In a major breakthrough in the recent terrorist attack in J&K’s Poonch in which five soldiers were killed, security forces have detained a man (a local), who confessed providing shelter to terrorists responsible for the 20 April attack for two months.

 

A massive search operation was launched after the attack to hunt down the terrorists and it has now spread to 12 areas across the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Special Forces are also engaged in the search operation and agencies are backed by drones sniffer dogs and metal detectors.

 

A total of 60 people have been detained in the case and after cross checking the statements a local, Nasir confessed his involvement and told investigators that he sheltered the terrorists at his house for more than two months and “provided them logistic and material support”.

 

Terrorists had ambushed an army vehicle using armour piercing bullets, grenades and some incendiary material in Bhatta Durian area of Poonch district. Five Army soldiers were killed in this attack and one was critically injured. Terrorists had decamped with the weapons of the slain soldiers.

 

An offshoot of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terror outfit calling itself People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) had owned responsibility for the attack.

 

Pertinently, the terror outfit had released some photos on social media, claiming them to be from the site of ambush and also stated that some videos of the operation will also be released soon.