In a tragic ambush in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday, two soldiers and two civilian porters were killed when terrorists targeted an army convoy, according to officials familiar with the incident. The convoy, which included personnel from a Rashtriya Rifles unit and civilian porters, was en route to the Nagin post in the Afrawat range when terrorists opened fire on two army trucks near Botapathri, approximately 6km from Gulmarg.
Injuries and Fatalities
The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps confirmed that following a brief firefight with the terrorists, two soldiers and two civilian porters were injured. Despite evacuation for medical treatment, all four later succumbed to their injuries. Additionally, one soldier and another civilian porter sustained critical injuries.
Surge in Attacks Post-Election
Thursday’s ambush marks the latest in a string of attacks since the formation of Jammu and Kashmir’s new elected government, following the region’s first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Earlier this week, seven civilians were killed when terrorists opened fire at a construction site in Ganderbal district. Additionally, on October 18, a 37-year-old migrant worker from Bihar was fatally shot by suspected terrorists in Shopian.
Security Concerns and Condemnations
Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Ombar Abdullah expressed his condolences on social media, calling the recent surge in violence “a matter of serious concern.” He also met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss Jammu and Kashmir’s security challenges.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti, People’s Conference head Sajad Lone, and Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari also condemned the attack. Mufti called for swift recovery for the injured soldiers, while Lone noted that the spate of attacks reflects a disregard for democratically elected governments. Bukhari conveyed his sympathies to the families of the deceased, emphasizing that such violence only exacerbates the region’s suffering.
Rising Death Toll in 2024
This year alone, nine security personnel and 15 civilians have been killed in terrorist incidents in Kashmir. Security forces have neutralized 21 terrorists in the Valley, while in Jammu, extremist attacks have claimed the lives of 13 security personnel and 11 civilians, with six terrorists killed in retaliatory operations.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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