A terrorist ambush on a routine patrol vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district resulted in the tragic loss of five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer
Our Bureau
Srinagar (J&K)
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda on Tuesday, a day after an attack in Kathua in which five soldiers were killed. This comes a day after dive Army soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on July 8. Billawar Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vinay Khosla told reporters that eight injured soldiers were brought to the Billawar Hospital.
“An unfortunate incident took place yesterday in which 5 soldiers died. Strict action will be taken against the terrorists responsible for this. 8 injured soldiers were brought to Billawar Hospital. Out of which, the Army shifted six jawans to Pathankot Hospital after being provided with the best possible treatment here”.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday visited the Kathua terror ambush site in Jammu and Kashmir where five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, lost their lives on Monday. NIA’s Jammu and Kashmir-based unit reached the spot to assist the police in the investigation of the tragic terror case.
A terrorist ambush on a routine patrol vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district resulted in the tragic loss of five Army personnel, including a junior commissioned officer, on Monday. Five other soldiers were injured in the attack, which occurred near Badnota village in Kathua.
The attack occurred on the Machedi-KindliMalhar road in a remote area, approximately 150 km from Kathua town, at around 3.30 pm on Monday. Elite para commandos have been deployed on the ground, engaging in intermittent exchanges of fire as the operation continues. Notably, this incident coincided with the 8th death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, adding a sombre context to the situation.
The attack is believed to be the latest in a series of terrorist incidents in the region, which have been attributed to attempts by Pakistan to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.
The region where the ambush took place is part of the old infiltration route along the international border, which the attackers appear to have reactivated. The area is primarily monitored by the BSF and falls under the jurisdiction of the 9 Corps of the Army, under the Western Command.
The army personnel who lost their lives in the attack belonged to Uttarakhand. They are Rifleman Anuj Negi from Pauri, Nayab Subedar Anand Singh Rawat from Rudraprayag, Naik Vinod Singh from Tehri, Kamal Singh from Pauri and Adarsh Negi from Tehri.
The attack took place when a group of heavily armed terrorists ambushed the patrolling party of the Army in the Badnota area in Kathua. A massive search operation is underway to nab the terrorists behind the ambush in which five people were also injured.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and outrage, with many calling for increased security measures to prevent such attacks. The Army has launched a search operation in the area to track down the terrorists responsible for the attack.
This incident comes on the heels of several other terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including a recent attack in Reasi area on a bus carrying pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on June 9, which left nine people dead and 33 injured. The NIA has been investigating these incidents and has identified several suspects.
The region has seen a surge in terrorist activity in recent months, with several attacks on security forces and civilians.
Amid the recent increase in terror attacks in the Jammu division, Congress on Tuesday expressed its concern and asserted that whatever steps the government takes for the safety of the country, the party is ready to extend its support.
Addressing a press conference, Congress MP Deependar Singh Hooda said that the most concerning thing is that the Kathua attack is the fifth attack in a month.
“This cowardly attack on our Army personnel is extremely condemnable. The thing of concern is that it is the 5th attack in a month. Recently, an encounter took place in Kulgam where 6 terrorists were killed and 2 soldiers were martyred. On June 26, there was an encounter in Doda, and on June 9, the day of the Prime Minister’s swearing-in ceremony, a bus heading towards Vaishno Devi was attacked,” Hooda said.
