Defence Ministry spokesperson A. Bharat Bhushan Babu posted on X, "I express profound grief on the loss of five Bravehearts in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua, and extend deepest condolences to the bereaved families."

"Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered & their sacrifice will not go unavenged and India will defeat the evil forces behind the attack."

Five Army personnel were killed and as many injured after terrorists attacked a military convoy in the remote Machedi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on Monday afternoon.

The Army vehicles were on a routine patrol on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road when the terrorists opened fire on them about 150 km from Kathua.

After the initial attack, terrorists threw a grenade and then opened fire.

The security forces retaliated but the terrorists fled into the nearby forest, media reports said.

Reinforcements were then rushed to the spot and a search operation was launched to nab the terrorists.