New Delhi: Four Indian Army soldiers were killed and at least six injured, including one in critical condition, after unidentified terrorists ambushed a convoy of a regular Army unit passing through the remote Machedi area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district Monday afternoon.
The army vehicles carrying soldiers from the 22nd Garhwal Rifles infantry regiment were undertaking routine movement, when they came under a burst of fire at about 3.30 pm.
It is learnt that this was followed by a grenade blast and more bursts of fire.
Sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that the terrorists were believed to have recently infiltrated Indian territory from Pakistan and were purportedly making their way to higher reaches.
Since 9 June, there have been four instances of attacks by terrorists in the Jammu region — two in Kathua, and one each in Doda and Reasi.
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Terror activity in Jammu
Incidentally, Jammu, which has largely remained peaceful over the last several years, has seen heightened terror activity since late 2011. Over two dozen terror attacks have taken place in the region so far, since then.
As reported by ThePrint previously, the rise in terrorist activities, especially ambushes on security forces in the Jammu area after nearly 15 years, is a cause for concern for India, with Pakistan seen to be fuelling ambushes in an attempt to worsen the Kashmir problem post the nullification of Article 370.
Speaking about the ambush today, the sources said that in the initial attack itself, two-three soldiers died, while several were injured. The soldiers in the vehicles behind the front one then opened fire, and tried to establish contact with the terrorists, who quickly ran away.
Additional reinforcements were sent to the area, and a cordon and search operation was launched.
Sources said that four soldiers have succumbed to their injuries, while at least four-six have been injured.
When asked if there was a road opening party, sources explained that this had been a peaceful area so far, and falls under the operational jurisdiction of the Yol-based 9 Corps and not the 16 Corps, which takes care of Jammu region.
“These were not soldiers from the counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles, but regular soldiers. There is no concept of a road opening party in areas which are not recognised as insurgency-hit,” a source said.
Sources also said that the last time this particular area saw such terrorist activity was in 2001. The area is Hindu-dominated, and closer to Himachal Pradesh than Jammu.
The attack took place on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road, about 150 km from Kathua.
Incidentally, terrorist activity has increased in Kathua district. In Hiranagar last month, two infiltrators had barged into the house of a civilian. The two terrorists were later killed in an encounter with security forces.
An Army camp in Rajouri district was attacked Sunday, leaving one soldier injured.
Monday’s attack came 24 hours after six terrorists and two soldiers were killed in two separate encounters in Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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