Kathua attack: Joint search operations launched to track down terrorists

New Delhi, July 9

A massive joint search operation was launched on Tuesday to track down terrorists responsible for the deadly attack on an army patrol party in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district that left five personnel dead, officials said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed ‘deep anguish’ at the loss of five Army soldiers and added that counter terrorist operations are under way.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh said, “I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K)”.

“Our soldiers are determined to usher in peace and order in the region,” he said.

I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K).

My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway,…

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 9, 2024

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, in a rare statement on an operational matter, said ‘the attack will not go unavenged’.

Aramane referring to the deaths of the five soldiers said, “Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered and their sacrifice will not go unavenged and India will defeat the evil forces behind the attack”.

The statement was posted on X by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence.

“Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered & their sacrifice will not go unavenged and India will defeat the evil forces behind the attack”.
-Defence Secretary Shri @giridhararamane (2/2)@HQ_IDS_India @adgpi @PIB_India @GallantryAward @salute2soldier

— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) July 9, 2024

The officials said the ground search teams are being supported by helicopter and UAV surveillance. Sniffer dogs and metal detectors are also being employed in the operation with a focus on some dense forest areas in the belt.

Officials said the joint cordon and search operation was launched by army, police and CRPF in in Machedi, Badnote, Kindli and Lohai Malhar areas and a large area has been put under cordon.

Five army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, were killed and as many were injured on Monday when heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrolling party in the remote Machedi area.

According to sources, three to four terrorists, mostly foreigners, are believed to have executed the attack.

They are part of the same group which was involved in Basangarh attack in which a village defence guard Mohd Sharief was killed in an encounter with terrorists on April 28 in Panara village.

Security forces had in June picked up movement of one group in the upper reaches of Bani, Daggar and Kindli areas of Kathua district and conducted search operations. — with PTI