At least five soldiers were killed and five were injured after the Indian Army convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Machedi area of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday evening. Following firing by terrorists, the troops retaliated, that  The incident took place at Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, 150 kilometres from Kathua town, when some Army vehicles were on a routine patrol in the area, according to the officials cited by PTI. 

The terrorists hurled a grenade and opened fire targeting Army vehicles. Security forces retaliated, and after an exchange of fire between terrorists and officials, the terrorists fled the spot and disappeared into the forest.

The first encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Modergam village. Hours later, another encounter broke out in the Frisal Chinnigam area of the district.

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Rahul Gandhi Slams Government Over Terrorist Attacks

The Congress on Monday condemned the terror attack on Army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and said no amount of whitewashing, fake claims, hollow boasts and chest-thumping can "erase the fact that the Modi government remains a disaster" for security in the Union Territory.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the answer to the continuous terrorist attacks has to be strict action, not "hollow speeches and false promises".

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Omar Abdullah, Mufti, Azad Condemn Attack On Army Personnel

The three former CMs -- Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad -- reacted to sharply to terrorists ambushing an Army truck in remote Machedi area.

"Terrible news from Kathua. It's a very bad day when you lose four brave army personnel in the line of duty. I condemn the attack unequivocally and send my heartfelt condolences to the families. I hope the injured make a swift & complete recovery," Abdullah, who is the vice president of the National Conference (NC), posted on X.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, while condemning the attack, said it was an indication of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Condemn the terror attack in Kathua that claimed the lives of four soldiers. Tragic & equally shocking that they are losing their lives in the line of duty in places where one found little to no trace of militancy before 2019.

"Tells you all there is to know about the current security situation in J&K. Deepest condolences to their families," she said in a post on X.

Azad also expressed his grief over the incident.

"Deeply saddened and strongly condemn the ambush on an army vehicle by terrorists in Kathua, resulting in the tragic loss of four jawans and injuries to six others. The rise in terrorism in Jammu province is deeply concerning.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and their families. The government must act decisively to tackle terrorism and ensure public safety!" DPAP president Ghulam Nabi Azad posted on X.

Recent Terrorist Attacks In J&K

The incident comes a day after troops gunned down six terrorists in two separate encounters that were underway in Jammu & Kashmir's Kulgam district. 

In June, three terrorists were neutralized in an encounter with security forces in the Gandoh, Bhaderwah sector of district Doda in Jammu and Kashmir, ADGP Anand Jain had said.

Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Police deployed as many as 960 specially trained policemen in the border areas of the Union Territory to combat infiltration and cross-border terrorism in the region. 

Notably, this marks the first time the Jammu and Kashmir Police have assembled a force dedicated solely to anti-infiltration and anti-terrorism duties.

Jammu and Kashmir has recently witnessed a massive spike in terrorism.

(With inputs from agencies)