Poonch attack: People's Anti-Fascist Front claims responsibility

New Delhi: People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) supported by Jaish-e-Mohammaed (JeM) has claimed responsibility for Thursday's terrorist attack on Army vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch.

Five Army personnel were killed and another was seriously injured in the deadly attack.

The deceased Army soldiers were from a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed for counterterror operations, the Army said in a statement.

The soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty are: Havaldar Mandeep Singh, Lance Nayak Debashish Baswal, Lance Nayak Kulwant Singh, Sepoy Harkrishan Singh, Sepoy Sewak Singh.

Army Chief General Manoj Pande saluted the supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts.

General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of 05 #IndianArmy Bravehearts, Hav Mandeep Singh, L/Nk Debashish Baswal, L/Nk Kulwant Singh, Sep Harkrishan Singh & Sep Sewak Singh who laid down their lives in the line of duty at #Poonch Sector. https://t.co/7YSI1sEiEb

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 21, 2023

The Army said the vehicle the soldiers were travelling in came under fire from unidentified terrorists and it caught fire because of likely use of grenades.

"One Army vehicle, moving between Bhimber Gali and Poonch in the Rajauri sector was fired on by unidentified terrorists on Thursday at 3 pm, taking advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area," the Army said.

"The vehicle caught fire, due to likely use of grenades by terrorists," it said.

Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for counterterrorist operations, in this area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident, it said.

The Army said another soldier was seriously injured and he was evacuated immediately to the Army hospital at Rajauri.

The Army said operations are underway to catch the perpetrators.