Five Indian army personnel including a Junior Commission Officer (JCO)were martyred and six others were injured after their convoy suddenly came under heavy fire by a group of terrorists. The manner in which the attack took place points towards all possibilities that the terrorists were lying in wait for such a moment.
The incident took place in the Machedi area of Kathua district on Monday.
The army came into immediate action and surrounded the fleeing militants from all sides. Heavy exchange of fire had followed from both the sides. Helicopters, drones and Sniffer dogs were also deployed.
Army and police officers were overseeing the operation.
The injured jawans were shifted to army hospital in Pathankot.
The incident follows recent counter- insurgency operation in the Kulgam and Chinigham areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian security forces have launched a big operation in the area.
Kashmir Tigers another face of Jaishe Mohammad has reportedly taken responsibility of the attack. The incident took place around 150 km from Kathua city.
At around 3.30 pm two army vehicles were on patrol . According to sources around four terrorists were hiding on a hill near Jeda drain.
The army vehicles came under heavy fire and grenade attack the moment they reached the place.
Reinforcements were rushed to the place and escape routes were being sealed in order to find the militants.
The Lohai-Malhar area in Kathua had been witnessing highetend militant activity since 1990. Terrorists had been infiltrating here from across the border.
This area has dense forest that provides safety to militants. This place also serves as a centre from where militants infiltrate into other parts of Kashmir.
Militants had been wiped out from this area in 2007 and it was considered safe but now they have again made a comeback.
As of now the security forces have launched a big operation that is expected to last till the area gets freed from militants.