Terrorist Attack in J&K's Gulmarg Kills Civilian Porter, Injures 4 Soldiers

Srinagar, Oct 24: Two soldiers and as many civilian porters were killed when terrorists fired at an army vehicle in the Gulmarg area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday, officials said.

Official sources said that terrorists fired at a vehicle of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) in Nagin area of Botapathri near Gulmarg ski resort in the evening.

Two soldiers and two civilian porters were killed in the attack, they said, adding three others were injured.

The area has been cordoned off and reinforcements have been rushed to the area, said an official.

Thursday’s attack on an army vehicle comes in from a usually militancy-free area of the Valley. Gulmarg and its upper reaches like Botapathri are thronged by tourists and the place has been a choice destination for nature lovers.

“A brief firefight took place between #IndianArmy and terrorists in general area Butapathri, #Baramulla. Details are being ascertained,” Army’s Chinar Corps said on X.

Earlier, Baramulla police said: “Some exchange of fire took place between forces and terrorists in Butapathri sector of district Baramulla around Nagin post. Further details will be shared after verifying facts.”

Condemning the attack, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah said: “Very unfortunate news about the attack on the army vehicles in the Boota Pathri area of North Kashmir which has resulted in some casualties & injuries. This recent spate of attacks in Kashmir is a matter of serious concern. I condemn this attack is the strongest possible terms & send my condolences to the loved ones of the people who lost their lives. I also pray that injured make a complete & swift recovery.”

On Sunday, terrorists attacked a private infrastructure company’s workers’ camp in the Gagangir area of the Ganderbal district. In that dastardly attack carried out by two foreign terrorists, seven people were killed including six non-local workers and a local doctor. The attack was carried out on innocent, unarmed workers engaged in building a tunnel at Z-Morh on the Srinagar-Leh national highway, which, once completed, would make the Srinagar-Sonamarg road an all-weather road and also make the tourist resort of Sonamarg an all-season tourist destination. The tunnel from Z-Morh to Sonamarg would help the local economy stand and also generate employment for the local youth.

The Gagangir attack was widely condemned by everybody including Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, Union Minister for Roads and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief Ministers, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, and Ghulam Nabi Azad.