Poonch Attack: Search for terrorists continues, internet service suspended in Poonch and Rajouri

A large-scale search operation is being conducted to nab the terrorists who attacked two army vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir killing five soldiers.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday announced compensation and jobs for the families of three people who were found dead in Poonch district. Three people aged between 27 and 42 were found dead under 'mysterious circumstances' in Poonch district on Friday.

The relatives of those killed and political leaders alleged that the three were among the eight people arrested by the army in connection with Thursday's ambush. They also allege that four people were admitted to a government hospital after being tortured. Officials said the bodies of the civilians were buried in the cemetery of Bafliaz on Saturday afternoon.

Since the search operation is ongoing and the situation remains tense, officials have suspended mobile internet in Poonch and neighboring Rajouri district as a precautionary measure to prevent rumor mongering and any law and order problem, officials said. Services have been suspended.

In a post on 'X', the Union Territory's Public Relations Department said, "Three persons have been reported dead in Bafliaz of Poonch district yesterday. Medical and legal formalities have been completed, and legal proceedings have been initiated in the matter by the appropriate authority." "Action has been initiated."

Officials said that immediately after the attack, security forces launched a massive search operation in densely forest areas, including in nearby Thanamandi of Rajouri. However, the absconding terrorists have not been found yet. On Saturday afternoon, the sound of firing was heard inside a forest in Dhera Ki Gali area. Security agencies later clarified that the security forces had opened fire while investigating a natural cave.

Sources said that the bodies of the three people who died were handed over to their families on Saturday morning after post-mortem. These include Safir Hussain (43), Mohammad Shaikat (27) and Shabir Ahmed (32). Mohammad Sadiq, a relative of one of the dead, said "All three were innocent and died due to torture in army custody."