Srinagar, Jul 9 (IANS): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed anguish and grief at the death of five soldiers in the Kathua terror attack while reiterating his faith in the determination of the Army to eradicate terrorism from J&K.

Rajnath Singh said in a post on X, “I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K). My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers are determined to usher in peace and order in the region. I pray for a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries in this dastardly terror attack”.

Five soldiers, including a JCO, were martyred and five others injured when terrorists ambushed an Army vehicle in the Badnota area of Kathua district on Monday.

A massive CASO (Cordon & Search Operation) is underway in the area to hunt down the terrorists.

Elite Para commandos of the Army were airdropped in the area during the CASO to ensure that the perpetrators of Monday’s terror attack were neutralised.

Meanwhile, the attack has been widely condemned by the general public and political leaders.

This is the second major terror-related incident in Kathua district during the past four weeks.

Two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in a gunfight during a search and cordon operation on June 12 and June 14 in the Hiranagar area of Kathia district.

A major terror attack on innocent pilgrims occurred on June 9 in the Reasi district of Jammu division in which terrorists fired at a pilgrim bus returning from Shiv-Khori temple.

The terrorists killed the driver of the bus and kept firing at the bus after it fell into a gorge. Nine pilgrims were killed in that attack and 44 others were injured.

J&K DGP, R.R. Swain has said that a group of foreign terrorists is active in the hilly Poonch, Rajouri and adjacent districts who are taking advantage of the terrain and remoteness of the area.