J-K: Four Army personnel martyred, six injured in ambush by terrorists in Kathua

Digital Desk: Four army personnel lost their lives and six others were injured when their vehicle was ambushed by terrorists in the remote Machedi area of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. According to officials, the attack occurred around 3:30 pm as the terrorists threw a grenade and opened fire on Army vehicles conducting a routine patrol on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, approximately 150 km from Kathua town.

Security forces responded to the ambush, prompting the terrorists to retreat into the nearby forest. Reports indicated that sporadic gunfire exchanges continued between the terrorists and security forces. Additional troops were swiftly dispatched to the area to eliminate the terrorists, who are suspected to have recently infiltrated from across the border and were heading towards higher elevations. An official confirmed that a total of 10 troopers were injured, with four succumbing to their injuries later.

This incident marks the second significant attack in Kathua district in the past month. Earlier, on June 12 and 13, two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a fierce gunfight during a search and cordon operation. The recent uptick in violence in Jammu has been attributed by authorities to efforts by Pakistani handlers to reignite terrorism in the region and disrupt the prevailing peace. Just days before this incident, a gun battle between terrorists and security forces in the Gandoh area of Doda district resulted in the death of three foreign terrorists on June 26.

The region has seen heightened terrorist activities, including an attack on June 9 when terrorists targeted a bus carrying pilgrims from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including the driver and conductor, and injuries to 41 others.