NEW DELHI — The killing of five Armymen in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua yesterday will not go unavenged, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said today, while expressing condolences for their families.
Sending a strong message in the aftermath of the attack, the Defence Secretary said, “I express profound grief on the loss of five Bravehearts in a militants attack in Badnota, Kathua, and extend deepest condolences to the bereaved families. 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.”
The remarks were shared by the Defence Ministry in a post on X.
Five Army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, were killed, and as many were injured yesterday when militants ambushed a patrol party in Kathua’s remote Machedi area.
The ten soldiers were in an Army truck that was attacked by grenade and gunfire yesterday afternoon. The militants fled into the forest after the ambush. A search operation has been launched to track them down.
Kashmir Tigers, a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Yesterday’s attack was the second attack on the Army within two days. The last few weeks have seen heightened militant activities in the Union Territory.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said he is “deeply anguised” by the solders’ deaths yesterday.
“I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a militant 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 militant operations are underway, and our soldiers are determined to usher in peace and order in the region. I pray for a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries in this dastardly terror attack,” he said in a post on X. — (NDTV)