Mobile internet suspended in Poonch, Rajouri as anti-terror operation intensifies

Poonch: Mobile Internet services have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts on Saturday, December 23, as security forces continued their massive search operation to track down terrorists behind the recent ambush on two Army vehicles that left five soldiers dead. 

Mobile internet has been suspended by the authorities as a precautionary measure in order to check rumour-mongering, which could potentially lead to law and order problems. 

The suspension of the mobile Internet services in the twin border districts followed mysterious death of three persons after being allegedly picked up by the Army for questioning, and widespread resentment among people after the circulation of videos purportedly showing torture of the suspects.

Three to four heavily-armed terrorists targeted an army gypsy and a truck at Dhatyar Morh between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of Surankote police station in Poonch late Thursday afternoon, killing five soldiers and injuring two others.

A massive search operation was launched immediately after the attack in the densely forested areas, also covering nearby Thanamandi in Rajouri but there was no fresh contact with the fleeing terrorists so far, the officials said. Three persons, who were among those detained for questioning by Army in connection with Thursday's attack, died mysteriously on Friday. The sources said their bodies have been handed over to their families for last rites as investigation in continues in their deaths.

The deceased were identified as Safeer Hussain (43), Mohd Showket (27) and Shabir Ahmad (32) of Topa Peer village of Bufliaz but the cause of their death was not known immediately. 

(With agency inputs)