In a tragic incident on Thursday night, at least four individuals, including two soldiers, were killed in a militant ambush targeting an army vehicle in Kashmir's Bota Pathri area, near the border with Pakistan. This marks the fourth attack in the region within the past two weeks and the second such assault this week, signaling a surge in violence in the volatile area.

According to officials, the attack also claimed the lives of two army porters, while three soldiers sustained injuries. In response, a massive search operation has been launched to apprehend those responsible, with additional reinforcements being deployed to the area. The ambush comes after a recent government change, with a new administration formed by an opposition alliance now in power. The region has been a flashpoint for decades, with separatist militants engaged in ongoing conflict against security forces.

Authorities have taken precautionary measures following the attack, including the closure of the Gulmarg cable car—a popular tourist attraction located approximately 12 kilometers (7 miles) from the ambush site. Annually, around one million people visit the cable car, which remains shut to ensure the safety of tourists and staff.

This recent attack adds to a growing wave of violence in Kashmir. Earlier in the week, six migrant workers and a doctor were killed when militants opened fire near a tunnel construction site. July also saw two separate attacks in the region, resulting in the deaths of nine soldiers.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grave concern over the situation, highlighting the "recent spate of attacks" as a serious matter. The heightened violence comes amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim Kashmir in full but administer it in parts. Relations between the two nations have remained strained, particularly following the 2019 revocation of Kashmir's special status, which saw it divided into the federally governed territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.