2 soldiers, 2 porters killed in terror attack on Army convoy in Gulmarg

A week marked by a series of terror incidents saw its fourth attack unfold, mere days following the fatal shooting of seven employees from a construction company.

In the Gulmarg sector of Kashmir, a tragic terror incident resulted in the loss of two soldiers and two civilian porters who were assisting the Army. Additionally, three soldiers sustained injuries during the attack.

Just hours after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led a Unified Headquarters (UHQ) meeting in Srinagar to assess the security scenario following consecutive attacks in the previous week, the terror strike unfolded. The high-level meeting saw the presence of senior Army, police, paramilitary, and intelligence officials.

Reports indicate that militants attacked an Army vehicle on Thursday evening near the Nagin post at Bota Pathri, approximately seven kilometers away from the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg. This location is in close proximity to the Line of Control, leading to restricted civilian activity in the region.

A statement from the Army verified the occurrence of a shootout while mentioning that they are still in the process of obtaining more information.

Mushtaq Ahmad and Zahoor Ahmad, hailing from Boniyar in the Baramulla district of northern Kashmir, were recognized as the two porters, according to sources.

The assault was denounced by J&K Chief Minister Omara Abdullah and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Expressing deep sorrow regarding the regrettable incident involving the army vehicles in Bota Pathri area of north Kashmir, which led to casualties and injuries. The series of recent attacks in Kashmir is alarming. Strongly condemning this attack and extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Wishing a speedy and full recovery to the injured, my thoughts and prayers are with them. This was stated by Omar on X.

Mufti expressed profound shock and sorrow over the militant assault on an Army convoy in Baramulla. The unequivocal condemnation of this act was coupled with heartfelt prayers for the prompt recovery of the wounded soldiers.

Amidst a series of violent incidents in the Valley, the latest attack marks the fourth militant strike within a week. It follows closely on the heels of a tragic assault that claimed the lives of seven individuals, including a resident doctor, employed by APCO Infratech at their campsite near Sonamarg tourist resort in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. These victims were integral members of the construction crew assigned to the crucial Z-Morh tunnel project.

In Zainapora village of Shopian district in south Kashmir, militants fatally attacked a non-local worker on October 18. Furthermore, in Batagund village of Tral in south Kashmir, militants targeted and injured a teenage non-local worker on Thursday morning.