J-K political parties express grief over killing of Army personnel in Rajouri

Srinagar: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday expressed grief over the killing of five soldiers in a blast in Rajouri district, saying their sacrifice for the nation will not be forgotten.

Five Army personnel were killed and a major injured in an explosion triggered by terrorists in the thickly forested Kandi area in Rajouri where an operation is underway to flush out terrorists.

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said terrorism deserves "unreserved condemnation".

"Tragic news from Rajouri where 5 army personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Terror is a scourge that has blighted numerous lives over the decades in J&K & deserves unreserved condemnation. I send my sincere condolences to the families of those we lost today," the former chief minister said on Twitter.

Tragic news from Rajouri where 5 army personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Terror is a scourge that has blighted numerous lives over the decades in J&K & deserves unreserved condemnation. I send my sincere condolences to the families of those we lost today.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 5, 2023

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti termed the loss of lives in the blast "terrible".

"Terrible news coming in. My deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the line of duty," she said in a tweet.

Terrible news coming in. My deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the line of duty. https://t.co/Q5GtSrX8T5

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 5, 2023

Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said the sacrifice of the soldiers for the safety of the nation will never be forgotten.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic news from Rajouri. My thoughts are with the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the ongoing encounter. Their sacrifice for the safety of our nation will never be forgotten," he tweeted.

According to a statement from the Army's Northern Command, its personnel have been conducting "relentless intelligence-based operations to flush out a group of terrorists involved in an ambush on an Army truck in the Tota Gali area of Bhata Dhurian in Jammu region last month".

Mobile internet facilities in Rajouri have been suspended.