A group of highly trained Pakistani terrorists, who targeted the army vehicle in the high-security area of Bota Pathri near the tourist resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district Thursday evening, adopted the same modus operandi of previous ambushes carried out in the frontier districts of Rajouri, Poonch, and Machhedi in Kathua.
The terrorists had first targeted the driver’s cabin by opening a barrage of fire from the front. At the same time, the army truck was fired upon from the right side to inflict maximum injuries to the soldiers present inside the track. The terrorists, it is believed, used both AK-47 rifles and M-4 carbines to pierce the truck frame.
Two army jawans and two porters were ‘killed in action’ while three others were undergoing treatment in the military hospital. The condition of one of the injured soldiers was stated to be critical.
So far the Indian army has lost over 50 soldiers including seven officers in at least 15 incidents of ambushes since October 2021.
Highly placed sources revealed the army truck, transporting grass bags, was targeted by the group of four to five terrorists while it was negotiating a sharp curve along the serpentine road. In the absence of any local population living in the restricted area, the local police and army columns arrived on the spot as first responders to evacuate the injured soldiers and porters lying in a pool of blood.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday paid homage to the brave soldiers and Defence Porters who made the supreme sacrifice in the service to the nation in Bota Pathri Sector on October 24, 2024. The martyred soldiers have been identified as Rfn Jeevan Singh, Rfn Kaisar Ahmad Shah, and Defence Porters Mushtaq Ahmad Chowdary and Zahoor Ahmad Mir.
In Udhampur, reacting to the recent incidents of terrorist violence in Kashmir valley Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar Friday said, the Unified Headquarters has discussed the spate of terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting in Srinagar and formulated a strategy, highlighting the focus is on breaking the cycle of violence and dismantling the terror ecosystem. “I must assure you that the situation is under control,” the Army Commander told reporters.
On security forces’ ongoing response, Lieutenant General Kumar said the security forces have been able to neutralize 720 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years. “As far as residual terrorists are concerned, multiple agencies keep updating figures. They are varying between 120 to 130. Now, the recruitment figures are in single digits... And is at its lowest.”
He said that the anti-infiltration grid along the Line of Control and focused counter-terrorism operations in the hinterland have managed to create an environment of peace and development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The adversary is frustrated due to our successes. They aim to push terrorists across, but we have foiled infiltration attempts. Their goal is to instill fear among the population, but we will not allow it,” he stated.
He said, “The Indian Army will continue to strive to provide a secure environment to the people of the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. Our endeavors in kinetic and non-kinetic operations have facilitated greater security.”
Referring to the security situation in the Jammu region, he said that various agencies are undertaking operations to achieve the desired outcomes. “Village Defence Groups (VDGs) have ensured the security of remote areas for decades. The VDG setup is being strengthened, with over 600 VDGs being established and 10,000 modern weapons provided to them. They are also being trained,” he said.
