Several people were detained on Sunday as security forces launched a massive search operation in J&K's Poonch district in the aftermath of a terrorist attack on two IAF vehicles that left one personnel dead.
Corporal Vikky Pahade of the Air Force was killed and 4 other air warriors were injured in the terrorist attack in the Bakrabal (Sanai) area of Surankote tehsil of Poonch. Intelligence agencies believe the attack was carried out by a group of terrorists led by Abu Hamza, a foreign terrorist of LeT.
Officials said that in addition to AK assault rifles, the terrorists also used a US-made M4 carbine and steel bullets to cause maximum casualties.
The four injured air warriors were airlifted to the Northern Command Hospital in Udhampur. One was said to be in critical condition, while the other three were stable, according to doctors.
In the wake of the attack, security forces, including the local police, army and paramilitary forces, started a massive search operation Sunday morning in many areas of Poonch to trace the terrorists. The Army also conducted aerial surveillance using a helicopter, and Para Commandos were also pressed into service in the search operation.
ADGP, Jammu, Anand Jain, and senior officers of the army and intelligence agencies visited the ambush spot in the Surankote area.
Saturday's attack was the first in Poonch since December 21, 2023, when 4 army soldiers were killed in a terrorist ambush in the Dera Ki Gali area of Bafliaz in the district.
According to police, Abu Hamza is also responsible for the killing of government employee, Mohammad Razaq, 40, on April 22 in the Kunda Top village of the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district.
Razaq worked in the Social Welfare Department while his brother, Mohammad Tahir Choudhary is serving in the Territorial Army. The terrorists had come to kill the soldier, but when he slipped out of their clutches, they killed his brother instead, police said.
Police have announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh to anyone whose information leads to the tracing of this foreign terrorist believed to be operating in the densely forested area of Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Sachin Tendulkar honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at BCCI Naman Awards 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honoured exceptional achievements in Indian cricket at the prestigious Naman Awards here on Saturday. A historic moment of the evening was the presentation of the coveted Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award to Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar,
Budget 2025-26 to boost incomes of street vendors, spruce up cities
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the setting up of a Rs 1 lakh crore fund for the development of cities and a revamp of the Prime Minister Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) to enhance the earnings of street vendors as part of her Budget proposals.
Eight MLAs who quit AAP join BJP, a blow for Kejriwal’s party before Delhi polls
With just four days to go before the Delhi Assembly elections on February 5, eight legislators who resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.
80 patrols conducted along India-B'desh border, 40 village meetings held: BSF
Maintaining full cooperation with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), India's Border Security Force (BSF) has conducted nearly 80 simultaneous coordinated patrols along the India-Bangladesh frontiers in the recent past, officials said here on Saturday.
In true 'Vishwa Bandhu' spirit, India allocates Rs 5,483 crore for foreign aid in Union Budget 2025
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated Rs 5,483 crore for aid to foreign nations, slightly higher than last year's Rs 4,883 crore, it was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 on Saturday.
200 new Vande Bharat trains, 100 Amrit Bharat trains in next 2-3 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Calling the Union Budget 2025-26 "amazing", Union Railways and Electronics and IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that with the big allocation to it, Indian Railways is all set to expand faster, safer and comfortable rail travel across the country.
Union Budget 2025: 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to be set up in govt schools in 5 years
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced to set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools in the next five years.
Israel releases 183 Palestinian prisoners in latest swap with Hamas
Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday in the fourth prisoner-for-hostage swap under the ongoing truce deal with Hamas, according to Palestinian sources.