Ishtiyaq Kar

Srinagar, July 09 (KNS): A large-scale joint search operation commenced on Tuesday to apprehend the terrorists behind a deadly attack on an army patrol party in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, officials reported.
The ambush, which occurred on Monday, claimed the lives of five army personnel and injured five others.
News agency KNS reported that ground search teams, aided by helicopter and UAV surveillance, were mobilized to cover a vast area, including dense forests. Sniffer dogs and metal detectors are also being employed to ensure a thorough search.
Director General of Police R R Swain arrived in Kathua on Tuesday to oversee the ongoing efforts to locate and neutralize the terrorists. Accompanied by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Vijay Kumar and ADGP Jammu zone Anand Jain, Swain held a meeting with police and army officers involved in the operation.
The attack on the army patrol was the first such incident on the rugged Machedi-Kindli-Malhar mountainous road near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, approximately 150 km from the Kathua district headquarters.
The attackers ambushed the patrol in a remote, challenging terrain, complicating the search and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the Jammu Bar Association organized a protest on Tuesday, condemning the terror attack. Lawyers, led by Association President and senior advocate Vikram Sharma, gathered in the high court complex, chanting anti-Pakistan slogans and expressing solidarity with the fallen soldiers. The protesters paid homage to the brave army personnel who lost their lives and called the attack an act of cowardice by Pakistan-based terrorists.
“Firstly, we are here to pay homage and tributes to the army personnel who laid down their lives for the nation. We stand with their families. We are ready to lay down our lives for these bravehearts defending the country,” Sharma told reporters.
He also condemned the Kathua terror attack, stating, “It is an act of cowardice by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.”
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday termed the terrorist attack on an army convoy in Jammu and Kashmir a “cowardly act” and said it deserved condemnation and firm countermeasures.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
In a post on X, Murmu said, “My sympathies are with the families of the bravehearts who laid down their lives in this ongoing war against terror in its all forms. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.” She added, “The attack on a convoy of Army personnel in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists is a cowardly act that deserves condemnation and firm countermeasures. My sympathies are with the families of the bravehearts who laid down their lives in this ongoing war against terror in its all forms. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The Vice-President of India strongly condemns the attack. “My deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured”.
The joint operation to find the terrorists remains underway as authorities intensify their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the deaths of the army personnel and emphasized the soldiers' determination to ensure peace in the region.
"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. Counter-terrorist 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 wrote.
In a strong response to the attack, the defence ministry also asserted that the sacrifice of the soldiers "will not go unavenged."
"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. 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 Defence Secretary posted on X.(KNS)