Jammu, July 8 (Reporter) Four army personnel including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) have lost their lives while as many were injured, two of them critically during a fierce gunfight on Monday in the Machhedi area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Police sources said the terrorists attacked the Army vehicle in Badnota village under Lohai block. "The Army troops fired at them and the encounter triggered," said police sources. They stated that the terrorists ambushed the army vehicle and lobed a grenade and fired indiscriminately. "The Army troops effectively retaliated to the firing and in the exchange of bullets, four jawans including a JCO were killed," they added. They said two out of the four injured are critical. "The injured jawans have been evacuated while the operation is in progress," they added. More details are awaited. Union Minister Jitendra Singh posted on X, "My heart goes out to the brave heart soldiers martyred in the ongoing #Kathua encounter. I am in constant touch with the authorities. Joint police & para military operation is on. My sincere appeal to the civilian population is not to panic. We have full faith in our armed forces and we are always indebted to them." Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad posted on X, "Deeply saddened and strongly condemn the ambush on an army vehicle by terrorists in Kathua, resulting in the tragic loss of four jawans and injuries to six others. The rise in terrorism in Jammu province is deeply concerning. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and their families...////...