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The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a wing of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, claimed responsibility for the attack on an army patrol car in Gulmarg.
Security forces have cordoned off the area adjacent to Gulmarg | Image/PTI (file)
The recent surge in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir has drawn attention to the proliferation of shadow groups linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist organizations Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a wing of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, claimed responsibility for the attack on an army patrol car in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg district on Thursday, in which two army jawans and two local porters were killed, the sources said.
They added that the attack on the army vehicle was carried out from two directions, with the terrorists setting up an ambush and opening indiscriminate fire on the vehicle. They also tried to steal rifles from the army truck, according to the sources.
Police said the army vehicle was fired upon near the Nagin post area of Butpapatri, Gulmarg near the Line of Control (LoC). It was learned that the J&K Police suspected it to be a case of infiltration near the LoC.
The two civilian porters killed in the attack have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Choudhary R/o Nowshehra Boniyar, Baramulla and Zahoor Ahmad Mir R/o Barnate Boniyar, Baramulla.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a massive counter-operation to hunt down the terrorists, sources said, adding that roads leading to Gulmarg have been closed for commuters.
Gulmarg, a famous winter tourist destination, is connected to Poonch on one side and is located near the Line of Control (LoC). Security forces suspect terrorists coming from the Poonch area, given the recent anti-terrorist operations in the area, which may have necessitated their relocation, sources said.
J&K LG Manoj Sinha promises action
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he had spoken to army officials and directed them to launch a swift response to crush the militants operating in the Valley.
“I have spoken to senior army officials about the heinous terror attack in Butpapatri sector. Designed for rapid and appropriate response to neutralize terrorists. Operation in progress. The sacrifice of our martyrs will not be in vain. Condolences to their families. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” J&K LG Manoj Sinha’s office said in a post X.
He spoke to senior army officials about a heinous terror attack in Butpapatri sector. Designed for rapid and appropriate response to neutralize terrorists. Operation in progress. The sacrifice of our martyrs will not be in vain. Condolences to their families. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) October 24, 2024
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who recently took office, addressed X and wrote, “Very unpleasant news about the attack on army vehicles in Buta Patri area of North Kashmir, which resulted in some casualties and injuries. This recent spate of attacks in Kashmir is a matter of grave concern. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and send my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I also pray that the injured make a full and speedy recovery.”
Ganderbal Terror Attack
The Gulmarg incident comes just days after a doctor and six migrant workers were killed after terrorists opened fire at a construction site in Sonamarg area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Sunday evening.
The terrorist opened fire on the doctor and workers, part of the construction team working on the Z-Morh tunnel, which connects Gaganeer to Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack, making it yet another incident by Pakistan-based militant groups that have claimed violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Jammu and Kashmir, India
, a proxy outfit of the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, claimed the attack on an army patrol vehicle in Gulmarg.){kind=link}