India's strong message after Kathua ambush that left 5 dead

New Delhi:

The killing of five army personnel in a terrorist attack in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir yesterday will not go unpunished, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said today, while expressing condolences to their families.

Sending a strong message in the aftermath of the attack, the Defence Secretary said, “I express my deep sorrow over the loss of five Bravehearts in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered and their sacrifice will not go unpunished and India will defeat the evil forces behind the attack.” These remarks were shared by the Ministry of Defence in a message on X.

Five army personnel, including a junior officer, were killed and as many others injured yesterday when terrorists ambushed a patrol in the remote Machedi area of Kathua.

The ten soldiers were on board an army truck that was attacked with grenades and gunfire yesterday afternoon. The terrorists fled into the forest after the ambush. A search operation has been launched to find them.

The Kashmir Tigers, a shadow organisation of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), claimed responsibility for the attack.

Yesterday’s attack is the second in two days against the army. Recent weeks have seen a surge in terrorist activities in the Union Territory.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply anguished” by the deaths of the soldiers yesterday.

“I am deeply anguished by the loss of five of our brave soldiers of the Indian Army in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K). My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the nation stands with them in this difficult time. Counter-terrorism operations are underway and our soldiers are determined to restore peace and order in the region. I pray for a speedy recovery to those injured in this dastardly terrorist attack,” he said in a message on X.

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