A day after four persons, including two army jawans, were killed in a terror attack in the Gulmarg area of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence official said that Pakistani terrorists are "deliberately" attacking locals to evoke fear in the valley.
An Army convoy vehicle had come under attack near the Nagin post at Bota Pathri, in Gulmarg, on Thursday, killing four and causing injuries to three soldiers.
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In a statement, a defence spokesperson in Srinagar said Pakistani terrorists, with an aim to disrupt peace and stability in Kashmir, cowardly targeted an Army column which was carrying soldiers and local porters.
"On being fired upon, the alert troops swiftly and resolutely retaliated the fire, forcing the terrorists to retreat, leaving behind a weapon and rucksack," he said.
Two brave soldiers -- Rifleman Kaisar Ahmad Shah from Anantnag (J-K) and Rifleman Jeevan Singh from Sirsa (Haryana) -- succumbed to injuries during the exchange of fire.
Alongside the brave soldiers, two Kashmiri porters -- Zahoor Ahmad Mir, a resident of Boniyar Tehsil; and Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary, a resident of Uri Tehsil -- also made the sacrifice.
The spokesperson also added that search operations are underway in the region. The attackers managed to escape into a dense forest.
The Army salutes the bravery of the soldiers who responded despite being hit and forced the terrorists to flee before laying down their own lives, said the spokesperson in a statement.
The soldier's actions prevented the terrorists from causing any further damage, the PRO said. They demonstrated unwavering courage and commitment to safeguard the national security and counter the inimical agenda of Pakistan abetted terrorism in Kashmir, he added.
It is evident that Pakistani terrorists are deliberately targeting Kashmiri locals to evoke fear and terror in the Valley which is progressing towards peace and stability, the PRO said. "The only ideology these terrorists espouse is of 'the reign of terror in the valley'."
The Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens and will resolutely achieve its efforts to combat terrorism and promote harmony in Kashmir Valley, he said.
The sacrifices of these brave Kashmiris and soldiers will inspire the future generations to stand against the perpetrators of terror, he added.
"It is evident that Pakistani terrorists are, deliberately and unregretfully, targeting Kashmiri locals to evoke fear and terror in the Valley," he said in a statement.
On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha held talks with top officers of the Army, the J&K Police, and the UT administration, and called for a "swift and befitting reply to neutralise terrorists".