The area falls under the 9 Corps of the Indian Army. After firing by terrorists, our troops also retaliated.
(Representative Image/PTI)
The incident took place at Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 kilometres from Kathua town, when some Army vehicles were on a routine patrol in the area
Five army personnel have been killed and four injured after an Indian Army convoy was attacked by terrorists in Machedi area of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
The area falls under the 9 Corps of the Indian Army. After firing by terrorists, our troops also retaliated, as per defence officials.
The terrorists hurled a grenade and opened fire targeting Army vehicles which were on a routine patrol on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road at around 3.30 pm near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 km from Kathua town.
Security forces retaliated but the terrorists fled into the nearby forest, the officials said, adding an intermittent exchange of firing was going on between the terrorists and security forces when the last reports were received.
They said reinforcements have been rushed to the area to neutralise the terrorists, who are believed to have recently infiltrated from across the border and were moving to the higher reaches.
“The four troopers who have been injured were in the vehicle which came under grenade attack and firing by the terrorists,” an official said.
They said the injured were shifted to a military hospital, where the condition of two of them was stated to be “critical”.
This was the second major incident in Kathua district in the past four weeks.
Leaders React To Terrorist Attack
Minister of State for the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh expressed his condolences for the deadly attack and said that the Joint police & para military operation is on.
My heart goes out to the brave heart soldiers martyred in the ongoing #Kathua encounter. I am in constant touch with the authorities. Joint police & para military operation is on. My sincere appeal to1/2— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) July 8, 2024
Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi took to her official X account and said that this was ‘the 5th terror attack since the start of the NDA’s third term’.
5th terror attack since the start of third term. We have lost another 4 of our brave warriors. Home Minister Prime Minister NSA Defense Minister https://t.co/js0FdlbwKq
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) July 8, 2024
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly condemned the ambush on the army vehicle by terrorists in Kathua, that resulted in the tragic loss of four jawans.
“The rise in terrorism in Jammu province is deeply concerning,” he said.
Deeply saddened and strongly condemn the ambush on an army vehicle by terrorists in Kathua, resulting in the tragic loss of four jawans and injuries to six others. The rise in terrorism in Jammu province is deeply concerning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and…— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) July 8, 2024
Jammu Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families.
Terrible news from Kathua. It’s a very bad day when you lose four brave army personnel in the line of duty. I condemn the attack unequivocally and send my heartfelt condolences to the families. I hope the injured make a swift & complete recovery. https://t.co/HmtJajTChx— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 8, 2024
Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti condemned the terror attack in Kathua that claimed the lives of four soldiers and called it ‘tragic and equally shocking’.
Condemn the terror attack in Kathua that claimed the lives of four soldiers. Tragic & equally shocking that they are losing their lives in the line of duty in places where one found little to no trace of militancy before 2019. Tells you all there is to know about the current… https://t.co/dNRoORWeD7— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 8, 2024
(with PTI inputs)
Aisha Patel is a dedicated Indian correspondent with a deep understanding of the nation’s diverse affairs. With a background in Indian culture, politics, and current events, she provides in-depth analysis and timely reporting on domestic issues within India.
