Sources claim that Pakistani militants carried out the attack on army trucks in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, using advanced weaponry to maximize the number of deaths. According to additional reports, the terrorists carried out reconnaissance of the region, maybe with the assistance of local allies, raising the possibility of a premeditated, targeted attack.
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कश्मीर छोड़कर जम्मू में फैल रहे आतंकी!#JammuKashmir #Kathua #TerrorAttack #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/8Yn84NDlc4
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Attack Details and Immediate Aftermath
At 3:30 p.m. on Monday, the terrorists attacked the army truck close to Badnota hamlet in Lohai Malhar, which is 150 miles from Kathua town. Among the five people slain in the assault was a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Five more soldiers were hurt and taken to the hospital.
Sources claim that Pakistani militants carried out the attack on army trucks in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, using advanced weaponry to maximize the number of deaths. According to additional reports, the terrorists carried out reconnaissance of the region, maybe with the assistance of local allies, raising the possibility of a premeditated, targeted attack.
At 3:30 p.m. on Monday, the terrorists attacked the army truck close to Badnota hamlet in Lohai Malhar, which is 150 miles from Kathua town. Among the five people slain in the assault was a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Five more soldiers were hurt and taken to the hospital. The defense ministry responded to the incident with a strong statement that the troops’ sacrifice “will not go unavenged”.
I express deep grief on the loss of five Bravehearts in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua, and extend deepest condolences to the bereaved families. El Secretario de Defensa Bharat Bhushan Basu publicó en X que su servicio inocente a la nación será recordado por siempre y su sacrificio no será olvidado y India derrotará a las fuerzas malvadas detrás del ataque.
Sophisticated Weaponry and Tactical Planning of Army
The terrorists reportedly employed sophisticated weaponry, such as M4 Carbine rifles and explosive devices, in addition to ammunition. The incident happened in Badnota village, which has inadequate road connectivity and limits vehicle speeds to 10 to 15 km/h, according to sources. The terrain appeared to be exploited by the terrorists since the army trucks moved quite slowly.
One or two local guides and two to three terrorists had set up positions on hills. Before firing at the army vehicles, the terrorists threw grenades at them. Like in other terror attacks, the driver was the first to be targeted, sources informed India Today.
Local Assistance and Reconnaissance to Army
Primary investigations also revealed that before the attack, the terrorists had done reconnaissance in the region. “In addition to giving the terrorists food and accommodation, a local guide assisted them in conducting reconnaissance of the region. He assisted them in getting to their hiding places after the attack,” the sources added.
Tuesday saw the continuation of a large combing effort in Kathua in an attempt to track down the attackers, who are thought to have escaped to neighboring woodland areas. But steep terrain, mist, and thick undergrowth have grown to be significant obstacles to the hunt.
The individuals who perished in the assault have been named. They are Head Constable Jamal Singh, Rifleman Anuj Singh, Rifleman Asarsh Singh, JCO Naib Subedar Anant Singh, and Naik Vinod Kumar. Head Constables Arvind Singh, Sujhan Singh, and Gagandeep Singh, Rifleman Kartik, and Naik Sagar Singh are among the soldiers injured.
Condemnations and Political Reactions
The fifth terror incident in the Jammu region in as many months has been widely denounced. Rajnath Singh, the minister of defense, expressed his condolences for the soldiers’ deaths while reiterating their commitment to maintaining regional peace.
“The loss of five of our courageous Indian Army soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K) grieves me greatly. I send the families of the deceased my sincerest sympathies. The country is standing firmly behind them during this trying moment. Our soldiers are committed to bringing peace and order to the area, and counterterrorism operations are currently under progress. He wrote, “I pray for a quick recovery for everyone hurt in this heinous act of terror.”
In the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, said, “These cowardly attacks on our army are highly condemnable.” The nation’s security and the lives of our soldiers have suffered a serious setback with the sixth terrorist strike in less than a month. Strong action, not empty words and broken promises, will be the answer to these ceaseless acts of terror. In this time of sorrow, we firmly stand with the nation,” he declared.
Former chief ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, Omar Abdullah of the National Conference, and Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP, together with Congressman Mallikarjun Kharge, offered their condolences for the deaths and raised concern about the security situation in the area.
READ: FOUR HIZBUL MUJAHIDEEN TERRORISTS KILLED IN KULGAM ENCOUNTER