Two locals held, sniffer dogs and drones deployed: Security forces launch manhunt for militants involved in Rajouri attack

The Thanamandi-Buffliaz road connecting Rajouri district with Poonch has also been shut for civilian vehicles and people have been asked to take the Bhimber Gali road.

The stretch between Dehra Ki Gali and Bufliaz is one of mostly densely forested areas located on the boundary of Rajouri and Poonch districts.

It is believed that three or four militants had taken position on hill tops along the road and ambushed two Army vehicles when they slowed down at a blind turn. The latest attack reinforces the trend of fewer yet more impactful and high visibility terror attacks in the areas south of Pir Panjal as compared to the Valley.

While four Army personnel died in the forests of Kokernag near Anantnag in September this year, there were 251 terrorist-initiated incidents in J&K between 2021 and May 30 this year, of which 15 were in the three districts of Jammu region and 236 in Kashmir Valley.

Since 2021, 33 Army personnel and over a dozen militants have been killed in encounters at different places in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Of these, 19 soldiers have died in the last eight months. Ten civilians have also been killed by militants during the period.