along with a job.
The death of three civilians was reported yesterday in Baffliaz of Poonch District. The medico legal formalities were conducted and legal action in this matter has been initiated by the appropriate authority. Government has announced compensation for each of the deceased.…
— Information & PR, J&K (@diprjk) December 23, 2023
Experts say that the security forces engaged in the counterinsurgency operations in the militancy-hit state often found their success owing to help from the local population. However, they also say that the spike in militant engagements in the area in the last couple of years, which saw the security forces take a high number of casualties, could not happen without local support to the Pakistan-trained and armed militants.
It may be noted that Thursday’s ambush was the eighth such incident in the area since 2021. Interestingly, the sector, which is outside the Kashmir valley, saw a decadelong lull in militant activity until 2021.
