Suicide attack in Kashmir's Rajouri; three army soldiers killed

Three Indian Army soldiers were killedand three others injured during a suicide attack by terrorists in the Pargal area of Rajouri.

Both the suicide attackers were gunned down by the forces. The Indian Army said the terrorists were Fidayeen(suicide attackers) and tried to sneak into an army post which was foiled by the soldiers. The security across the Union Territory has been put on high alert, especially along the International border and Line of Control.

The soldiers who were killed during the gunfight were identified as Sub Rajendra Prasad, resident of villageMaligoven, PO- Kashim Pura, District- Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan), rifleman Lakshmanan D, resident of villageT Pudupatti, PO- Thummakundu, District- Madurai (Tamil Nadu) and rifleman Manoj Kumar, resident of villageShahjahanpur, PO- Chandpur, District - Faridabad (Haryana).

''Subedar Rajendra Prasad, rifleman Manoj Kumar andrifleman Lakshmanan D succumbed to their injuries making the supreme sacrifice while neutralising twoterrorists on a suicide attack. We condole their loss and pray for strength for their family members,'' said PRO Defence, Indian Army.

The Indian army said that in the early hoursof Thursday, alert sentries of the Indian Army post at Parghal district in Rajouridetected suspicious persons approaching their post taking advantage of the inclement weather and dense foliage. The sentries challenged the two terrorists who threw grenades while attempting to gain entry inside the post. However alert troops cordoned the area and engaged them in a gunfight.

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The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha condemned the attack on the Indian army in the Rajouri district.

“Strongly condemn despicable terrorists attack in Rajouri; tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the Bravehearts martyred in the attack, we shall deal with evil designs of terrorists and their backers in a befitting manner,” said the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha.

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack and said: “Very sorry to hear about the death in the line of duty of three soldiers following a militant attack in Rajouri. I send my condolences to the families & my prayers for the swift recovery of those officers andjawans injured in the attack on Rajouri.”

The terrorists have not been identified as yet but sources in the forces say that they were carrying a huge cache of arms and ammunition to carry out the suicide attack. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had said that the "terrorists tried to cross the fence of the Army camp at Pargal in Darhal area of Rajouri. Exchange of fire took place. Additional parties despatched for the location, 6 km from Darhal PS,"said Mukesh Singh, ADGP, Jammu Zone.

Three terrorists were killed in an encounter yesterday in central Kashmir's Budgam area. Top TRF terrorist commander Lateef Rather was killed along with two other terrorists.

With today's attack, 139 terrorists have been killed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 2022. Security has already been put on high alert across the Union Territory ahead of Independence Day.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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