5 Army Men Killed in Terrorist Attack in Kathua: Has Jammu Became the New Destination for Terrorism?

The recent terrorist attack in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 5 Indian Army soldiers, is a concerning development. On July 8, 2024, terrorists attacked an Indian Army convoy in the remote Machedi area of Kathua district, killing 5 soldiers and injuring 5 others.

The attack occurred when the Army vehicles were on a routine patrol on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road, about 150 km from Kathua. Terrorists first threw a grenade and then opened fire, to which the security forces retaliated, but the terrorists fled into the nearby forest. This was the second attack on the Indian Army in the Jammu region within 48 hours. On the previous day, an Army camp in Rajouri district was also attacked, injuring one soldier.

This is 4th major attack in Jammu since 9th of June. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi stated that the “solution to relentless terror attacks will come from strong action, not from hollow speeches.” He condemned the “cowardly attacks” on the Indian Army and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers. The opposition leader also met with the family of July Siachen Martyr, Late Captain Anshuman Singh and showed his condolences towards the devastated family.

Rajnath Singh: Defense Minister

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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

Indian defense minister Mr. Rajnath Singh has tweeted about loss of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers. He pays his condolences to the deceased soldiers and their families; he also prays for the recovery of our soldiers.

In his tweet he mentioned that the Counter Terrorist operations are underway, peace and order will soon be maintained with the efforts of our soldiers in that region. The responsible terrorists for the incidents will soon be caught.

Previous Attacks in Jammu

Reasi

In Reasi district of Jammu division of Jammu Kashmir a pilgrimage bus was attacked on 9^th July which was travelling from Hindu pilgrimage Shiv Khori to Katra cave, many unidentified Muslim men started shooting the bus and cause of the shooting the bus lost its control and fell off the curvy mountain roads. Nine people including women and children were killed in this attack and 41 people were left injured and traumatized.

The bus driver who made the turn was shot dead, later he was wrapped in the tricolor flag and was treated as a martyr by the people. Because of the driver’s effort many lives were saved.

The Resistance Front took the responsibility of the attack initially, but Jammu Kashmir Police believed it was done by Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Doda

In the night of 11th June,  a joint checkpoint of police and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by militants due to which 6 people including five soldiers war injured. This was the second time Jammu was attacked within this small period of time.

Kathua

On 12^th of June, Kathua region of Jammu division, the militant had fired at the joint team from the forest areas which led to the death of one CRPF official. In the cross firing, 2 Militants were also neutralized in this which is a success of the Indian Armed Forces.

Has Jammu Became the New Destination for Terrorism?

Scholars believe that the center of terrorism has shifted from Kashmir to Jammu region now. The recent increase in terror activities in Jammu region has been attributed to a Pakistan-based operative of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, identified as Saifullah Sajid Jatt.

In 2023 with 43 terror attacks and 20 so far in 2024, Jammu has become the main focus of the terrorist and peace miscreants. They shifter from Kashmir, as after the removal of Article 370 Kashmir is highly in the grasp of Indian forces.