India united against scourge of terrorism: Kharge after Ponnch terror attack

New Delhi: India stands united against the scourge of terrorism, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Friday while expressing his deep anguish at the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pir Panjal area the day before.

Five soldiers were killed and two injured when heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles in an area that falls in Jammu region's Poonch and Rajouri districts. The bodies of two of the slain soldiers were mutilated, officials said.

"We unequivocally condemn these heinous terror attacks that have been taking place in Rajouri and in the areas of Pir Panjal range," Kharge said in a post on X.

Deeply anguished by the martyrdom of four Army personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in a terrorist attack on Army vehicles in Rajouri area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Salutations to Naik Birendra Singh, Naik Karan Kumar, Rifleman Chandan Kumar, Rifleman Gautam Kumar for their…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 22, 2023

The Army personnel had made a "supreme sacrifice", he said and lauded their "indomitable courage and resolute bravery".

"In this hour of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. We pray for the complete and speedy recovery of the injured soldiers," the Congress chief said.

"India is united against the scourge of terrorism," the Congress president said.

The vehicles carrying the Army personnel to the site of a cordon-and-search operation came under attack at a blind curve between Dhera Ki Gali and Bufliaz under the jurisdiction of the Surankote police station around 3.45 pm on Thursday, according to the officials.