2 soldiers, 2 porters killed in terror attack on Army convoy in Gulmarg

According to sources, on Thursday evening, militants targeted an Army vehicle, which was part of a convoy, near the Nagin post at Bota Pathri, around seven kilometers from the main tourist resort of Gulmarg. Bota Pathri is close to the Line of Control, and civilian movement in the area is restricted.

The Army confirmed the exchange of fire but said that “details are being ascertained”.

Sources identified the two porters as Mushtaq Ahmad and Zahoor Ahmad, both residents of Boniyar in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.

J&K Chief Minister Omara Abdullah and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack.

“Very unfortunate news about the attack on the army vehicles in Bota Pathri area of north Kashmir which has resulted in some casualties and injuries. This recent spate of attacks in Kashmir is a matter of serious concern. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms and send my condolences to the loved ones of the people, who lost their lives. I also pray that (the) injured make a complete and swift recovery,” Omar posted on X.

Mufti wrote: “Shocked & deeply saddened by the militant attack on an Army convoy in Baramulla… Condemn it unequivocally and pray for the swift recovery of the injured soldiers.”

This is the fourth militant attack in the Valley this week, and comes four days after terrorists killed seven employees, including a local doctor, of APCO Infratech in an attack on their campsite at Gagangir, near Sonamarg tourist resort in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The workers were part of a construction team building the strategic Z-Morh tunnel.

On October 18, a non-local worker was killed by militants in Zainapora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. And, on Thursday morning, a teenage non-local worker was shot at and injured by militants at Batagund village of Tral in south Kashmir.