J&K: Five Army personnel killed in terrorist ambush
Kathua/Jammu: In a tragic incident highlighting the escalating threat of terrorism in the region, five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), lost their lives while as many others sustained injuries during a terrorist ambush on Monday. The attack occurred in the remote Machedi area of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir.
The assailants, reportedly heavily armed terrorists, targeted an Army truck that was part of a routine patrolling party on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road near Badnota village. At approximately 3:30 pm, the terrorists initiated the assault with a grenade followed by gunfire, resulting in fatal injuries to the soldiers. The terrorists swiftly fled into the nearby forest as security forces, comprising Army, police, and paramilitary units, retaliated.
This incident marks the fifth terrorist attack in the Jammu region within a month, underscoring a worrying trend of renewed militancy in areas that had been relatively peaceful for over two decades.
It is the second major attack in Kathua district within one month, following a similar confrontation on June 12 and 13 that left two terrorists and a CRPF jawan dead.
Political leaders, including former chief ministers, have expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation, particularly in the Jammu region.
Director General of Police R R Swain is personally overseeing the ongoing anti-terrorist operation in the dense forest area where the terrorists are believed to have fled. Despite adverse weather conditions with heavy rains, a massive search operation is underway to neutralise the attackers, suspected to have recently infiltrated from across the border.
The Jammu region, known for its peaceful atmosphere, has been shaken in recent months by a series of ambushes and attacks by terrorists, particularly in the border districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, and Reasi.
The recent escalation in terrorist activities has been attributed to attempts by Pakistani handlers to reignite terrorism.
Security agencies have been on high alert following a recent ambush in the Gandoh area of Doda district, where three foreign terrorists were killed in a gunfight on June 26.
An army camp in the Manjkote area of Rajouri district was targeted in a firing incident early Sunday, resulting in injuries to a soldier.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred on June 9 when terrorists attacked a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district, claiming the lives of nine persons and injuring 41 others.
These incidents follow a pattern of escalating violence in the region, with previous attacks on security vehicles, search parties and military convoys resulting in casualties among both civilians and security personnel.
In response to the attack, political figures such as Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief ministers Rahul Gandhi, Omar Abdullah, Mehboob Mufti, and Ghulam Nabi Azad have condemned the violence and called for stringent action to safeguard national security.
The security forces remain on high alert across Jammu and Kashmir, committed to combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of residents amidst these challenging circumstances.with agency inputs