Army convoy ambushed near Gulmarg, two soldiers, 2 civilian porters killed

Two soldiers and two civilian porters were killed, while three jawans were injured after an Army vehicle was attacked by terrorists near the famous tourist resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday evening.

According to officials, the attack took place in the Butapathri area of Gulmarg, which is close to the LoC and is surrounded by dense forests. It came barely a few hours after the Unified Headquarters meeting was held in Srinagar’s Raj Bhavan. Top security officials of multiple agencies attended the high-profile meeting.

Police sources said the vehicle that came under the attack was part of an Army convoy moving in the area. “Two porters and two soldiers lost their lives,” said an official. Soon after the attack, a major search operation was launched in the area.

The Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps, in a post on X, said, “A brief fight took place between the Army and terrorists in the Butapathri area. Details are being ascertained.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the recent spate of attacks in Kashmir was a matter of grave concern. “Very unfortunate news about the attack on Army vehicles in the Butapathri area of north Kashmir which has resulted in some casualties & injuries,” Omar wrote on X. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed security forces to give a swift and befitting response to the terrorists who attacked the Army vehicle. The sacrifice of the martyrs would not go in vain, he said.

The attack came just days after terrorists targeted construction workers in Ganderbal on Sunday evening. Seven persons, including a doctor, were killed. The TRF, a shadow outfit of the LeT, had claimed responsibility for the attack.