Army officer among four soldiers killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda, search ops on

In fact, since the June 9 terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu has seen a surge in militant activity, with the security establishment often the target. At least 10 security personnel have been killed and several others injured in encounters in Jammu division’s Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts since then.

The militants who killed the four Army personnel in Monday night’s encounter are suspected to be the same group that fled after attacking security forces in the district’s Sezan forests on July 9, sources in the security establishment said.

Clockwise from top left: Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Ajay Kumar Singh and Sepoy Bijendra

According to sources, security forces had been looking for them for the past week. Around 9 pm on Monday, contact was made with the militants, leading to a heavy firefight in which the four soldiers were critically injured. They were evacuated to a hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.

Sources said the area has been encircled, and fresh reinforcements, including Para commandos from the Army and J&K Police’s Special Operations Group, have been rushed there. Ground teams are being assisted by helicopter and drone surveillance, but there’s no sign of the militants so far, said sources.

Sources said the search parties are facing challenges navigating the dense forests on treacherous mountain terrain, where pine trees reach a height of 200-250 feet and dense wild growth makes visibility difficult. The forests are so dense that it is difficult to see someone hiding beyond 3-4 feet, sources said.

These forests span a vast area, starting from Udhampur’s Basantgarh to Paddar in Kishtwar district and Jawahar Tunnel in Ramban district, sources said, adding that the militants are using the terrain to their advantage.

A security personnel stands guard during an anti-terror operation in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Security agencies suspect this is not the only militant group moving in Doda district; they believe there are more in the higher reaches of the district, which shares borders with Kashmir Valley, Ramban and Udhampur districts, Kathua and Himachal Pradesh.

Searches in Doda forests have been underway since April 28, when militants attacked a patrol party, killing an SPO. The searches intensified after the ambush on an Army convoy on July 8, killing five soldiers and injuring five others in Kathua district’s Badnota village.

Sharing details of the Doda encounter, Jammu-based Army PRO, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, said that “in light of the incidents in the recent past, proactive counter-terrorist operations continue… Accordingly, a joint operation with J&K Police was launched in General Area Urarbaggi, 10 kilometres North of Doda”.

“At about 8.40 pm on July 15, the search party was able to establish contact with the terrorists hiding in the area, which is a thickly forested and mountainous area with restricted visibility due to low clouds and rain. In the initial volley of fire, four Indian Army personnel were injured, who later succumbed to their injuries,” he said.

Security personnel during an anti-terror operation in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (PTI Photo)

“Indian Army has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with J&K Police to eliminate foreign terrorists who have infiltrated and are moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah areas and thereafter to Kashmir Valley,” he said, adding that similar operations are being conducted in Kathua.

He said an analysis of “war-like stores recovered from the slain terrorists reveals the hand of inimical agencies from across the border”.

“The Line of Control and fence is intact and alert troops have recently neutralised three terrorists attempting to infiltrate along with a large quantity of war-like stores in Kupwara region on 14 July,” he said. “We deeply regret the loss of precious lives of our four brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. All formations of Northern Command are committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for which the relentless operations will continue.”

Since August 6, 2021, when the first signs of a revival of terrorism became apparent in Jammu division with the killing of two militants in Rajouri district’s Pangai forests, nine of the 10 districts of Jammu division, barring Kishtwar, have been hit by attacks. Since then, around 50 soldiers and police personnel have died in attacks in the region.

In a post online, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said, “We will avenge the death of our soldiers and thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their associates. I call upon the people to unite in the fight against terrorism and provide us accurate information so that we can intensify anti-terror operations and neutralise the terror ecosystem.”

Expressing sorrow over the death of the four soldiers, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The counter-terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers remain committed to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and restore peace and order in the region.”