At least four people, including two Indian soldiers, were killed in a deadly ambush on a military vehicle in the disputed region of Kashmir on Thursday night, marking the fourth attack in the area in just two weeks, Al Jazeera reports.
The Indian Army confirmed the exchange of fire with “terrorists” near Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination located close to the heavily militarized Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
In addition to the two soldiers, two army porters were also killed in the attack, which occurred in the Bota Pathri area. Three other soldiers sustained injuries.
Security forces have deployed drones and helicopters to search the forested region where the incident took place, according to a senior police officer.
Kashmir has been a source of conflict between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both countries claiming the territory in its entirety. The decades-long conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers, civilians, and fighters.
Following the ambush, authorities closed Gulmarg’s cable car, a popular tourist attraction located about 12 kilometers from the attack site. The cable car attracts approximately one million visitors annually.
This latest attack follows a series of violent incidents in the region. On Monday, six migrant workers and a doctor were shot dead by armed militants near a tunnel construction site. In July, nine soldiers were killed in two separate attacks.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep concern over the “recent spate of attacks” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the latest assault.
Anti-India groups have waged an armed rebellion for decades, demanding independence for Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan. India maintains a significant military presence in the region, with approximately 500,000 soldiers deployed. India frequently accuses Pakistan of supporting the rebels in launching attacks in Kashmir, a charge Pakistan denies.
