Gulmarg, India – Following a violent attack on military vehicles that occurred on Thursday evening in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, search operations have ramped up in the densely forested areas of Gulmarg and Butapathri. The incident led to the deaths of two soldiers and two porters while injuring three other soldiers, sparking intensified efforts by security forces to locate the perpetrators believed to be hiding in this challenging terrain.
The assault targeted a convoy in the Nagin Butapathri region, known for its strategic proximity to the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Authorities have heightened security along the key corridors, including the Gulmarg-Botapathri road, and temporarily closed the Gulmarg Gondola, a tourist ropeway, as a precaution. Services resumed in the afternoon, reflecting a cautious return to normalcy amid ongoing operations.
Security officials, wary of the dense and expansive forest that connects Baramulla to Uri and Budgam, are committed to an exhaustive search. A senior officer disclosed optimism about the progress of the operation, given the substantial resources deployed to monitor entry and exit points effectively and comb through the wooded expanse.
The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), believed to be a front for the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, has asserted responsibility for this act of terrorism. They further intimidated with threats of more such incidents, circulating a photograph of the attacked vehicle to underline their capability and intent.
In a solemn tribute to the fallen, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha honored the memories of Rifleman Jeevan Singh, Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah, and Defence Porters Mushtaq Ahmad Chowdary and Zahoor Ahmad Mir. During a wreath-laying ceremony, Sinha reflected on their sacrifices through a message, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to remembering their service and standing with the grieving families.
This recent ambush joins a series of violent acts in Jammu and Kashmir, further unsettling the region recently instated elected government—the first since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which accorded special status to the region. Prior incidents, including an attack at a construction site in Ganderbal district that claimed seven lives and the fatal shooting of a migrant laborer in Shopian, underline an alarming trend of elevated insurgent activity.
These attacks disrupt the precarious peace that momentarily held during the election period, emphasizing persistent security challenges. Local and national authorities are focusing their efforts on bolstering safety measures for both civilians and military personnel in an area marred by prolonged unrest.
As the search continues, the community and security forces remain on high alert, committed to restoring stability in a region that stands at a critical juncture of its long and complex history of conflict and reconciliation.