Updated – Terrorists attempted re-run of Pulwama terror attack but failed

This was the third major strike by terrorists using vehicle-mounted IED to target the security forces.

It was a close shave for a large number of soldiers of the Indian army, travelling in a mobile vehicle patrol party, as terrorists failed to inflict serious injuries after repeating a near re-run of the Pulwama terror attack in Arihal area of the South Kashmir district late Monday evening.

Last week, India was warned by Pakistan that terrorists could attack army personnel in South Kashmir districts using vehicle-mounted IED’s.

In the daring strike, at least eight people including six army men received injuries while two civilians sustained injuries in the powerful explosion in the area.

This was the third major strike by terrorists using vehicle-mounted IED to target the security forces.

In the coming days, the entire security grid will have to review its ground strategy and pattern of movement on the ground as terrorists could attempt to derail peace efforts by targeting pilgrims during the 4 days long annual Amarnath pilgrimage beginning July 1.

On two previous occasions, CRPF convoys were targeted but this time army men came on the radar of these terrorists who attempted IED strike.

The modus operandi of the terrorists too remained the same as they used Improvised Explosive device (IED) mounted on a vehicle to target the army personnel.

Soon after the attack, Ministry of Defence Spokesman in Srinagar claimed, a ‘failed‘ attempt was made to attack a mobile vehicle patrol in the general area of Arihal in Pulwama late Monday evening

Defence spokesman also claimed, “all troops are safe with minor injuries”.

A police spokesman in Srinagar, however, maintained, “six army men have sustained injuries in the terror incident while two civilians also sustained injuries due to the powerful explosion”.

“The entire area has been taken into cordon and search in the area is going on”, he added.

Late evening, sharing another update Ministry of Defence spokesman informed, the driver of the vehicle has received injuries and is under specialist care. Other soldiers brought to the hospital for investigations are stable.

Defence spokesman also clarified that the reports of an attack on the convoy are unfounded and baseless.

The spokesman, however, added the damage was minimised due to the alertness of the patrol party. He said the troops were travelling in the hardened ALS.

In the coming days, the entire security grid will have to review its ground strategy and pattern of movement on the ground as terrorists could attempt to derail peace efforts by targeting pilgrims during the 4 days long annual Amarnath pilgrimage beginning July 1.

The central government is set to deploy around 750 companies of the paramilitary forces for area domination of the entire yatra route to ensure peaceful conduct of the yatra.

The security forces are making elaborate arrangements at all the transit points, base camps and yatra route to ensure safety and security of pilgrims.

Update –
Two soldiers, who had received grievous injuries in the IED attack in Pulwama on Monday, succumbed to their injuries in the command hospital early Tuesday morning.

They have been identified as Hav Amarjeet kumar and Naik Ajit Kumar Sahoo.

Meanwhile, in another operation in Marahom area of Anantnag, two terrorists were eliminated while another jawan attained martyrdom.

According to official sources, in the last five days, 10 security personnel including five CRPF men, four army personnel including a Major rank officer and one Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir police sacrificed their lives in anti-terrorist operations.

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1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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Chandra Maurya

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