Kathua Terrorist Attack: 5 soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) were martyred in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Monday (July 8). 5 are injured. Initially, there were reports of 2 and later 4 soldiers being injured. The death toll may increase.
A joint team of police and security forces was conducting a search operation in Badnota village of Machheri area of Lohi Malhar block at 3.30 pm when terrorists ambushed them and attacked with grenades. They also opened fire. After this, the army surrounded the entire area. The encounter between terrorists and security forces is ongoing.
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This is the second terrorist attack on an army vehicle in 2 months. Earlier on May 4, an Air Force convoy was attacked in Shahsitaar area of Poonch, in which Corporal Vicky Pahad was martyred and 4 other soldiers were injured. The terrorists fired heavily on two vehicles of the security forces. Both the vehicles were going to Sanai Top.
This is the second attack on the army in two days. On Sunday (7 July) morning, terrorists attacked an army camp in Manjakot area of Rajouri district. A soldier was injured in this. After the soldiers’ retaliatory action, the terrorists fled through the dense forest. The army and police are conducting a search operation.
Army’s encounter with terrorists continues
Officials said that this incident took place in Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 km from Kathua city, when some army vehicles were on regular patrol in the area. Security forces retaliated and firing is going on from both sides. Officials said that additional security forces have been sent to the area. At the same time, after this terrorist attack on the army vehicle, a comprehensive search operation is being carried out in the area and the road leading to Billawar has been blocked. Police is also checking every vehicle.
After killing 6 terrorists, grenade was thrown at the soldiers
Officials said that there is intermittent firing between terrorists and security forces. This is the second attack on the Indian Army in Jammu region in the last 48 hours. Earlier on Sunday, an army camp was attacked in Rajouri district. A soldier was injured in this. At the same time, during the attack in Kulgam, security forces killed 6 terrorists in an encounter. Officials had said, “The bodies of two terrorists were recovered from the Modergam encounter site while four bodies were recovered from the Chinnigam encounter site on Sunday.”
Previous attacks on army vehicles
1. There was an attack in Poonch in January this year too.
On 12 January this year, terrorists attacked an army vehicle in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. After this, the soldiers had to retaliate. There was no news of anyone getting injured or killed in this.
2. There was an attack in Surankot in December last year as well.
On 21 December, terrorists attacked an army convoy in Surankot. 5 soldiers were martyred in this. 4 terrorists carried out this incident. The terrorists fired steel bullets from the American M-4 carbine assault rifle. These steel bullets pierced the thick iron sheets of army vehicles and hit the soldiers.
The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorists also released pictures of the attack site on social media, claiming that M-4 rifles were used.
On 6th and 7th July, firing took place between security forces and terrorists in Kulgam
On 6th and 7th July, firing took place between security forces and terrorists in Mudargham and Chinnigam Frisal in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces killed 6 terrorists in the encounter. 2 soldiers were also martyred. According to officials, the terrorists killed were associated with Hizbul Mujahideen. One of them was also a local commander of a terrorist organization linked to Pakistan.
