Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir – The Kashmir Tigers, a shadow Terrorist outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), have claimed responsibility for the devastating terror attack on an Indian Army convoy in the remote Machedi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on July 8th. The ambush resulted in the death of five army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and left several others injured.
The heavily armed terrorists targeted the army truck, part of a routine patrolling party, with grenades and gunfire on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road. After the attack, the perpetrators fled into the nearby forest, sparking a large-scale search operation by the army, police, and paramilitary personnel.
This incident marks the second major terrorist attack in Kathua district within a month, raising concerns about the resurgence of militancy in the region. The previous attack, on June 12th and 13th, resulted in the deaths of two terrorists and a CRPF jawan.
The Kashmir Tigers released a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, stating it was revenge for the deaths of three of their members in Doda on June 26th. They threatened further attacks and vowed to continue their fight for the "freedom of Kashmir."
The traditionally peaceful Jammu region has witnessed a surge in ambushes and attacks by terrorists in recent months, particularly in the border districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, and Reasi. Security forces believe this increase in terrorist activity is connected to efforts by Pakistani handlers to reignite terrorism in the region.
The Kashmir Tigers: A Shadowy New Terrorist Outfit
The Kashmir Tigers first emerged in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. The group has been identified by police as a shadow group of the Jaish-e-Mohammad and has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks since its inception.In June 2021, the Kashmir Tigers carried out a grenade attack in South Kashmir. Later, in December 2021, they attacked a police bus in Srinagar, killing three people and injuring 11 others.
Security forces believe that the emergence of new terrorist outfits with secular-sounding names, like The Resistance Front (TRF) and People Against Fascist Forces (PAFF), is a tactic employed by Pakistan to distance itself from the violence and avoid scrutiny from international organizations like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
