• Pak deliberately targeting Kashmiri locals to evoke fear, terror
• COAS, Indian Army pays tributes to fallen soldiers
• Searches continue for 2nd day in dense forests
• Gulmarg Gandola shuts as a precautionary measure
Srinagar, Oct 25: A day after the tragic deaths of two soldiers and two civilian porters in the Butapathri area, the Army reported that the terrorists escaped into dense foliage, aided by a nearby nala and fading light. The incident occurred on Thursday when an Army vehicle, part of a convoy, was ambushed near the Nagin post in Bota Pathri, leading to the fatalities and injuries to three soldiers.
According to PRO (Defence) Srinagar, Lt Col MK Sahu, “Pakistani terrorists on Thursday cowardly targeted an Army column in general area Butapathri, Baramulla, which was carrying soldiers and local porters.” He added that upon being fired upon, the alert troops “swiftly and resolutely retaliated the fire, forcing the terrorists to retreat leaving behind a weapon and rucksack and escape into dense foliage, exploiting a nala and fading light.”
The spokesman paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, stating, “Two brave Indian Army soldiers, one from Anantnag district and the other from Sirsa District, succumbed to the injuries sustained during the exchange of fire, thereby making the supreme sacrifice.” He specifically honoured Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah and Rifleman Jeevan Singh, commending their bravery in responding to the attack despite being injured.
“Indian Army salutes the bravery of Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah and Rifleman Jeevan Singh, who despite being hit responded and forced the terrorists to flee, before laying down their lives in this cowardly terrorist attack,” the spokesman affirmed. He emphasized that their actions prevented further harm and demonstrated unwavering courage in safeguarding national security against Pakistan’s terror agenda in Kashmir.
The spokesman further said that during the attack, two Kashmiri porters Zahoor Ahmad Mir resident of Boniyar Tehsil and Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary resident of Uri Tehsil also made the ultimate sacrifice, while serving the Nation.
“ It is evident that Pakistani terrorists are, deliberately and unregretfully, targeting Kashmiri locals to evoke the fear and terror in the Valley, which is progressing towards peace and stability. The only ideology these terrorists espouse is of “The Reign of Terror in Valley”,” he added.
Meanwhile, General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), along with all ranks of the Indian Army, have conveyed their deepest condolences to the families of the bravehearts who laid down their lives in Gulmarg.
In a post on X, Indian Army spokesman said that COAS and All Ranks of IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of the braveheart Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah, Rifleman Jeevan Singh, Porter Mushtaq Ahmad Chowdary & Porter Zahoor Ahmad Mir who laid down their life in the line of duty in J&K and express deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
“IndianArmy offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” he said.
Meanwhile, mortal remains of Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah of 18 Rashtriya Rifles (3 JAKLI), who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Gulmarg, were returned to his hometown in Wangam, Shangus (Anantnag) on Friday.
A wreath-laying ceremony to honor the valiant soldier was conducted at BB Cantt, led by the Corps Commander of the Chinar Corps.
Slain soldier was laid to rest at the Wangam Idgah around 6 PM, surrounded by a large gathering of the public.
The wreath-laying ceremony was attended by senior Military and Police officials alongwith MLA of Shangus (Anantnag – East) Reyaz Ahmad Khan who paid his tributes to the braveheart as a large crowd mourned the loss.
Massive searches continued for the second consecutive day on Friday and security forces are now using high end drones, choppers to track the foreign terrorists.
“Multiple drones, 3 choppers and other technical equipment is being used to track the terrorists hiding in the area. Special commandos have been deployed also to conduct this challenging operation,” he said.
The police official further said that the entire forest belt is under a tight security cordon. The area is mountainous and the forest is dense, making the operation both difficult and dangerous, the police officer said.
Authorities on Friday suspended Gondola ropeway service in Gulmarg as a precautionary measure.
An official at the tourism department told Rising Kashmir that the Gondola cable car project in Gulmarg is temporarily shut following Thursday’s terror attack. The shutdown is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of tourists and staff, he said.
“Gondola is expected to resume operations once security assessments and measures are complete. There is a possibility it will resume its operations on Saturday or Sunday,” he said.
The official further said tourists were allowed to move freely in Gulmarg without any inconvenience. However they were not allowed to visit Bootapatri side, where searches are underway.
