Army Officer Among Four Soldiers Killed in Doda Encounter, Search Operations Underway in Jammu and Kashmir

In a tragic encounter with militants late Monday night, four Army personnel, including Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay Kumar Singh, were killed inside the Koti forests in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir. All four were members of the Rashtriya Rifles and sacrificed their lives during a counter-terrorism operation aimed at ensuring regional peace. This incident follows a series of violent attacks, including the ambush of an Army convoy in Kathua on July 8 that resulted in the deaths of five soldiers.

Since the June 9 terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Reasi, militant activity has surged in Jammu, particularly targeting security forces. At least 10 security personnel have been killed and several injured in encounters across Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts. The militants involved in Monday night’s encounter are suspected to be the same group that escaped after attacking security forces in the Sezan forests on July 9.

Security forces had been actively searching for the militants for a week. Around 9 pm on Monday, they made contact, leading to a heavy firefight that critically injured the four soldiers, who later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. The area has been encircled, and reinforcements, including Para commandos and J&K Police’s Special Operations Group, have been deployed. Despite extensive ground, helicopter, and drone surveillance, the militants remain at large, using the dense and treacherous forest terrain to their advantage.

The forests, spanning from Udhampur’s Basantgarh to Kishtwar’s Paddar and Ramban’s Jawahar Tunnel, are notoriously difficult to navigate due to their dense wild growth and towering pine trees. Security agencies suspect additional militant groups are operating in the higher reaches of Doda, which shares borders with Kashmir Valley, Ramban, Udhampur, Kathua, and Himachal Pradesh. Searches have intensified since April 28, following an attack on a patrol party that killed an SPO, and the subsequent ambush on July 8.

Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, Jammu-based Army PRO, confirmed the ongoing proactive counter-terrorist operations in response to recent incidents. A joint operation with J&K Police was launched in Urarbaggi, 10 kilometers north of Doda, where the search party encountered the terrorists in the dense, mountainous area. The four soldiers were injured in the initial exchange of fire and later died from their injuries.

Joint operations with J&K Police aim to eliminate foreign terrorists infiltrating and moving through the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Bhaderwah areas, as well as to the Kashmir Valley. Similar operations are ongoing in Kathua. Recovered war-like stores from the slain terrorists indicate involvement from across the border. The Indian Army remains committed to eliminating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, continuing relentless operations despite the heavy toll.

Since the resurgence of terrorism in Jammu division in August 2021, nine of the 10 districts, except Kishtwar, have experienced attacks. Approximately 50 soldiers and police personnel have been killed in the region since then. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha vowed to avenge the soldiers’ deaths and called for public cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sorrow over the loss and affirmed the continuation of counter-terrorist operations to restore peace and order.

Also Read| “Kathua Terror Attack: Grenade Thrown, Crossfire Ensues, Large Terrorist Group Involved”

Author:- Apoorva Arora