Soldiers Fired 5,189 Rounds, Forced Terrorists to Retreat: Officials After Kathua Ambush

In the serene hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, the tranquillity was shattered on July 8th when a heavily armed group of terrorists launched a sudden and fierce ambush on an Army convoy. The 22 Garhwal Regiment, caught off guard, quickly rallied to defend themselves and their injured comrades. The soldiers' response was nothing short of heroic, as they fired an astonishing 5,189 rounds in a desperate bid to fend off the attackers and protect their fallen.

It was a typical afternoon on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar mountain road near Badnota village, about 150 kilometers from Kathua's district headquarters. The convoy was traveling through the scenic but challenging terrain when the terrorists struck. Positioned at two different locations, the attackers opened fire on two Army vehicles with a relentless barrage of bullets. The soldiers, faced with this unexpected and deadly assault, immediately returned fire, determined to prevent further casualties and stop the terrorists from seizing their weapons.

In the ensuing chaos, five Army personnel lost their lives, and five others were injured. The fallen heroes, Naib Subedar Anand Singh, Havildar Kamal Singh, Naik Vinod Singh, Rifleman Anuj Negi, and Rifleman Adarsh Negi, all hailed from Uttarakhand. Their bravery and sacrifice became the bedrock of the soldiers' resolve as they fought back with everything they had.

Among the injured was Rifleman Kartik Singh, whose right arm was severely wounded by shrapnel from a grenade. Undeterred, he continued to fire at the attackers with his left arm until his weapon jammed. His story is just one of many that underscore the extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by the soldiers that day.

As the battle raged for more than two hours, the soldiers of the 22 Garhwal Regiment held their ground, shouting their war cry, "Badri Vishal Ki Jai" (Victory to the sons of Lord Badrinath). Their relentless counterfire not only protected their injured comrades but also created enough panic among the terrorists to force them into retreat. The attackers fled into the wooded hills of Kathua, leaving behind a scene of destruction and bravery.

Officials later pieced together the sequence of events, examining bloodstained helmets, bullet shells, and vehicles with smashed windscreens and flat tires. The evidence painted a vivid picture of the intense firefight and the soldiers' valiant efforts to repel the ambush.

The attack was the fifth in Jammu in a month, signaling a troubling escalation in violence in the region, which is generally considered more peaceful than the Kashmir Valley. The Kashmir Tigers, a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), claimed responsibility for the ambush.

In the wake of the attack, the search for the terrorists expanded to cover vast areas in Udhampur and Kathua districts. Special Forces were deployed to conduct surgical operations against the ultras. The situation remains tense, with fresh gunfights breaking out in the nearby Doda district as security forces continue their operations based on specific intelligence about the presence of foreign terrorists.

The heroism displayed by the soldiers of the 22 Garhwal Regiment serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by the Indian Army in protecting the nation. Their bravery in the face of such adversity is a testament to their unwavering dedication and resolve, embodying their regiment's motto, "Yudhaya Krit Nishchaya" (Fight with determination). As the region mourns the loss of its heroes, the fight against terror continues, with the resolve to ensure that such sacrifices do not go in vain.