Tragic Attack on Army Convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua District

 

Moreover, in the Gandoh area of Doda district, security forces engaged in a gunfight that resulted in the deaths of three terrorists. These individuals were suspected to have participated in recent assaults on the Army and police in the Kashmir Valley. The operation led to the recovery of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, including US-made M4 carbines.

Details of the Attack

The terrorists initiated the attack by throwing a grenade at the army vehicles before opening fire. The security forces immediately retaliated, but the assailants managed to escape into the nearby forest. Following the attack, reinforcements were dispatched, and a search operation was launched to locate the fleeing terrorists. Officials reported intermittent gunfire between the terrorists and security forces during the ongoing operation.

Political Reactions and Condemnations

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called for strict action in response to the continuous terrorist attacks, emphasizing that "hollow speeches and false promises" are insufficient. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep anguish over the incident, mourning the loss of the soldiers and condemning the attack in the strongest terms.

Recent Surge in Attacks

This attack marks the second assault on the Indian Army in the Jammu region within the past 48 hours. On Sunday, an army camp in Rajouri district was targeted, resulting in injuries to one soldier. The violence follows a recent string of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including a series of encounters in Kulgam district. Just 24 hours prior to the Kathua incident, six terrorists and two soldiers were killed in separate clashes in Kulgam.

 Encounters in Kulgam

The first encounter in Kulgam's Modergam village began on Saturday when security forces, including the CRPF, Army, and local police, launched a search operation based on intelligence reports. In the initial exchange of gunfire, a para-trooper was killed. The operation escalated, and by late Saturday night, security forces destroyed a house sheltering terrorists, recovering the bodies of two militants.

Simultaneously, a fierce gun battle unfolded in Kulgam's Frisal area. Drone footage later revealed the bodies of four terrorists. One soldier was killed and another injured during this encounter. The four terrorists killed in Frisal were identified as Yawar Bashir Dar, Zahid Ahmad Dar, Tawheed Ahmad Rather, and Shakeel ah Wani, while those in Modergam were Faisal and Adil. Para Commando Lance Naik Pradeep Nain and Havaldar Raj Kumar of 1 Rashtriya Rifles were among the soldiers killed in action.

 Rising Terror Activities

On Sunday, sources from security agencies indicated that a Pakistan-based operative of the Resistance Front, a unit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, was behind the surge in terror activities in J&K. The operative, Saifullah Sajid Jatt, from Shangamanga village in Pakistan's Punjab, has been identified as a "hardcore terrorist" by the NIA, which has placed a ₹10 lakh bounty on his head.

Recent Incidents in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a series of terror attacks over the past few months. Last month, terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi district, causing the vehicle to fall into a gorge and resulting in nine deaths. Shortly after, two armed terrorists entered a village and opened fire, leading to a gunfight with security forces that resulted in the death of a CRPF personnel and the two terrorists.

Furthermore, a confrontation in the Gandoh area of Doda district resulted in the deaths of three terrorists. These individuals were suspected of participating in recent assaults on Army and police personnel in the Kashmir Valley. During the operation, security forces seized a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, which included US-made M4 carbines.

 Government's Stance on Terrorism

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Parliament, stating that the fight against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is in its final stages. He emphasized the adoption of a multi-pronged strategy to dismantle the remaining terror networks in the region, expressing confidence in the government's approach to eliminating terrorism from J&K.