Terrorists Attack Army Convoy in J&K's Kathua, 5 Jawans Martyred

New Delhi: Five Army jawans were martyred and five others were injured after terrorists attacked their vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Monday. The Defence officials earlier informed that, “Four Indian Army soldiers have been killed while an equal number are injured in the terrorist attack in the Machedi area of Kathua. The firefight between troops and the terrorists is on. More details awaited."

The area falls under the 9 Corps of the Indian Army. After firing by terrorists, troops also retaliated, following which an encounter broke out. Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were behind the cowardly attack on Army soldiers in Kathua, said reports. 

Kathua Terror Attack: What Happened?

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.

"A total of 10 troopers were injured and four of them later succumbed to their injuries," an official said.

Second Major Incident in Kathua In Past 4 Weeks

This was the second major incident in Kathua district in the past four weeks.

On June 12 and 13, two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a fierce gunfight during a search and cordon operation.

The terror attack comes within a fortnight of a gunfight between terrorists and security forces in the Gandoh area of Doda district that left three foreign terrorists dead on June 26.   

2 Separate Encounters In Kulgam

Today's terror attack comes a day after six terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. The encounters, which began on Saturday, also resulted in the deaths of two soldiers, including a para-trooper, and left another soldier injured.

"Bodies of two terrorists were recovered from Modergam encounter site while four bodies of terrorists were recovered from Chinnigam site," the officials said.

Series of Terror Attacks in J&K 

Jammu and Kashmir saw a series of terror attacks over the past few months. Last month, terrorists fired upon a bus carrying pilgrims, causing it to plunge into a gorge in Reasi district, resulting in nine fatalities. Shortly thereafter, two armed terrorists entered a village and opened fire. Security forces responded, leading to a gunfight in which a CRPF personnel was killed. 

The terrorists were neutralized.

In a recent statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicated in Parliament that the fight against terrorism in J&K is nearing its final stage. He highlighted that a multi-pronged strategy has been implemented to dismantle the remaining terrorist network.