Encounter in J-K: Four soldiers including a Captain ranked Army officer killed on duty during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district. According to officials, the encounter began when troops from the Rashtriya Rifles, along with the Special Operations Group of the J-K Police, initiated a joint cordon and search operation on Monday evening. This operation took place at Dhari Gote Urarbagi, located in the Desa forest area. The search commenced around 7:45 pm on July 15, as the forces aimed to track down and apprehend suspected militants in the region.
Soldiers succumb to injuries
Earlier the officials said four army personnel, including the officer, were "critically" injured in the exchange of fire which initially lasted for over 20 minutes. They were evacuated to the hospital where they succumbed to their injuries, the officials said. The Army said that additional troops were moved into the area and the operation was continuing when reports last came in. The operation was launched on an input about the presence of terrorists, the officials said.
Gunfight between security forces and terrorists
A police spokesperson confirmed the exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists in the Desa forest area. "Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and JKP was in progress in the general area North of Doda. "Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 2100 h in which heavy firefight ensued. Initial reports suggest injuries to our bravehearts. Additional troops have been moved into the area. Operations are continuing," the Army's 16 Corps, also known as White Knight Corps, posted on X.
Union Minister and Doda MP Jitendra Singh's reaction
Reacting to the incident, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said words fall short of condoling and condemning the martyrdom of Bravehearts. "Deeply disturbed by the reports of armed encounter in Dessa area of district Doda in my Lok Sabha constituency. Let all of us join together to defeat the nefarious designs of the enemy and, maintain peace and harmony for which Doda has always been known for," he wore on X.
J-K LG Manoj Sinha's reaction
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha also paid tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice. "I am deeply anguished to learn about the cowardly attack on our Army soldiers and JKP personnel in Doda district. My deepest condolences to members of the bereaved families. We will avenge the death of our soldiers & thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their associates," he added.
Spike in terror attacks in J-K
The Jammu region, which remained relatively peaceful between 2005 and 2021 after security forces wiped out decades-long terrorism, witnessed a spike in terror attacks over the past month. It included an attack on a pilgrim bus that left nine persons dead and 40 injured. Terror activities resurfaced in October 2021 from the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Some of the deadly attacks that spread to Reasi, Kathua and Doda were attributed by the security establishment as an attempt by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the Jammu region. Over 70 people, including 52 security personnel -- mostly from the Army -- have been killed in terror-related incidents in the Jammu region since 2021. Most of the casualties were from Rajouri and Poonch districts where 54 terrorists were also eliminated, the officials said. Three terrorists were also killed in Reasi district and two others in Kathua district, they added.
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