Two soldiers and two civilian porters lost their lives on Thursday when an army vehicle was ambushed by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir’s Baramulla district, near the popular Gulmarg ski resort. The attack, which also left three other soldiers injured, took place in the Nagin Chowk area of Botapathri, a region typically known for its peaceful environment and tourist influx.


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"Terrorists opened fire on a Rashtriya Rifles (RR) vehicle in Nagin Chowk, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and two civilian porters," an official source said. "Three soldiers were also injured, and reinforcements have been rushed to the area, which has now been cordoned off."


This attack has shocked the region, as it occurred in an area that rarely sees militancy-related violence. Gulmarg and its nearby regions like Botapathri are usually bustling with tourists and nature lovers. This event has raised concerns over the increasing violence in the Valley.


Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, expressing his shock and dismay, strongly condemned the attack. "Very unfortunate news about the attack on army vehicles in the Boota Pathri area of North Kashmir," he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "I condemn this attack in the strongest terms and send my condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives. I also pray for the swift recovery of the injured."


The Baramulla police confirmed earlier that an exchange of fire had occurred between security forces and terrorists in the Boota Pathri sector, near the Nagin post. However, more details are awaited as investigations are still underway.


A Week of Rising Violence in J&K


This attack comes just days after another terrorist incident in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district, where seven people, including six non-local workers and a local doctor, were killed in a brutal attack on a private infrastructure company’s camp.


That attack was carried out by two foreign terrorists targeting innocent workers involved in building a tunnel from Z-Morh to Sonamarg, a project that will enhance connectivity and boost the local economy by turning Sonamarg into an all-season tourist destination.


The rising wave of attacks in the region has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and government officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister for Roads and Highways Nitin Gadkari, and J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.


Former Chief Ministers Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Ghulam Nabi Azad have also voiced their concerns over the increasing violence and its impact on local communities.