Militant group that killed 4 soldiers in Jammu’s Doda fled after encounter a week ago, security forces suspect

The Army has identified the deceased as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay.

Sources say the area has been encircled, and fresh reinforcements from the Army, including para commandos, and police’s Special Operation 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.

Sources said the search parties are struggling to navigate the dense forests on treacherous mountain terrain, where pine trees grow to a height of 200-250 feet with a dense wild growth underneath. The forests are so dense that it is difficult to see someone hiding beyond 3-4 feet, sources said.

These dense forests are spread over 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.

Security agencies also apprehend that this is not the only terrorist group moving in Doda district – it is believed that there are more in the higher reaches of the district, which touches Kashmir Valley on one side, Ramban and Udhampur district on the second, Kathua on the third, and Himachal on the fourth side.

The Army has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with the J&K police to eliminate the militants, who they believe infiltrated from across the border and are moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.

Searches in Doda forests have been underway since militants attacked a patrol party, killing an SPO on April 28 in Udhampur district’s Basantgarh area, which borders Bhaderwah’s Seoj Dhar area.

Jammu-based Army PRO, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, said an analysis of “warlike stores recovered from the slain terrorists (who were killed earlier) reveals the hand of inimical agencies from across the border”.