कठुआ आतंकी हमला: आतंकियों ने फेंका ग्रेनेड, दोनों तरफ से फायरिंग, बड़ा समूह शामिल

Kathua terror attack: Terrorists lobbed grenade, fired from both sides, large group was involved

In Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, a tragic terrorist attack on Monday resulted in the deaths of five Army personnel and left five others injured. The incident occurred at approximately 3:10 pm when an Army convoy was crossing a bridge over a nullah in the remote Badnota village. Sources indicated that the attack involved a significant number of militants, describing it as a bold act of terrorism.

The location of the attack was at the boundary between the Northern and Western Commands, where additional troops had been recently deployed. The convoy, which was on an administrative mission, came under assault from multiple directions. Initial reports suggest that the militants initiated the attack by lobbing a grenade at one of the vehicles before opening fire on the soldiers. In response, the Army personnel engaged in a firefight, prompting the militants to retreat into the nearby forested area.

The exchange of gunfire persisted well into Monday night, with reinforcements dispatched to the scene. Para (Special Forces) personnel were scheduled to join the operation the following day to aid in the search for the militants. Kathua, situated near the International Border with Pakistan and adjacent to several Jammu and Kashmir districts, has seen previous instances of militant activity, reflecting its strategic significance and security challenges.

The region, historically volatile with sporadic militant movements, has witnessed recent incidents of violence. Just last month, security forces successfully neutralized militants in neighboring districts following similar infiltration attempts. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed condolences for the soldiers who lost their lives, emphasizing ongoing joint operations by police and paramilitary forces to maintain security.

As the situation continues to develop, authorities are urging calm among the civilian population while emphasizing confidence in the armed forces' ability to manage security threats effectively. The incident underscores the persistent challenges faced in maintaining stability in the region amidst ongoing security operations and militant activities.

News Reference