Four Indian Soldiers Killed Amid Surge in Kashmir Violence

Photo : AFP

At least four soldiers were killed in a gunfight with suspected militants in Indian-administered Kashmir, marking the latest incident in a recent surge of attacks by armed insurgents in the region. The clash occurred on Monday night in the forests of Doda district in Jammu, where security forces were conducting a search operation.

The situation escalated when the security forces came under heavy fire during their operation. This attack follows a deadly ambush last week where five soldiers lost their lives in another part of the disputed region, which remains a contentious area between India and Pakistan.

Since 1989, an armed insurgency against Indian rule in Kashmir has claimed thousands of lives. Although violence has diminished in recent years, the Jammu region, previously considered relatively peaceful, has experienced an alarming increase in bloodshed. Since June, at least eight attacks have been reported in the area.

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One of the most severe incidents occurred last month when nine people were killed and 33 injured after suspected militants fired on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims. On July 8, five soldiers were killed in an ambush in Kathua district.

The recent gunfight began when militants, allegedly hiding in the forests, opened fire on the Indian army. According to reports, the army was acting on intelligence inputs when they were attacked. The Indian army confirmed in a statement that five soldiers were critically injured during the exchange of fire, with four succumbing to their injuries later.

In response, reinforcements have been deployed to the area to prevent the attackers from escaping. The Himalayan region of Kashmir has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with both countries accusing each other of fueling the unrest. India alleges that Pakistan harbors militants and disrupts peace in the region, an accusation that Pakistan denies.

The recent upsurge in violence underscores the ongoing volatility in Kashmir and the persistent threat posed by militant groups, despite efforts to stabilize the area.