Four army soldiers killed, six injured in terrorist attack in Kathua

Srinagar, July 08: Four army soldiers were killed and six others injured in a terrorist attack in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, reports said.

They said that the attack took place in the Badnota village.

The injured soldiers have been shifted to Sub District Hospital Billawar for advanced treatment, said a report.

Officials said the terrorists threw a grenade and then opened automatic fire on army vehicles that were on routine patrol duty on Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road at 3.30 pm in Kathua district today.

“The attack by terrorists occurred near Badnota village, which is 150 Kms away from Kathua town”, officials said. Earlier, officials had said the place of the terrorist attack was 52 kms away from Kathua town.

The security forces retaliated, but reports indicate that the terrorists escaped from the spot.

A massive CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) was started in the area after the injured soldiers were removed to the hospital for treatment, officials added.

Doctors at the hospital said the condition of two of the injured soldiers is critical.

Officials said that reinforcements have been rushed to the place to augment the strength of the security forces so that the terrorists responsible for the attack are traced.

Monday's attack is the second major terror-related incident in Kathua district in the past four weeks.

Two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a gunfight during a search and cordon operation on June 12 and June 14 in the Hiranagar area of Kathia district.

A major terror attack on innocent pilgrims occurred on June 9 in the Reasi district of Jammu division in which terrorists fired at a pilgrim bus returning from Shiv-Khori temple. (With inputs from IANS)