File photo of Indian Army soldiers during an encounter with militants.
Jammu: An Indian Army vehicle was ambushed by militants in the Bota Pathri area, approximately 6 km from Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir’s Baramulla district, leading to the deaths of two Army soldiers and two civilian porters. The attack, which took place as the vehicle was on the way to the Nagin post, also resulted in injuries to three other soldiers and another porter.
Among the three soldiers, two are stated to be critically wounded. The injured have been evacuated to a hospital, where they are receiving treatment. According to the Army, the militants opened fire on the vehicle, prompting the soldiers to retaliate.
Following the attack, additional troops were deployed to secure the area, which has seen heightened militant activity in recent months. The Bota Pathri region, recently opened to tourists, is known to be closely monitored by the Army, but reports suggest that militants had infiltrated the area earlier this year and taken refuge in the higher reaches of the Afrawat range.
The Army’s Srinagar-based XV Corps, which is also called Chinar Corps, confirmed the incident on social media. It said: “A brief firefight took place between the Indian Army and terrorists in general area Bota Pathri, Baramulla. Details are being ascertained.”
The Jammu & Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah, called the incident “very unfortunate” and expressed deep concern over the recent spate of militant attacks in the region. He condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. The chief minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The XV Corps has released the names of the two soldiers killed in action as Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah and Rifleman Jeevan Singh.
India Sentinels has learned that the ambused soldiers belonged to 18 Rashtriya Rifles (Rajputana Rifles). Further information about the ambush and the casualties is awaited.
Mehbooba Mufti, former J&K chief minister, also condemned the attack and expressed her shock and anguish over the growing violence in the region.
This ambush is part of a disturbing rise in militant activities in Jammu & Kashmir. Just a few days ago, as India Sentinels had reported, seven people, including migrant workers from other states, and a local doctor were killed by terrorists at the construction site of a strategic tunnel in Ganderbal.
Note: The story has been updated at 11.02am, Friday, October 25, 2024, with the names of the two Indian Army soldiers killed in the ambush.
