Several people detained for questioning, search on for terrorists in J-K’s Poonch

JAMMU, May 5: Several people were detained for questioning on Sunday as a massive search operation for terrorists behind the Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district entered the second day, officials said.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Anand Jain and senior officers of the Army and intelligence agencies visited the ambush spot in the Surankote area.
The Army also conducted aerial surveillance using a helicopter, they said.
Five IAF personnel were injured in the attack on Saturday evening near Shahsitar and one of them later succumbed to injuries at a military hospital.
The officials said a well-coordinated joint operation by the Army and the police was underway in many areas, including Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai and Sheendara Top, to neutralise the terrorists.
The attackers are believed to have fled to a forest after the attack, they said.
Besides AK assault rifles, the terrorists also used a US-made M4 carbine and steel bullets to cause maximum casualties, the officials added.
The IAF has identified the fallen hero as Corporal Vikky Pahade and expressed condolences to his family.
“The CAS (Chief of Air Staff) Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari & all personnel of Indian Air Force salute the braveheart Corporal Vikky Pahade, who made the supreme sacrifice in Poonch sector, in the service of the nation. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family. We stand firmly by your side in this hour of grief,” it posted on ‘X’.
Omar Abdullah reacts
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said he does not see the terrorist attack in Poonch as a security failure as militancy was still alive in that region of Jammu and Kashmir. “I will not call it a security failure. It is the reality of this place. The BJP made claims of breaking the back of militancy but we have said time and again that they are not ready to accept the truth. And the truth is that unfortunately, the areas which were liberated from militancy we are seeing militancy again in those areas,” Abdullah told reporters here.
Abdullah cited the example of Srinagar city and Poonch-Rajouri region, which, he claimed, had been cleared of militancy during his tenure as chief minister.
IAF corporal killed attended
sister’s wedding 15 days ago
When Indian Air Force (IAF) Corporal Vikky Pahade left home to rejoin his unit in Jammu and Kashmir after attending his sister’s wedding 15 days ago, little did his family know that it would be last time they see him alive.
Pahade (33) was among five personnel who were injured when terrorists attacked an IAF convoy near Shahsitar in Pooch district on Saturday evening. He later succumbed to his injuries at a military hospital.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Manish Khatri said the mortal remains of Pahade, a resident of the Nonia Karbal area of Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara, will be brought to Nagpur in neighbouring Maharashtra by special plane of the Air Force on Monday.
The remains will reach Chhindwara in a special vehicle, and the last rites will be performed with a guard of honour, he said.
According to family members, Pahade joined the IAF in 2011.
He is survived by his wife, Rina and son, Hardik, who has his birthday next month.
Pahade had rejoined his unit on April 18 after attending his younger sister’s wedding, they said. (PTI)