“Sacrifice will not go unavenged…”: Defence Secretary Promises Action Against Terrorists behind Kathua Terror Attack

A terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Monday claimed the lives of five Indian Army personnel and left five injured. Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane has expressed condolences for the families of the victims and vowed that their sacrifice 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,” said Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed deep anguish over the loss of the soldiers and condemned the attack. He praised the soldiers' bravery and said that the nation stands firm with the bereaved families. "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. The 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,” said Rajnath Singh.

The attack occurred when terrorists ambushed an Army patrol party in the remote Machedi area of Kathua. The soldiers were in an Army truck that was attacked with grenades and gunfire. Following the attack, terrorists fled into the forest.

A manhunt is underway to apprehend terrorists following a recent attack. Paratroopers were deployed via aerial drop to reinforce the perimeter and intensify the search efforts. Injured soldiers have been hospitalized in Kathua for treatment. Ongoing counter-terrorism operations are in progress. The Kashmir Tigers—a subsidiary of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) organization based in Pakistan—has claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident marks the second attack on the Army within a 48-hour period, amidst a surge in terrorist activities in the region.​