Srinagar: In a devastating ambush on the afternoon of July 8, five soldiers of the Indian Army were killed and five others injured when terrorists targeted an Army convoy in the Kathua district of Jammu. The attack occurred around 3:30 p.m. on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road, during a routine patrol by the Army’s 9 Corps (Rising Star Corps).
This ambush coincided with the death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in 2016, adding a symbolic weight to the attack. It also occurred just four days after a visit by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, who had been briefed by the Rising Star Corps on the security situation in Kathua.
Army convoy attacked from two directions
The ambush occurred at Jenda Nallah in Badnota village, approximately 124 km from Kathua town. Initial reports indicate that the convoy came under fire from two directions as it reached the area, with militants launching the attack from a hill on one side while the other side was a steep slope. A grenade was hurled at the convoy, followed by a barrage of gunfire targeting one of the trucks.
Indian Army retaliates
Following the attack, the Army engaged the attackers in a firefight. Reinforcements, including paratroopers, were quickly dispatched to the scene to tighten the cordon and prevent the militants from escaping. Despite deploying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and choppers, the security forces were unable to re-establish contact with the hiding militants in the dense forest cover and challenging topography of the area.
Martyred Heroes
The critically injured soldiers were immediately shifted to a hospital in Kathua, while others received treatment at a local health centre. Tragically, the Army identified the fallen soldiers as Havildar Satpal Singh, Naik Prem Singh, Lance Naik Shish Ram, Sepoy Rajendra Singh, and Sepoy Kamal Dev. The bodies of the martyrs were airlifted from Kathua.
Recent Surge in Militancy
Previous encounters in south Kashmir on July 6 and 7 resulted in the deaths of six militants and two soldiers. Additionally, an attack in Rajouri on Saturday morning injured one soldier.
The Jammu region has witnessed a surge in militant activities this year, particularly in the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal Valley. Security forces have launched extensive anti-militancy operations, utilizing UAVs and choppers, but have struggled to track down the militants responsible for recent attacks. The attackers in Kathua reportedly used sophisticated weapons, including armor-piercing bullets, and employed tactics similar to those used in previous attacks in the Rajouri-Poonch belt since 2021.
Security Measures and Ongoing Operations
Top police officials, including Director General of Police R.R. Swain and Additional Director General of Police Anand Jain, conducted an aerial survey of the attack site, reviewing the security situation in Kathua. Meanwhile, a joint party of the police and the Army engaged another group of militants in a firefight in Jammu’s Chenab Valley.
An Army spokesperson stated, “The Army and the Western Command salute the bravery and supreme sacrifice of five soldiers in the Kathua sector while fighting the scourge of terrorism. The Army Commander and all ranks stand in solidarity with bereaved families.” A joint operation to track down the attackers remains ongoing in Kathua and surrounding districts, with security forces intensifying their efforts to prevent further militant activities.
