manhunt-to-track-terrorists-linked-to-iaf-convoy-attack-extends-across-districts

The manhunt for the terrorists responsible for the IAF convoy attack in which a corporal rank officer lost his life, continues, as forces have launched multiple fresh search operations in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch to trace out the terrorists, the officials said. 

 

Security personnel, comprising the Army, Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have boosted cordon and search operations in a nearly 20-square-kilometre region of the Surankote belt, with over five kilometres already searched, an official said. 

 

Meanwhile, three Pakistani terrorists, including Illiyas Fauji, an ex-Pakistan army officer, Abu Hamza, and Handoon, have been identified as the masterminds of the Surankote attack. All three operate from Pakistan.

 

Terrorists targeted an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy in the Shaistar region of Poonch district on Saturday, killing one IAF corporal and injuring five others. 

 

One eyewitness to the incident gave horrifying details about how the terrorists targeted the security convoy and then fled the scene before reinforcements arrived. 

 

He said, "Me and my family were terrified by the viciousness of the assault, adding that my children cried and screamed in fear."

 

At the same time, the search operation is ongoing in Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai, Lasana, and Sheendara tops in the Surankote belt and surrounding regions in the Poonch district, using surveillance technology like drones and sniffer dogs. 

 

The security services are attempting to identify the terrorists, whose three to four photographs, which were most likely obtained from CCTV video in the neighbourhood, are now public, sources added. 

 

About 26 people have been held for interrogation, and the investigators are looking into some CCTV video for clues, said the police.

 

The security forces' search operation, which began on Tuesday, is also ongoing in the Sada and Kandi parts of Rajouri district, they claimed.

 

Meanwhile, the Army conducted yet another Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in response to reports of suspected terrorist activities in Jammu's Akhnoor area.

 

An official said, "A search operation has been launched in Khour and surrounding areas of the Akhnoor sector along the Line of Control, but nothing has been found so far."

 

He added that suspected movement was noticed in the area and that the search operation was initiated based on information.