'Won't go unavenged...': India's message after Kathua terrorist ambush
What's the story
The killing of five soldiers in a terror attack in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, will not go unavenged, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said on Tuesday while extending condolences to their families.
"I express profound grief on the loss of five Bravehearts...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," Aramane said.
The Defence Ministry shared the message on X.
Kathua attack
Search operation initiated to nab terrorists
Five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, lost their lives, and five others were injured in a terrorist ambush on a patrol party in Kathua's remote Machedi area on Monday.
The attack took place on Monday afternoon when terrorists targeted an Army truck with grenades and gunfire.
After the ambush, the terrorists escaped into the nearby forest.
Authorities have initiated a search operation to locate and apprehend them.
Twitter Post
Read: Defence Secretary's message here
"I express profound grief on the loss of five Bravehearts in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua, and extend deepest condolences to the bereaved families" - Defence Secretary Shri @giridhararamane (1/2)@rajnathsingh @SethSanjayMP
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) July 9, 2024
Attackers identified
Pakistan-Based group claims responsibility for attack
The Pakistan-based group Kashmir Tigers, an offshoot of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), has claimed responsibility for the ambush.
This was the second attack on Army personnel within two days and comes amid a recent surge in terrorist incidents across the Union Territory.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "I am deeply anguished...My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time."
Twitter Post
Read: Rajnath Singh's post here
I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K).
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 9, 2024
My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway,…