Security forces combing the thickly forested belt of Surankote in Poonch for the last three days on  released sketches of two suspected Pakistani terrorists, believed to be behind the attack on the Indian Air Force (IAF) vehicles, on Saturday. One IAF personnel hailing from Madhya Pradesh sacrificed his life while four others received multiple bullet injuries. 

The security forces while circulating these sketches also declared a reward of Rs 20 lakh for those providing information on these two terrorists.

As per the latest intelligence assessment  Sajjid Jutt, a dreaded terrorist operating from Pakistan and PoJK, may have masterminded the terror attack ahead of voting for Parliamentary elections in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.

According to the poster released in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch by the local officers, “A group of two to three terrorists were behind the attack on the IAF convoy near Shahsitar area in Surankote on Saturday. Anyone who will give fruitful and reliable information about the whereabouts of these terrorists leading to their arrest will be rewarded and identity will be kept secret.”

The officials have also provided four mobile numbers on which people can contact and share information. The numbers are — 9541051982, 8082294375, 9541051982, and 8082294375.

Meanwhile, a joint team of security forces continued massive search operations in Surankote and Mendhar for the third consecutive day chasing these hiding terrorists.

The army has pressed elite para commandos to hunt down these terrorists. Sniffer dogs are also embedded with the teams of foot soldiers conducting cordon and search operations in the area.

The Army is also maintaining aerial reconnaissance with the help of drone cameras.

So far the team of investigators have gathered inputs about some of the over-ground workers (OGW) who may have provided food and shelter to these terrorists before the attack took place. 

The sketches were prepared based on the inputs shared by some of these OGWs.