Army airlifts bodies of soldiers killed in Kathua attack; Post-mortem conducted

Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 9 (ANI): The post-mortem of five army soldiers who lost their lives in the July 8 Kathua terror attack has been done at the Sub District Hospital Billawar in Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier the Indian Army airlifted the bodies of soldiers who were killed in a terrorist attack on their convoy in the Machedi area of Kathua district.

Billawar Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vinay Khosla told reporters that eight injured soldiers were brought to the Billawar Hospital.

“An unfortunate incident took place yesterday in which 5 soldiers died. Strict action will be taken against the terrorists responsible for this. 8 injured soldiers were brought to Billawar Hospital. Out of which, the Army shifted six jawans to Pathankot Hospital after being provided with the best possible treatment here”.

“Post mortem of the deceased soldiers have been done…,” Khosla said, adding that “the security forces are on high alert”.

Replying to a query on the pain that such attacks create among the people, he said, “…Our field functionaries are doing rounds and are striving to build confidence-building measures among the people. We will attempt to ensure that such attacks do not happen in the future”.

Five Army soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Katha district of Jammu and Kashmir on July 8.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway following the attack.

Following the attack, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel have been deployed along the National Highway (NH44) in Udhampur.

This measure was taken as the 11th batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims passed through Udhampur on Tuesday morning. Multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place by the security forces to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

Since June 9, there have been terror strikes at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda in which nine pilgrims and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan were killed. A civilian and at least seven security personnel were also injured. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and directed all security agencies to “work in a mission mode and ensure quick response in a coordinated manner.”